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Yes, if you split sets up or don’t have tons of sets, really nice, and works with her system of how to catalog everything, for those who do that (I don’t happen to). She had asked for feedback when she was developing it, which was also nice.
Yes, if you split sets up or don’t have tons of sets, really nice, and works with her system of how to catalog everything, for those who do that (I don’t happen to). She had asked for feedback when she was developing it, which was also nice.
I keep my dies that match a stamp set with the stamps, but I have three plastic containers of dies that don't have a matching stamps, so I ordered two of these plus the extra magnetic strips. Probably overkill, but I wanted to get the introductory prices. I also have my eyes on downsizing in the next couple of years and trying to consolidate into one large Kallax with the attached table and an Alex or two, so these will take care of my dies in one cube.
I think it looks great. But since I sort by theme, sometimes I’d have to move a bunch of dies when new ones were purchased to make room on the correct sheet.
I just know even if I left room I’d end up needing more space or wanting to shift them. I also like having the name/#. (Though with her cataloging system, that would be in the catalog.) Then again, I’m actually culling through dies to have fewer.
But I like the small Container Store “Pure” bins my dies are in, two in an Expedit cube, lightweight but tough, not many magnetic sheets, in 5x5” sturdy pockets with cardstock for stability.
I hope you post photos when you switch - it’s such a neat system, and seems taylor made for your future Kallax plans.
Cool concept, but takes up too much real estate for me to be happy about it. I've finally landed on a way to corral all of my dies that's working, so I'm going to stick with it (at least for now, lol). Thanks for sharing, though - it is pretty cool!
Interesting point. The Kallax shelf weight limit is supposedly 29 pounds, and the case weighs about 15? So that leaves 14 pounds of dies. (“Supposedly” because manufacturers are known to lower weight limits some since they know people will push the limit.)
We have a 2x4 Expedit with each cube packed with vinyl record albums and there’s been no sagging after many years. And I had a 5x5 Expedit with almost all cubes packed with fusible glass. So guessing weight won’t be an issue, or moving it since it’s meant to be stationary with just the sheets to pull out.
The size of the storage sheets is more a concern for me. My die cutting station is also the computer desk, so holds a monitor. I push it back, but I may pull out a number of die pockets when deciding which to use or to combine sets. The large sheets would take up much more room, though I guess they could be left in the case. Just not the best fit.
I keep my dies in their original (indestructable) packing and store those packages standing up in a bin from the Dollar Tree that is about 6” x 10”. It’s tidy, portable and compact. It cost a whole $1. I have more money for the really good stuff.
I just don’t see the point of spending a ton of money on storage options, when there are fine ones that cost almost nothing.
(Tiny dies that came in celophane get stored in tough plastic cd envelopes that I already had.)
Rebecca, most of my dies are from Spellbinders, sizzix and darice. Most all of them come in that super-tough clamshell packaging, and Spellbinders heat-seals theirs, so you have to cut the edges of the packing off. At least Sizzix and Darice just staple theirs closed, so it’s easier to use. Darice even includes a magnetic sheet in their die packaging.
I too kept my dies is original packaging... until recently. I found some zip lock bags that are the perfect size for putting the Spellbinder dies cardboard insert and all into. I have been glueing magnetic sheeting where the double sided tape is and then just slipping the whole set into a zip bag.
I thought the plastic packaging it came in was thin enough but WOW what a difference it made in the amount of storage space they needed.
BTW I bought the bags at a local office supply store, no special online ordering needed although it may be cheaper that way. Mine happened to left over from non craftyness.
And if someone really wants to save space and have less weight, the magnetic sheet can often/sometimes be eliminated from the pocket. Some companies’ dies come loose in packaging, and there are videos of Jennifer McGuire, Therese Calvird (Australia), others, who can be seen taking dies out of pockets without mag sheets. It does not hurt the die. The dies don’t have sharp edges like knives do.
I keep some dies on mag sheets - like if there are lots of little fussy ones or they’re nesting/infinity dies. That’s what JM does too. Guess who copied who. ; )
I’m not saying this is how it *should* be done. It’s simply personal preference, vanilla chocolate strawberry. (Vanilla please.)
I just have sensed that some folks, especially newbies, assuming adding magnetic sheets is mandatory, and it’s not. YMMV.
But I like the small Container Store “Pure” bins my dies are in, two in an Expedit cube, lightweight but tough, not many magnetic sheets, in 5x5” sturdy pockets with cardstock for stability.
SNIP
I also have the Expedit cube (2 2x4 cube units) and I use the Container store "Multi-Purpose Bins" they sell for my die sets.
I placed each die set (except those that come with stamps which are stored with their respective stamp sets) into its own zipper bag. The bags I usually use are the 6"x8" 4mil zipper bags. I bought them in bulk from Amazon.
I chose the zipper bag style because I'm a klutz and with my luck, any itty bitty pieces would fall out & be lost forever--due to my one dog eating everything that falls on the floor.
I use the "large" size of the multi-purpose bins and can fit 2 side by side. I can flip through the sections divided by tall tabbed cardstock pieces that I labeled.
I also have the Expedit cube (2 2x4 cube units) and I use the Container store "Multi-Purpose Bins" they sell for my die sets.
I placed each die set (except those that come with stamps which are stored with their respective stamp sets) into its own zipper bag. The bags I usually use are the 6"x8" 4mil zipper bags. I bought them in bulk from Amazon.
I chose the zipper bag style because I'm a klutz and with my luck, any itty bitty pieces would fall out & be lost forever--due to my one dog eating everything that falls on the floor.
I use the "large" size of the multi-purpose bins and can fit 2 side by side. I can flip through the sections divided by tall tabbed cardstock pieces that I labeled.
Oh neat - I have to go to The Container Store to find a container for dried meal worms :shock: so will look at them
Are your Amazon zipper bags like baggie ziplocks? Or actual zippers?
My Expedit is also a 2x4, placed horizontally and on casters, not that I move it. My printer is on top on a lazy Susan since the feed for some types of paper is in the back of it.
The 4 Mil is sturdier than than regular sandwich baggies. I also bought some in 5" x 8" 4 Mil & 8" x 8" 4 Mil. I ended up not needing the 8" square so I use that size for food storage now opposed to craft storage.
I originally bought the 8" square size to transfer my CTMH stamp sets out of those hard opaque plastic envelopes with the snaps.
I changed my mind after seeing a video of altering those envelopes with snaps into envelopes with slits. I removed the snaps & cut slits & it's amazing the amount of space I saved by doing that. I went from 4 X-Narrow 2 rail Elfa drawers down to 3 drawers.
I use similar bags from Dollar Tree. They do not list the ml thickness, but they are thicker than a name-brand sandwich bag. The brand is Surefresh and they are 7" x 8" and have 22 in a box. So, for $5 + tax you can have 110 bags. I use them for dies (magnet on thin chipboard from dsp pack) and for sorting 6x6 dsp, and other such things. There is also a snack size that is 3.5" x5 7/8" and they are useful for odd bits (narrow dies/embossing folders) and also for snack portions! They are the same thickness.
Last edited by brookskaren; 04-29-2019 at 06:06 AM..
Reason: wonky spacing
But I like the small Container Store “Pure” bins my dies are in, two in an Expedit cube, lightweight but tough, not many magnetic sheets, in 5x5” sturdy pockets with cardstock for stability.
system, and seems taylor made for your future Kallax plans.[/QUOTE]
Do you have a photo of your Pure Box system you can share?
I don’t have a photo though will try to grab a shot. But it’s the same as Jennifer McGuire’s system, just with lighter weight, shorter bins - 3-5/8” tall - which lets me see into them a little easier because where I”m stubby.
Pocket flaps are kept open and upright since dies usually aren’t taken anywhere, just moved about 1-2 feet from Expedit to my computer desk. The pockets are 5” square and stiffer than other pockets, so tall dies rest against the open flap.
A piece of white CS is inserted into pockets with a sample or extra die cuts on one side and dies on the other. When I used a manual die cutting machine, sandwich recipes were in the pocket too. Sometimes the cardboard packaging is used instead of CS, mostly because I’m not caught up with labeling, and the packaging has the die info.
But Frig Bins (used for stamps) and the ones Jannarama uses or others would work well too. If you want a link to JM’s system, just yell.
The Expedit cube I use is divided into four sections like a + sign, using a long-retired Ikea insert, so bins must be narrow. And a double-wide bin would be too heavy to easily move from cubby to desk while seated, mostly using one hand.
I have some basic shapes in more than one size when it dawned on me the other day "why do I keep my 2 circle sets for example in separate bags". I always grab both, determine which set works best, use it, then put both back so why not put them in the same zip bag. Both circle sets are still on their original inserts with magnetic sheeting but now I have them facing opposite of each other. Now I can just flip a bag over to determine which set I need.
It was such a "well duh" for me but it took years for it to occur to me.
I have some basic shapes in more than one size when it dawned on me the other day "why do I keep my 2 circle sets for example in separate bags". I always grab both, determine which set works best, use it, then put both back so why not put them in the same zip bag. Both circle sets are still on their original inserts with magnetic sheeting but now I have them facing opposite of each other. Now I can just flip a bag over to determine which set I need.
It was such a "well duh" for me but it took years for it to occur to me.
I did a similar thing with my nested circles and nested round scallop dies. Except that I rarely use the scallop dies so I forgot that I had them on the back of my circle die set! Took two days of looking for them before I figured it out..haha!
I did a similar thing with my nested circles and nested round scallop dies. Except that I rarely use the scallop dies so I forgot that I had them on the back of my circle die set! Took two days of looking for them before I figured it out..haha!
:lol: I have those kind of moments, yesterday looking for a specific stamp in fact. I especially have them right after reorganizing. I can see where something used to be but where it is after finding "the perfect spot" for it always take some searching.
:lol: I have those kind of moments, yesterday looking for a specific stamp in fact. I especially have them right after reorganizing. I can see where something used to be but where it is after finding "the perfect spot" for it always take some searching.
Yeah...I have done that A LOT! It's to the point now that my husband's standard reply to "Have you seen ________?" is "You organized it." He's hilarious, that one...
Die Storage
