How to Organize Junk Journal Supplies for Beginners: Tips from Laurette the Vintage Paper Girl
How to Organize Junk Journal Supplies: Tips from Laurette the Vintage Paper Girl 🗂️✂️📚
Feeling overwhelmed by your growing collection of crafty supplies?
You’re not alone!
Today, we’re diving into some awesome organization tips from Laurette, the Vintage Paper Girl at Laurette Chandler, The Vintage Pap.
Let’s get those supplies sorted!
What’s in Laurette’s Crafty Cart? 🛒
Laurette kicks things off by showing us her go-to cart.
It’s right next to her crafting table, packed with goodies:
- Ephemera books and boxes
- Favorite books she uses often
- Tim Holtz and Tracy Fox items
- Handmade ephemera books
- Sweet gifted items from Etsy purchases
She’s a pro at maximizing space:
- Ribbons on one side
- Pom poms on the other
- Lighter colors for shabby vintage projects
- Vintage letters and papers
- Little bags and envelopes at the bottom
- Fabrics for journals
The best part?
This cart is on wheels, making it easy to move around.
Smart thinking, Laurette!
How Does She Store Digital Printables? 💻🖨️
For digital kits, Laurette’s got a system that’s pure genius:
- She uses plastic envelopes (13 inches long) from Amazon
- These fit 12-inch paper pads and 8.5 x 11 sheets like a glove
- Daily-use pieces stay in these envelopes right by her desk
For those full digital kits:
- Big button pockets are her go-to
- She organizes by designer (all Shabby Dabby Doo together, for example)
- Stores them in Target baskets (14 x 11 inches)
- Categorizes by theme (sewing, cooking, you name it)
What About Works in Progress? 🚧
We all have those projects we start but don’t finish right away.
Here’s how Laurette handles them:
- Uses standard chipboard magazine holders
- Keeps notes, instructions, and pieces all together
- Stores them on the counter next to her baskets
No more losing pieces or forgetting where you left off!
How Does She Handle Scraps? 🎊
Those tiny scraps can be a pain to organize, but not for Laurette:
- She uses scrap trays like her friend Gail
- Separates by color (pinks, creams)
- Has a special tray just for those teeny-tiny pieces
- Stores strips in a pretty box she got flowers in
Who knew scraps could be so organized?
Where Do Finished Pieces Go? 🏁
Finished items deserve their own special place:
- Sorted by type (page tucks, mini books, pockets, tags)
- Stored in more of those handy Target baskets
- Separated by white divider cards for easy finding
What About Almost-Finished Projects? 🎨
Laurette’s got a spot for these too:
- Bases that just need a little more decorating
- Sorted by category (envelopes, pockets, tags)
- Stored in clear CD holders so she can see what’s what
How Does She Organize Small Embellishments? 🦋🌸
Those little bits and bobs can be tricky, but Laurette’s got it figured out:
- Uses pouches from Target for words and small items
- Keeps roses and cards in small baskets on her desk
- Stores die-cuts in CD cases with buttons for closure
- Uses a cake box (turned upside down!) for ribbons and die-cuts
Creative and practical!
Any Tips for Ribbon Storage? 🎀
Ribbon lovers, listen up!
Laurette’s ribbon organization is on point:
- Uses plastic shoe boxes
- Sorts by color and type
- Has a special basket for daily-use ribbons right on her desk
No more tangled messes!
How Does She Store Other Supplies? 🧰
Laurette’s got a place for everything:
- Flowers in boxes and baskets
- Punches in children’s pencil boxes (how clever!)
- Inks in cubbies
- Beads and small shapes in Dollar Tree boxes
- Jars for ribbons, butterflies, and other pretties
What’s Laurette’s Organization Philosophy? 🤔
Here’s where Laurette really shines.
She’s all about creative reuse:
- Looks at every container and thinks, “How can I use that?”
- Turns a flower vase into a garbage bin
- Uses crystal dishes for bits and pieces
Her key tip?
Keep everything corralled to prevent craft supply explosion! 💥
How Can You Apply These Tips? 🛠️
Now, you might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but how do I start?”
Here are some easy steps:
- Take stock of what you have
- Group similar items together
- Look around for containers you already own
- Get creative with storage solutions
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach
- Label everything!
Why Is Organization So Important for Junk Journaling? 🤷♀️
You might wonder why we’re making such a big deal about organization.
Well, here’s the thing:
- It saves you time when you’re crafting
- You’ll waste less money buying duplicates
- Your creativity can flow when you’re not digging for supplies
- Your craft space becomes a joy to be in
What If You Don’t Have Much Space? 📏
Don’t worry if you’re working with a small area.
Laurette’s tips can be scaled down:
- Use vertical storage (think over-the-door organizers)
- Invest in multi-purpose furniture (storage ottomans, anyone?)
- Rotate your supplies seasonally
- Be ruthless about what you keep
How Often Should You Reorganize? 🗓️
Laurette doesn’t mention this, but it’s a good idea to revisit your organization system every few months.
As your crafting evolves, so will your storage needs.
What’s the Biggest Takeaway? 💡
The key lesson from Laurette?
Make your organization system work for you.
What works for her might not work for you, and that’s okay!
The goal is to create a system that makes your crafting time more enjoyable and productive.
So there you have it, friends!
Laurette’s tips for keeping your junk journal supplies organized and easily accessible.
Remember, the perfect organization system is the one that works for you.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what feels right.
Now, go forth and organize those supplies!
Your future self (and your junk journals) will thank you.
Happy crafting, everyone! 🎨✂️📚
Check out more junk journal tips and tutorials here:
