I have a LOT of beads and have been experimenting with organization for years - what works best for me, and is less expensive than other ways, is to go to Wal-mart to the sports/fishing section. I found a large bag that has 8 large plastic cases that have 24 square compartments each. They were sold for something amazing like $30 (which is WAY less than you would spend at a place like Michaels/Joannes and other craft stores - pluse the bag has pockets too. Then I went and bought a very inexpensive plastic gray shelving unit (I think it was advertised as a tool holder that you put in a garage) also from Wal-mart. I set it up in the "spare" room with the bins on top - it has 3 levels plus the top - I put all my metal beads in one place, stone/wood/shells (natural beads) in one area, seed beads in one area etc. It works really well for me. I didn't place it against the wall the long way like you normally place furnature - I put it so that it sort
of acts as a small wall/sectional, but that way I can easily get to/see what is on both sides and all levels of the shelves (I hope this makes sense). It is wide enough to have two stacks of bins and long enough to fit three of those stacks - the stacks of bins can go 8 high - that is a lot of bins! And as I mentioned above - since I have the shelves placed the way I do - I can see into the bins - although I also created a labeling method. Okay - now you guys are going to know how truly bead crazy I am! My labeling system is something I just came up with and I don't exactly know to describe it so I will just try - so take the semi-precious stones I have - for example - I have about 8 of them divided by color (so malachite, jade and other green stones are in one bin etc.) I take sticky labels and label these bins SP 1-8 with the color, so the bin with the jade beads would be SP1 - Green. Dividing up the glass beads was more of a challenge -
but I just did it by how I use them and what makes sense to me.
I have been collecting for over 15 years and have had people "gift" me their collection of beads when they decided to scale down what they were keeping in their house. Since beading is one of the the few things I can still do - as a result of disabling illness - people who know and love me will give me beads for birthday presents etc. I still feel embarrassed about it though - when someone comes over I cover the shelf of beads up with a big blanket and try to keep the door to that room closed - interesting huh? The strange things I am embarassed about.
Dawn's Designs
by April Dawn
Hand-Crafted Jewelry -- Inspired by Nature
and the Diversity of Life
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