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Monday, August 1, 2011

Mess Management Monday: Craft Room Organization- Solid Color Ribbons

Many of you may ask "Why just SOLID color ribbons?"  You may be disappointed that I am not even going to tell you how I organize my 3/8" ribbons today.  It's because it is all done differently, and I find it easier to concentrate on one method at a time.  I have 2 bookshelves dedicated to my solids, and I hold 5 yd spools, 20 yd spools, and 100 yd spools on these shelves.  So, typically when I get an order in, or when I have been making lots of bows, my ribbons end up in boxes at the bottom on my shelves, or piled haphazardly on the shelves.


Now I am left with the task of trying to put everything back the way it should be.  Since I already have the system in place, tidying up is pretty easy.

I have come quite a ways from my original storage system.  When I first started making bows (in 2005) I started out with a small selection of colors in 7/8" and 3/8".  I stored these in the top of a large tackle box.  Similar to this one:  
 

I kept the ribbon rolls in the top and stored my supplies in the bottom.  I had room for clips, scissors, my glue gun, glue sticks, and my lighter.  As my ribbon supply grew, the storage method changed.  I developed this shelf/rod idea (with the help of my hubby) almost 3 years ago, and have recently expanded into a third shelf for my dots!    
I will describe my system now, and then show you the "after" pics.  I have 2 of the cheapy bookshelves I bought from a local superstore.  On the upper portions I have put tension rods instead of shelves.  If you use this method you MUST put additional support across the back to keep the vertical pieces from being pushed out!  Then the 5 yard spools just sit on the tension rods, and the 100 yd rolls sit on the shelves.  Each tension rod holds about 18 spools in various sizes, and I have 8 tension rods per shelf- so in total approximately 140 spools (give or take). 



You will see I have used the rainbow color system.  Also, each color is placed largest to smallest.  If I have any empty spots (which right now I have a lot of) I can easily see which color and size I need to order.  I didn't take a great pic of it, but just below the printed ribbons on the bottom shelf, I have little baskets with my backstock of color in it.  These are NOT sorted by color but rather by size.  They are easier to find that way!  And you get a LITTLE sneak peak of my printed ribbon storage, but I will save that for another day!  

Be sure to follow my blog if you like this idea, you will love how I store my fabric.  I will be posting that next Monday!

 How do you store your ribbons?


35 comments:

  1. You and I have loads of ribbons, I organize mine by using the ribbon ring it works like a charm for me, now I'm able to take all my 5000 ribbons to crop with me easily...
    I'm inviting you to join our linking party every Wednesday at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/07/hgtvs-cash-cari-with-linking-party.html
    Have a fabulous week,
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  2. Oh soo jealous! I have been trying to organize my ribbon for ages now.. Yours looks amazing.. and you have tons! Thanks so much for sharing with my Pink Hippo Party .. can't wait to see what you share next week!

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  3. The tension rods are such a great idea! I'm rather jelouse of your collection...I have quite the ribbon addiction! So pretty!

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  4. WOW! That is the most ribbon I have ever seen! Besides at the store : )

    Found you on Making The World Cuter...am a new follower, too. My ribbon rolls are just now growing out of my shoebox. I was looking for a smaller scale idea : )

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  5. Awesome storage idea!! LOVE the colors!!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Doni

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  6. If you have any empty spots Check out Ribbon Jar :)!

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  7. I'm jealous of your ribbon collection!! I just posted about my storage solution here:http://directionsnotincluded.blogspot.com/2011/07/ribbon-ribbon-and-more-ribbon.html
    My collection is a tab smaller thought ;)

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  8. I love how you set the ribbons on the tension rod! That is just brilliant- I hate having them strung on a rod, because it's such a pain when I want one from the middle! :) Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo,
    Amy

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  9. That's a LOT of ribbon! You've arranged it in such a pretty way! Thank you for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!

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  10. Hi thanks for sharing, maybe you could keep a photo handy near your ribbons, so you know where to put them back again, unless you already do this or don't need to. I am now google following you, please pop by, Karima x www.karimascrafts.com

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  11. You have a ton of ribbon and I love your storage! It is functional and beautiful.

    I would love for you to come share on Blog Stalking Thursdays
    http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/

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  12. Thanks for linking up at Market Your Biz and Giveaways. Hope you can join our Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop, too.

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  13. Oh my goodness. I can only dream of being as organized as you are! I love it though, its pretty and functional. Win-win!

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  14. Can you come organize my life and my ribbons-hehe
    I am visiting you from Homework's Inspiration Party.I would love for you to link it to my Pinkalicious Thursday party.

    http://www.frugaliciousme.com/2011/08/pinkalicious-thursday-party-13.html

    XOXO,
    Tasha
    www.frugaliciousme.com

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  15. That is a cool idea. As a kid, I remember having a box full of ribbons and every time mom opened it, we spent so much time organizing it all over again.

    Saw your link on 'Homemaker on a Dime'. I am hosting my first Link-up party - Tea Time Thursdays. Would be glad to see some of your awesome posts there. Hope to see ya at the party :)

    http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2011/08/celebrating-one-party-time.html

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  16. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments. I hope you check back next Monday- I will be sharing how I organize my fabrics!

    Lisa!

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  17. great job! :) That's a lot of ribbon. I use the rainbow system when I store my paint!
    thanks for sharing @ catch as catch can.
    gail

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  18. WOW you have a ribbon store. LUCKY! love how you organized it by color, well done. winks. jen

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  19. wow, you have lots of ribbon.... :)

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  20. You did such a great job organizing them. Thank you for visiting my link party!

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  21. I love the tension rod idea. I use an armoire for crafting things that has pockets of space above shelves. This idea would work great for me. Thanks.

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  22. So, so smart! I pinned and tweeted this. Thank you!

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  23. So many ribbons, they look fantastic organised like this!

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  24. I am so jealous over how much ribbon you have! I love how you organize it as well! Thanks for sharing.

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  25. I would love to have that much ribbon! How fun! I like how you organized it in a rainbow pattern...it is fun to look at!

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  26. I love the rainbow organizing. It looks so pretty I wouldn't want to use any of them. Thanks for sharing last week at Lines Across My Face and I hope to see you again this week.
    :)Rachel
    http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com

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  27. Whoa! Your collection of ribbons looks like craft heaven! great storage

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  28. oooooh I love it! Makes me so happy just to look at it.

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  29. wow. I think I have 20 ribbon spools. I made a rack and put ribbon and tape dispensers on it. I got a lot of free tape at target when it was 50 cents with coupons it was free and I needed a place to put it. sound dumb. but now my ribbon rack looks full.

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  30. This is brilliant! I too have loads of ribbon because I use to have a hair bow shop. I've been searching for a way to store massive amounts of ribbon for years, and finally, you have a great idea!

    I have a random side question... Where do you buy all your ribbon? I'm always on the lookout for good places to order new ribbon from.

    Thanks!

    Allison @ House of Hepworths

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  31. @Kate @ craftwhateverI hope you've been following. I posted this ribbon organization this morning: http://sunla-designs.blogspot.com/2011/08/mess-management-monday-5-craft-room.html

    It will definitely work on a smaller scale!

    Lisa!

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  32. This is genius! I would love to do something similar with all my ribbon. Thanks for the inspiration!

    I would love to have you share this at my link party, Show & Share--

    http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-share-2.html

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  33. I use copper pipes in a wooden frame to tame my ribbons. Here are some photos of the ribbon rack http://lifecurrents.dw2.net/?p=5668 . I also use clothespins to wrangle the scraps of ribbon (photos of this also on the post). I love your tension rods. Nice work!

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