How do you organized your stamps?
 

I am getting really annoyed with my stamps!

I have stickers on the boxes - Blue if Current red if retired.

But I am wondering how you ORGANIZED them?

Do you have Backgrounds on one shelf, Occasions on another, Sentiments/wrods on another????/

I Cannot find my Little Layers II - I KNOW I own it as its got a dot next to it in my Catty AND I have cards *I* made using it. But for the life of me I CANNOT find where I put it!!!

I need some serious organizational help! I can find my papers but not my stamps!

Any ideas or suggestions?

Smiles

Kate

I organize mine by alphabetical order on a shelf. It doesn't matter what size box, or alphabet, background, they are all alphabetized. It works for me because then I don't have to think about what kind of stamp it is I just have to go by the title. Mine are stacked like books on a shelf. That way they don't get smashed by so much weight being on the bottom one's. It works for me. They are all easy to find and easy to get to. I hope this helps.

Cheryl

Hi there! I have my retired in a completely separate area from my current sets. I then put them in order by the size of the boxes they are in (extra small, small, medium, large, extra large) and then in alphabetuical order in their size groups. This works out great for me. Hope this helps!

Heather :)

I do mine like Cheryl...alphabetical on a shelf like books. I have the retired on a different shelf though. The only problem is remembering the name of the set that I want to use. Ha ha

Not sure if I originally read this idea here on SCS or not, but if I did, thanks to the person who posted it! I have my own SU! "catalog"; I stamp each set in black onto cardstock (usually can fit two sets to a page), label with a number and name, and slip it into a page protector which then goes into a binder. I then put the corresponding number on the edge of the stamp box and stack them according to size. I just need to flip through my "catalog" to find exactly what I need. Okay, this sounds a little obsessive compulsive, but it works! :lol: On a side note, I just started really stamping about a year ago and only have about 40 sets, so it didn't take too much effort to start this and it's now the first thing I do after getting a set mounted...

I put mine by size and alphabetical order. I do that first with the small them medium etc.
I also have a binder and everytime I buy a new stamp set I copy the stamp set and put it into a binder and alphabetical order so when I want
a certain idea I can look through the binder and find it. I put them in a protector sleeve and sometimes even a card made with that stamp set so that I even have a sample ready to use in a hurry.
Julie :P

Alphabetically on stacker shelves. The only way I can find the sets fast.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you ladies are way out of my league...colored stickers, alphabetical, oh my goodness.

Here's how I organize....Is it retired? It goes on shelf #2. Is it current? It goes on shelf #4. Is it big? It goes outside of the drawers. Is it small? It goes inside of the drawers. Does it fit there? It goes there. :lol: Seriously though, that's my method. I have over a hundred sets, and I'm working with limited space, so I just go with the flow. Although I'm sure that if I had more space, I would still go with the flow, because that's my style!!!!

I laughed so hard, I...
 

:lol: I do a variation of what girlygirl does: does it fit here? Than that's where it belongs. There is no binder, no cataloging, and sadly, the only samples of anything are the ones I got at convention. Ooo! There is a "r" sticker on the retired sets, though. Stacked like books? That's a great idea. Now what books do I want to get rid of to make room...
Have fun!
Catie

I'm with girlygirl... what is this word "organise"? I think of my stamp area as sort of a lucky dip...

I've converted to the "unmounted" system, so I store my stamps in binders then by category.

It was the best thing I could have done. I have so much more space, it's incredible!

organizing
 

I try to keep the sentiments and alphabets in one drawer. The other sets get thrown in one of 4 other drawers. It's hide and go seek in my house! lol

Hey, thats my organization theory! I also have this one: Have I used it a lot lately - it sits on desk right where I left it!

I do a lot of what the rest of you do. I have a binder of stamp sets and when I get a new stamp I stamp the image on white cardstock and file it alphabetically. I also have an index card that I record the stamp set on. I have a red dot on all the retired sets, so I know not to use it for a demonstration. I stack the sets by size in a storage cabinet. The words and sentiments stamp sets I file like books on a shelf right behind me, so when I am making a card I just swivel in my chair and pick the words set I want. I like to keep them handy and together cause I usually don't know what I am going to say till the card is finished.

Helen

I don't have much space in any one place. So, I have my stamps organized into medium to large rubbermaid boxes by general type. So, I have background and frame stamps in a bin under the bed. Holidays (all but x-mas)in the guest closet etc. Groupings include: Backgrounds & frames, Holidays(minus x-mas), X-mas, Snowmen, floral, alphas and sentiments, all occasion. I am definitely toying with the idea of going unmounted--it is a huge space saver.

Annette
http://stamponthis.com

I like Girlygirl's way of thinking!! I have little tykes drawers (that I have outgrown) where I store my stamps. The drawers are stacked right under my table. The large and xlarge sets have to go on their sides so I put print out labels on them and sort only by size and how they will fit. Nothing special. I do try to return the stamps to the drawers or the general area for those that don't fit. I have not lost any yet but I am not a demo and I only have a couple people I share with......
Good luck~

Mine aren't terribly organized because if they're too organized it takes too long to put them away! :) My retired sets are together on one shelf. And then the other shelves are stacked by the size of the box. Although I do put all my backgrounds together and all of my alphabets together. And usually the one I can't find is stuck under something on my desk. :lol:

Backgrounds
Word stamps
ALphabets
Hostess Sets
Current Mini Catalog Sets
Retired
Everything Else - Alphabetically

"Unmounted"
 

:?: When you say you've gone "unmounted", do you mean that you are no longer using the wooden blocks? So you just stamp by holding onto the rubber of stamp itself?[/quote]

I have mine on shelves.

I have retired on a separate shelf from my current sets.

The sets are sorted into small, medium and large and then alphabetized.

I also have my word sets and alphabet sets separated and alphabetized.

By what some people are listing here, I don't have very many to orgainize. I usually throw them (gently) in an armoire shut the doors and walk away. :lol: However, when I'm doing swaps, such as I'm supposed to be doing right now, at least that's what I told DH, they are all over my table and I have one of those banquet types that seats 8. They all stay on my table with my cs close by along with all the tools on a cart. :lol: And it stays this way until I can't stand the mess :( or just can't find something I really, really need, :x then I clean up and start the process all over again. I can't seem to get the creative juices going if the table is a clean blank :!:
If I had a dig-camera I'd post my stampin' room, mess and all.

HA!! Right brainers of the world, UNITE!!!!!!

Wouldn't it be fun to sneak into one of these left brainer's houses and "REORGANIZE" their stamps to fit our own "system?" hehe :twisted:

Re: "Unmounted"
 

[/quote]

I use acrylic blocks . Here's a link for more information on unmounted stamps. I also wanted to mention that unmounted stamps are like 1/2 the price of unmounted stamps.

http://www.sundayint.com/RetailMall/...structions.asp

YES! that would be toooo much fun! My sister is a left brainer, I can see her wince when I stamp at her house, and get into her stuff!!

I put my stamp sets on a shelf
 

and organized them based on the catalog. I tried doing the alphabetical thing - it just didn't work. I have an idea of where things are based on the category - and people like the system when they come over - they say - "where is in full bloom", and I can say "check out the green writing - the bottom shelf - all the way over on the right - that is all the floral stamps." I used a different color sharpie for each category and wrote the name of the set on the side of the container.


http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...cat=500&page=1

Wow Helen! I have always admired people who know where stuff is. I'm a 'now-where-was-I-when-the-boy-threw-the-ball-at-the-cat-and-I-had-to-get-up-from-the-first-good-idea-I've-had-since-August' kinda person. :shock:

And girlygirl-EVIL!...but that...would be...AWESOME! :twisted:

Catie

You all are gonna think I'm one of those left brained freaks! :lol: I have Iris Carts (7 of them). One is an extra tall one, the others are stacked, 2 in a stack. With me so far? :wink: They are all along one wall together. I have the stacks labeled, Current Catalog Sets, Retired Sets & Non-SU! stamps. Each drawer is labeled with a catagory, usually taken from the catty. Then the sets that are kept in that drawer are labeled on it as well. I use a Brother PT labeler & use blue for current, green for retired & pink for non-SU!. I am in the process of labeling each box as well, since I don't use the labels provided by SU! This system makes it easier when customers are stamping with me....they can find what they are looking for much easier. I keep one drawer as the "pending status" drawer....any mini catty set goes in there until it can find a permanent home. My main problem with this system is the sets have a hard time finding their way back home! :lol: My table usually has a work area of about 6x8" until I can't stand it, or can't find a spot to put anything, & then it's time to put some things away!!! :shock: I have pictures of my stamp room in my gallery, although I've rearranged a couple of times since I added them. The general layout is the same, just tweaked a bit. The rest of the house isn't as organized......don't have the time for that! :wink:

Suzanne