Comments on: Mission Impossible: Organizing My Beads

By: Luv2bead - Little Chick

Luv2bead - Little Chick — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:25:26 +0000

Here’s mine

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:20:06 +0000

I just marvel at how much stuff you all have! I have only just started and have a serving tray with tools, beads, wire, findings etc. etc on it. Beads are organised by colour in the plastic bags they came in and then per colour in a zip-lock freezer bag.All styles beads mixed as long as they have the same colour.

By: Happy Chick aka Harriet

Happy Chick aka Harriet — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:31:02 +0000

Oh, Yeah! I totally hear you sdjohnson. That seems to happen a lot around here too. But I do like the idea of sorting by colors. Right now my glass is sorted by colors, generally speaking, and so are my stones. But they are not together, and the small beads (sizes 3-11) live in another area. Too many drawers and too many get misplaced.

By: sdjohnson

sdjohnson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:23:10 +0000

My beads have taken on a life of their own! Seems like everytime I try to organize them, they multiply! I have boxes (organized by color), bags, drawers, you name it. I have recently found the little tins my dog’s food comes in to be quite handy for holding beads that I’m working with at the time.
Now, if I can just find a little more room, I might be able to do some beading in the office/beading room instead of the living room!
Seems like everytime I try to organize, I find that bead that I thought I’d lost and I’m off to make something with it – or at least look for others to go with it – pulling out everything once again. That’s always when hubby comes around and makes a comment about how I never seem to get anything done!

By: Steph

Steph — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:39:14 +0000

I would have thought working for a bead place you would have many ideas. I’m becoming a little lost in my own beads. I’m trying to get rid of clothes that I have also but I have yet to find a good resale shop. They are all nice dress clothes so I can’t just toss them in a bin to good will. I have a fairly large room but need to get more organized, it’s just having more time to do the things I want to do.

By: J Yee smart chick

J Yee smart chick — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:32:25 +0000

Ali, thanks for posting this one, who couldn’t relate to discussing how we can organize our beads???

I’m so happy to read comments and see photos from several folks here, Lynn, Ivy, Lorrie – thank you, these all give me great ideas. In particular it does make lots of sense to organize by color and bead size – sounds like it’s “easier” for smaller beads like seed beads, less so for the larger ones like cabochons and pendants. Like Anita I am NOT posting any pics of my beads right now, I gotta work on organizing my own stash first!!!

By: Cattywumpuss

Cattywumpuss — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:19:06 +0000

My husband built me a special area with shelves and a flat surface to bead on. First all my shelves are filled to the ceiling with plastic containers from craft stores and all are labeled like, Sterling, Gold, VinTaj, Winsy. My seed beads are either hanging on hanks or stored in glass tubes.Stones are boxed according to type; Turquoise, Jade, Agates. I have a special four drawer storage for my pendants, pearls,and semi-precious stones. My tools hang on a carrier much like the kind you carry around the house when you clean.

it still boggles the mind and turns into a big mess when my wheels start turning to create and I have to go to the dinning room table cause I get overwhelmed by the closeness.

I this space with, altered art, photo albums, and the computer.

I’m overwhelmed and I think I need to find some type of storage unit, perferably mobile to use….any ideas?

Sorry no picture but it’s like a closet with no door.

By: Elaine aka Belly Chick

Elaine aka Belly Chick — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:12:53 +0000

I use the plastic see-through craft containers just like Ivy’s and I try to put all similar colors in one box, no matter what the type of material it is. I have separate containers for metal spacers and bead covers and a separate box/boxes for findings as well as charms, etc. Right now the room that I use is kinda dark and dreary, I am thinking of buying some of those drawer totes on wheels so that I can pull the whole thing out into my living room or kitchen, depending on where the light is best. (I never leave the door open to that room right now either because it is also used for storage and numerous other hobbies that I dabble in, so it is always scary!!!)

By: Anita QoG Funny Chick

Anita QoG Funny Chick — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:09:05 +0000

I have all the above containers!!! Also, I have about 15 totes, You see I have to take my “stuff” back & forth (to work & home) Sooooo, what starts out as a nice & neat system, always breaks down…………Some stuff here, some stuff there. Right now there’s absolutely no way I’m going to take a picture of my bead room!!!!!!!! Put it this way, if the doors open, my husband closes it!!!!!! LOL.. (Creative minds are rarely TIDY) How’s that for help, Ali?

By: Atomic Toad

Atomic Toad — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:06:32 +0000

I just put away my bead room to turn it back into the dining room for Thanksgiving/Christmas. I’m thinking of moving to the guest room on a permanent basis. Before I packed, my bead space was an organizer’s nightmare. I don’t like to work that way, it just sorta happened. Now I get to start over with all of these great ideas I see here!