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I just ordered a lot of Copic Sketch Markers to add to my collection, and I'm looking for an inexpensive way to store my Copics. I would rather spend my money on the markers than expensive storage solutions. Anyone know of a system that makes the markers visible and organized - but inexpensive?
I see you are new here and this site is so massive it can be overwhelming to navigate in the beginning. A tip is there is a wonderful "search " feature. It is under " In the Forums" located in the blue/grey box on the left of this page . It is the last in the column and has an arrow. Hit the arrow and you will get a drop down box to type a couple of words to describe what you are seeking.
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Hope this helps
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
I am glad that we are revisiting this subject again. I have 75 or 80 Copics and I keep them in a mini craft tote. It's okay, but I have room for only four or five more markers.
The modified Artbin is really nice for someone with 300 or more markers, but it's really overkill for someone with less than 100. I have a 3L Really Useful Box that I hoped to repurpose, but the box is about 1/4" too shallow. I'd like to go with the half-size Artbin that Cathy bought, but did not see it on the JoAnn's Website. Did I miss it?
I am glad that we are revisiting this subject again. I have 75 or 80 Copics and I keep them in a mini craft tote. It's okay, but I have room for only four or five more markers.
The modified Artbin is really nice for someone with 300 or more markers, but it's really overkill for someone with less than 100. I have a 3L Really Useful Box that I hoped to repurpose, but the box is about 1/4" too shallow. I'd like to go with the half-size Artbin that Cathy bought, but did not see it on the JoAnn's Website. Did I miss it?
Well here is my logic for what it is worth.
The larger ArtBin satchel may be over kill now. However, I love using Copics and I am sure I will continue to add to my collection. In time I will outgrow the smaller ArtBin and need to spend more money to assemble the larger one. Plus in a couple of years I may need to search high and low to find the larger one. You know how these things come and go. So I went ahead and assembled the larger one.
Before I had the ArtBin I repurposed small mailing boxes as dividers and kept them in a cheap plastic sweater box that I had . The Copics were taller than the sweater box, but it was just a temporary storage system. My first 15-20 markers were stored in a couple of ceramic mugs LOL
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
Last edited by Barbara Jay; 12-29-2011 at 10:15 PM..
Well here is my logic for what it is worth.
The larger ArtBin satchel may be over kill now. However, I love using Copics and I am sure I will continue to add to my collection. In time I will outgrow the smaller ArtBin and need to spend more money to assemble the larger one.
I'm going to give this some serious thought. I have experienced not having the "right" red, rose and blue shades, which resulted in another Copic order. And I'm sure that will happen again. On the other hand, I don't want to be overwhelmed by all the color choices and I fear that a box 2/3 empty will start to whisper, "Fill me, fill me full!" LOL
You could use your Really Useful box with some cardboard dividers until you have collected enough markers for the larger box. This is what I used before I assembled the ArtBin box although I just used a plastic box I had.
Watch for the large ArtBin to go on sale and buy it and set it aside. You will always be able to buy the grating and the carriage bolts and nuts.
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
I was going to use the Really Useful box, but it's about 1/4" too short. I can't get the lid to snap on with the Copics in an upright position.
The ArtBin is on sale at JoAnn's for about $24. I also found it at my favorite online store, Scrapbooking-Warehouse with an everyday price of about $23: ArtBin Double Deep Super Satchel - Translucent
I'm still waffling back and forth about the smaller version. I like the idea of easier storage and not having to fight with a larger lid. It's $10 at Scrapbooking-Warehouse: ArtBin Super SEMI Satchel If anyone has made a box from one of these smaller ones I'd love to see it.
Right now, this is how I'm storing my Copic markers. In the center, I have my clear refill and my black and brown Memento ink pads and color chart. I have a second mini tote that I can use if I get more markers, but I'd rather have a container with a lid so they don't spill while traveling. I'll probably stick with this until I make up my mind about what I want:
Dolores, I have no clue. The semi is half the size of its big sister, which holds 350+ markers. Logic would say it holds half the number of markers, about 175. BUT . . . I would guess that the construction process (ie: fitting the grid inside) could end up in it holding half, minus one or two rows. Still, I'd think it would easily hold 150 Copics.
As I said in an above post, if anyone has converted the SEMI into a Copics box, I'd love to see it.
Instead of the Art-Bin satchel, I purchased a container from Lock n Lock that has a lid with a handle. My collection is small -- but growing -- and I think this container will hold around 150 markers.
If anyone in your family, or you, drinks bottled beer....buy 2-3 six pack bottles,we prefer Yeungling, duct tape the side that joins to the bottom closed so it stays closed, and you have perfect, cheap, handled, copic storage. Two six packs did great for me. If you feel so inclined, cover the carton with pretty paper.
I'm curious why the really useful box did not work for melissa59. I have mine and it works great, I even have room to put my projects on top of the markers. Did you use the 17L?
Tammy, no I didn't use the 17-Litre. I was hoping to use my 3-Litre boxes. The interior of the box is about 1/2" too short to fit my Copics in an upright position.
I might take a look at other boxes available. I'd prefer not to use a really big one--especially since I have only 80 Copics. I'd rather go with something about 1/2 the size of the Artbin Double Deep. One thing I like about the Really Useful Box is that I won't have a large swinging lid to deal with in my cramped crafting space or while I'm at a crop.
I should add that I just looked up the measurements on Office Depot. There is one 3-Liter (blue, even though mine is clear) that measures 6 1/2"h x 7 1/4"w x 9 1/2"d. And there is another 3-Liter box (clear, like mine, though taller) that measures 7"h x 6 1/4"w x 9"d.
I have made several of these storage boxes for friends and we all have various sized collections. One of the boxes that is a popular size was a box i picked up from Meijer in the Rubbermaid section. This is not a Rubbermaid container but is found in that kind of section of the store. The container is designed for dry good storage, has a lid with handle that can be removed totally, and was selling perfect size both in capacity and height. Hope that helps.
SHeesh talk about cheap...we dumped our old dishwasher but I grabbed the utensil basket before hand...it is aqua, I love aqua. Didn't know what I'd use it for until I started my Copic collection. I love it. It's slender, four compartments in a row and holds them all upright so it doesnt' take up too much space on my small desk. Best part is it was FREE! I'm contemplating asking on freecycle for another one because the collection is growing
__________________ Victoria
~Made of awesome
~My 6th Avon 39
I don't have many but they do fit in a 6 pack cardboard carrier pretty nicely. Tape up the bottom edges so they don't fall out. FREE cant get cheaper than that with an attached handle!
Well, now I have noticed that StampinChrissylea mentioned the same idea. i hope you like the picture.
__________________ Momma_Hollis
Last edited by momma_hollis; 02-11-2012 at 12:38 PM..
Reason: posted duplicate idea
I store mine in acrylic boxes from Michaels. I lay them on their side and stack them as tower. The boxes are around $3 each so the investment is low. If I add more markers I can buy easily buy more boxes. Michaels doesn't have a picture but they look like these. Size is 2 1/4 x 2 1/2 by about 5". total cost under $25.
I made labels for the Ciao in Word. I print on cardstock, punch with 1/4" punch, and attach to the cap with Tombow Mono glue.
Before you ask, my stamp pad racks were made for me by my son using acrylic. The empty markers cases I buy at Marker Supply and pencil cups at IKEA in the coffee cup section (they don't have handles).
WOW Stamphappy1650! Your Desk is a dream come true for me. I actually gasped when I opened up your photo. I think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! (wink-wink) I have to stack container in the corner of my dining room and use my dining table "to play" and then pack it all away every time a meal comes!
How do your keep all those containers from shifting? Do you adhere then somehow?
Oh by the way...I started with one the the Artbin Super cases...However...I have outgrown it. If your have or plan on having the entire collection...the release of the latest 12 officially out did me. I no longer have enough squares for all the markers.
In case some one is not particular about storing their markers vertically or horizontally I have seen some ladies use the Iris Case with the hard photo cases in side. There are 16 cases in the larger one and each case hold about 16-20 (not sure) or each case for a different color family. So if your collection is not that large...this might be an affordable option.
Also I have seen ladies use the "Snapware" cases... One section for each color. Since twelve sections snapped together is a bit too tall. Most ladies have it in two sections. Carry one in each hand. Or just stack in a corner nicely.
My biggest challenge is that I have Copic Ciaos - as they're cheaper than the Sketches. Of course they're perfectly great markers except the ends of them aren't labeled...
Cloud Weaver....I have mostly Ciao's too. Our local Copic instructor sent around a document with all the "numbers" on them. They fit inside a 1/4" circle punch. I printed it out twice, then put a small glue dot on each end and that works brilliantly for me. They have stayed put for over a year going in and out of my case, so I'm happy! I'll try to find a link to that document and post it if I can find it.
Cloud Weaver....I have mostly Ciao's too. Our local Copic instructor sent around a document with all the "numbers" on them. They fit inside a 1/4" circle punch. I printed it out twice, then put a small glue dot on each end and that works brilliantly for me. They have stayed put for over a year going in and out of my case, so I'm happy! I'll try to find a link to that document and post it if I can find it.
Let's see if this works...I'm attempting to attach lid labels for Ciao markers. It is "sort of current", meaning it doesn't have the ones that have come out this year.
This looks like the perfect size! Do you know if she used the Artbin Super Semi Satchel? I think that's what I'm going to make. I don't need the giant box and even if I did, I think I'd rather use two smaller one. That size looks like it will fit my 80 Copics and still give me room to grow.
This looks like the perfect size! Do you know if she used the Artbin Super Semi Satchel? I think that's what I'm going to make. I don't need the giant box and even if I did, I think I'd rather use two smaller one. That size looks like it will fit my 80 Copics and still give me room to grow.
I believe so. I know they are Art Bin, and she had one that was twice as large. I ended up buying two off of her, I'm only using one right now. I wanted one to "grow" and I wanted it to match the first one I got (they are both purple in color).
Thank you Pedal Power for the link, I hope it was alright to print it off to use. I have some but most of mine are sketch's.
I made my bin using the 17L just right and I had 80 extra slots over the art bin. I still have enough room for another 6/7 groups of 12 they may come out with. My bin dosen't have all of the colors but I made it anyways figuring I could put the colors in as I got them (I'm in a club that gets a certain amount a month). She's still selling the sketch's at $4.75, she went up $.50. Still the cheapest around so I can't beat the price. She ships too if you are interested.
WOW Stamphappy1650! Your Desk is a dream come true for me. I actually gasped when I opened up your photo. I think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! (wink-wink) I have to stack container in the corner of my dining room and use my dining table "to play" and then pack it all away every time a meal comes!
How do your keep all those containers from shifting? Do you adhere then somehow?
Blessings,
Valerie
Valerie - so glad you like there are more picture in my gallery in the "redo" album.
Each unit has 3 compartments and once filled they are heavy so no shifting occurs.
I can't imagine how I would stamp if I had to pack everything away each time. I know I'm really lucky to have a great stamp room so I'll think of you the next time I stamp and send you a virtual hug.
Oh my goodness!
I actually bought that drain spout and had it cut...but hey cut it w/a regular dull say and my edges are all rough and VERY UNEVEN! I don't know how I can get it to work out know. How and what did you use to get your cut SO straight and smooth? An elderly gentleman at Home Depot did it for me and he worked so hard for over 2 hours...I did not have the heart to tell him I was not happy so I just paid for it and left.
Jeffnval. This might sound like a lot of work for you but you can sand the rough edges down. Either use a file or a block of wood with sand paper wrapped around it, don't try to use the sponge sanders because they won't work.
I bought the original Cubbies but sadly the people stopped making them. I found this set of directions for making a cubbie out of foam board which is great if you don't want to travel with them.
I've used the enamel bins from A Muse for years. If you don't have too many, you can use one or two of the compartments for them and use the others for scissors, other markers, tools, etc.
I actually use two bins - one for my Copics and one for all of my other pens, pencils, scissors, etc.
Oh my goodness!
I actually bought that drain spout and had it cut...but hey cut it w/a regular dull say and my edges are all rough and VERY UNEVEN! I don't know how I can get it to work out know. How and what did you use to get your cut SO straight and smooth? An elderly gentleman at Home Depot did it for me and he worked so hard for over 2 hours...I did not have the heart to tell him I was not happy so I just paid for it and left.
Valerie
Oh Valerie, I'm so sorry that your pieces turned out so rough. :(
My husband used a Hacksaw (it has a very fine blade) to cut my pieces and I did sand them with fine sandpaper - but very little sanding was needed.
Copic storage
