I'm reorganizing some of my stuff... one area I'm focusing on is my SU wood mounted set storage area.
I have a fair number of wood mounted SU sets (250ish) and until now I have kept them in their own clam shell case. It was taking up, as you probably know, a GREAT amount of space. But I'm not willing to unmount them ... I love that they're mounted on wood.
My solution was to combine sets into different storage containers, by grouping them by art style AND theme.
So, all of my nature/leaf/birdy sets that have the same art style got grouped, all of my garden girl/bird house/country images with the same art style got grouped, whimsy snowmen/tree/snowflake images with the same line art style got grouped, etc....
In essence, I feel like I've just created larger sets, because all of the images I put together into the same containers could be used together, interchangeably. For example, I can use the tractor from Times & Seasons with the chicken from Franny Farmer, and they work perfectly together.
I wrote the set name and number of stamps on every stamp block (ie Tree 4 Seasons 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, etc) to make putting sets back together again later (should I decide to sell any). Then I created labels on my Dymo label maker and stuck the label to the cardstock strip, and tucked it inside the case once the stamps were in place.
I used Stampendous THICKER containers, which are similar to SU clam shells, but are 8.5"x11". So far, I've been able to condense 131 SU sets into 30 Thicker containers.
I've decided to continue using the jumbo sized SU clam shells as most of the sets that I have in those cases either mostly fill the shell anyway, or I use the jumbo sized cases for things like sentiments, $1 stamps, misc other stamps (like Riley), etc.
Imagine my joy!
I have more to do, but it's been so rewarding already, I don't even mind the "work"! And, I get to touch all of my stamps in the process! How fun is that!?
Here is a photo of the sets lined up, with the set names visible on the spine of the containers, showing how easy it will be to not only find the stamps I want to use, but how perfect they look, and fit, into the containers.
Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010 GMT Views: 4065
Favorited:14
Registered: April 11, 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 67
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 @ 9:58 AM
What a wonderful idea. I am loath to dismount my stamps from their wooden blocks, but would love to condense the space they take up. Your idea is the perfect solution. Thank you.
Registered: March 23, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 423
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 @ 11:50 AM
WOW! The amount of time that would require. It looks like a great solution I might look into when "I have the time." (Of course, how much time might I save if I had my stamps better organized and didn't have to look as much...oh the irony.)
Registered: June 24, 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1702
Mon, Apr 04, 2011 @ 10:05 AM
Wow, 131 sets condensed to 30 containers! Think of how much more room you will have. I with you, I will not unmount any of my wood stamps. I've never sonsidered breaking them up, but grouping them together makes sense. I often overlook or forget a stamp in some other set than what I am using that would go along perfectly. I don't know if I would be as organized as you and wouldn't ever be able to put the sets back together again. Love all your work and love your animals pictures on the farm!