Need to set up an area to for beading but don't even have a full table at your disposal, let alone an entire room to devote to beading alone? Try some of these tips to help you find room to bead and to store and stash all of your beading supplies in a small space.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 3 to 4 hours, depending on your current organization
Here's How:
- Make sure that your beads are stored in space saving containers. The Bead Pavilion from Sova Enterprises is an excellent space-saving storage system.
- Add a couple of shelves or a small bookcase such as these from Bush Industries. They are just under 2 feet wide and are 66 inches tall, so they will hold a lot of beading items. Store your beading books on the bottom, beads and tools in the middle and your lap tray on the very top, out of harm's way.
- Invest in a Portable Ott Lite lamp that will easily fold away and take little storage space when you are done beading.
- Look into a quality lap tray, such as the Lapp Topper Tray which comes with a custom-cut bead surface. It has a pocket for a few tools and even has a cup holder for that hot cup of beader's brew!
- A small Utensil Caddy is a perfect way to store beading tools. Keeps things together and can be stored easily. Glue a small magnet to the outside of the caddy for quick and safe needle storage.
- Use a small drawer organizer, like this one from J.C. Penney to hold small items such as thread, needle packs, wax, wire, crimps, findings, etc. Use a sturdy organizer for these small items as a flimsy plastic organizer will tip over too easily.
- If you have a bit of wall space, add an 18" deep shelf at "desk level" as a small worktable. Hang a large Bulletin Board above the shelf to hold pictures, notes, ideas and more. You can also use the board to tack up a pattern you are working.
- Another space-saver is a reorganized linen closet. See of you can find another way to store linens so that you use some of the shelf space in the closet to store your beads and beading supplies.
- A clothes closet can be re-worked into a miniature studio with the right closet organizers. Target Stores has some great ones, very reasonably priced.
- Look into Under Bed Storage if you like to bead in your bedroom.
- If you have storage in an out of the way place (a pantry, hallway, mud room or other area) try a Tea Wagon for storage. Just wheel it out when you want to bead, wheel it back when you're done!
- Create more space by unloading those bead kits, beading books, impulse buys, the bead colors you'll never use, the bead types you'll never touch, the "starter kits" for new techniques, and the other the additional bead-related projects you thought you'd have time to learn but just never did. Get rid of the items saved for projects you tried but did not enjoy doing, or those things that "might come in handy" but only take up space you could use for current beading projects and the beadwork you really enjoy doing. Sell or donate the unwanted beading items, then treat yourself to some beads you really love.
Tips:
- No matter where you do your beading, be sure to have a comfortable, ergonomic chair. If you have too much back, neck, arm and hand pain due to an uncomfortable chair, you won't get much beading done!
- Keep ongoing projects in baggies or other containers and keep all of the beads, pendants and other elements with them. Saves time and storage space.
- Add more storage space with items such as a piano bench, a storage ottoman, an end table with a storage cabinet and other furniture with storage capacity.
- Take care with needles when you are moving tools, trays and other bead supplies around. Glue several strong magnets around your beading areas and remember to place your needles on them. This will help reduce the chance of a lost needle.
- Cut clutter. This includes beads, beading projects, tools, books, or kits you had to have, only to discover that exciting new technique you saw at the bead show just never resonated with you at home. If a beading item has been unused for a year or more, consider donating, selling, or swapping; just remove it from your already too-cluttered small beading space. This doesn't apply to heirlooms or items of sentimental value, but know how to separate a bead show impulse buy from an earring Mom wore when you were a kid. If you don't use it now, or at least have solid plans for it, let it go and free up some needed space.
What You Need:
- Lapp Topper Tray
- Bead Pavilion and Shelves
- Utensil Caddy
- Tea Cart
- Shelving or a Bookcase
- Bulletin Board
- Sturdy Drawer Organizer
- Portable Ott Lite Lamp
- Other Storage Containers As Needed