Store Ephemera Where You Will Use Them by Betsy Skagen

There's a good chance you have a lot of ephemera. I do too. However, I have it stored away in so many different places and in so many boxes, that I often can't find it when I am in the middle of a project.

To combat this problem, I made a desktop ephemera storage box. While it certainly can't hold all my ephemera, I can keep it filled with different odds and ends that I can use in upcoming projects. This is especially helpful for those of you who like to make junk journals and art planners. What's more, it makes for some fun eye candy.

Tutorial How to Make the Ephemera Storage Box

Begin by loosely putting together the Memory Keeping Organizer just so you can see what goes where. Because there are so many dividers, this could be confusing to assemble without any guidance. Thankfully, you can download instructions when you order this box.

Next, one piece at a time, place a strong adhesive (I like Beacon Fabri-Tac for projects like these) on both sides of the tabs and begin assembling the interior of the box. 

Continue this process until you have the interior completely constructed.

Add each of the four box sides, again using a strong adhesive on each side of the tabs. Once it is fully assembled and the glue has dried, cover the box with a spray primer. After the primer dries, paint the box with dark brown spray paint.

Trace each side of the exterior of the box onto decorative cardstock, cut out and use matte medium adhere to the box sides. Because two of the sides are longer than 12", you will need to splice paper together. After all the paper is adhered, cover the box with two coats of matte medium. This will strengthen and protect the box so it lasts for years to come. 

Use ink or paint to brown the edges of the tabbed dividers. Trace the dividers onto decorative cardstock, cut out and adhere to both sides of all the dividers with matte medium. 

Ink the edges of the the dividers with brown ink.

Cut out words from a vintage book, ink the edges and adhere to the tabs to create fun nonsensical labels. 

Use rubber stamps and ink to add further interest to your dividers.

Coat each of the dividers with matte medium to protect them from wear and tear. 

Perhaps you are wondering if a storage container made from chipboard is strong enough to handle everyday use. I can assure you that you don't need to worry as long as you put enough protective sealer on it. I have made several of Gypsy Soul's boxes. One I made four years ago gets used on a daily basis since I store my go-to art supplies in it. sits on my art table. It looks as good as the day I made it. 

All that is left to do is fill up your new storage container with your favorite goodies and enjoy! -Betsy

Great Stuff

Memory Keeping Organizer
Memory Keeping Large Dividers
Memory Keeping Small Dividers
Beacon Fabri-Tac
Primer
Brown spray paint
Decorative cardstock
Paper Artsy Stamps
Seth Apter Stamps
Vintage Photo and Peacock Feathers distressed inks
Matte medium

taming creative chaos

Hi everyone, this year one of my goals is to tame the "creative chaos" by getting my studio space more organized. I spent some time at the beginning of the year cleaning, organizing, and quite honestly, simply putting things where they belong. It seems that the more creative I am, the more of a mess my studio space becomes and the harder it is to find things that I have set aside for a specific purpose. To that end, I need a place to keep all of my handmade cards. I seem to have quite a pile and yet when a birthday or holiday rolls around, I am always searching. 

Today I am sharing this Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts organizer with you. There are so many ways that it can be used. The trim organizer is very generous in size. The base measures 11" by 5" and has a central divider creating two equal compartments. These compartments easily fit A2 cards, and even slightly larger. The organizer comes with 12 dividers. These are shaped like flat bobbins, so could technically be used to store ribbons or trim; however, I am using them as simple dividers between types of cards. The box arrives arrives flat (6 pieces) and requires assembly. The twelve bobbin cards can be used as bare chipboard or finished with paints or papers as I have.

I always find it easiest to test assemble the piece, this way I can better understand what areas will be visible as well as facilitate the order in which things should be glued. I sort through my paper stash and select a design that I think will work well for my purpose. The interior surfaces can be covered with smaller sized pieces; however, a 12x12 sheet will work best on the long exterior sides (one sheet will cover both the front and the back.)

Before I begin adhering my chosen papers, I paint all of the edges with black soot paint. This will create a finished appearance along the edges where the different papers meet as well as conceal any cuts that may be just a bit too short. Then I begin cutting the papers to size. Oftentimes, when there are multiple sized pieces and they are close in size, I turn them over and give them a designation (letter or number) then also write that onto the chipboard at the location it will be adhered. It helps to keep everything from getting mixed up when it is time to assemble.

I like to add may papers to the Chipboard pieces white they are flat. I find it easier to adhere the papers correctly and, when necessary, weigh them down until dry to keep the edges from curling. On this particular piece, I realized that it would work better to attach the two long exterior paper pieces after the box was assembled. There are no "right" and "wrong" ways to assemble the Gypsy Soul Laser Cut pieces, generally whatever works best for your project. The main piece of advice I always follow is: to ensure the tabs are able to connect easily, do not cover with paper, the added thickness generally does not allow for the tabs to insert into one another.

Once I have all of my paper pieces adhered to the interior surfaces of the box pieces, I begin to assemble. I spread clear, quick dry multi-purpose glue on the tabs and flat areas to be joined, then insert the tabs into the corresponding slots, beginning with the central divider. Next, I attach the front and back box sides and clamp together at the central divider until dry.

The final pieces I assemble are the two end pieces. I use clamps to secure these as well; however, it is not necessary.

With the box assembled, I add the final papers to the front and back exterior sides. (Note: I always ink the edges of any cut pieces so that the white does not show.)

I consider adding feet to the base of the box for a more decorative look, but decide on adding a piece of crafting felt to the very bottom of the organizer. This will allow the box to be situated on a solid or wire shelf, as well as protect any surfaces that it will be set upon. Once assembly is complete, it is time to begin work on the bobbins. 

 My original thought was to divide by months of the year (there are 12 dividers/months), but I believe what would work best for me is to sort by occasion or theme. To this end, I keep the dividers simple. I have learned over the years that my storage solutions are often evolving and this will allow me to change things up easily (if necessary) at a later date. I select some of my favorite worn wallpapers, and paper stash designs for the bobbins. The edge of each bobbin is painted with black paint and allowed to dry. One side of the bobbin is coated with collage medium, I secure the desired paper in place, and weigh down until dry. Once dry, I trim the paper edges with an Exacto knife. All of the bobbin pieces are covered on both the front and back sides.

 

I finally have a special place where I will be sorting and storing miscellaneous cards I have made. There will be no more searching amidst the piles, only flipping through my organizer to find the correct one.

I hope that you are finding time to get creative this year, I have found that even in organizing there are ways to exercise my creativity. Thanks so much for stopping by, I truly appreciate it.
~Ann
  xx


Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts:
trim organizer

An ABC Primer Organizer System

Have you seen the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Organizer System? I think most of the design team has done a version of this project, and for good reason! It's so incredibly handy!

It's built up of various components which can then be mixed and matched together.

You can choose just the elements you need separately, or buy the entire set.

Then configure however you like! Move bits around. Use separately, place them together as a unit.

I've used mine for months now and it's really useful. The little drawers are great for storage. I've been using the bins to store rulers and scissors. I have A LOT of paint, so I use the Acrylic Paint Holder portion to hold those colours I use most, and to hold my glue bottles upside-down so that it's always ready use.

It's a nice, neat system and it's held up really well for me.

My Organizer is embellished with various papers from Graphic 45's An ABC Primer Deluxe Collectors Edition. 

This is a BIG project. It's not difficult, but it will require time. If you're doing the entire set be prepared to use quite a bit of paper. I only covered the visible exterior sides of the pieces. This saved time and paper. This also reduces bulk to the drawers ensuring there is enough space that they slide in and out with ease.

I knew that this was going to be a well used piece so I limited the additional embellishments I added to a few metal nameplates. Function over frills and glitter for this project!

Think you'd like to try this project? Here are all the bits I used:

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Organizer System

• 3 Drawer

• 3 Inch Bins

• 6 Drawer

• 6 Inch Bin
• Acrylic paint holder (Glitter Glue Holder also available)
Graphic 45's An ABC Primer Deluxe Collectors Edition
Glue
Black Acrylic Paint
Stamp pad for distressing edges
Metal nameplates

Happy Crafting!

Wanderlust anchored at home by Betsy Skagen

My crafting often turns me into somewhat of a hermit. It is easy for me to spend days in my studio--especially during less pleasant months--and only venture out in the world to run errands.

I fill my studio with fun vintage items that remind me to enjoy life outside my little corner of the world. When I created this organizer storage unit for my studio I used it as an opportunity to remind myself both of travel adventures and vintage treasures I had yet to discover.

To make this storage unit, begin by assembling the Organizer System using a strong adhesive like Beacon Fabr-Tac.

Next spray paint the entire unit with a flat brown paint.

 Make sure you spray the inside of the Stickle holder.

Next select the base papers you want to use and cut them to fit each box. Adhere with Modpodge or a craft glue. 

Next fussy cut travel ephemera. Ink the edges with brown ink to give an aged look. Then adhere the ephemera to each unit. 

Cover all the units with a coat of ModPodge. Let dry and repeat with another coat of Modpodge. 

If you have any doubts about the durability of an storage system made from chipboard, let me assure you it will be sturdy. I made another Gypsy Soul organizer system about three years ago. It sits on my art table where I use it every day and it still looks new.

Great Stuff

Organizer System
Modpodge
Adhesive
Authentique Pastime Collection

Rotating Hobby Organizer

Good morning everyone.  Gina here today with one of my absolute favorite storage pieces.  This is the Rotating Hobby Organizer and it is such a handy way to store items that I use frequently.

The organizer ships flat but is quite easy to assemble.  I began with a dry assemble from the center out.  Once I knew where all the pieces fit, I started gluing the organizer together using Scotch Quick Dry glue. 

For the base piece, I decided to color only the area that would show.  I used a mega sized Sharpie marker but acrylic paint or distress paint would work just as well.

Here is the assembled organizer, ready for paper.  I chose a roll of kraft and black wrapping paper from my dollar store for this one, but have used scrapbook paper in the past.

I began by covering the largest areas first, gluing down the paper and using a brayer to make sure I got all the air out.

Once papered, I used the same Sharpie marker to color the edges of the boards.  At this point I used Beacon 3 in 1 glue to attach the lazy susan hardware piece to the bottom of the organizer.

I assembled the drawers next, papered the fronts and used a wooden bead, nut and bolt to make pull knobs.

Here is the finished organizer.  It holds an incredible amount of tools and supplies and keeps them right at your fingertips.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Items

Rotating Hobby Organizer