I know there must be a million
ways to organize stamps so that putting your
hand on the right stamp right
away saves time and frustration. Initially it
does take some time to do what I am about to describe but the benefits are well
worth the effort.
I had all my miscellaneous stamps in loose categories in plastic storage
cart drawers that I would have to dig through to find the right one. I took them
all out onto a long trestle table to sort them.
I didn't want to spend a lot so I
sorted them into shirt box lids that I could layer them two deep in a
drawer. To view the whole contents of
the drawer I can just lift out the cardboard trays (carefully as they can collapse,) and
then I can see at a glance all I have in that category. I also took photographs of each tray to store
on my computer. Now I can sit at my
computer and browse through all my stamps without even opening a a drawer.
This step saved me hours of stamping each one
onto pages for a three ring binder. I decided it would also use too much
printing ink to print out the photos so that’s the reason that I just view them
on the computer When I find the one I want I can just go to the labeled drawer.
Yes ,the small label printer from Office Supply got all my drawers organized
with easy to view content labels.
For my Stampin Up Sets I
did make a three ring binder by photo copying the front index pictures of
my clear mount stamps and for the wooden sets it is easy to download an index
image from Splitcoaststampers.com They
have every StampinUp set with an index card and ideas gallery. You look them up by Alphabet. I also made an
alphabetic Index of all the sets I own for the front of this 3 ring binder and
also a section for all the word stamps for every set. Now I can browse through this album for the
right image or quote without having to open stamp sets to see what they
contain.
I have all the clear boxes stored
in Alphabetical order on my bookshelf. My girlfriend and I have been to a lot
of used stamps sales in the last couple of years so my collection has grown
exponentially. I think we fit the definition of "she that dies with the most
stamps wins.
Have fun re-organizing and let me know if you have a similar system
or a better one.
Aloha.
Suzanne
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea on storing stamps, I don't think I've heard of anyone say they took pictures and then stored the pictures on the computer!! Brilliant!! I used to keep my wooden stamps on display, But I ran out over room and I was tired of constantly picking stamps up that got knocked over and not being able to see them on high shelves. I keep min in drawers too, I'm going to have to photo them and make my own Digital index!! Thanks for the great tip and blog link! I'm an OSa'r too!
Ginny Maxam
Absolutely amazing idea, Susanne. I really like the idea of taking a photo of the drawer contents. This would help me immensely.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS FOR SHARING YOUR IDEA!
I like your tip! I started doing that way back when, but got too many stamps and they did not get put back in the proper place. I store mine in pizza boxes, with aluminum foil in the bottom of the box, label the front of the box by theme or type and line them up on garage shelving 6 deep in the garage (almost 100 boxes - all full to overflowing!) Of course my Asian stamps are all together in one area in 15 boxes. I can lay my hands on a stamp theme I want quickly, and pull the box. I really like your idea, but would have to pare down the number of stamps I have I think and set up a box number system incorporated into my A-Z by theme system. Certainly something for me to ponder!!! TFS
ReplyDeleteJan Castle
Great hints here...thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete