How To Organize Beads And Findings

Margaret Schindel has designed, created and sold ane-of-a-kind and custom handcrafted jewelry for decades. She loves sharing her techniques.

Cheque out these great storage solutions from a professional jewelry designer!

Margaret Schindel

If you dear bead stringing for making jewelry, y'all've probably discovered that collecting beads can be addictive—and that equally your bead drove grows, keeping information technology organized tin can exist a considerable challenge.

I accept been designing, making, and selling jewelry for more than 25 years, and have amassed an extremely big collection of beads and jewelry findings. I also accept spent a small-scale fortune on a multifariousness of types and sizes of bead storage solutions to organize my growing hoard. At present, I'm sharing my favorites, so yous don't accept to.

Happy beading!

Got a Need for Beads... and a Skillful Way to Organize Them?

As a jewelry designer and avid bead collector, I ain literally thousands of beads: vintage beads, Venetian glass beads from Murano, dichroic glass chaplet, seed beads and Delicas, bugle beads, Magatamas, pressed glass beads, gemstone beads, sterling silverish beads, gold-filled chaplet, contemporary and vintage Swarovski crystal chaplet, etc. If I hadn't establish a dewdrop storage and organization system that not only worked with the way I design jewelry only also that I could maintain hands, I'd never be able to discover annihilation in my collection!

One person's mess is merely another person's filing system.

— Margo Kaufman (1954-2000)

I've tried dozens of different storage and system solutions and some take worked better than others. Over the years I've also had to find new solutions to adjust my storage equally my collection has grown. I'yard sharing some of my favorite bead storage solutions with yous that are suitable for both beginner beaders with small collections and professional person jewelry designers with large supplies inventories like mine. I've had mine for so long that some of them take been updated with newer versions or in some cases discontinued, so I've researched for you the closest matches to my bead storage organizers that are currently available.

Once you lot get your beading supplies organized, y'all'll be able to spend less time looking for what you want and more time designing jewelry. And that'south a pretty powerful motivation to get your beads and jewelry making materials organized!

Practise you take a bead organization and storage organization you dearest, or are you lot still looking?

Margaret Schindel

Bead Storage Containers For Small Collections, Specialty Beads and Findings

ArtBin Prism boxes used for bead storage

Margaret Schindel

ArtBin Prism Clear Storage Boxes

I dear the Artbin Prism line of meaty storage boxes for organizing small chaplet and jewelry findings. These hard polystyrene boxes come in unlike configurations that you tin mix and lucifer according to what you need to store. They take flat tops and bottoms so you can stack them easily on a shelf, table or workbench. Best of all, they're crystal clear, so it's easy to encounter exactly what's in each box fifty-fifty when information technology's closed. The only drawback to this line is that the containers don't accept whatever blazon of latch and they open fairly easily, then if yous want to behave them around I recommend slipping a wide elastic band around each box (or stack of ii boxes).

In that location are multiple styles in both large and small sizes, each with different numbers and sizes of compartments to suit your needs. My small ix-compartment Prism boxes shown above take been discontinued, but there are several other options that piece of work very well for organizing and storing jewelry making materials.

Of the smaller size options, my favorite is the ArtBin Prism 918AB 18-compartment see-through boxes (8 7/8" 10 four 7/eight" 10 1 iii/8"). They are extremely handy for organizing and storing jewelry findings, small chaplet, flatback rhinestones, hot-fix Swarovski crystals, chatons, etc. The private compartments are a little less than one and a half inches square. (Note that the iv corner compartments of all the models in this line are slightly smaller because of the rounded corners.)

There is too a larger model of the same box (11 1/two" x six 5/8" 10 i three/4" ), the ArtBin 1118AB eighteen-Compartment Prism Box, as well as a six-compartment version with rectangular compartments that are dandy for organizing and storing headpins and long jewelry findings to exist embellished, such every bit hair pins. This is also a good storage container for big or very long chaplet that don't fit well in square compartments.

Read More than From Feltmagnet

Portable and Stackable Organizer Boxes with Carry Bags

Portable fabric tote numberless fitted with stacks of dewdrop organizers are extremely user-friendly, whether you have a pocket-size-to-medium size collection of chaplet and findings, have limited bead storage space, or simply like to carry some beads and jewelry findings with you in the car, to classes or beaded jewelry making parties. The ones I ain were ArtBin brand and accept been discontinued, but Darice makes something very similar.

The Darice 1027-37 Nylon Acquit Purse with 5 Bead-Ready Organizers is a blueish nylon bag that holds five bead organizer boxes. Each box is divided into 18 fixed compartments. The tote bag has a detachable shoulder strap, rubberband loops to hold pliers or other beading tools, and zippers for easy access. There's also a comfy textile conveying handle on summit. However, since the elevation of the bag closes with a Velcro strip, depending on how full you lot fill the boxes and how heavy the contents are, I suggest using the shoulder strap rather than the handle to comport the bag around. (Trust me - I speak from feel!)

Photo of dewdrop storage tins filled with Swarovski bicone crystals

Margaret Schindel

Small, Circular, Run into-Through Containers

I often utilize Swarovski crystal 4mm bicone beads in a wide diversity of colors to add together some sparkle to my beaded jewelry designs. For many years I stored them in shallow aluminum boxes that held pocket-sized round metal containers with clear see-through lids (come across the photo, beneath). I put 1 color of crystal bicone bead in each container, and because of the glass lids, I could see which colors were in each container without opening it. The containers, which jewelers frequently use to store tiny watch parts, are about one i/iv" wide and about 3/iv" tall and they were perfect for my purpose, except for one significant drawback. The lift-off lids didn't fit deeply, and considering the metal was soft and thin, they quickly became misshapen, which further weakened the original friction fit. As a result, if I accidentally picked upwards one of the containers by the chapeau, I concluded up with little crystal chaplet everywhere. Somewhen, I accepted that I needed a better solution to store and organize my extensive drove of Swarovski crystal bicone beads by color.

Run into-Through, Stackable Storage Boxes With Spiral-Top Containers

Fortunately, in that location is a much ameliorate alternative: sets of small containers with secure, screw-tiptop lids in compact, stackable storage cases. Better notwithstanding, both the containers and the case (non just the lids) are run into-through, so it's easy to spot exactly the bead or jewelry finding you need.

This 30-piece clear plastic bead storage container set with storage box includes 30 minor, run across-through, one.15" tall x 1" wide screw-top jars in a meaty 6.3" long x 5.iii" wide articulate plastic storage box. It provides a peachy mode to organize and store your seed chaplet, pocket-size bicone beads, modest quantities of special or leftover beads from a project, sequins, crimp beads, bead tips, clasps, jump rings, and other jewelry findings, even fine glitter or mica powders. Yous can customize your storage configuration by stacking every bit few or as many of these sets as y'all need while still taking up very little infinite on your jewelry making desk or tabular array.

The Darice Jewelry Designer Articulate "EZ" View Dewdrop Storage System comes with 12 taller and wider, 1.75" tall x 1.v" broad screw-superlative containers in a 6.25" long x iv.75" wide x 2.08" alpine storage box that is designed to be stackable, if you lot need more than than 12 jars. Darice also makes similar sets with dissimilar numbers and sizes of jars and hard cases in the same line.

There are also small-scale, round storage compartments that stack together. I used them for a short time many years agone, but I institute them inconvenient, especially when I needed beads or findings from two or more not-adjacent compartments. Some people really like them, nonetheless. If you want to try them, you lot tin can find them in several diameters and heights.

Using Tackle Boxes for Storing Chaplet and Jewelry Findings

Fishing tackle boxes have lots of compartments and many beaded jewelry makers use them for storing and organizing beads and findings. Plano is ane of the best-known tackle box manufacturers and their products usually are sturdy and well fabricated. I have several very old Plano double-sided tackle boxes I inherited from my mother, who used to use them to organize some of her embroidery floss and supplies. The photos below show both sides of my largest Plano two-sided tackle box, which I use for storing findings for hair accessories and large vintage findings (mostly clip earrings with attached filigree that use for cagework beadery, and i of the individual utility boxes that I also utilise for findings.

My old Plano Magnum tackle box filled with jewelry findings

Margaret Schindel

One of my discontinued Plano utility boxes, filled with jewelry findings

Margaret Schindel

The models I ain (shown above) were discontinued many years ago, but Plano's current, large selection of models have even better features, including secure ProLatch closure latches and portable rack storage systems. Plano has been making loftier quality products for many decades. They are made in the United states and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and then you know they're built to last.

Tackle Box Systems w/ Adjustable Divider Utility Boxes

The Plano 1374 StowAway 4-rack organization tackle box is terrific for organizing a small or medium sized collection of beads and findings. It's designed to exist portable, and the best features for dewdrop storage are the carrying handle, the racks that hold four removable organizers with secure latches, and a see-through front end cover panel that folds upwards and locks deeply to keep the boxes from sliding out. It measures xvi.5" long 10 12" broad 10 xvi" tall and comes with four serial 3700 utility storage boxes with adjustable compartments. The compartments in the boxes have adaptable dividers, so you lot can customize the number and size of compartments to suit your needs. Y'all tin also substitute any of the 3700 series utility boxes for the ones that come up with this rack organisation. The top compartment underneath the chapeau is perfect for storing beading wire, bead cord, pliers, crimpers and other jewelry making tools.

This portable case makes it piece of cake to bring your beads, findings, and jewelry making tools and supplies with you, whether you're just moving from one room to another, driving to a friend's business firm or a class, or traveling.

Plastic Storage Organizers with Pull-Out Drawers

There's a much larger audience (read: market place) for hardware and pocket-sized parts organizers than for jewelry makers in general and beaders in specific. That's why some of the all-time designed, sturdy and sometimes portable storage organizers for beads and findings come from hardware or automotive departments or stores. If you have a pocket-size-to-medium size dewdrop collection and a dedicated arts and crafts work space where it can live, then one or more small hardware parts units with small pull-out drawers might be just the ticket.

These terrific plastic storage cabinets with see-through clear polypropylene drawers are awesome and come in a variety of different drawer configurations, and so yous tin buy 1 or several and also mix and match the different units for a completely customized bead storage solution. They can stand on a bookcase or other shelf or along the dorsum of your work table against a wall, or they can exist wall mounted. And these extremely versatile bead organisation and storage units are made in the The states.

Hither are two of the bachelor configurations I think a lot of jewelry makers will discover useful. To see other options, just click on the Amazon link to either of these models and check the additional items under "Oft Bought Together" and "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought."

My mom used to keep her beads and jewelry findings in something very similar to the Akro-Mils 10144 D 20" ten xvi" ten 6 1/2" hardware and craft chiffonier. She actually had several of these sturdy plastic storage cabinets lined up against the wall along the dorsum border of her craft table and dedicated to beads, jewelry findings, sequins, rhinestones, etc. (After I inherited them, my husband asked if he could have them to store his basics, bolts, screws, nails and other small hardware, so that'south their current use.) I subsequently bought several of these Akro-Mils with larger drawers for storing my all-encompassing polymer clay collection.

The translucent polypropylene pull-out drawers characteristic convenient finger grips and rear stop tabs to forestall your beads and findings from spilling out. The drawers also slide in and out easily.

I of the things I similar about this 44-drawer configuration is the two different sizes of pull-out drawers, 32 small (vi" x ii 1/4" x 1 v/eight") and 12 medium (6" x 4 ane/2" ten 2 3/xvi") to fit different quantities or sizes of beads or jewelry findings.

Bead Storage Solutions for Organizing a Large Bead Collection

Whether y'all're a professional jewelry designer, an gorging beader or an enthusiastic bead collector, information technology doesn't take long for your drove of beads to grow so large and eclectic that it takes over your beading space or jewelry making studio—and, in many cases, your whole house!

The larger and more varied your dewdrop collection the more challenging it is to organize and shop it efficiently so that you lot can easily see all your choices and access the items you desire, or easily notice a particular bead or jewelry finding you want or demand. Later 25 years, my drove is enormous and extremely varied.

Although I haven't yet plant a one-size-fits-all storage and organization solution to this challenging trouble that won't break the bank, I accept found an affordable solution that comes pretty close and works perfectly for my enormous and varied drove of chaplet and jewelry findings.

Portable Small Parts Organizer Cases with Removable Storage Compartments

A signature of my beaded jewelry designs is my employ of sophisticated, ofttimes unexpected color combinations. Given that fundamental aspect of my artistic "voice," I needed a system that would let me organize and store my beads past color families, one that enabled me to apace pull together a selection of beads in a specific colour palette, and in a diverseness of shades, shapes, sizes, and finishes, to play with in a item jewelry blueprint. Ideally, this solution would also be easily portable and infinite-efficient.

Even after trying every promising selection I could find, null did the trick. Simply, merely when it looked every bit though what I needed simply didn't exist, my husband came dwelling house from a trip to an auto parts store with an unexpected gift: sturdy, portable small parts organizer cases in iii sizes and configurations that he thought might work for storing and organizing my beads. He was right.

As soon equally I began sorting my chaplet and jewelry findings into these cases, I realized that my wonderful husband had found the perfect solution for me at last.

Here's what fabricated these portable small-scale parts cases the best bead storage and organization solution for my large (and growing) drove:

• Removable compartment bins. Storage organizers with movable/removable dividers can be handy, since y'all can customize the sizes of the compartments to adapt your needs. They're fine for larger beads, merely I've constitute that pocket-sized chaplet tend to slide underneath the dividers and getting mixed upwardly with the beads in the adjacent compartments. Merely the small parts organizers my married man brought home have removable bins, then the beads stay nicely sorted and organized in their designated compartments.
• Run across-through lids. The articulate polycarbonate lid makes information technology piece of cake to see the beads inside each example without having to open it.
• Sturdy, secure latches. Nearly every beader has experienced the frustration of accidentally dropping or knocking over a box of beads (why are they almost always tiny seed beads?) and then having to search for and call up individually as many of the glace devils every bit she tin can notice within an unknown radius of where the container landed. That'due south why I much prefer bead storage that can be latched deeply. The sturdy latches go on the lids on these cases closed until I intentionally open up them. I never have to worry almost one of them opening unexpectedly as I carry information technology around. Even when I have dropped a bead-filled case accidentally, I have never had i come unlatched.
• Compartments that fit snugly against the chapeau to prevent seed beads from "leaking" into adjacent bins. Equally long as the individual compartments are not overfilled, the latched lid stays tight against them. So, at that place's no gap at the acme for the beads in i compartment to spill over into any of the adjacent bins when you stand the example upright or bear information technology around.
• Comfortable handles. The broad, contoured handles are comfortable for carrying, and they're molded as an integrated part of each case. So, no matter how heavy the organizer is later you've filled it with chaplet, the handle won't come up loose or pull off.
• Easily portable and extremely durable. These rugged professional organizers are meant to be stacked, schlepped around, and subjected to rough handling. They stand up up to abuse far ameliorate than any other bead storage boxes I've tried.

A pocket-sized parts organizer is a great way to shop and organize large bead collections by color.

Margaret Schindel

Stanley Professional person Organizer Cases With 25 Shallow Removable Bins

I shop most of my beads in the Stanley 014725 25-Removable Compartment Professional Organizer cases. Having a larger number of smaller, shallower drawers allows me to view all my beads in the aforementioned color family unit at a glance. As an example, take a wait at the within of my lavender bead storage case (shown above).

I purchased several actress organizer cases to arrange future expansion, simply in case these are ever discontinued. Sometimes, if I desire to play with a lot of unlike beads for ane of my jewelry designs, I put a few of each into the bins of one of my spare organizers. Subsequently I move the case to my piece of work tabular array and open it, I accept all the chaplet I selected at my fingertips. Then, afterwards I finish the piece, it takes only a minute or two to return all the chaplet to their original bins and storage cases.

This arrangement makes it so quick and easy to keep a large drove of chaplet neat and organized that even someone equally usually messy as I am can maintain "a place for everything and everything in its identify," as my very neat grandmother liked to say. (Too bad I didn't inherit Grandma'southward neatness genes!)

One of the double-deep parts organizers I use to store beads in the colors I apply nearly ofttimes

Margaret Schindel

Organizer Cases With Smaller Removable Bins

Great For Large Quantities of Beads (or Extra-Large Beads)

When I have so many beads in a favorite colour family that they won't fit into one of the 25-compartment organizers, I store them in the Stanley 10 Removable Bin Compartment Deep Professional Organizer cases.

The bins are larger and twice as deep as those in the shallower, 25-compartment cases, and so I can't view all the different beads in that colour family at a glance. To go far easier to find smaller beads, I sort those past fashion into small, zippered plastic numberless before storing them in one of the removable compartments.

Bank check out the photograph (shown higher up) of the inside of the organizer case where I store my bluish-green and aqua beads.

Since your beads will be a bit less accessible in these larger, deeper compartments, I recommend sticking with shallower small parts organizers with larger number of removable bins unless your bead collection is every bit extensive every bit mine.

Past at present, I ain nearly two dozen of these 10- and 25-bin Stanley professional person small parts cases. After many years of heavy use, they are yet going potent. I tin can't imagine organizing and storing my beads any other way.

Update: Unfortunately, information technology appears that Stanley is no longer making these wonderful, smaller cases, and the 25-compartment cases are becoming harder to observe, so the company may be phasing them out.

Fortunately, I was able to find a Stalwart set up of iv portable crafts storage organizer cases with removable bins in three sizes, two of which have small compartments. The small cases, which are 7.25" broad ten ten.five" long x 2.75" deep, have 15 of the removable compartments. The medium (as well called "shallow large") box measures 16.5" wide x 12.25" long x 2.75 deep (the same depth equally the ones in the small-scale cases) and contains 19 compartments. The large 1 (also called "deep large") is the same length and width as the medium aka "shallow large" organizer, but is 4.75" deep. Caveat: I tin't personally vouch for their quality compared to those of the Stanley organizers I own, and there doesn't announced to exist whatever data available online about the sizes of the removable bins. But they are the closest thing I have found to the wonderful Stanley small parts cases.

Some of my labeled bead storage cases, organized past color family

Margaret Schindel

Organization, Thy Name is Labeling!

No affair what type of storage and organization arrangement you choose for your beads and jewelry findings, labels are your friend. And if you use storage boxes with opaque sides, like the awesome professional small parts organizer cases that house the majority of my dewdrop inventory, they're essential.

The preceding photograph shows about ane/4 of my big dewdrop organizer cases, each labeled with the color family or color range of the beads inside. I've labeled both the sides and the lesser of each case, so whether I stack the organizers on a shelf or stand them up on the floor against the wall, I can easily tell which 1 has the color family unit I'chiliad looking for.

The label maker I employ to label my dewdrop storage organizers, jewelry making supplies drawers, etc., is a very sometime DYMO LabelMaker that I inherited from my mother. Even though information technology got a lot of use for many years earlier it came to me, it's still going stiff! It's so one-time that they no longer make the label tapes it uses, and at some betoken, I'm going to have to replace it when I run out of label tape. When that happens I'll definitely supersede my reliable workhorse with some other DYMO label maker.

When I started looking for a currently bachelor label maker to recommend to you, I was shocked past how much they cost now! Fortunately, I found the DYMO LabelManager 160 mitt-held characterization maker. It doesn't have a lot of fancy bells and whistles, simply information technology makes nice, easy-to-read labels in your selection of several widths and it'south refreshingly affordable. And if information technology lasts even one-half every bit long as my female parent's DYMO LabelMaker has, yous'll have gotten yourself a real steal of a bargain.

Questions & Answers

Question: Hullo! I'thou only beginning to organize my smallish collection. I,too, am organizing past colour, which I'm super excited about! I'grand using clear containers with removable dividers. How do you add in a new purchase that fits into a color category for which you don't have an empty compartment?

Answer: At that place are several solutions. You tin can break up the color category into two categories. For instance, I take collected a ton of beads in the blue family, and then I have organizer cases for lite blue, night blue and turquoise beads. Similarly, I have i for purple beads and another for lavander.

Purchase larger organizers than you need at the moment. This leaves empty compartments for each color family and so you can add together new acquisitions. And buy a few extra organizers in instance you eventually need to pause a color family into subcategories. It's very helpful to take cases that are nonetheless size and shape for your main bead collection, since they can stack/store more efficiently.

I bought the same modest parts organizer cases in two sizes - mostly larger cases but also a few smaller ones that I use for jewelry findings, metal spacer chaplet and specialty categories (such every bit special creative person-made, one-of-a-kind focal beads). Y'all could also use the smaller ones for color categories in which yous don't currently take a lot of chaplet and and then move up to i of the spare larger cases if your collection for that color outgrows the smaller organizer instance.

Question: What kind of containers are in the terminal film? I recall they are blue with red locking tabs.

Answer: They are really blackness with red locking tabs. They were made by ZAG, which has since been purchased by Stanley. The Stanley version of the 10-compartment deep organizer is black with yellowish locking tabs and compartments. I provided a link to it in the article. Hope that helps!

Question: I'm overwhelmed with findings of this article, and I'm so discouraged looking through and so many trays looking for one matter. Is it ameliorate to throw abroad unused beads and jewelry supplies? Should I dump them in a jar and sort out every bit I demand them? I'd spend nigh the same amount of fourth dimension looking for them out on a tray, and they would be easier to see. Should I throw them abroad and purchase new jewelry packs for each client?

Answer: I strongly recommend that yous bite the bullet and spend equally many hours as it takes to sort all your findings before yous make another slice of jewelry. Reread my article and decide which type(s) of organizers yous want to utilize. Then, buy as many of those organizers as y'all will need to organize your sorted findings. Likewise, buy a label maker and characterization each organizer. Going forward, take out only the findings yous need and immediately put back any leftovers into the appropriate section of the organizer.

Question: Is information technology okay to apply tiny clear plastic jars to store silver, Swarovski and other "precious" beads? I'g worried about tarnishing. (I'chiliad new to beading.)

Reply: Swarovski beads will not tarnish (with the possible exception of vintage Comet Silverish color beads). Sterling silvery beads will tarnish. (So volition fine silvery beads, just very slowly.) It'south fine to store sterling silver in tiny plastic jars along with a small strip or square of anti-tarnish paper. High karat gilt and gold-filled chaplet should not tarnish if stored in tiny clear plastic jars. Precious and semi-precious gemstone beads should not tarnish.

Question: Practice you throw abroad the unused leftover beads, or do you put them in a jar and sort them out every bit needed? Also, how practise yous work in a living room without losing everything?

Answer: I never throw beads away. Since near of my beads are in the hardware/auto parts cases, organized by color, I usually take out the removable rectangular inserts for the colors or beads I recall I might want to include in the jewelry design I'm working on. So, as I cull the specific beads for the design, I put several of each into the wells on my flocked beaded jewelry design lath. When I've finished making my design, it's easy to put away the leftover chaplet because they're all the same carve up in the beaded design board wells.

© 2014 Margaret Schindel

What's Your Favorite Way to Store and Organize Beads and Jewelry Findings?

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on Feb 02, 2020:

Cheers for sharing your jewelry making supplies storage ideas.

Debbie Glasser on February 02, 2020:

I comb the dollar stores for clear plastic storage things. I have stacks for pencil boxes with beads and gemstone in each. At this time I must have 30 of them. They are stored in a wire cube storage organization. Information technology has worked for me for many years. My stash of over 55 years just grows almost daily. I utilize everything I tin find. Tic Tac boxes, jars, big pickle and olive jars for big things & buttons. Everyday I come up with more than ideas to make my life easier and faster to go to things I want.

HarmonyGenie on September 24, 2018:

Cheers for an inspiring article and to anybody who shared their storage ideas. I'm on the hunt for better after misplacing ii recent orders for chaplet and findings. I reordered the items, just to find them a calendar week later.

I alive in a small apartment so take to exist especially creative. I store everything in an armoire (so far). I have a metal wall file rack on i inside door where I hang my pliers, cutters, etc. and save papers - specially color combinations I like found in magazines. I have this ane from Ikea https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/901980...

I take some of the storage containers mentioned, simply I accept to movement a stack of containers to get to the one I want and it's annoying. I've been using Chinese takeout plastic containers for larger items (only that's where my misplaced orders were hiding). I love, love, love seed beads and as well need to store thread and stringing material.

My latest idea is to run wooden dowels beyond the other armoire door and hang beads in plastic numberless using due south-hooks. I tin have multiple rods and store a big number of chaplet without using any shelf space. I also program to the modest parts storage containers from Harbor Freight to place all the beads and components I need for a project so I tin close the lid, selection it up and put it abroad temporarily. Their prices are astonishing!

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on August 17, 2018:

Pat, I'm then glad my suggestions and photos have inspired you to organize your bead collection! Y'all will love having a label maker and being able to tell at a glance where to discover what y'all're looking for. :)

patinkc from Midwest on August 17, 2018:

I love looking at all these options. I've collected beads since I was a kid. I accept some in tackle boxes and vintage lunch boxes and some still in their numberless. VERY unorganized! And I do have 1 unit with pull out drawers for my seed chaplet and quills. I'm going to buy a new label maker.

Allison Dow on March 04, 2018:

I too use a combination of storage bins and containers. I accept quite a few of the articulate fishing tackle boxes from Plano. I like the ane-sided ones with clear apartment tops and adjustable slides. Don't like two-sided bines where you lot have to flip them. Your beads will go messed upwardly.

Purchase many of the aforementioned ones at once, because they will stack together, if they change the model the new ones fit as well.

I also have a lot of the Garage type organizers for screws and tools. Work well and stack corking. I like the older metals ones with the difficult plastic drawers. They keep their shape and last for years. Sometimes y'all can detect them at garage sales.

debbie on December 27, 2017:

My storage solution is with the articulate screw superlative bottles and shelves like y'all would find in a nail salon mounted on the wall. I have these clear bottles sorted by color, etc. All I accept to do is look on the wall and be able to pick our colors, shapes, etc. to make my jewelry. Very piece of cake and quick.

Lunaea on July 29, 2017:

I used to store my chaplet in the units with pull-out drawers, just information technology's become impossible anymore to find ones with drawers that are crystal clear. You tin can vaguely see what's in them, only really you just need to pull them out and peek inside. If you have a source for the clear ones, please share it! I likewise use the Darice jars in various sizes. Like you, I find the stackable ones annoying -- I like to pull out a lot of unlike drawers and jars when I'm creating a piece and having open tops always leads to spills. I hang whole bead strands from necklace display stands, which are inexpensive and piece of cake to find at Michael'due south or Joann'south. When I began beading (40+ years ago!) I used boxes with lots of lilliputian compartments, only I discover that fishing the beads out of those petty spaces bugs me. In fact, most of the options sold bug me. I'm still looking for the perfect solution! :-)

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on June 28, 2017:

Thanks, Amber. What do yous utilize the open-shelf cubes for? Do you stack smaller storage containers on them?

Amber on June 28, 2017:

I use many of your tips. I've also found these shelf cubes from Michael'southward piece of work groovy

https://www.michaels.com/recollections-organizer-c...

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on February 21, 2017:

Hi Helen! Thanks for sharing your tip about Harbor Freight as another source of storage containers. I'g glad to hear that your wellness has improved!

I can understand your challenge regarding organizing your bead inventory. This is i of the areas I observe challenging as well. In that location are several software programs, such as Jewelry Designer Manager, Bead Managing director Pro and Craftybase Pro, designed to help jewelry artists manage their bead inventories. I have never used whatsoever of them, so I can't recommend ane personally, but yous might want to take a wait at them. They allow you not only to enter all the details you listed but besides to upload a photo, if you wish.

What I usually do is to my beads (gemstone or otherwise) into modest zippered plastic jewelry storage bags and label them. If the bags take a white strip, I'll write directly on the strip. Otherwise, I ordinarily write the details on a small piece of paper and slip it into the bag with the beads. I practise the same with findings.

Every bit far as identifying whether a finding or chain is sterling or fine silver versus silverplate, that's not my expanse of expertise, simply a quick Google search on "test argent vs silverplate" turned up several manufactures with various methods you tin can try. I hope this information is helpful! Best wishes.

Helen Culwell on February 21, 2017:

Give thanks y'all Margaret for sharing your methods of storage tips. I actually enjoyed it! Before I enquire my question, I want to share my storage containers and where to find them. They are incredibly stiff, stackable, run across-thru containers. I must say the price is better than any I've found during my years of collecting all my supplies. Harbor Freight has a vast array of storage containers and I love them because they're sturdy and a large diverseness. If you don't have a local Harbor Freight nigh your habitation they have a web site.

I'm going to try to condense my question and explanation and so hopefully, I make sense. I have been making jewelry for quite a few years and so became sick in 2014. During that time I stopped making jewelry because I lost my desire. I moved at the terminate of 2015 and at present live in cute Arizona. My health has improved and I'k now motivated to get on with my jewelry designs. While I was so ill it didn't stop me altogether because I started ownership more than chaplet, findings and such and then I'thou now overwhelmed with supplies. My problem is keeping track of the bead cost, name of the gemstone and whether information technology is .925 silver or only silverish coated. I've kept a lot of printed invoices that includes a photo of the bead or finding. How do I keep that info and so I'm not searching through south huge stack of paperwork each time I make an item? I understand about keeping the colors split up for ameliorate organizing but I would similar to know how much I paid for the bead when I get ready to toll my item for sale. Exercise yous accept a solution for determining if the finding or chain is argent or argent-lined?

I hope this gives you an idea of my dilemma and I'd be ever so greatful if you can requite me some pointers or ship me to a website.

Much gratitude!

Helen Culwell

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on June 29, 2016:

@The Precious stone Gypsy, I had never seen (or heard of) the IKEA Trofast storage organization before you lot mentioned them. I really like the fact that you tin can make a custom storage unit of the exact size and configuration you lot want. I find that I demand dewdrop storage containers that are divided into smaller compartments to keep my jewelry supplies organized. But these might piece of work great for storing jewelry making tools and larger supply items, such as polishing cloths. Thanks for the proposition!

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on June 29, 2016:

Thank you, Fay @favored! I'm not very organized in general, but if I didn't have a good system system in place for all my chaplet and jewelry supplies I'd never be able to find annihilation! I find that organizing my chaplet by color family unit makes designing jewelry so much easier, too. Many thanks for your visit and your kind words!

Fay Favored from USA on June 28, 2016:

Margaret you are and so organized with all your things. Trying to keep things directly for crafts is hard, but doing this for jewelry making must really have practise. The Stanley Professional Organizer is a skilful idea. You accept it down to a science ... thank you for sharing some of these solutions. Looks like a have a long style to go :)

The Gem Gypsy on June 16, 2016:

I discover the IKEA Trofast units to be nifty for organizing my large bead collection. The bins are deep enough without being besides deep to come across everything in them and tin can easily be divided. They also have lids so when I need to have a tray on the road everything stays in the bin and they can stack.

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on September 21, 2015:

Hi Millionaire Tips, every bit an adult I became an avid bead collector before I started making jewelry, so I understand how hard information technology is to resist the many wonderful chaplet out there! I promise you found some helpful ideas here for how to organize your drove. Once yous pick a storage and arrangement solution and kickoff using information technology, you'll exist amazed at how much more than oft you will start incorporating beads into your quilt projects one time you lot can hands come across what you lot have by color and size at a glance. Have fun!

Shasta Matova from Usa on September 21, 2015:

I've been collecting beads for a few fine art quilt projects, merely so far, oasis't used very many of them in quilts. There are and then many beautiful beads out there - it is very addictive just buying them and dreaming about how I volition use them. I think I take collected enough now that I need to worry nearly organizing them so I can find them when I am ready to employ them.

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on March 27, 2015:

Sylvestermouse, cheers so much for letting me know that you share my obsession with crafts supplies organizers! Nice to know I'chiliad in such wonderful visitor. I love your husband's nickname for your craft supplies storage tackle box! Thank heaven for those xl% off coupons, correct? ;)

Cynthia Sylvestermouse from United States on March 27, 2015:

I am obsessed with arts and crafts organizers and these are all wonderful selections. My personal, all time favorite, is my large tackle box similar to the one you have shown. My husband likes to tease me past saying he knows I have about to do some serious crafting when I break out my rackler tackler. (I recall he made that name upwards) I was in Hobby Entrance hall a few days ago and saw a make new bead organizer that I really wanted. I had to force myself to pace away. Adjacent time I go to HL though, I am taking my twoscore% off coupon and that dude will exist mine!

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on February 10, 2015:

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, Jacobb9205! I'k delighted that you found information technology useful.

Jacobb9205 on Feb ten, 2015:

Wow, what a great way to store chaplet! Voted useful!

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on January 11, 2015:

Thank you very much, Lorelei! I'm and then glad these bead storage ideas are helpful to you lot. It's really fun to purchase vintage jewelry to dismantle and then reuse the components in your own designs, isn't it? Thank you over again for your wonderful feedback.

Lorelei Cohen on January 09, 2015:

You have more than a few great ideas listed here. I accept picked up quite a few retro numberless of jewelry at the thrift store and many of the bead - pearl necklaces demand to be dismantled for after apply but I haven't organized things withal for this task. This helps. Love the line-fishing chest idea. Handy for carrying with y'all on holidays.

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on January 07, 2015:

@Heathersgreatcat, I hear you! I've got a lot of other jewelry making and craft materials that still need a lot of organizing. I'm hoping I can detect a solution for them that works too equally my bead storage solutions. Glad you found the article helpful!

Heather Walton from Charlotte, NC on Jan 07, 2015:

My own collection of beading materials is slowly overtaking my house...when I first started designing jewelry back in 2008 it was very easy to stay organized because I had a lot fewer beads and supplies. Thanks for a neat article. 1 day I may become all my stuff organized...

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on Dec 04, 2014:

@AnastasiaNicolaou, thank you very much for your feedback. I'thousand glad you agree with my recommendations for bead storage solutions!

Anastasia Nicolaou from Cyprus on December 02, 2014:

This is really expert read on bead storage. We use almost all these storage solutions for beads items.

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on November 22, 2014:

Aesta Mary, thanks for your wonderful compliment! Yous are very lucky to be doing so much travel, and collecting beads from dissimilar countries must be real treasure hunt. I green-eyed you, my friend!

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on Nov 22, 2014:

Your dewdrop designs are so beautiful and I am sure mostly because y'all really take the talent but am sure beingness organized with your chaplet help too. I am but looking at the beads I take collected in our travels. I am packing again for the next place and some accept to go to my friends here. I wish 1 day, I can organize them well, too.

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on May 28, 2014:

@Merrci: Thanks, Merry! If you ever desire to get started just allow me know and I'll be delighted to requite you a hand. :)

Merry Citarella from Oregon's Southern Coast on May 28, 2014:

Wow what keen suggestions! I never realized how necessary it would be. At that place are then many terrific choices you've included. Makes me desire to attempt my hand at information technology.

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on May 28, 2014:

@Lorelei Cohen: I know, right? I love but poring through my enormous vintage bead stash, fifty-fifty when I'm non quite ready to design something. :)

Lorelei Cohen on May 28, 2014:

My daughter used to make some cute bead jewelry. She is now busy with her young family but I can imagine that one day she will get back to information technology over again. There is just something so romantic and magical most the broad array of colors and styles that beads come in.

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on February 10, 2014:

@Zeross4: Thank you so much for your wonderful compliment, Daisy! I really appreciate it. :)

Renee Dixon from Kentucky on Feb 10, 2014:

I can tell y'all spent a lot of time putting this together, this has to be the best spot to for dewdrop storage solutions! I have been using these types of containers to shop my rocks in as well :)

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on February 01, 2014:

@Zodiacimmortal: Thanks, Zodiacimmortal! I believe that "Magnum" may exist a size designation/sub-make inside the Plano Molding product line. I accept a very, very onetime ready of matching Plano tackle boxes in iii unlike sizes, and thee largest of them has "Magnum" printed on it. The apothecary-blazon drawers are keen. I gave mine to my husband for organizing hardware when I outgrew mine, but if I had the correct kind of workspace I'd dearest to take a floor-to-ceiling (OK, maybe 6' alpine) wall of these for my chaplet. :)

Kim from Yonkers, NY on January 31, 2014:

OMG My dad's tackle box is on here! that Magnum brand ane! lol (or at least information technology looks exactly like it!)

IF i had a place to put it I'd LOVE one of those 'apothacary' type drawer shelves

Kim from Yonkers, NY on January 31, 2014:

OMG My dad's tackle box is on here! that Magnum brand 1! lol (or at least it looks exactly like it!)

IF i had a place to put information technology I'd Dear one of those 'apothacary' type drawer shelves

Margaret Schindel (writer) from Massachusetts on January 30, 2014:

@Snakesmum: I'm and so glad! I promise it helps you find the perfect dewdrop organisation and storage solution for you lot. :)

Snakesmum on January 30, 2014:

Very timely lens - I really demand to re-organize my bead collection, small though it is! :-)

Margaret Schindel (author) from Massachusetts on January 30, 2014:

@Craftymarie: Thank you so much, Marie! I only went back for another visit to your Absurd Craft Storage Solutions listing (my first 1 was a bit rushed and I bookmarked information technology for a return visit) and yous've got some really super storage ideas there, besides. I have a feeling we're kindred spirits! :)

Marie on January thirty, 2014:

Gosh this is a really amazing lens on storing beads and all those tiny niggling bits. I love being nosy and looking at other people's storage solutions for arts and crafts items. Cheers for sharing :)

Source: https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/bead-storage-solutions

Posted by: richiesalmor1959.blogspot.com

Share this post