Thursday, October 6, 2011

Back to Beads...

 In a recent post I lamented about inspiration and beading.  I also inquired how others sort and store their beads.  I got some wonderful responses.  I am so appreciative when bloggers leave comments that are relative and meaningful.  Thank you sincerely.  These photos will show you my current bead storage.  These bins are sorted by bead types...gemstones, seed beads, pearls, etcetera.  Within each bin are little baggies of beads...by type or color relating to the category.  This works pretty well for me. 
 Here are more examples of my storage organization.  The little clear paint cans on the top left are costume jewelry bits sorted by category...pins, earrings, bracelets, etcetera.  Eye candy for certain.  When I can see what I have it is that much easier for me to be inspired and to use what I have.  The mason and jelly jars contain buttons of which I never have too many.  These are sorted by colors and some by type...flowers.  All of the clear boxes are actually tackle boxes for fishing.  They contain dividers that are movable so as to size the compartments to fit the contents...wooden beads, charms, pony beads, sequins...you get the idea. 
 This shelf is a bit more industrial.  The tool box is what it stores...tools.  I love my tools and once I sorted them into this little tool box now I know exactly where to find that screwdriver or pliers or whatever.  The plastic bins contain more jewelry supplies. I'll post the contents in the blue lidded box soon.
Here is another tackle box/briefcase style container.  The dividers in this are not changable.  I put beads in here that I was working with.  Key word...was!  I really need to empty this case and reorganize it completely.  I really have no need for it to be portable as I am not traveling with it any further than from the shelf to the table.  :o) 
 Here is a photo of one of the tackle boxes with the movable dividers.  This one is containing gemstone chips.
Then I have this large clear glass container holding lots of my lovely costume bead necklaces sitting on a shelf in plain view just waiting for the perfect project.  I find when I can see my stash then I am much more inclined to use what I have. 
Can you tell I love beads?  It is true.  I love beads!  I always have since I was little.  My Grandma did lots of beading.  She would sew a dress and then sew little tiny beads all over the neckline or down the front just to make it extra special.  Oh how I do love beads. 
Thank you for inspiring my bead storage and helping me to really see what I have. 
Now I am getting inspired to do some beading.  Yay!
Our weather has turned very cold!  We are having rain!  Over two inches just during the night.  It is so cold that there is considerable snow falling just above us closer to Lake Tahoe.  The snowboarders and skiers are getting a very early start to their winter of activities and fun.  I really like the snow...if it is at least 50 miles from me!  Did I say how cold it is?  I can hardly type with my frozen fingers.  We have turned on the heater and it is working overtime.  Summer was far too short for my likes.  Autumn was beginning to happen and hopefully will come back once we are past this extreme cold spell and rain.  Yes, the cold is necessary as it is what allows the leaves to turn the intense colors of Fall. 
Wonderful days of Autumn...

28 comments:

  1. Om goodness. You really have lots of beads. I love to pull out my (not even 10% of what you have) beads and make pins and charms. Love making stick pins.
    I wish the weather here in Florida would be alittle cooler. These past few 3 days have been OK. At nights it is nice and breezy. Hope the winter hits here soon and last alittle longer than just a few hours every morning.
    ana

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely BUNCH of beads! That is what happens when love something, we just can't get enough! A great way to organize and see what you have.
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you! You have given me ideas for some of my storage problems. I shall have to sit down and try some of these before the studio explodes!
    It to is getting chilly here but I shall be going down to Tucson soon for a mini trip. Hope the sun is shining there. I shall have to bottle it for our long wet winter!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I love your organization!! Everything is so neat and tidy. I too love to keep things straight and jars are one of my favorites to fill along with baby food jars for the small items.
    Your divider containers are great for storage too. I picked up some flat type containers for nails and work bench stuff that my hubby would normally use and they work great for my stuff too.

    So enjoyed your last post too with the process of your journal. Simply gorgeous. You are one talented girl my friend.

    Hugs, Celestina Marie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh wow, you are definitely the "Queen of Beads," Sherry!!! This is totally amazing--I'm speechless!!!
    XO
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my goodness - you love beads like I love yarn! They are so beautiful - don't you sometimes just like to sit and look at them all! You have them stored perfectly - I am impressed!
    Beautiful beautiful sources of inspiration ~~

    Loved seeing them all!

    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  7. First send some of that cool weather to Orlando! Your bead storage is wonderful. It seems as if it would be so hard to keep track of if it was not organized. I don't do beading, but I know when I organized my fabric closet it sure opened up a lot of options and creativity! We are expecting fabulous things!!!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  8. Goodness! Your bead stash makes me dizzy! I get anxious if I have too much going on - too many beads, thread or shuttles.

    Being too anal to pursue an art form like yours, I content myself by admiring the work of those who follow this path - a place I can only visit!

    You did a fantastic job of organizing it all .
    Fox : )

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wish I had a cupboard like yours...full of beads and tools that is!
    The weather here has turned cold, blustery and wet, such a contrast to last weeks' weather!

    Have a great weekend,

    Sandie xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. When you can see what you've got, you are definitely more prone to craft with it. My supplies are stored here, there and everywhere and I can never find a thing, so I just reach for what is in front of me, which is usually some sort of yarn -- it's all over the place, too. Yikes! Wish I could be so organized -- wish I had a crafting space for it all. Our temps are finally coming down. Can't imagine the cold you are having though. Hope your weekend is great. Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Holy Moly! Now that's a lotta beads!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Now that is a lot of beads! Beautiful collection. Sorry it is getting so cold. Stay warm!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Holy Cow! I want to open each of those containers and take a closer look...that's a stash!

    ReplyDelete
  14. ohhh Sherry you are so organized! each by color and type! If I ever find the time at least I now know how to do it, great idea with the tackle boxes!

    Our weather has turned here too, lots of rain and cold. my poor little dogs won't go outside without their coats on. LOL
    Have a lovely DRY and warm weekend.
    hugs Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Sherry,
    This is so awesome that you are liking the seminar! I'm going to see if I can leave a message...and if I don't leave a second one, it means that you were successful at getting rid of word verification!!!
    XO
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Woo hoo!!! Had to come back to tell you--yay!!! It's gone!!! How perfect!!!

    XO
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Très bons rangements ! Je devrais te prendre en exemple ! Bisous et bon week-end

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your beads collection is HUGE, dearest sweet friend. I would love to sit down together with you and create something beautiful while having a little chit chat.
    If only it was that simple..
    Have a restful weekend xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful beads, glorious beads!!! Love them all. xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yay...gorgeous amd inspiring post..I too love love love beads...your creative array and storage is dazzling..and it is so lovely seeing all those beautiful colors..pure eye-candy this post! Love the huge jar..that is awesome..!
    yay...
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for your sweet comment of congrats and letting my toot!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your storage options look alot like mine, but I do have to admit that you win, with the amount! Hope your fingers have thawed out...it seems that Vegas has gone from the oppressive summer heat, straight to winter this week...we even dropped to the 50's!

    Have a creative Sunday - I am hoping for some beading time myself, today...Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your storage options look alot like mine, but I do have to admit that you win, with the amount! Hope your fingers have thawed out...it seems that Vegas has gone from the oppressive summer heat, straight to winter this week...we even dropped to the 50's!

    Have a creative Sunday - I am hoping for some beading time myself, today...Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  24. Goodness Sherry, you really DO love beads - I'm so very impressed with all your storage solutions too. I agree that unless you can see what you've got, you may forget you have it - that is exactly what I'm like too.

    I have most of my beads and bits stored in a small three drawer plastic unit on my shelf, but of course that isn't big enough, so there are some jars and wooden boxes in my craft cupboard too - I must re-acquaint myself with them all - lol.

    Hope you cold spell of weather passes soon, and have a good week xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. you have an amazing collection and it is all so well organized. We have had a glorious week of weather here in Michigan (I just need to find time to go and enjoy it)! Have a wonderful Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  26. your collection seems a real treasure,.... I love the beads!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. WOW An organized gal after my own heart..I love seeing things organized as you know.. I love it..perhaps I have organization dependancy? lol
    Have a great week, no, have a a wonderful week :D
    xx
    z

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a timely post! I've been looking at various alternatives for bead storage....

    ReplyDelete

Thank you very much for visiting my blog. I love to receive comments and read them with much interest.