Using top of cabinets with uneven surface

Enhance tops of cabinets and other furniture for using the top to display or store items

I have a vaulted ceiling and in my living room my entertainment unit and kitchen cabinets are places that I store or display things. The way the unit and cabinets are built they have molding at the top.

Problem: Items set on top of the unit are partially hidden by the molding. Or there is an uneven surface.

It was a couple of years ago, that it dawned on me how to best deal with this. Previously I was using other objects like plastic trays upside down or tins to use as risers so the items weren't hidden by the molding. 

Solution: Add one or two layers of construction foam to level the top.

One layer can be pieces.

Top layer can be solid or pieced together. 

These pics are from my kitchen cabinets. Before I was limited about where I could place things both by the cabinet sides that stuck up and by the molding in front. From the angle of these pics the molding isn't obvious that it blocks the view.

On my cabinets I only added one layer and where I had the pieces to fit as one, I used one. But where I ran out of large pieces or had smaller areas to fill, I used pieces together.

In the 'new to me' cabinets in my studio, I did the same thing. However, I used two layers because of the way they are constructed. I used odd pieces to fit the lower portion - not filling the area, but providing support. The top layer was also pieces, but fit together sort like a puzzle. Once I had them arranged I taped them. I used pieces so as to use what scraps I had on hand rather than buying a new sheet. 

Before I added the foam layers, I would not likely placed anything on top. This way I can display miniatures that typically I rotate to other locations throughout the year. One on left is summer and one on right is winter.

I would not recommend placing anything high like this without a cover. (that pumkin doesn't, but cobwebs could be ok on it. The other project in lower left corner is in a case, just can't see it.)

It doesn't have to be display - it could be storage boxes. But the filling of the area so it is flat would make it easier to retrieve items. I guess it all depends on whether want to use a step stool or not and have to lift them out of the 'hole' they would be sitting in.

It's in the papers - Day 27 of 31 days of organizing minis

Today is paper day - paper I use and how I store it.

I have already talked about wallpaper so I won't discuss that here - I am talking about the paper we print on, clippings we might save, magazines, books, instructions, or other misc paper.

First, I think that it is very important that if we are including it in our minis that it be archival quality.  What this is means is it won't turn color or cause other damage later due to the acids in the material.  For example, newsprint will turn yellow over time.  Most copy paper is ok but it is always good to check the label of paper one is buying - is it acid and lignin free?  If it is not or unsure then think about it before buying.  It may be ok and just not labeled that way. 

Second, when it comes to paper and color, sun is likely to cause fading.  (This is also true of other colors on objects such as from paint.)  So for our paper, we should protect it from the sun both before and after we use it.

Storing paper

My printing paper is stored in a open shelf that I picked up second hand.  My plain copy paper - which I like to get a bright white so get best vibrancy, is stored open but in the package (I unwrap part of it).  My higher quality paper that I like to do special printing on comes in boxes and I leave it in the boxes until I use it.

I also have some photo paper - again stored in the original box to protect from light.

A sorter like this could be made using wood, but plastic stackable trays works great as well. I prefer a sorter of sort, so that I don't have to unstack to get to whatever. Of course paper could go in file folders or hanging folders as well.

For my printed papers - notes and instructions and receipts, I use a file box.  There are a myriad of options out there.  I like this one because it latches and has a handle on top.

About a year ago I went through this set of papers and I scanned (or typed up my notes) as much as I could at the time.  Yes, I did get rid of the paper afterwards. I am trying to be digital when it comes to paper.  There is a time to have paper, but I don't have to have paper all the time like for instructions or ideas.  I will talk about going digital in another day this month.  If I do print on paper, I try to reuse what is left for taking notes when I am done with it.  So let's say I forget to print on both sides and I am done with the paper, then I draw a mark across the printed side and turn over to use the other.  Sometimes these get cut/torn in half so becomes a smaller note sheet.

Let's say I buy a kit that comes with printed instructions.  I keep those with the kit until it is finished.  I may or may not scan it for later reference (which so far has been never needed), or just toss it.

If I get a kit without paper instructions and I need to go online to view them, then I will save a pdf copy of the instructions.  I do have a netbook (small laptop type computer) and I do take it in the studio.  So this works for me.  If I had a desktop computer I would be more inclined to print those out, but I would do so double-sided. 

I do like to save paper and save ink when I can.  So I use settings like fast (lower quality print out) or grey instead of colors for photos and then refer to the color photos on the computer.  This is unless I am making up kits and then I print color and good quality depending on what it is in the kit.

Things that I print that will be used in the miniatures themselves, I store those in my wallpaper binder.  I don't usually print things just to print them.  I print to use so I have very little printed on hand that I have done.

Alternative to the file box is a drawer cart with a filing section on top for hanging folders. I had one for awhile and my problem is dust.  It didn't help that my kitties liked to lay on it.  I don't recommend one for that reason, why I have a file box instead, but I know for some this would work.

Of course if keeping a lot of paper, a filing cabinet is good.  I have two of those - the short ones, but they hold household not miniature related papers.  And yes, I try to avoid keeping paper there too if I can.

Ideas and clippings

I have several binders full of ideas that I have clipped from magazines.  These are three ring binders and inside I have sheet protectors that the clippings are housed in.  I add labels to the sheet protectors so I know what the theme is for that group.  These aren't grouped in any particular order.  

I have another binder for newsletters - that contained instructions and I do have those indexed so that I can look up which one.

I don't subscribe to many magazines and ones I do, I don't cut up.  Instead I get more ideas from pinterest and google images if I need something.

Magazines

Miniature magazines hold a special place to me, so I have them all organized by month and year.  However I have considered selling what I have at one point and I did take time to scan most of them at the time.  I just did this for my use, not to share.  But I haven't kept up doing this. 

You can sort of see in this pic that I have some on top, those are recent ones I put there until I put them in a box.  

the labels I added are permanent (taped over with packing tape) once the box is full. Otherwise they are just taped at the top and bottom.  

These boxes are contact paper covered laundry detergent boxes.  

I am torn on whether magazines should be digital or paper.  I would love to have the option as easier to search for something, but I also love to hold them mag in my hand.  

Catalogs

I tend to keep this for awhile and then toss them.  I prefer to find things online and so don't get many catalogs.  I used to save them for a long time, but found typically the prices were out of date.  If a dealer I buy from gives me a catalog then it goes in the file box shown above, unless it is a dealer that sends them regularly and those hang around for a while then get tossed.

Books

I include this here as it is where it fits in the list of items I am sharing about.  But honestly I don't have many books that I consider miniature related.  Ones I do have, I keep in a bookshelf in my living room.  Writing this though is making me re-think that.  Both in terms of storage and also in terms of buying more for reference. 

My philosophy about having books has in general (not just mini) is to borrow rather than buy.  Unless I can buy cheaply.  With the internet buying cheaply becomes more a possibility for me.  The last one I got for minis was $0.01 plus $4 shipping.  That is cheap enough.  I have no issue with buying used.  But I do like to get the best deal for a used book I can and for what I have ordered, I won't complain.  Usually the interior is intact and that is why matters to me.
If I had more books, then I would do so by subject matter.

Come back tomorrow for another day of organizing ideas in my 31 days of organizing minis and mini supplies.

Happy Miniature Organizing!
Preble

Punching Pretty - Day 26 of 31 Days of Organizing

Let's talk about that punch - well punches - for making flowers and other things in minis

I have a small collection of punches - both the block punches and the hand held ones.
I have these in three drawers in my drawer cabinets

 Note the bottom drawer above has extra labels on it.  These 'labels' are paper that I punched the shape from.  I need to do this again so that the upper drawer has them again as well.  The drawer shown below also needs them.

This drawer in addition to the hand held punches also holds my fancy scissors.  
Another way these types punches and scissors could be stored is by hanging them from pegs on a wall.
Another miniaturist shared with NAME that she uses the closet door holders like for shoes or other accessories to hold her many punches.  Divided boxes that allow one to adjust the dividers would also be a good option.
The punched pieces need a place to be stored as well especially if one borrows a punch or buys some pre-punched. I started with a tray that had pockets in it but no lid.  It was something my sis-in-law had given me from her work at a dental office.  I made a lid of sorts from cardboard.  
Later I was to be a part of a group buy of a bunch of pre-punched petals.  These came to me in little zip bags.  I liked the bags.  The bags I had gotten before were not the zip bags, but had the cardboard folded over the top.
One day I decided to sort these by color and using the idea I had seen used at shows to display other items, I taped each bag to a plastic sheet protector for a three ring binder. The sheet protector just has a sheet of paper in it. The plastic is what the little bags are taped to.  I also had plastic tab sheets and I added those to make the sheets stiffer.  alternatively I could have just used the tabs to tape to or I could use stiffer paper.  The tabs do help to separate the sheets.   The tabs and sheets all go in a three ring binder. This binder is called a case binder.  It is more like a plastic box than a typical binder that is open on three sides.

This particular style also has a plastic sleeve over the outside which allows to add a cover to be inserted.  I took pictures of each page inside, reduce their size and combined that all together on one page.

Here's an actual page inside.
I sub-grouped by shade or tint, and then arranged smaller to largest of the same shape.
The same friend that uses the over the door holder, houses her punched punches in a divided box.  She labels them based on the shape and adds a number to her punches.  So if she has same shape but three sizes, she would have #1, #2, #3.  The box gets labeled that was as well so that if that bin is empty she knows which punch to use to refill.
An alternative I might consider for storing the punched punches would be a pocket page type photo album.  Again I would sort by color.
For whatever solution I used for the punches themselves, I think the more punches one has the more that I would group them by shape and label the exterior unless I could easily see their sizes.  

Sharpening a punch?
I have read that punching with wax paper or aluminum foil sharpen them.  My experience is that is not the case.  The wax might help temporarily, and the foil well to me it is just another media the punch is going through.  I don't think it really hurts to try these methods, just that it won't do much in my experience.
To truly sharpen, I think they would need to be taken apart and that is just something I am not going to do, nor am I going to have done.  I only have one punch that is really even a problem for me.  I used it to punch butterflies from cooper and I got to point of using a hammer and wood block to get them all cut.  
Granted none of my punches are the expensive - $30 ones and if they were, I might consider having them professionally sharpened.

Using punched pieces
I think that punches can be an excellent source of shapes especially if using them for a swap.  
When it comes to making flowers, I personally feel that the punches need to be enhanced with both shaping and with color.  For example, a double ball stylus can be used either wet or dry to shape and markers or paint can be used to accent the shapes to look more life-like with color variations.
Of course punches can also be used for things like frames, clocks, signs and more.

Sequins
Sequins are pre-punched things that can also be used particularly for mirrors, plates, vinyl records - all depending on the color, shape and size.  Don't throw away those sequin holes as I use those as well for buttons and such.
Storing these is super simple in my studio - a plastic bag in a drawer.  I have bought mixed colors and so far haven't taken time to sort them out.  When I use them, I dump them on a paper plastic sort to find what I want, then re-bag using the plate as a funnel of sorts.
I have even used my sequins and punches together - taking a shape that is one thing to another shape with the punch.  I have purposefully bought larger round ones so that I could punch them into other shapes.

Come back tomorrow for another idea on organizing for my 31 days of Organizing in January.

Happy Miniature Organizing!
Preble

Day 25 of 31 Days of Organizing - Landscape supplies

Landscaping supplies

I have a variety of supplies I have collected over the years.  I really enjoy using the ones developed for train enthusiasts to use.  For what I have collected I have separated by color.  (My favorite way to sort.)

I most everything in a three drawer cart.

A drawer for greens

A drawer for flower colors

A drawer for browns, black and whites - which includes various sands that might be used for dirt and ground

For all of these I use a lot of zip bags.  I have found these to be the best option.  To avoid dealing with the materials getting in the zip part, I use a metal bead scoop to dip out of the bags. I rarely use it for beads as I have mine sorted so am not typically dealing with larger quantities of beads.  But for landscaping, I like dipping versus pouring.  I do use a paper plate or something under my project to capture the excess and pour back into the bags.

Another bunch of landscaping I have is dried materials.  These have a tendency to be larger packages, so keep them in a large box in my closet.  

I do take a smaller amount of the dried items and put in a small bag to keep in with the three drawers of landscaping supplies.

Come back tomorrow for another organizing idea during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble

Packaging - Day 24 of 31 Days of Organizing

Packaging
Zip bags are something I can't do without.  I found this box in yet another laptop box.  But it could be easily set up.

As you can it has four sections that were built in - but I am using checkbook boxes to divide the one section further.  I could see taking a pizza box type box and just adding more boxes that I made to hold the bags.  I like having different sizes on hand.  I do use these for swaps, holding punches, and leftover bits.  I buy them and I save them when I get something.  
My larger zip bags go in a drawer with other packaging.

I also save any little containers because I need packaging up swaps and also for storing other miniatures and supplies.  I also store things like lids that I use for paint palettes and paper plates for recapturing excess landscaping, glitter, beads or whatever and also for holding items while painting.

Shipping supplies have drawers as well.  I have a box in the closet for packing peanuts. All this stuff needs contained somewhere so drawers are great, but boxes are great too. Labels are important if can't see in the drawer.

Boxes for shipping, they need a place too.  When I have more boxes than this, I make sure to store them flat like on the each side.  The ones on the left (in plastic wrap) are priority mail boxes.

Come back tomorrow for another organizing idea during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble

Never a Dull Moment - Day 18 of 31 Days of Organizing

We've marked and measured and now comes the time to cut.
So today's organizing idea is around storing the sharp tools.

Sharp tools need to be kept sharp and also need to be stored to protect us from them.
Similar to my measuring tools, I have larger and smaller.  The larger ones are stored in a drawer

I added the divider in this drawer just so I could keep this drawer more orderly.  
That green and silver thing in the back - that is my new sharpening tool.  It was recommended by another miniaturist.  It is now two-sided to do two-step sharpening.  
That handle on the left is a cutting tool to use with a grooved ruler for cutting things like mat board and poster board.  
The rest are spare cutting tools that either aren't needed or don't fit in my toolbox.

Here is that toolbox divided box

My toolbox is the tools I need that work with making minis in smaller scales.  These tools are necessarly smaller they just all happen to fit.
In the middle front section is a small plastic box that I place used blades in.  In the past, I threw these away.  One way I did that was to insert the used blade into a scrap of foam core board or other scraps that kept the blade from coming out.  
I do keep spare blades in with these tools.
This divided box has also been modified to allow me to fit larger tool.  But I use the dividers in the back to contain the tweezers.  This corrals them and keeps me from grabbing the wrong end.

Accessibility is important to me and my sharp tools are no different.  But I also try to avoid any potential sharp point from hurting me or someone else who might borrow my tools. 
Having sharp tools to use when I cut is also important to me, so that is why I do change out blades.  And now I will be reusing them by using the new sharpening tool I have. From what I understand the blades can be even sharper than what they come to us from the factory.  

Come back tomorrow for another organizing idea during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble

Measuring the Marks - Day 17 of 31 Days of Organizing

After we make the marks, now it is time to Measure the Marks

Measuring tools tend to be long and odd shaped.  So they don't lend themselves to toolboxes in general.
I have two strategies to manage these.  I have two sizes of most all of them.
The long and bigger ones I hang on the wall.  In the past, I have hung them on the end of a wood shelf that I had a hook or nail in place.  Working with 1:48 scale minis, I don't need them as often and I have the smaller ones easily accessible in my toolbox. 

 There are also cutting mats hung up here when not on a work desk.

I used my moto tool to modify the small divided box that fits in my toolbox.  This mod was to allow tools to fit in the open area.  The box has dividers and that keeps those pens in place.
Those tools in that  expanded area are a triangle and right angle.  Then in the back are a couple of 6 inch rulers.  All of these are great for working in smaller scale.

In that divided box is an important marking tool - a permanent marker (purple lid).  When I need make the same cut repeatedly, I use a permanent marker on my metal ruler to make the mark.  Then once I am done, I use isopropyl alcohol to remove the mark.

The main thing I think about organizing these tools is to keep them accessible as needed. Otherwise keeping them out of the way (on a wall sure is unless what is below will bump them too much.)  When I used to hang them on a nail at the end of a shelf, I would hang several on the same hook.  On the wall I have more space and I take advantage of that so I don't have to un-hang more than one ruler at a time.  But either way works and that is what I think is most important - whatever works for you.

Come back tomorrow for another organizing idea during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble

Making a Mark - Day 16 of 31 Days of Organizing

Making a Mark - ideas for storing pencils, pens, markers and other drawing materials

When it comes to storing these I mostly have them in drawers.  

Nothing really special about this. I keep the colored pencils and my box of drawing pastels in one drawer, misc pens/markers in another, and my permanent markers in yet another.

In my toolbox I have one divider section that is for a pencil, pen and then other sections for erasers and extra leads. (Yes, I modified my divided box so I can fit other things into it.)

I also scrapbook and so I have a large collection of markers I use for that.  I do use them for minis whenever I feel the need.  For these I purchased a pen binder (it may have actually been for pencils as the loops are tight on the markers.)  I used to travel to crops a lot so I wanted them accessible hence the binder and not just a box, which is what I used before. 

Oh and yes, in the middle that is a miniature replica of this binder done in 1:12 scale.  I am working on a scrapbook dome and this will go on the table if I ever finish it.

The flap in the middle is two sided and so other pens and tools are held there.

One advantage for this binder and these type of pens which are double ended is to allow them to be stored flat.  So the binder either lays flat or stands on the end so they are kept horizontal.

Some pens do better when the point (usually where the lid is) is stored down.  So it depends on the pen.

Another type of pen I have is a stain pen or marker.  I really think these are great for miniatures in general but especially for 1:48 scale minis.  The smaller the scale the less stain we need.  I can say I have a small can of stain that isn't even half gone.  Partly because of using the markers, but just that the can lasts when you don't have as much staining surface.  The markers really make a difference to me for application and for that reason alone they are worth the cost.  There are some styles that allow one to remove the nib and refill.  I haven't tried that yet, but I may one day.  I keep these markers either in the top section of my toolbox or in the drawer with other stain and glue that I will show in a few days.  I have three colors - only because I do a lot more painting of furniture than staining so a light medium and dark works well for my needs.

When it comes to storing pens and markers, the thing most important to me is accessibility for the project at hand.  That's why I keep a variety in my toolbox divider box.  It doesn't mean there aren't other ones laying about my work desk, but I try to always keep one or more in the toolbox so I could travel to a mini class/club if I ever have one to go to again.

The second thing I think important is that pens and markers don't dry out.  So always recap them tightly.  But if they do dry up a bit or especially a lot then I throw them out. Now those stain pens, I might try refilling.  Granted some types of pens can be taken apart and parts reused for other purposes.  I have done that as well.

Come back tomorrow for another organizing idea during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble

Stiff as a Board - Day 15 of 31 Days of Organizing

Stiff as a Board - keep it that way
Well keep it straight too.

I use a number of different materials to construct minis with.  
Wood is a great material for minis - until it gets too heavy.  For furniture, wood is the best, but when storing it we need to keep it straight.  I already covered my wood storage, so will focus on those other materials.

Foam core board
I really prefer this material for any building I can use it for.  I save the scraps in a drawer and generally allow them to lay flat in the drawer.

The long pieces before I cut them up - I keep them in a corner of the room - leaned in with a bunch other larger pieces like drawing pads, poster board and more.  I try to keep this straight more than any of my others.
Working in 1:48 scale, there is less need for longer pieces.  So again, although I am trying to keep these straight most of the time, I don't make a lot of effort.  But I still recommend to keep it straight whenever possible.

Thicker foam board
This board is also corralled in the corner.  It holds its shape fairly well any way. But again, I do try to keep this straight.  

I also save the scraps of this material and store it in a drawer.

Nothing fancy, but just keeping them in a place I can find them is the main thing.

Cardboard
I also have a drawer of cardboard scraps.  Again, I try to lay them in to keep them from being bent.  I save all sorts of cardboard but I prefer if it is not printed on one side, but that can be used if needed.  I find cardboard especially useful for 1:48 scale miniatures as it can be cut and painted and the look it gives is very finished.  Love that is doesn't need sanding and that it can be cut very easily or even torn for a different look.

Come back tomorrow for another organizing idea during my 31 days of organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!

Preble