Shipping and Craft Supply Organization

I recently reorganized all my shipping and some of my craft and Silhouette accessories, and it is working really well. I thought I would share it all with you.

First I recently got this project table from Ikea, which I’m loving! The best part is that it is has adjustable legs so I was able to make it pretty high so I could fit the carts underneath, and it’s a good height for standing at. My Silhouette stays on top of it, and there’s still plenty of space to work. The table sits just to the right of my computer desk so I can easily open the drawers without even getting out of my desk chair.

The carts are Elfa carts from the Container Store. Unfortunately, they aren’t super budget friendly, although I did get them at their recent 30% off sale. I love how they fit under the table and have wheels so I can slide them out. Also the drawers are very wide and deep, so I’m really able to fit quite a bit in each drawer. You can configure them however you’d like with narrow or deep drawers.

I also bought these plastic label holders to go with the drawers. They come with inserts that you can write on, but of course I made my own using my Silhouette machine. I used the aqua glitter sketch pen and sketched the words and outline on plain card stock. Then I switched to the blade without removing the mat so I could cut perfectly around it.

When I first put the labels in, they were sliding around some and falling down, so a little sticky tack solved that problem. I just put a bit of sticky tack on the back part of the plastic so it would hold the label in place without sliding, and I’ll still be able to easily switch out the labels.

Also, for full disclosure, this supposedly simple labeling project didn’t start out so well. First, the marker I tried to use was a bit dull. Then I  had put the card stock on a newer mat, and it absolutely would not come off without shredding the paper! Oh well, I tried again, and take 2 was much better, although as soon as I find a white gel pen that works well I’ll be changing the labels to white writing on red card stock. I just think that would be really pretty.

Here’s a brief tour of exactly what is in each drawer if you are curious. First, the shipping cart is the one to the left. The top drawer has transfer tape (goes out with each label order), clear cello bags, and my postal scale (which is actually a digital kitchen scale but it works great):

The next drawer has flat envelopes, my order postcards, some packing tape, and Saran wrap (which I actually do use when packaging my planner inserts):

Next are my Priority boxes. I use two different types of boxes and am able to store them flat in here just like they come. Again, I love the size of these drawers. There aren’t a lot of storage spaces that will fit the flattened boxes:

Next is a deeper drawer with bubble wrap:

Next is another deep drawer with giant air bubbles and a couple mailing tubes:

The cart to the right has some more miscellaneous things along with my Silhouette accessories:

The top drawer is “works in progress.” I love having this drawer so I can quickly put in progress projects away:

The next drawer is labeled “dividers,” but right now is just has my paper cutter and some extra stuff I got with my Elfa order from the Container Store:

The next drawer has my Silhouette mats, blades that are in use (I have tons of extra blades in another spot), and my sketch pens in the back:

The next drawer has my laminating pouches:

Next up are items I have pre made. Some I made for a craft fair, or just happened to make extra. Soon I hope to file these items in a file cabinet so it’s easier to find them and keep track of what I have already made. I also want to start getting more ahead of orders to the extent possible for non custom items:

I didn’t photograph the last deep drawer, but it has extra Project Life (scrapbooking) items.

Hope that inspires you to tackle some office organizing. How do you organize your packing supplies?