Creative cobwebs

Don’t let a disorganised craft area stop you enjoying it. It’s just time to spring-clean and get sorted!

Story by Kristy Gleeson

		You are reading Handmade, which means that you are interested in craft. And, if this has extended beyond these pages and manifested as supplies, this article should appeal to you. You may fall in love with the latest scrapbook papers, patchwork fabrics or even the myriad of gorgeous beads on offer, but beware – a person who has bought just one piece of paper or fabric is hard to find. This is because you also need all the necessary tools and materials to make your creation of choice. And, then there’s the fact that craft is addictive!

The concept of ‘spring-cleaning’
Using these supplies and tools is all very well when you are busy being creative, but what happens when you’re not? Or when what you’ve acquired has blown out of all proportion and crept into every room of the house – what then? With all the wonderful products on offer to keep the creative juices flowing, it’s very easy to get carried away. What you are left with is equipment and an excess of provisions that need a place to live. So, whether you do it once a year or many times, making room for a ‘Spring-clean’ will help keep your craft ‘stuff’ under control.

Did you know? The origins of spring-cleaning probably date back to the Iranian Norouz, the Persian New Year, which falls on the first day of spring. Iranians carry out the practice of ‘khooneh takouni’ – which actually means ‘shaking the house’ – just before the New Year, and everything in it is thoroughly cleaned.

Sort it out

You have to start somewhere, and gathering ‘like’ objects is as good as any. Grab some boxes or allocate specific areas in the room you work in. If you do a number of crafts, group them accordingly – like scrapbooking, sewing, beading and so on. Pick just one and gather everything you can see that has to do with it into one spot. For instance, if you sew, put fabrics, cotton, notions and trims in separate piles. Then, step back and look at what you have. It’s amazing how many reels of white cotton or rolls of double-sided tape there are. Taking stock of supplies also eliminates unnecessary spending – when you buy another item at the craft store because you can’t find the one you have. Putting what you’ve got in perspective also helps you assess your storage needs.

TIP: Ask at local stores or where you work if there are any unwanted boxes. This not only cuts costs but it’s environmentally friendly too.

 

Keep, toss and ‘not sure’
Next, start with one pile, pick out all the items you definitely want to keep and put them away immediately. Then select anything you no longer need – or want. These can be recycled, donated to charity shops, sold in a garage sale or simply thrown away. To do your bit for the environment, however, make the latter the last possible option. Finally, all that remains is the ‘not sure’ pile. When in doubt, as they say, ‘chuck it out’ – or make the decision to keep it. For those of you who find it hard to part with possessions, put them in a box and ‘visit’ them again later – a week or two perhaps – and repeat the first two steps, either keeping or tossing. Try to eliminate the pile at this time, but if you don’t, be persistent and keep coming back to it. If it’s a struggle, just be consistent and it will get easier over time.

HINT: To save time, get boxes from work or shops beforehand. That way, they are ready to go when you are in full spring-cleaning mode – no excuses!

Storage options

Craft items can be really odd shapes and finding a practical solution that’s attractive isn’t always easy. This is where your creative prowess can come in handy, so first, use whatever storage you already have. Drawers and cupboards are great for large objects that don’t need to be seen. Heavier items are best stored in these too, keeping floor space as free as possible, to avoid continually stepping over things or walking round them. Just doing that, the place will look tidier – and larger.
Clear organisers are great for small items that can be tricky to store and keep track of and there are numerous options available, containing various divisions or even stackable containers that connect. Birch has some good ones available, as does Craftainers which specialises in custom-built storage for every craft under the sun. Craftlockers that store reels of ribbon behind clear plastic doors are fantastic for the trim-obsessed crafter out there. Beautiful enamel bins and caddies also give your vintage d écor a special touch, as well as providing a solution for the embellishments, scrap paper, fabric and cotton reels you use most frequently. Melissa Frances has created the ‘Inspiration Collection’ of storage products to fit in with the classic feel of your home, so check out these nifty ideas at www.craftainers.com.au

TIP: Try discount stores and even supermarkets for glass jars and clear containers. Separate buttons into colour ways and line them up on a shelf to create a decorative display with impact.

Our top spring-cleaning tips:

1. Start by assembling all the cleaning supplies and tools you need to do the job.
2. Make a list, either mental or written, of what you want to accomplish. Are you just going to clean all the lights, windows and hard surfaces, or tackle the drapes and floors as well?
3. Start at the highest level in your room – or home – and work your way down.
4. Do one room – or even one area of one room – at a time to avoid jobs left unfinished. The satisfaction of seeing one room sparkle makes the hard work worthwhile.
5. Invest in good rubber or vinyl gloves to protect your hands and nails.
6. Do two things at once. While the laundry’s on, put the things on your desk in their proper places.
7. When tidying, reduce trips around the house by putting things temporarily in one spot on the way to their final destination.
8. Don’t forget to play your favourite music!