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New To Stamping-Best way to store clear unmounteds?
Hi all! I am a scrapbooker delving into the wonderful world of stamping. Can you share your favorite ways to store stamps in a very small space? Thank you!!!
Hi, Mama! Welcome to Splitcoast AND to stamping! One good place to find organizing ideas is over on the Mission Organization forum. I will warn you, though, there's a dizzying array of ideas that can easily overwhelm anyone. ;)
I usually leave my clear stamps on the sheet they come on, which tends to be the sheet with the images printed right on it. I know, though, that many people prefer standard sizing, so switching to regular window sheets might work. Just make sure the sheets are not made from acetate, which is not good for the stamps.
I store mine in dvd cases, but that isn't the most space-efficient. Someday I'm going to store all of my stamps in envelopes in boxes, sort of like recipe boxes only bigger. I think that will be the most efficient use of space.
Again, welcome! Hang around, read posts, check out the gallery, and above all, HAVE FUN! Post questions as often as you like, we'll all try to help answer your questions.
Jennifer McGuire has quite a few videos about her pocket stamp storage system, and many people use her method or some version of it. I stumbled upon her video when I started stamping and so glad.
She has other videos about the system - just google "Jennifer McGuire stamp storage." She is a well known clean and simple card maker who has tons of videos about card making, and along with other well known card makers, also has on-line classes.
Welcome and enjoy!
Beth
P.S. Like Jennifer, I label the stamp pocket with the name of the stamp, code and manufacturer. Except when I don't. In that case, I just snip identifying info off of the package and stick it in the pocket.
Last edited by bjeans; 01-19-2017 at 09:53 AM..
Reason: Forgot second URL
I use a 3 ring binder and laminated cardstock for my unmounted clear stamps. You will read that there have been issues with the sheets some stamps come packaged on, don't know what the brands are, but some people have had stamps seem to weld themselves to the backing.
There are many systems, it's just a case of finding what works for you and your workspace.
Well, I can't say my way is pretty, but it works for me ...
I like to keep my clear stamps with their original packaging because then I know where they came from. I store them together by category in large clear plastic bags (2 gal size?) with the category name in permanent marker at the top front of the bag. All of that goes into a canvas cube like this. The cube sits on a bookshelf (next to another cube that stores my die cuts and die plates and other die related items.) When I need a stamp set, I can grab that category bag and sort through it pretty quickly.
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
Last edited by jeaniebean55; 01-19-2017 at 09:49 AM..
Jennifer McGuire has quite a few videos about her pocket stamp storage system, and many people use her method or some version of it. I stumbled upon her video when I started stamping and so glad.
She has other videos about the system - just google "Jennifer McGuire stamp storage." She is a well known clean and simple card maker who has tons of videos about card making, and along with other well known card makers, also has on-line classes.
Welcome and enjoy!
Beth
P.S. Like Jennifer, I label the stamp pocket with the name of the stamp, code and manufacturer. Except when I don't. In that case, I just snip identifying info off of the package and stick it in the pocket.
This is the method I've adopted, and it works well for me. I write the stamp set name and manufacturer on the white cardstock I stick in the envelope with the stamp set. I use the exact same pockets to store my dies, right in with the stamps rather than in a separate bin.
I'm currently making dividers using her exact folders, but what a pain! No wonder she hasn't done a video on that. The plastic presentation folders have to be sliced to cut open the pockets (my paper cutter wouldn't work at all if I didn't do this step first), then cut to size, then the corners rounded. It's more difficult than working with cardstock, but it is a durable material.
__________________ aka Sue. Or Sue-odd.
No blog for me. My gallery chronicles my card-making successes and mishaps.
This is the method I've adopted, and it works well for me. I write the stamp set name and manufacturer on the white cardstock I stick in the envelope with the stamp set. I use the exact same pockets to store my dies, right in with the stamps rather than in a separate bin.
I'm currently making dividers using her exact folders, but what a pain! No wonder she hasn't done a video on that. The plastic presentation folders have to be sliced to cut open the pockets (my paper cutter wouldn't work at all if I didn't do this step first), then cut to size, then the corners rounded. It's more difficult than working with cardstock, but it is a durable material.
Sue, I think Jennifer mentioned switching to a different divider - but I don't know in which video, or maybe I dreamed it? One of my trimmers cuts through a closed folder and pockets, but many would not. She's mentioned using laminated cardstock or recycled chipboard, but if you've already begun you probably don't want to switch.
I'm another stamper who has adopted Jennifer McGuire's method. Of course I've tweaked it for the way I think. I also place the matching dies in the same envelope as the stamp set. And instead or using white cardstock in the envelope, I cut down the cardstock from the original packaging. And I sort by manufacturer in my bins. Instead of the refrigerator bins, I use bins by ITSO that I've found at Target that work for my space.
Dito the strategy of storing stamps with their matching dies for those that have them. Sometimes you might want to use one or the other, but it's nice to know they have a match and it's right there. I put those 'bundle' sets in their own space (some are red rubber, some are clear, and I want those stamp/die sets all in one place).
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
Last edited by jeaniebean55; 01-20-2017 at 05:32 AM..
I do stamp/die sets a little differently. When a die fits a stamp - for example, is an outline of it - it stays with the stamp set, since separately the die wouldn't make sense. (These don't tend to be the type I buy, but have a few.)
When a die can stand alone, I store it with dies. I have a stamp/die set with encouraging sentiments, small flowers and stems, but the die is a big flower blossom that doesn't "hold" a stamp. It's with dies, because if I want a flower die, I think die, not stamp. In fact I've never used it with its stamp set. But a note in the stamp set references the die.
Setting up stamps and dies is about how you think. With stamps, do you think of category or manufacturer? I think of animals, trees, sentiments, with one exception, but others think of the manufacturer first.
(The exception is RubberMoon stamps by Kristen Powers - Kae Pea. They're so quirky, and often tiny, some even mounted on 4-sided cubes, that I keep them together with some of her supplies, like tiny chipboard doors, houses, windows. But I put cardstock inserts that say "Check Kae Pea" in the stamp categories that fit RubberMoon stamps, like Animals, Buildings, Sentiments.
I love reading how different minds work. : )
Last edited by bjeans; 01-20-2017 at 07:08 AM..
Reason: Typos, clarification
My storage solution isn't glamorous or high cost but it works for me and my space situation. I went to the local thrift store and bought a medium size lamp shade... took the fabric off and fastened it to a turn table/lazy Susan that I had on hand. The stamps stay in their packages and hang from the lamp shade with shower curtain rings. They are divided into different categories and labeled. It's not pretty but it works for me.
New To Stamping-Best way to store clear unmounteds?
