Does anyone have ways that you have effectively organized craft materials. We have paint, markers, colored pencils, stickers, papers (all kinds), stamps, glue, scissors, pipe cleaners, beads....the list goes on. My 3 1/2 year old loves doing crafts, but I do not have a great system to keep it all together, yet easy for both of us to access. Any ideas? If you have a particular thing you bought, send a link if you can. Thanks.
Thank you all for your great ideas. I think I'm going to try a rolling drawer unit, then within the drawers small containers to hold things. Question...how many drawers do you recommend...I've seen 3, 6, 12, etc.
I like the organizers that hang on the back of the door ( for shoes) that is an easy way to separate and organize and also the clear plastic drawers.
My grandma always used one of the shoe hanger thingys like the other poster mentioned, it is a good way to organize stuff.
I have several organizers that we use in the "craft center" at home! Flat things (paper of all types, stencils, paper doilies,etc) are stored in the plastic drawers on wheels - as previously mentioned. Crayons, markers, paintbrushs, beads, stickers, foamies, etc. are each stored in their own container in a low shelving unit. I've got plastic coffee "cans", wipes containers with lids (perfect for small parts like beads!), large deli salad containers, etc. I recently purchased a very inexpensive (and couponed an additional discount!) portfolio for storage of the "masterpiece keepers"! I have a flat underbed storage unit that works well for that also. Here's another idea for building/purchasing your storage units/shelves - watch Freecycle, Craigslist, garage sales, thrift store sales, etc for bargains on these types of units. A good thorough scrubbing (with a disinfectant product like Lysol) of a used unit will make it clean and safe for your little one. Happy Crafting!
I have a set of clear plastic drawers on wheels. One drawer has all he needs for drawing, so if I am busy cooking dinner or washing dishes, I can tell my kid he can draw and he can get everything himself.
I also have one drawer that has all the things I need to supervise, like glue, scissors, paint pens, glitter, etc. He knows he isn't allowed to get into that drawer w/o me.
I have 3 kids that are older and they are past the age of all the crafty stuff but still like to draw/color. We have all the blank paper in the bottom of a kitchen drawer (easy for all 3 to get too). Each kid as 3 hard plastic pencil holders, one for colored pencils, one for markers and one for crayons. They each have a big file folder thing that has like 5 dividers in it and ties together, and they put all their completed and in process works of art in there. I think the last person has the best idea. The dollar store sells clear plastic shoe boxes with lids that will hold all the crafty stuff. Just grab them and take them to the work area. Good luck!
