"You know those fuzzy blankets with foam centers that hospitals and motels use? I have a 9 X 13 inch rectangle piece that is buff colored for my work area. Beads stay in one place, it is easy to see all the colors, and you can stick your needle into it so you can keep track of it. Best thing is that it rolls up easily when you are not using it". Contributed by Felinda.

--- "Everyone knows about those little tins that instant coffees come in - you know, the ones with the plastic lids? Well, they make fantastic containers for projects when you need to travel! I find that several bead vials, nail scissors, Nymo bobbins, needles, instructions, etc. will fit in one of these quite handily. The containers are fairly deep so spillage isn't a huge concern - though I would still be careful! When you take the lid off you could use it as a bead tray and it even has a little lip around the edge so the beads won't go rolling away. These tins are small enough to be packed in carry-on bags or suitcases! Contributed by Claire M.

--- "For newbies with rock-bottom budgets who can't buy bead boards, use a towel to organize your larger beads into necklaces or bracelets before stringing. Put it in a large shallow cookie pan with low walls for greater security. Put it on a large wire cookie-rack to create troughs. Contributed by Bennett M.

--- "When beads spill on your carpet or bed or wherever it's hard to pick them up, take your vacuum cleaner and put old pantyhose over the nozzle, then suck the beads up. This will pick up your beads very quickly. When trying to get them off the pantyhose and back into their container, it sometimes helps to put a funnel right under the nozzle. That way, when the suction stops after you turn the vacuum off, the beads will fall into the funnel and into the container. Contributed by Claire M.

I use styrofoam meat trays (not the ones that hold meat, however). I use the ones that the store sometimes puts nuts or fruits on. I glue a piece of felt to the tray and voila. You can also stick your needles in them, they have low sides and they are just the right size for one project. You can stack your projects on a shelf and pull one out whenever you need a quick bead fix. Contributed by Sandy M.

For large projects, I use a large cardboard box lid and lay out metal glass-jar lids (that still have the wax covered liner in them--coffee creamer lids are the best) and fill each jar lid with a different color or size bead. The jar lids have low sides and the beads don't roll around too much because of the waxed liner. Contributed by Sandy M.