MFT Creative Chat - Ink Pad Storage

It's time for the MFT Creative Chat. The My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative spaces and share valuable organizational methods, tools, and shopping strategies with you. You'll be able to peek into our creative spaces, ask questions, and share your own ideas in the MFT forum. This month, we were asked the following questions:

 

Show us how you store your ink pads.

Any tips on organization?

 

Hello!!!  Welcome to the MFT Creative Chat for May.  This month we are talking all about ink pad storage.  My system is pretty simple, but I thought I would share anyway :)  The majority of my inks are Close to My Heart ink pads.  I store them in the Close to My Heart ink pad carousel.

 

 

This particular storage tower holds 60 ink pads (30 per side) with slots for markers on the side.  There is also a handy tray on top, where I keep my acrylic blocks.  I have my ink pads stored alphabetically.  I know the ink colors like the back of my hand, so alphabetical is easy for me.  If you are still getting to know your ink pad colors, you might consider storing by color family (ROYBGIV).  I have some other ink pads that I reach for quite frequently - Memento, Brilliance, Distress Inks, and I have those stored in a different place.  In the photo below is the area where I stamp.  It is a counter height table.  You can see my ink tower to the left, and my die cutting machine is to the right.  In front of me is a desk organizer where I keep various stamping supplies.

 

In the bottom drawer are my other ink pads.  I like this because they are at my fingertips, yet hidden and easy to put away. 

On the adjacent wall to my stamping area is my desk, where I do all other aspects of paper crafts except stamping and sewing.  On the wall above my desk hangs this wall unit.  I keep various items here and display some finished projects, too.  All the re-inkers I have are kept here.  I don't have too many.  I buy as I need.  Before I invested in the ink pad storage carousel, I had my ink pads stacked in the bottom row of cubbies.

My advice on ink pad organization is to keep them easily accessible AND easy to put away :)  If at all possible, try to stick to one manufacturer for the majority of your ink pads.  I think it makes storage a bit easier, as most likely all the cases will be the same design. 

Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings!!  Remember to stop by Kim's blog to get linked up with the other designers participating in today's Creative Chat. Have a great day!! Teasers start tomorrow - you will LOVE this month's release!!