PUNCH STORAGE – STUDIO REORGANISING PART 2
Today the new letter rack unit arrived from Ikea. I had seen this recommended online for storing punches and thought it would be ideal for my studio.
It was simple to assemble, with all the framework clicking together without the need for screws. The whole construction is metal and feels sturdy. The shallow drawers run in grooves, so stay more or less flat when almost fully extended, and they are lined with cork.
Having measured the space, I knew the unit would fit OK. Here is the view of the erstwhile Chaos Corner with the unit in place – no longer so chaotic!
I had to move the new trolley in order to access the box of large punches on the shelves beneath, and I have not moved it back. It is still easily accessible and now means I can get at those shelves without having to move it again.
The hot glue gun beyond the punch storage is now fully accessible, instead of having to rummage behind the ink pad storage tower and risk getting hot glue all over everything. The mug stand which holds my tapes is also easy to reach. I moved Dad’s divided wooden box nearer to the glass mat where I do my work, so when I have finished making the paint brush holder, that will sit in front of the punch storage unit as well. Both the paint brush holder and the mug holder with tapes will be easily moved out of the way when I want to access the punches.
The punches in the drawers
As you can see, they are easily accessible, and won’t slide around on the cork surface. The ones on top are too large to go in the drawers. Some of the punches, for example the two tab punches, can be locked closed for storage, making them take up less room. I didn’t open the fourth (bottom) drawer because I wouldn’t have got it all in the photo. The punches are all different shapes and sizes, some lockable and some not. The bottom drawer holds the few shapes punches I’ve decided to keep – a couple of butterflies, a star, a leaf etc. Also the punch with the interchangeable small shapes (heart, flower, etc.) These small parts are now stored in a little cardboard box to keep them all together.
I have tried to categorise them – for example corner rounders in the top drawer, hole punches and my smaller Crop-a-dile (for punching holes and also eyelet setting) in the next drawer down. My set of circle punches, ranging from 1/4-inch upwards to 2 inches, are all hanging on an Ikea rail above the desk, and I am happy for them to remain there.
When I got out the box of larger punches, I realised that I had either never used many of them, or had used them only very infrequently. I decided that since I’d more or less forgotten what I’d got in that box, I wasn’t really using them and could dispose of them. They have gone in a box ready to take to a charity shop that has craft stuff. Ages ago I bought a cheap job-lot of second-hand border punches and I think I’ve only used the simpler floral ones, which I am keeping. The others were big on promise but short on results and anyway, these days I am not so much into regular edges on anything! Grunge, worn and vintage are the order of the day today! I am sure a regular card maker would be delighted to get these punches.
I am still not happy about the cables for my two heat tools for drying and for embossing. They are trailing all over Dad’s box. I shall probably run them behind, with the hot glue gun cable but still not entirely sure. These tools need to be able to reach the large pull-out unit as well as the desk area.
So – I have made good progress and now can’t wait to complete the paint brush holder. In the meantime I have also been looking at all the Stuff I’ve got, and I cleared one huge box on the top shelf of the large storage area of the room. This was full of fancy boxes from gifts etc. which I kept because they were pretty, or because they were clever, with little drawers etc. All they have done is sit in that box, so they will have to go. I do not anticipate getting around to altering any of them, but someone visiting a charity shop might be glad of them. The ones I’ve kept are several wooden cigar boxes inherited from Dad. These are sturdy, compact, stackable and while empty of material goods, are full of memories. They will be useful for storing small items, or for transferring stuff up and down stairs if I want to be working on anything in the comfort of the sitting room. There are many other boxes on the top of that large storage unit and I am sure I can get rid of a lot of stuff from there.
The final part of this mini-series of posts should be up soon, on completion of the paint brush holder. Don’t get off the merry-go-round just yet!
