I REALLY need this storage/organization area!

[misti.stowell]

How do I need this organizing space, let me count the ways. Oh yea, and show you my crafting and storage areas as well.

I started stamping about 18 months ago as an SU demo. I also have started doing a lot of craft fairs and have started a custom invitation and party favor business that is beginning to take off. The problem is my lack of organization causes me to have to buy things multiple times because I just can't find things when I need them. As you can see from my pictures of my actual craft room, I have tried to get a lot of plastic storage containers to help but it just isn't working.

I retire from the Army in 2 years and would really love to be able to take my stamping business to the next level and make it my second career. But to do that I have got to get organized. This system would allow me to do that and would make it so I want to be my craft room. Right now, it is such a disaster that I work upstairs, which is why I have my craft things in 3 rooms upstairs as well.

Because we are an Army family, we move every 2 years so if I don't get this under control this year I will likely be forced to throw much of it away because Ijust can' figure out what it is to move it.

I love the sleek look of the storage system and if I had the money would love to buy it. Unfortunately, the pay of an active duty Soldier doesn't allow for a lot of extras like this and I have spent most of my allowance up to Christmas to get the stuff for my fall craft fairs. This storage and craft area would be my Christmas present to me and to my husband because I could get all my stuff out of his areas!

Because everything is everywhere my darling 3 year old daughter also gets into everything, and I mean everything. There is always ribbon and stamps and ink everywhere. She is my avator and loves stampin with mommy but right now it is impossible.

I have never won anything in my life, except my husband of course:-) I am so unlucky when it comes to contests and I am embarassed that my house is such a mess that I have a chance of winning this one. I have tried so many times over the past few months to clean and organize and it is just not working. My husband returns from Iraq in November and I so want to have this all cleared up so he is not disappointed in me. Please help me organize my crafts and my life so I can enjoy time with my husband adn daughter instead of always trying to find everything I need to work with.

Once you see the attached pictures I think you will see why I need your help and this storage and work area. I hope you will consider this entry and give me the greatest Christmas present ever!

Misit Stowell
[email protected]
719-637-7609

[misti.stowell]

As you can see from my pictures, I have my craft things actually spread out into for different areas of my house because of the mess in my craft room. Please help!!!

[misti.stowell]

Okay, here are the ones of what is termed my craft room right now.

[misti.stowell]

Here are the last two pictures, tere is so much stuff in the pictures that it takes too much room for one post, wow how much do I need help??!!

Please vote for me, I really need this to make my craft area usable for my business and to make it fun again.

Thank you for your consideration.

Misti Stowell

[canbro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by misti.stowell

Here are the last two pictures, tere is so much stuff in the pictures that it takes too much room for one post, wow how much do I need help??!!

Please vote for me, I really need this to make my craft area usable for my business and to make it fun again.

Thank you for your consideration.

Misti Stowell

WOW.. you totally have me beat!! LOL good luck

[misti.stowell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by canbro

WOW.. you totally have me beat!! LOL good luck

Yea, it is kind of embarassing though. It took me a couple of days to get up the nerve to take the pics and post them knowing everyone would see my mess! But hey I really need this system so time to suck up the embarassment, huh??:-) Good luck to you as well.

[mahoganygirl]

Misti your story is one of the best ones I have read it is really honest and touching at the same time. I am not entering because there are so many ladies that this could help them take their craft to the next level.....like you....
Dont be embarassed........crafting is never neat.....again.....thanks for finally a great entry.....
mahoganygirl

[misti.stowell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahoganygirl

Misti your story is one of the best ones I have read it is really honest and touching at the same time. I am not entering because there are so many ladies that this could help them take their craft to the next level.....like you....
Dont be embarassed........crafting is never neat.....again.....thanks for finally a great entry.....
mahoganygirl

Thanks!

[thumbunny]

The last set of photos that you posted show a series of bookshelves that you're not really using to their full utility and potential...is that space your husband lets you use? Have you tried organizing things there? It must be a real challenge having your craft supplies spread out in different locations.

Are you active military as well as your husband?

[misti.stowell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumbunny

The last set of photos that you posted show a series of bookshelves that you're not really using to their full utility and potential...is that space your husband lets you use? Have you tried organizing things there? It must be a real challenge having your craft supplies spread out in different locations.

Are you active military as well as your husband?

I actually just emptied those shelves of books I tried to sell at our yard sale. I am trying to decide to put the books back, or take them to Goodwill ad use the space for storage. That is part of my problem as well, I love to read and hate to give up a good book, I just might read it again. I do actually re-read a lot of my books. But I will likely not replace the books in the shelves there so I can use them.

Yes, both my husband and myself are active duty. He is 5 years behind me so I will follow asa dependent for abotu 5 years after I retire, or longer if he stays in longer.


Thanks for looking and noticing the shelves!
Misti

[misti.stowell]

Okay, I actually went downstairs and tried to clean and organize for about an hour today during my DD's nap and literally became so overwhelmed by the stuff that I had to come upstairs and sit down. I really need help to organize all this stuff so it is usable. Ihave so may ideas of what I want to do but I keep getting distracted by all this mess.

Help me win this organizer system, or just give me some organizing tips. Thanks for looking!

[misti.stowell]

Wow, I was reading through some of the other submisions and there are soe really grea entries. can we all get one???????

[cedargirl]

Misti, I can tell you are frazzled because, girl, you spelled your own name wrong in the first post. I wish I could come help you sort. I had a DEAR friend come to my house once when my children were babes and help me clean sweep. She helped me go through every box and sort: keep, sell, give, trash. It was a REAL blessing. Funny, that christmas I had almost our whole list covered with the craft projects that I had planned and totally lost track of. It was awesome not to feel that holiday crunch because it was all in my unorganized stuff. Once my space was done I felt absolutly energized to finish those gifts, make those cards, redo my wedding album, ... you get the picture.
So, take a deep breath with me and just pick up ONE thing at a time. There is a start and a finish line. But the only way you get there is one thing at a time. Just keep thinking about that shiny beautiful workbox, the smile on your husband's face, and the freedom to create again. I get it, crafting baggage is heavy on the shoulders and it sounds like you are in position to make your business great! Use this week's hope and momentum to step forward!