Bead storage can be challenging at times especially when I acquire new types of beads I have never worked with before. Trying new beads may leave me excited thinking about new projects with them or…not. Therefore I don’t always plan a space in my bead storage for them. Instead tubes and little plastic bags of new beads hide in the corners of large bead containers, drawers, or clutter my craft table.
One day I was washing the dishes and mindlessly washed a clear plastic food container that ended up in a kitchen sink for some reason. When it appeared clean and dry I looked at it asking myself why do I need it? Because this container was used to carry olives in it from the supermarket I immediately imagined large beads in it. Obvious, isn’t it?
The need for clear containers has always been essential for me. I noticed that beads stored in solid containers, especially new beads often are forgotten or even lost. Beads acquired without a specific purpose or pattern in mind don’t always find their place in our bead organizers right after purchase.
I think it is important to be able to see all the beads I have when I get ready for a new creative bead project. Clear food containers have become an acceptable temporary solution for new or “unclassified” beads. It might also be a good budgetary solution for those who cannot afford too many bead organizers or those who just start to build the collection.
I find that my tubes fit very well into plastic containers called Snapware. They lock together and can hold an awful lot of bead tubes and have handles as well. They also come in several different sizes. You have to be careful they don’t snap open though. I also use Iris brand paper and project cases as well. The large flat paper cases when lined with a bead mat make a great project work station and the photo cases are just the right size for carrying small projects and beads.
I buy all these with 40% off coupons at Michaels and Joanns fabric, and can be purchased online as well.
Good ideas, Paula! I use photo cases, too, but recently, after a visit to Shipwreck Beads, I added yet another one of those food containers to my storage. Yes, you guessed it, I bought new beads again.