Years of lovingly memorializing family milestones into scrapbooks, knitting scarves for grandkids and storing fabric for a rainy day might leave your craft room looking a bit overstuffed when it’s time to pack. To ensure your needles, cardstocks and fabrics make it to their next chapter, downsizing and organizing art supplies is key.
As much as you’d like to bring everything to your new abode, taking inventory of your treasures can make packing much easier. Bekins Van Lines has a long history of safely delivering craft and art studios with our full-service moving, so we know a thing or two about craft room organization ideas. Here are our organization tips so no bobbin gets left behind.
Toss or Repurpose
With all the beautiful craft supplies out there, it’s easy to get carried away. Why have one box of quilting fabric when you can have an entire wall?
But if space is tight in your new place or you’re saving supplies for a “what if?” dream project, downsizing is necessary. Not sure where to start? Try going digital, creating a gift basket or donating old items.
Consider Digital Scrapbooking
If your cell phone’s camera roll has more photos than your physical scrapbook, you already have the most important thing to start a digital scrapbook. Just upload pictures to websites like Canva or Shutterfly and use their unique tools and design elements to make a digital spread. Plus, you can get rid of unused scrapbook paper (or at least cut your stack in half) by donating what you won’t use in the upcoming year.
Host a Craft Supply Giveaway
Before the big move, host a goodbye crafting extravaganza with your creative friends. You can either provide the supplies for everyone to make a handcrafted item or create gift baskets out of supplies you don’t intend to keep.
It’ll be a challenge, but sending your supplies to a good home might just give you peace of mind about downsizing.
Toss Old, Outdated Supplies
As you sift through bins and drawers, chances are, you’ll come across a few empties. Keep a trash and recycling bin handy to discard paper scraps, loose threads and dry pens and markers. Anything past its prime (or gathering dust in the back of a cabinet) is worth tossing or donating.
Organize and Pre-Pack
Now that you’ve completed the hardest part of organizing a craft room, the next step is to arrange the leftover items before moving day. Need bubble wrap or extra hands to get the job done? Bekins Van Lines also provides packing supplies (even for hard-to-pack items!) and packing services to do the hard work for you.
Track Down the Small Stuff
A spool of thread here and a washi tape there might not seem like much to worry about at first. But small, loose supplies can wreak havoc on your art supply organization. Gather all the small items, such as pens, stamps, scrapbook supplies and needles, and assign them a designated home. A tackle or toolbox makes an excellent organizer for tiny supplies.
Storing Fabrics and Larger Items
For fabric rolls, machinery or reams of paper, consider larger bins. Use bubble wrap for vinyl- or paper-cutting machines or sewing machines so they aren’t jostled around on the moving truck (and don’t worry, Bekins Van Lines commits to quality assurance so your items are always protected).
Seal Liquids and Inks
The last thing you want is to find an explosion of ink in a moving box. Prevent this by tightly capping your paints and pens. For extra security, store them in lock-top bags or use plastic containers as paint supply storage.
Last-Minute Checklist
Tie up loose ends by running through our craft room organization checklist, which we recommend using alongside our complete moving checklist:
- Inventory everything in your craft stash by labeling your containers: fabric, yarn, painting supplies, papers, glue and adhesives, markers, rubber stamps, ink pads, refill bottles and the like.
- Categorize loose, small items. Clear, stackable plastic bins help you—and your movers—see what’s inside.
- Remove wheels from wheeled supply bins. Put the wheels in a baggie and store them inside one of the bin’s drawers. Tape drawers closed so they won’t spill small contents during the move.
- Secure ink pads with rubber bands so ink doesn’t drip over everything else. Do the same with marking pens, pencils and coloring utensils.
- Put liquid items (paint, glue, ink bottles, etc.) in plastic, lock-top bags.
- Pack loose paper in filing bins or a craft paper organizer.
Planning Your Move
Once your craft room is all packed and organized, rest assured that Bekins Van Lines will help you transport your supplies with expertise, ease and care. We even have short- and long-term storage services to keep your art supplies safe and sound until you’re ready for them. A great moving day—and your next project—lies ahead.
Ready to make Bekins your trusted partner for your next move? Get a free quote and see how we can make moving stress-free today!
