Ribbon and Trim update

Last year I shared my ribbon and trim storage solutions - you can view that here:
http://theorganizedminiaturist.blogspot.com/2015/01/all-trimmings-day-12-of-31-days-of.html
This past month I decided that the big tin of baggies of trim was no longer working for me. The tin held it all fine, but I didn't like having to dig through it. I tried to store the bags in a row, but due to the depth of the tin and the amount of bags I had, that didn't last long at all.

My newest solution is to use a photo box. 
Here's what that looks like now

Not a whole lot different than the tin, but it does have dividers. I made the dividers from black scrapbook paper that I cut to the right size. Then I used a white pen to write on them.

Right now this box is really tight so I believe the next phase will be to split this into two boxes. When I do that I know that part of that will also be to add in other ribbon and trim stored elsewhere. 

Future ribbon and trim thoughts
I have concluded that my 3 ring binder with the plastic pocket pages is a fabulous but  cost-prohibitive solution for me. I do plan to finally move those items into this photo box solution. It only took me two years to finally accept this. I just loved the idea too much to let go of it. But in thinking about blogging about this and also that I will indeed use two photo boxes, I decided that it was more important to have everything together than to keep the pocket pages.

Another trim stash that I am considering the best solution for is my embroidery thread. I have it in a divided plastic box - 2 of them actually. I rarely use it, but it is there when I need it. Now I am debating do I combine it with the bags of other trim. It looks so neat and organized the way it is. It isn't hurting anything by leaving it there. When I need it - it is still easy to access. But... am I ever going to do needlework again? Probably not. With that answer combining it with the other bags makes sense. Plus I could actually weed out some and maybe sell a portion of it. Wonder if it is worth listing on etsy?...

Happy organizing!
Preble

Softer side - Day 11 of 31 Days of Organizing

The softer side of miniatures includes things I like to call fiber.
When it comes to this material, like my other supplies, I like to sort by category, by color, by texture, by whatever appropriate to that material and I like to separate so it isn't a mess to find something and later put away.  I admit that my fiber stash is like some of my other supplies, I have pockets of disorganized stuff.  So it is future organizing moments for when I feel it deserves my time to deal with it.  

Fabric/cloth My fabric is stored in a single drawer.  A few years ago, I did some clearing out of fabric. The remaining pieces were sorted by color and stored in large zip bags.  I press the bag to remove the air when closing to save space.  This also helps the bag to stand up on it's end.

By having them in bags, some messiness is allowed.  I pull out one bag and go through that bag.  If I had a larger collection of fabric, then I would still sort by color but separate by prints versus solids.  

Feathers and misc other fiber

Looking at this picture I think one day I should sort these feathers into smaller bags by color.  I don't use feathers often is probably why I haven't already.
The other stuff in this drawer are stuffing, some flat batting, and some netting.  So this is a catch all for fiber that otherwise would just be in a bag or box in the closet.

Excess ribbon and lace

Since I do mostly smaller scale, this drawer holds ribbon on spools and extra lace that I am less likely to use in miniature.  I do on occasion still do some non-miniature craft projects and these would be for that.  tomorrow.

Come back tomorrow for more on my main ribbon and trim storage ideas during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble