How do I organize my beading area and save space?

I'd shelve the entire room-or at least a large part of it. Check out the sizes of some of your containers and make whole stretches to match the sizes of containers. Take the shelving all the way to the ceiling. You can always put stuff up there that you don't use everyday.

In front of the work area I'd put a peg board-it is really nice to hold tools.

As far as bead storage, I like the clear tic tacs so I can see all my pretties. I have the 4" by 6" clear plastic boxes that hold them and have just purchased a bead pavilion which holds a huge amount of the tic tacs. You can see pics of lots of storage ideas by going to:

http://www.picturetrail.com/beadlady

and then space down to "storage"

I have 3 or 4 of the 60 compartment storage units (like for nuts and bolts) where I do keep some nuts and bolts, but I do use them for crafty storage also. Buy these in the hardware department-they are cheaper.

I also have some 3 and 4 drawer storage units that I got at walmart. They are about 6"x9" and 5"by 5". I also use clear shoe box size plastic containers for larger items or to hold all of one type of item.

I'd also put in some sort of good fluorescent lighting system.

You can never have too much light!!

You can prolly get some good ideas from going to a container store

I have more beads than some bead stores (or so my husband tells me) and I have found clear containers on shelves is one of the best solutions.

Also label everything.

Another thing I found works well for me - go to sam's or costco and get the little condiment containers - the kind take out places give you sauces in - they are a great size and the lids lock on tightly so you don't have to worry about spills.

I also hung picture wire wire on the wall and use clothespins to hang strands of beads on it.

Check at your local container store or hardware store or craft store for ideas. I personally like fishing tackle boxes that are curved on the bottom making the beads easier to remove from the plastic container. I even store them in fishing tackle bags. They seem to be more secure than regular craft boxes.

get some of those cute little boxes with little compartments in them (like fishing tackle boxes, but specifically for jewelry.) you can find them at craft stores, or at a everything store (like walmart....) and then put those convenient little boxes into a big box and put it on a shelf! (my Grandpa is a whiz with wood working, so he made me these easy-to-carry shallow wooden boxes with two handles, and they stack really nice.

If boxes are too stand-outish in the room

Some alternatives would be the sets of three drawers (that roll so you can wheel them over to your preferred spot for beading, and then roll back to the wall or into a closet.)

Or buy some shelve sets that are squares stacked on top of each other, and mount them on the wall. this will make for east access, and it will look cool.

this is the general idea with thhe shelves:

http://www.handygirl.com/images/remod-br01.jpg

or

http://www.plushpod.com/images/products/preview/17...

or

http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/186/glass-pr...

or

http://www.roadsidescholar.com/wp-content/uploads/...

Hope this helps!)

How about those parts cabinets sold in hardware stores, with lots of little clear drawers, for keeping little things like nails and screws sorted. My friend that's been beading for years has several of those she keeps her beads, etc., sorted into.

They come in several different sizes.

Here's what they look like:

http://www.anytimeproducts.com/meg/plasticdrawersm...

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