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Any advice on storing stencils? I have all kinds of sizes—6x6, A2, the smaller Tim Holtz ones. I’d prefer not a binder as they take up so much space and I don’t have too many. But I would like to organize and protect them somehow, especially for the ones where I didn’t keep the original packaging.
My stencils are in an envelope standing behind my embossing folders. You're right, they don't take up a huge amount of room. I don't have a lot but they're all different sizes. This works fine for me.
that's a great idea fionna51. I have a lot and bought 12x12 scrapbook books with plastic sleeves to put them in but I have 6 already, plus smaller scrapbook/picture books and my collection keeps growing. Your envelope idea is fabulous -- I'm going to use those large zippered plastic bags for scrapbook papers and label each one for categories, i.e., people, geometric, floral, etc., and put the smaller ones in smaller envelopes inside, so I can keep all of them together.
I keep them either in the original package or a 6 x 6 cello sleeve with the company paper, and I put a piece of lesser black CS in it to help pop the image for me. They are in 2 kitchen binz 7 x 12 or something like that, divided by subject. I have various sizes plus metal and plastic. I started out with metal kept in photo albums but it got too heavy and was ripping the pockets over time. I do have quite a lot of them.
Mine are in hanging file folders - I need to get more cello envelopes or something to separate the more delicate ones so they don't catch on each other.
I keep them in the same stamp pockets I keep my large stamp sets in - it's important to me to have consistent storage materials and stencils take up so little room. I airtable them and file them alphabetically by manufacturer just like stamps.
These are pretty nice, like page protectors but open on the top and side so there’s easier access, and I cut them smaller. Dark colored paper can be inserted to see stencils better and to store one on each side of the paper. Colors can be used for categories, like green for nature, blue for geometrics, etc.
For now, mine are on a bookcase in a shallow Interdesign tray I happened to have that’s under a shelf divider I also happened to have, so there isn’t wasted vertical space. https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Trans...A3BPG5XTFNRGHP
I keep everything in its original packaging, I cut the top (crimped side) off so I don't have to mess with the sticky strip on the bottom every time I want to use it. Once I have pixie spray on it, I put it on another piece of acetate and keep it in the original packaging (are you lost yet?) until it falls apart, then I transfer it to better packaging.
Hanging folders - so easy to pull out. I store them in 3 categories: flora & fauna, patterns (repeated), shapes (hearts, snowflakes, music notes). If categories get too large, I break them down further.
I keep mine in the original packaging and store them in a 6 x 6 album. I did a reorganization and purge last year and found an old journal with deep pockets which is perfect.
These work great for me, Got a pack of 50 on Amazon, clear plastic, about 7x7 square. I put stamp sets and 6x6 paper packs in them too. They are HANDY.
I store 6x6 stencils in plastic sleeve photo album, I have white card stock inserts in each sleeve, I stencil the item on the sleeve, hand write the brand, stock#, etc. on the card stock and clean off the stencil and slip back into sleeve. For larger stencils, I use 12 x 12 photo sleeve album with colored card stock behind them...I don't stencil these on the card stock as I have fewer of these and they can easily be identified. I teach a class in art journaling each year and the album works great for the class and helps me identify quickly if any stencils are missing or out of place. All the smaller tag sized (T.Holtz) stencils are put on metal ring and hand on my art cart for easy access.
__________________ Have a creative day, every day.
I bought some of the presentation type document holders, they have probably 40 odd pages in them, each pocket has a dividing paper in them, so effectively 2 stencils per page. The Tim Holtz ones I have hanging up. I used a book ring to thread them on, and that has a small lobster claw type hook on so I can hang them.
I ended up ordering some 6.5x9.5 cello envelopes - they will be perfect for my 6x9 stencils, and then I can cut them to fit the 6x6 ones, and close the cut off end for the 3x6 ones. We'll see how that goes! The file folders work great but I worry about them catching together.
I bought some of the presentation type document holders, they have probably 40 odd pages in them, each pocket has a dividing paper in them, so effectively 2 stencils per page. The Tim Holtz ones I have hanging up. I used a book ring to thread them on, and that has a small lobster claw type hook on so I can hang them.
This is pretty much what I do, too. Especially as some of mine are larger and wouldn't fit in smaller pockets. I find them easy enough to see on white paper, which has the stencil name written on it. Where there are a couple alike (like, for example, my Tim Holtz and MFT sunrays) they're in one pocket. I use those sticky Post-it tabs to mark the different categories (geometric, weather, leaves, numbers and clocks, etc).
I should have mentioned I always cut off the top piece used for hanging product on hooks in stores. I also will cut down the store paper piece to get the whole to 6 x 6 if I can. So I re-fold the bottom opening over higher up.
I use the 6 x 6 cello for background stamps too. Maybe they are really 6 1/2 square?
I had been keeping my stencils in original packaging and hanging them on a row of nails on the wall (yes, very casual storage system). However, I ended up getting more of them, and the really small ones can't be hung up, so I have the smaller ones tucked into a magazine holder, placed on its side, on a shelf next to my stamps.
My heavier plastic stencils are in a binder, but I find that I don't use them as often because it's kind of a hassle to pull out the binder and flip through them.
Karen
I need to sort my stencils too, so checking out these ideas! TFS
One thing I can add to ideas though is that if you are Looking for sleeves to put your 12 x 12 stencils in, consider “vinyl record sleeves” (Amazon), I have them for my designer paper And smaller ones for the 6x6 Embossing folders
The record sleeve idea is intriguing! More durable than cello.
Originally years ago I had been doing an index book for them-I would take a pencil and quickly fill in the design. In fact my LSS owner saw me carrying that one day to ensure I would not duplicate one day and loved the idea.
I abandoned it. Now I just flip through what I have.
In some ways I have gotten more "fussy" with storage and others more lazy, um relaxed. LOL
These work great for me, Got a pack of 50 on Amazon, clear plastic, about 7x7 square. I put stamp sets and 6x6 paper packs in them too. They are HANDY.
Thanks for sharing!
I ordered the 45 sleeves for storing 6x6 stencils, background stamps and 6x6 papers. The items are filed away in cardboard photo boxes.
I also use the album sleeves to store 12x12 paper which is stored in Totally Tiffany's (cardboard) paper storage holders.
As for storing larger stencils, I use a flexible 12x12 scrapbook that snaps close.
Last edited by Bohodiva; 09-19-2020 at 08:11 AM..
Reason: Additional comment
all my stencils are in tabbed clear stamp envelopes available at a big box store(HL)--right now I don't have enough to worry about organizing so i just flip through the binder(designed for the clear stamp envelopes I am using) but eventually I will sort by type and company just for my librarian brain to be happy. So far i only have one stencil too tall for the binder and that doesn't bother me.
__________________ c-mouse-If you can't say nuttin nice--don't say nuttin at all. Thumper. Pansy
Card Sketch Challenge 1-227 done only 396+ to go to be caught up!!!!!
I'm so glad I came across the The Crafty Organizer aka Clutter Fairy channel on YouTube!
She has so many good ideas for getting your craft clutter, as well as home, decluttered and organized. Today I'm going to make an organizer for my paper scraps.
In this video she's talking about organizing stickers, but the solution can also be used for stencils, etc.
Any advice on storing stencils? I have all kinds of sizes—6x6, A2, the smaller Tim Holtz ones. I’d prefer not a binder as they take up so much space and I don’t have too many. But I would like to organize and protect them somehow, especially for the ones where I didn’t keep the original packaging.
I covered an empty envelope box with washi tape and store them in that. I tried to upload the picture, but it isn’t working. 🤷♀️
I'm storing my smaller stencils and 6x6 background stamps in a pretty cardboard photo box, the kind they sale a Michaels. Each one is in 45 record sleeve.
My stencil storage is a Simply Renee Clip It Up! mini unit from way back in the day. Stencils are backed by colorful cardstock, placed in stamp storage pockets, hung using plastic J Hooks, and sorted by theme. I just rotate the unit to find what I am looking for. Some crafters created their own spinning units using lamp shades.
__________________ AScrapofKindness
Last edited by AScrapofKindness; 02-14-2021 at 09:02 AM..
Stencil storage?
Organization for scraps, stencils, stickers, etc.
