How to Store Art Markers, Pens, Pencils + More!
Whew! Is it really Friday already? Where exactly did the week go?
I suppose time flies when you're working hard...
Not having an income the last few weeks has definitely hurt me financially, and spending to organize... just made what was already bad, worse (but I'd do it again in a heartbeat - there is NO price to peace of mind, and feeling in control of clutter!)... customers have been emailing me asking me to list various items they need until The Altered Abbey is up & running...
Can I just say... it feels oh-so-good to be getting back in the swing of it all!
Mission: Organization - Spotlight on Art Marker Storage
(while at flickr to view the pics, be sure to click all sizes to view it larger)
As promised.. I'm starting to highlight various parts of my art studio/crafting room... hopefully someone will be inspired, or find it useful! On days where I have a bit more time, I'll be sure to elaborate on some other ideas for organizing.. I have no idea how I let it all get so out of control, especially when I'm so well... darned anal!
Since this was asked.. I thought I'd begin with my art marker and pen storage ..
(The Lovely Postcards displayed are from Paper Relics)
I splurged on these, and it wasn't initially in my small budget.. but I had a heckuva time finding anything out there that would work for what I needed. Previously, I had about 5 different pen holders clogging up my workspace, and an out of control drawer full of sharpies, markers, and more.. While it held these items, I found I didn't get use out of 90 percent of them.. it was just such a hassle to find what I needed. Who wants to buy supplies to not use them? I knew I wanted the markers & pens visible and within reach, sorted by type, to accomodate markers of various sizes, and to lay on their sides (increases ink flow or sumthin' I'm told)... I also knew I'd continue adding to these, and needed room to grow... So here was my solution!
I chose to place them on my drawer units on my work table (I'll highlight those next!), so I could easily reach them, and return them to their spots easily once I was done using them.
The markers and pens are sorted by type into the x-cubes, and come with metal clips that allow you to clip them together, stack them .. and create your own customizable storage unit/space. I chose just to align mine horizontally, to help keep the clean/neat feeling.. I already think that area feels cluttered, so I wanted to minimize that feeling...clean lines helped that. As I stated earlier, I also purchased the double cubes which hold other odds n ends I wanted within reach as well.
(Birdie Pin Cushion from Lampe's Lumps)
This is the single shelf cube .. perfect for holding paper to test pens on, my india inks, and alcohol inks!
Now that I've had time to work in there.. Would I buy them again? ABSOLUTLY!
It's tripled my tabletop space, I can see what I have at a glance, I use what I have, It's easy to put back (and keep my studio clean) ... and can be stacked differently should I ever need to, and can be expanded.. so very well worth it! I'm debating on moving my watercolor pencils, and crayons out of their tins and into this..
It's called: The Eldon Shelf Saving System.
UPDATE IN 2016: You can find very similar ones on Amazon, here...
Office Depot offers free next day shipping on orders over $50.00, Quantity Discounts and tons of coupons are available to use in combination.. this was where I found them to be most economical. The X Cube is what I bought most of, along with 2 double cubes, and a single shelf cube...
Some of the markers/pens you see in the photos.. ( I just know someone will ask!)
- Permapaque Markers
- Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens
- Sharpies
- Various Types of Gel Pens
- Zig photo Twin Markers
- Various Types of Paint Pens
Other ideas I found for Art Marker Storage...but didn't like for one reason or another.. someone else may find it suits their needs though! (links removed in 2016 as they no longer worked)
Well, Let me know if this was useful -- and if you have additional questions! I'll answer in the next post, and spotlight another area of my studio! I'm rushing right now, with very lil time to edit this.. ikes!
Have a fabulous Friday!
- Chrysti
