Storing Scraps & an update on my Copics

Hi Everyone!

I haven’t crafted this weekend – but I’ve done a lot of organizing. The rest of my Copics arrived on Friday, as well as an Amazon order for some sheet protectors – which I have been waiting for to revamp my storage of my scraps. So I wanted to share with you how I did this. I got this idea from Carissa Wiley. You can see it in her video here. She stores her paper in magazine holders like I used to store mine. My magazine holders here are handmade using USPS boxes, cut down and covered with postal wrapping paper (is that what you call it?) Here’s a picture of how I used to store my paper:

I now store my paper horizontally in two tall units that my husband built for me. I was perfectly happy with how it was stored before, but my husband had an itch to build – so I let him – and I’m happy with how it turned out :). As far as scraps go, I’ve always stored them in a plastic file box, separated by file folders. But I saw Carissa Wiley’s paper organization video and I thought it was genius to use sheet protectors to store scraps – why hadn’t I thought of that?!? I kept trying to think of how I could store my scraps with my full sheets and this is it!

Here is how it looked before yesterday. It was ugly – and took up extra space in my craftroom that I didn’t care for:

I purchased some heavy weight sheet protectors (see them here) and cut the 3 ring portion off them as seen here:

 Then I used my Dymo Label Maker to make labels for each cardstock color for each sheet protector:

And now, each compartment holding full sheets has a sheet protector holding scraps of the same color. This is also nice because it’s now labeled – I used to have a sticky note at the bottom of each cardstock pile with the names of the colors, but I couldn’t see it.

     Now my file box holds receipts – orders from SU and other stores and is hidden away in the closet :).

Who is ready for Copics??? I wrote about the storage unit my husband built here and about my decision to get ALL the Copics and where I got them here. It’s a HUGE decision and I wish everyone the best of luck with their decision to starting a Copic collection – it took me months of thought, contemplation and waiting, but it’s finally all here and I’m so excited to share what it looks like. I explained previously that I purchased Sandy Allnock’s Hex Chart “designed to show the visual color relationship between Copic marker colors.” You get two PDF files – one hex chart that is blank – for you to color using your own Copics – and one colored by Sandy to see all the colors compared to what you have so you can decide if you need to buy additional colors to compliment what you already have. This chart is so helpful visually – as the Copic numbering system and the colors on the Copic Sketch plastic caps are not always true to their ink color. Here is a picture of my colored Hex Chart, which I have colored and laminated (I had to run them through the laminator several times to get a seal all the way around-  there are two sheets – a second sheet for grays).

When I went to fill up my storage unit, I had a hard time deciding how I wanted to put my markers in – try to mimic this hex chart or to store by color families as organized on Copic’s colorwheel:

I didn’t have enough rows on my storage unit to follow the Hex Chart to a tee – but I did a little cramming and re-arranging and in the end, I think it turned out pretty well:

There’s plenty of space left if new colors become available. I have my Multiliner SP Pens stored to the right.

***Deep breath*** I’m so glad this process is over. I’ve spent too much time thinking about it, planning it, and way too much money on it!  I don’t know how other crafters begin with a few pens here and there – I would have too much anxiety thinking about it all the time. But I know they’re pricey so I get that this is how some people have to begin. Fortunately, working overtime for 7 months gave me some playing money. At least – that is how I’ve justified this purchase.

I need to do more coloring very soon. Stay tuned!

UPDATE:

I’ve received a lot good feedback and along with that, a lot of questions about this unit so I wanted to post a little update to talk a bit about the dimensions and how to make it.  As I mentioned, my unit doesn’t have enough rows to mimic the Hex Chart. If I were to do it ALL over again, I would’ve counted the number of rows and columns on the Hex Chart first. But I think the building process would’ve remained the same.

I count 20 rows and 22 columns on the Hex Chart – to be safe, lets make the crates the size of 25 rows x 30 columns (each crate hole is 5/8″x 5/8″). You’ll need two egg crate pieces (buying one panel is enough – I think it was about $13 at Home Depot for one panel).

Then build a box using wood panels that are at least 6″ wide (the box is 6″ deep all around). At this point, you’ll just have the frame of the box (sides, top and bottom). (I measured the panels on my box to be 7 1/4″ from the front of the unit to the back of the unit) with some dead space in the back, that’s why I suggest using wood panels that are 6″ wide. You want the markers to sit flush with the front of your storage unit but not sticking out too far or sitting too deep inside the unit. The dimensions of the frame will be dependent on how many rows and columns you decide to make your unit. Add two rows and columns to account for shim space. Cut two crates exactly the same. It’s important that they align just right so that you can slide a marker in and out without it catching. You’ll have to decide how far back you want your markers to sit. This is where you’ll place your backing (MDF board or plywood, or any other flat board) as a stopper for the markers. So you’ll have 5 sets of shims to hold each egg crate and the backing in place – thin pieces of wood at the front and back of each crate and the MDF board to hold them in place. They can be long pieces running all around the inside of your boxed frame or just several short pieces on each side of your box. You can use wood glue or screws to secure them in place. This was how we created this box. If you think of a better way to hold your egg crates and backing in place, go for it!

I’ve drawn up a diagram of the side view.  I hope you find this helpful and that it makes sense.