Happy New Year!
It’s January 1 and like half the people I know, I am pledging to resolve to be more organized. I also resolved to live healthier but then I woke up and ate leftover potato chips with the Rose Parade so it’s not looking good. Let’s concentrate on the other stuff, shall we?
For me, the critical element to staying organized is to make ugly stuff look pretty. And while I love my art supplies, they are not exactly attractive mid-use. They always start out pretty but two weeks in the outsides get splattered and stained, half squeezed, totally-functional-but-unattractive. Time for something equally practical and pretty. Enter the drawer unit of my dreams….
If you have been to Michael’s in the last year you have seen these roller carts around. They usually retail for $80 but they are almost always on sale for $40…pair that with one of Michael’s 25% off any item (including sale items!) coupon, and it comes in $30 and change. That’s pretty swell for a storage unit.
I got it in a transparent white, but it also comes in pink and rainbow. I think it’s meant for scrapbooking supplies, but I like it for my studio to store paint, brushes, markers, office supplies, and receipts for all of the above (can you tell it’s year end and I have taxes on the brain?). And here is another thing on my mind: leftover Christmas trimmings.
I made these gift tags by slicing up a damaged watercolor painting (full tutorial next year y’all!) but I’m thinking any mail tags could be used for this.
I sliced off the tops, removed the string, and hung in between the knob and the drawer front.
So yeah. That was easy!
I could write the contents of the drawers on the tags but decided to match the match the artwork to the contents of the drawer…watercolor paint tag on the watercolor paint drawer, etc. This will not be obvious to anyone but me, but nobody is using it but me, so we’re cool.
So here we are. Fresh new year and I have a semi-cleanish studio. Not too shabby! If you are looking to jump start your organizing and don’t know where to begin, you can always take a look at some of the fun storage projects on Michaels.com or the other 49 makers’ ideas on The Glue String for tips on designing, organizing and decorating their favorite places. Happy New year!
Oh I need a ROOM full of those carts – I have carts, drawers, tables, bins and trays. What I really need is a bigger room LOL ~ Happy New Year!!
Where do you get the coupon?
Dear Aunt Peaches,
So during the long weekend, i read the Michael’s consultant’s blogs and I have to say you are truly the best Aunt Peaches, because you focus on making stuff out of what’s already here. I don’t have to go out and buy special products.
I love that about you!!!!
Thanks Alica, that is sweet of you to say…although, I think the folks from Michaels would prefer folks go out and buy stuff 🙂
So, where is the fireplace? That’s an old picture, since I Own that Painting! or did you make a copy?
Happy New Year.
No, it’s a different painting. There are a several of them with grey/white dot backgrounds but the flowers are totally different.
Very nice! I had not yet be seduced by those carts, but perhaps now. I have a disastrously messy craft closet and I think this weekend I’m pulling out all the materials I’m sick of sitting in there (not paints but specific items), and if I haven’t used them up by Sunday night I’ll toss them. If I have the nerve to. Seems like a good weekend for baking cookies and making crafts. 🙂
Will we get to hear about your adventures in DC soon? I’m dying to hear/see about it!
Thanks for sharing. Absolutely love! http://kreasitangan.com/category/barang-bekas/
Really funny and helpful blog! I always pledge to be the best version of myself in the new year but never change anything. Maybe I should start with baby steps and invest in a drawer unit…