Video: Staying Organized (Stamps, Dies, Etc.) + Giveaway

Hi! People often ask how I am able to keep my craft room organized. The key for me is to be prepared. If I have my storage supplies ready when I get new products, I am more likely to stay on top of it. Here’s how…

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Affiliate links used. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

So this is my “Stay Organized Container.” In it I have what I need to organize my stamps, dies, etc. Yes, it took me some time to prepare this container. But – oh my – it saves me a ton of time in the long run. Whenever I get a new product in the mail, I immediately reach for this container. SO much faster… leaving more time for me to create!

I organize all of my storage pockets in a strong clear container. The dividers I use are cut from plastic folders and are sized 7 1/4″ x 9″. I keep my label maker and adapter cord in the front of the container. (To see how to set your label maker to conserve tape, watch THIS video.) I have a lot of pockets in this container, so it will last me awhile.

Please keep in mind that this is my job so I gotta stay organized and this freaky-prepared-container helps me. 🙂 You could also just prepare a handful of whatever storage pieces you use in a container and it would be a huge help!

All of the pockets come empty, so I create white cardstock inserts using inexpensive cardstock. I also show in the video the “insert cheat sheets” I have so I don’t have to remember the dimensions. A big time-saver!

Here is all the info on the pockets I use: (Note: The engineer in me used pretty detailed measurements. You could always round down… I provided those measurements, too.)

Regular Stamp Pockets:

Tall Stamp Pockets:

  • Holds tall 8″ x 4″ stamp sets (such as some My Favorite Things).
  • Pocket size: 5 11/16″ x 8 5/8″ – I cut a bit off the top to make it 8 1/4″ tall.
  • Inserts size: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/4″
  • Click HERE for a video on how I store my stamps – I just put these in with my other stamps.

Large Stamp Pockets:

  • Holds large 6″ x 8″ stamp sets (such as some WPlus9, Altenew, etc.)
  • Pocket size: 6″ x 10″ – you will have to cut a bit off the top to make it 8″ tall.
  • Inserts size: 5 15/16″ x 8″ (or round down to 5 3/4″ x 8″)
  • Note: This is a snug fit. I wanted something that wasn’t too wide so it would fit in most containers. You may have to trim a bit of extra plastic of the side of some stamp sets. (I have only had to do a few times.)
  • I store these separately from my other stamps… in THIS container.

Background Stamp Pockets:

  • Holds 6″ x 6″ background cling stamp sets and smaller (including square and regular, such as My Favorite Things, Hero Arts, etc.)
  • Pocket size: 6 11/16″ x 8 5/8″ – I cut a bit off the top to make it 6 5/8″ tall.
  • Inserts size: 6 5/8″ x 6 5/8″ (or round down to 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″)
  • Click HERE for a video on how I store my background stamps.

Die Pockets:

  • Holds most dies, excluding large dies.
  • Pocket size: 5 1/8″ x 5″
  • Inserts size: 4 13/16″ x 4 13/16″ (or round down to 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″)
  • For any dies that are too big for these pockets, I use regular stamp pockets.
  • Click HERE for a video on how I store my dies.

Stencil Pockets:

  • Holds most stencils.
  • Pocket size: 6 7/16″ x 6 1/4″ – I cut the flap off the top to make it 6 1/4″ tall.
  • Inserts size: 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″
  • This size pocket is close to that of the background pockets. You could use those for stencils instead.
  • Some stencils are taller than these pockets. I just allow them to stick out.
  • Click HERE for a video on how I store my stencils.

Note: I really spent a lot of time and tried my best in pulling this info together. Please let me know if you see any info that needs updating!

If you are looking for more organization videos, just head HERE.

GIVEAWAY

Interested in winning the label maker I love so much? For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 8/22/15 telling me your favorite crafty organization tip. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

SUPPLIES

Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS) and Amazon (AZ).

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( AZ )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( AZ | SSS )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( AZ | SSS )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( AZ )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( AZ )

 

 

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 


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699 thoughts on “Video: Staying Organized (Stamps, Dies, Etc.) + Giveaway”

  1. I am sooo happy to have found your blog and YouTube videos. The first video I discovered was for your die storage, which led to your other videos. I have been frustrated with storing my thin metal dies and had tried several different ways but always discovered a major flaw before I was finished getting organized. Finding your videos was absolutely the best! I quickly ordered the supplies I needed but underestimated the number of pockets I would need so I will be ordering more for the few remaining dies and my stamps because I ended up using the pockets I bought for stamps for my dies. lol! Since I’m still recovering from complications of a broken shoulder and pelvis, my hubby was sweet and cut my inserts for me. I was able to put the dies in the pockets and I LOVE how they look and function. I still need to label my pockets but even without labels, my dies are easier to find than they have EVER been. I was planning to type my labels on the computer so I’m hoping I might be blessed and just maybe win the label maker. If not, I might have to invest in one like yours.

    My new die storage has to be my favorite storage solution! I am in love but I also really like how I store my 12×12 papers since I also scrapbook. I used recycled Express Mail boxes, cut my design based on a magazine holder design, painted the edges, added paper to the front and sides and covered the etire outside with Mod Podge. I have them sorted by color waves and stacked on a shelf. I can pull out the color I need, find the paper and easily put the container back. I definitely have too much paper but this allows me to store my paper in an inexpensive way and recycle at the same time. It works for me and is decorative too!

    Thank you for sharing your ideas, videos and inspiration.

    1. As a former demonstrator, I have a large amount of wooden stamp sets that I love, but take up so much room. Do you advocate the stamps stay on the wood base, in the plastic containers, or do you remove them from the wood base and store differently? If you do remove the stamps from the wood base, how do you store and organize? Cant wait to get my clear stamps put away using your terrific system. Thank you!

  2. I go to a lot of crops and end up pulling my basics from my drawer in my scrap room to take with me., I use the large clear pencil cases that are about 4w x 13L x 3 h. I fill one with the basic tools, one with adhesives and pop dots, and one with miscellaneous tools and glues. I keep them in my drawer to pull from at home and can grab the containers to take to a crop and stack them up on the table. They are each labeled on the end and on the side so I can see what is in them from either direction. I have a 4th pencil container that I put spare tape runners and other items I might run low on at a crop. It can also hold my pastes, inks, brushes and Washi tape. Jennifer, I like all of your organization videos that have inspired me to become more organized. Thanks,.

  3. The clear pockets and my trusty label maker are the best. You have helped me out in so many ways to start a good system for organizing my stamps and dies! Thanks you!

  4. Possibly a silly question, but when you put your stamps into your pocket system do you keep the overlay plastic, as well as the base plastic with the designs?

    1. I am new to this video/storage system. Your question is EXACTLY my question. Did you ever get a reply? If not, what do you do? Thank you for a reply.

  5. Thank you for the list of dimensions! I’ll be printing this and adding to me “cheat sheet” binder! 🙂 And I LOVE your idea for cutting “insert cheat sheets” for your pocket inserts! Brilliant! 🙂 Thanks for all the time you put into keeping the rest of us organized! It is incredibly helpful to me and many others I’m sure. 🙂

  6. I use the same storage system that Jennifer really I just copied her’s and it works perfectly it takes awhile to get all the things together but it is well worth it. The “insert cheat sheets” is new and now I have to make that. I should have thought of that myself until now I just have a sticky note.
    Jennifer has put a lot of thought and work into this system and I for one say THANK YOU for the help.

  7. I have copied so many of your storage ideas, they have helped me quite a bit to get organized. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas!

  8. LOVE this video!! I love all of your organization tips!! Specifically stamp storage and ink swatches!! Thanks for helping us keep a bit more tidy!!

  9. I think the one thing that I try to stay on top of is all the white scraps that I get after die cutting or stamping. I’ve been trying to set up small containers to use those scraps–for example, I’ve been die cutting onesies and hearts and butterflies so that those white scraps aren’t just sitting around. Since they’re white, I can always ink them up later but I don’t have tons of scraps sitting on my desk.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  10. I’m so excited! I just made my own pockets with page protectors and the We R Memory Makers fuse tool!! Used your measurements Jennifer and bingo! There I go!!!!! I can use the leftover page protector pieces for other projects (i.e. shaker cards!!!)

  11. Jennifer, Thank You so much for this info. Wow! One quick question, have you asked Kinkos if they are able to cut the plastic folders? Just thought you might know, maybe you’ve asked already? That would be a time saver too. Thanks, again!

  12. What do you use to cut the plastic folders for the dividers, I can’t cut a straight line by hand and my paper cutter doesn’t seem to be working.
    Thank Cheryl

  13. Ahh Edwin is lovely and often gets nlelectegd, but i wont ever neglect him, LOL….thanks for the chance to win him Bev, and im a naughty girl as i have only one 4 cards for christmas, i hate the run up to christmas at the best of times but now i make cards i hate it even more!!! sorry, but i need edwin, lol……good luck everyone, hugs to you Bev, Vick xxxx

  14. Hi Jennifer!
    Thank you first of all for sharing all the hard work of putting together these instruction videos on how to organize our craft rooms. I am implementing many of them during the holidays . But I have a question; after getting the Brother label maker, I am finding that it is hard to figure out, for me anyway. Is there an instruction video you know of that I could watch to learn? I learn from reading but better at visual instruction. Thanks for all you help, and your amazing card creations et all!
    Dottie

  15. Hello Jennifer! It has been awhile since you offered this method of organizing stamps/dies. Several companies have now followed your lead and are offering plastic storage sleeves in all the popular sizes for storing crafting supplies. Some of the companies offer the thickness of the plastic storage sleeves and others I can’t seem to see that information and I know I can contact them for that information. My question would be how to determine which ones would probably be the most durable? I see some artists mentioning their original sleeves were a bit thin and did not hold up. Of course, they probably use theirs more than I do…lol. I have some sleeves I purchased from a few years back but am wanting to reorganize and find I am needing more sleeves to finish the job. Is there enough difference in the thickness of all the companies to really matter which ones a person gets? The Best to you and your family….Candy Thank you for your time.

  16. Love to recieve knew videp feeds from you. So much love and information in all. Love sharing your wonderful ideas with friends in my stamping group. Thanks for all you do.

  17. Well I already feel like a winner reading others’ suggestions. My favorite tip is to cut cardstock in half horizontally and store them by colors in a see-through plastic box. I then have the makings of a card front/back cut and ready to use.

  18. when I was starting student, my best tip was to cut cereal boxes diagonally upper left to lower right, which gave me 2 magazine holders, if I had extra pennies I wrapped them in contact paper or duct tape for extra strength, now my best tool is my label maker, I’m amazed that thing keeps going, the way I use it!

  19. Love, love, love your craft space. I just got my craft room almost organized and was trying to figure out where I could store my stamps but not take up a lot of room. I wanted to be able to see them at a glance rather than sort through everytime I was looking for one. Thank you for sharing your amazing ideas. <3

  20. I just found this great video on how to organize my stamp/dies, empty sleeves. My sleeves arrived today. Tomorrow should bring the widest container and I can’t wait to start this project. I can’t tell you how delirious I am that I found a system that works for me!! Like I’m giddy! I’ll keep you posted!

    Deb S

  21. I just found this great video on how to organize my stamp/dies, empty sleeves. My sleeves arrived today. Tomorrow should bring the widest container and I can’t wait to start this project. I can’t tell you how delirious I am that I found a system that works for me!! Like I’m giddy! I’ll keep you posted!

    Deb S

  22. Hi Jennifer!
    I really like your organization for your large 6×6 cling background stamps! I never thought to cut the top flap off! Ingenious!

  23. In your Zig marker video you showed an organizer for the markers. It was clear plastic, with triangular sections. Where, oh where can I get one?
    Thanks for your help. Just love watching your videos. You make it all look so easy!!!

  24. Thank you for the time and information you shared about how you organized your craft stamps,dies, and stencils and videos.

  25. I have searched and searched and I can’t seem to come up with, do you have an organizational process for embossing folders as far as how to store them and/or how to catalog them once they’re stored to find them?

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