Craft Room Organization Update - Part 1

Back in February, I posted my New Year's Resolutions and one of them was to complete my craft room.  Although I haven't finished it, I've made a lot of progress and wanted to share what's been done so far.  Since I will show photos of the transformation as well as explaining exactly how I've managed to organize my massive amount of supplies in a relatively small space, I'm going to split this into two posts.  

February 2011

In this picture you'll notice that I had sort of started on getting organized, but still had a looooonngg way to go!!  I'd purchased and set up the big industrial plastic shelving units from Lowe's.  Even though it's buried you can sort of make out my sewing desk.  Also, I'd developed the beginning of my primary storage method: plastic shoe bins.

March 2011

Just before this photo was taken, a good friend of mine helped me during a one week organizing spree and here's what the room looked like after that week.  Here you can see that I'd put more of my supplies into containers and have them on the shelves.  My sewing desk is actually visible in this picture!!  Even though you can't see it, there is a bed 100% covered in craft supplies that is opposite that wall and to the left of this photo is an unorganized closet filled with my hubby's stuff.

November 2011

Even though there are still some boxes left to go through, this is a huge improvement compared to when I started.  My primary method of organizing is using plastic containers, especially plastic shoe bins from Dollar Tree.  To sort the stuff inside the bins, I use 2"x2", 3"x3", and 4"x4" zip lock baggies from PaperMart as well as your standard sandwich, quart, and gallon zip lock bags.  I also like organizational binders and my nifty "Bygel rails" from Ikea that are on the wall above my sewing desk.

In tomorrow's Part 2, I'll go from one side of the room to the other and go into much more detail about how I have organized and stored all my supplies.