Best way to organize beads...

[jiimaanikwe]

Hi all, I'm looking for a better way to organize my beads. Right now I have them stored in individual bags, but having to go through each bag is starting to be hassle. Plus if they were in plain sight I would be tempted to bead more often. Does anyone know of good sturdy shelves/ racks that are good for storing beads? Sumthin with see through drawers would be great.

Also, what are some good bead design programs? I've been using graph paper for years, but maybe its time for me to join the 21st Century

Thanks!

[OLChemist]

I use wire shelves (the kitties keep off since the wires are hard to walk on) and small parts cabinents. These are good for hanks. I keep my kilos in Gladware containers and old lard buckets.

You can get all different kinds of small parts cabinents at big box home improvement or department stores. My personal preference is for the ABS/PS units. The filled PP are cheaper but they crack if they get a good hit. If you want to spend the bucks find metal frame ones; they hold up a better than the plastic ones. If you have kids or critters, tape some posterboard over the back (it keeps little fingers or paws from fishing hanks out the back).

[jiimaanikwe]

Thanks for the helpful reply. Before I had a chance to read it I went to Wal-Mart and got a bunch of the large round stackable containers and one of those small 3 drawer organizer thingys (Less than $7). Each drawer is about 8 1/2 x 11. I put my beads in the containers and put the containers in the drawers. Now they're nice and accessible and the girls know to keep out!!

Now if I can get ahold of a bead design program I can retire my graphing paper! Maybe I should start a new thread for that question...

[Singing Otter]

I use one of those really big clear plastic bins. I get to sit in the floor and go through it like a lil kid... every time I go through it I find something I forgot I had.

It's kinda like Christmas only it's not.

[jiimaanikwe]

Haha, your posts crack me up. I think if I used that method I wouldn't get any beading done I'd be too busy looking at all the shiny lil beads!

[Mstar]

Best Way to Organize

I know. I just love sitting on the floor with all my beads around me. Its like you are in heaven.

[NCheyGirl21]

I get these plastic contaniers at hobby lobby for like $2 I think. They are divided into lil squares and I keep my beads in there. When I store them I have a plastic container then I stack them all in. I'm always beading so I never put them away, there always in my livingroom. lol.

[wyo_rose]

I like buying the small fishing lure boxes and sort my beads by size and/or type.

I have a bunch of shoe boxes that I keep all my different projects in. Then I can just add a lure box of beads and take it with me when I need it.

Then I have a shelf to put them on when they're not in a shoe box. I like to have them out where I can see them. Most are clear boxes.

Except for a dark green one with my cut beads. Nobody better touch those. There must be over $200 in beads in that box.

[Ron S]

I use the round stackables from Walmart also. I use a sharpie to write the product number on the outside so I can order more of the same if need be. Beats trying to figure out what you have in there or where you got them from.

[Czechy]

I actually like to keep my smaller amounts of beads in little ziploc bags. Then those are kept in clear plastic bins. Each bin holds one size of beads. This method is good for finding new color combinations. I just stick my hand in and smoosh the bags around until I find a nice combination. My larger amounts of beads are kept in margarine tubs.

[yonv2]

Bead Storage

I use the lip/chew tobacco cups from Skoal/copenhagen Etc... Then put a label on them for color and size. The lid snaps off an I just thread my needle right out of the cup. The lid stays on good for storage.

Hi all, I'm looking for a better way to organize my beads. Right now I have them stored in individual bags, but having to go through each bag is starting to be hassle. Plus if they were in plain sight I would be tempted to bead more often. Does anyone know of good sturdy shelves/ racks that are good for storing beads? Sumthin with see through drawers would be great.

Also, what are some good bead design programs? I've been using graph paper for years, but maybe its time for me to join the 21st Century

Thanks!

[winawachikaNtn]

yonv2 i also use the tobacco dip cup/container ,my husband brings about 15 to 20 cans a week home from the men at his work that save them for me, they work perfect as well and dont cost me anything lol.

[subeeds]

Most of the beads I get come in some kind of rigid plastic container. (the Ming Tree beads from FMG and the Dynamites). I have one of those plastic drawer things from Walmart, with wheels. It has 4 skinny drawers and 3 deep ones. I keep my seed beads and accents in the skinny drawers and everything else in the deep ones-my bracelet loom, bead mats, extra containers, etc..When I get pounds of beads, I keep those in a deep drawer and when I'm working on a project using them, I use one of the empty container to keep the beads in temporarily. The drawers are transparent and I can see what is where in a heartbeat. I also have the seed bead drawers done by size.

[thestogs]

The best solution is the one that works for you. I use either small zip lock bags for storing seed beads or small plastic containers in which 35mm film was sold. I used to pick up discarded film containers at the photo processing desk at a local drug store or Wal Mart. One day, I asked a Wal Mart employee if they had any film containers and he gave me an entire bag full. I mark the bead size and color number on the outside of each container.

I store these little containers (zip lock bags and film cannisters) in two large plastic tackle boxes. One box contains 11/0 and 12/0 beads, the other has 13/0, 16/0 and some 22/0. Each box has the appropriate thread, needles, etc. and a pair of magnifying glasses is packed with the 22/0 beads.

I haven't done it yet, but a friend of mine order a case of clear plastic specimin cups from a medical supply company. They are great size for beads and stack easily. I'll probably order a couple hundred later this summer.

The 35mm film cannisters are getting rare because of digital cameras. I really like the size of those containers because they are easy to pack if you take a project on the road.

Gary