~Christina Scalise
Happy New Year! I love the beginning of a new year. It’s the perfect time to re-evaluate any or all aspects of your life and make new goals both personal and professional. I find that the perfect way to start out a new year is to do what so many others do, and go through all of the hidden nooks and crannies of my house, purge what we don’t use or don’t need, and find a better way to organize what we do need. This is especially true for art supplies.
Art and craft supplies are items that I buy year round when inspiration (or need thereof) strikes. I love them, am inspired by them, and feel free when I am using them; therefore I tend to surround myself with them in excess. This love for all things creative however can quickly get out of control…
Everyone has their own method of cleaning and organizing, but what works best for me is to pull out everything I want to go through, and sort things into like piles. All of the paint brushes go in one pile, paints in another, sketchbooks, glitter, etc. Sorting items in this way allows me to take inventory of things that I need to replenish and those that I have in excess. After I have sorted all of my supplies into piles, I check each one to make sure they are in good working order. Yes, this will take a little time, but there is nothing more frustrating than thinking you have a dozen black sharpie markers, just to go and use one and find that they are all dried up.
I think it’s safe to say that these brushes have seen better days…
The next, and possibly most important thing that I do, is to find things I already have around the house and re-purpose them for organizing my supplies. Many of the art teachers we work with probably know exactly what I am talking about. Art teachers want to use the money that they do have towards actual art supplies, and not necessarily on items to organize those supplies, so creativity is a must! Some of my favorite items to re-purpose are coffee mugs, mason jars, flower pots, and oatmeal containers. They can hold a variety of items and can be fancied up or left as is. It’s amazing how many things around your house can be reused in creative ways to assist you in your organizational tasks.
Milk jugs for colored pencil storage, coffee containers for supply storage, tissue boxes to hold yarn and string, and supply baskets with a photo of the contents on the side. Links for these and more organizing ideas can be found on our Art and Craft Organization Pinterest Board.
Finally, once everything has been sorted, purged, and organized, it is time to find a home for all of your items. Make sure that where you keep your items is working for your needs and allows you to easily access them whenever creativity strikes. Whether you have a cupboard, a closet, or a classroom full of art supplies, there is always a need for organization, and this is the perfect time of year to re-access your supplies.
We would love to hear and see pictures of how you keep your art supplies organized. If you have tips or pictures you would like to share with us, leave us a comment below or post your pictures on our Facebook wall. We know how creative you all are, and would love to see how you control your creative clutter!
Carol