Help a husband for Xmas!

[Jason Davies]

My wife has has started a lot or craftwork this year, and currently stores all her materials in the green Woolies shopping bags. I'd love to organise some sort of storage for her for Christmas. Ideally, I'd love some nice boxes/containers (I had seen some that were covered in fabric but they were very small) as opposed to plastic crates.... what do other people use? Can anyone suggest anything for me?

[camsmum]

Hi Jason, what kind of craft work is your wife doing? For example, if she's quilting than she'll need different storage to say a stamper or beader who only needs fairly small storage. Without knowing detail, a good start would be a bookcase and then some smaller plastic boxes/trays (etc) for the shelves (and helps if they are clearly labelled e.g. ribbons, eyelets, threads). You can get all sorts of nice and fun containers from stationers, or variety stores... For some more really specific ideas, maybe check out for some hints. Have you tried googling for craft storage, I have seen some AWESOME ideas online, like glass jars for buttons and ribbons (one for each colour), peg boards for holding tools. One thing I have learned is that your craft supplies has to be *easily accessible* otherwise nothing goes BACK in the storage containers if they are too hard to get to!

[Mandy]

Hi Jason, what a thoughtful hubby you are - if it was me you were buying for, I'd be so happy with IKEA vouchers as they do have a whole heap of really great storage options. Craftainers is a great site (wish I'd thought of that idea) They have a heap of great storage things.

For me, storage is a real problem as camsmum pointed out, if it's not going to fit back in easily, then it's left dumped on the floor. I love boxes of all shapes and sizes which I usually pick up at a cheapy shop. Your wife might like to re decorate the boxes in her own papers which makes the gift even better.

One thing that I've found so useful is a hanging storage thingy with lots of plastic pockets. I got all mine from the Avon catalogue, not sure where else you can get them from. They are perfect for storing all the little bits and bobs in plus you can hang them on hooks on the back of the door or in a wardrobe and they don't take up much room. We also got in sticker folders fairly recently which are great for thin embellishments and stickers.

[schnookle]

Oh that sounds just like me except I am living out of 2 large storage boxes and floor space. Great thread Jason! I am sure your wife would be very happy. I agree with Mandy, maybe go for a voucher so she can choose what she needs. Over the door shoe hangers are good for storing stamps and punches ( I stole that idea from my card teacher). Good Luck

[camsmum]

Also, check out - (or maybe no 'the'... not sure now!) I have a paper holder from there that I'm really happy with, and getting a storage cart (which might be PERFECT for your wife actually!) and at different times they are on special for $59 so worth watching out for (ie don't pay full price unless you're desperate!).

The other thing she'll want is a little tote with her tools in it, to keep them separate from the clutter. If she's a scrapper, there are really good ones at KMart and Spotlight, and if she's a stitcher, I love my plastic sewing boxes from the sewing section at Big W.

If you don't have an IKEA (like me ) perhaps Howards Storage World or Bunnings might have something suitable...

[eyak48]

I really don"t have a lot to add so many good suggestions there, just wanted to say what a thoughtful hubby you are.