| a |
Trigger Memory Systems
| Education Through Imagination |
| ...committed to instilling an unquenchable desire to learn that will last a lifetime. |
| The Inexpensive Homeschool/Scrapbook/Office Organizer |
Now, lest anyone get the wrong impression, let me start by saying that I'm really NOT materialistic. In fact, as far as "stuff" goes
I've never been real big on needing all the goodies and brand names. However, every once-in-awhile I see some "thing" that I just
really, really want! Have you been there? You keep checking back in the catalog or web site, or walk by the store just to see if it's
still there. Now, it's not like you could ever afford it but JUST IN CASE (you know, Publisher's Clearinghouse suddenly shows up at
your door) you just want to know it's still there.
Well, that's been the case with me and a certain organizational tool. Ever since I first read about the wonderful storage units at
Storage and Display Solutions. I've repeatedly checked back just to plan out how I might fill them, where I would put them, etc. I
LOVE these units, but the nearly $300 price tag (not including shipping) makes it highly unlikely that I will ever own one. Besides, I
didn't want just one, I wanted several! One for craft supplies, one for schooling, one for scrapbooking, well, you get the idea.
One day as I was drooling...um, I mean looking, I realized that I could probably imitate this unit fairly inexpensively. I finally gave it
a shot and am very pleased with the results. I made one trip to Walmart and spent 30 minutes at home putting it together. I LOVE
IT!! Since I'm so excited to share I didn't even wait until it was finished before taking photos. My husband has agreed to attach the
whole unit to a board with casters so that I can easily turn it from side to side.
Now, this isn't the quality of the original, I'm sure. If you have the funds, definitely get the real thing. But if you're looking for a
quick, inexpensive storage solution, read on.
I've never been real big on needing all the goodies and brand names. However, every once-in-awhile I see some "thing" that I just
really, really want! Have you been there? You keep checking back in the catalog or web site, or walk by the store just to see if it's
still there. Now, it's not like you could ever afford it but JUST IN CASE (you know, Publisher's Clearinghouse suddenly shows up at
your door) you just want to know it's still there.
Well, that's been the case with me and a certain organizational tool. Ever since I first read about the wonderful storage units at
Storage and Display Solutions. I've repeatedly checked back just to plan out how I might fill them, where I would put them, etc. I
LOVE these units, but the nearly $300 price tag (not including shipping) makes it highly unlikely that I will ever own one. Besides, I
didn't want just one, I wanted several! One for craft supplies, one for schooling, one for scrapbooking, well, you get the idea.
One day as I was drooling...um, I mean looking, I realized that I could probably imitate this unit fairly inexpensively. I finally gave it
a shot and am very pleased with the results. I made one trip to Walmart and spent 30 minutes at home putting it together. I LOVE
IT!! Since I'm so excited to share I didn't even wait until it was finished before taking photos. My husband has agreed to attach the
whole unit to a board with casters so that I can easily turn it from side to side.
Now, this isn't the quality of the original, I'm sure. If you have the funds, definitely get the real thing. But if you're looking for a
quick, inexpensive storage solution, read on.
The catalyst to my homemade storage solution was a
need to have all my business items in one place.
Business supplies were getting mixed with personal and
school supplies by my desk and computer. You know, all
those notebooks look alike, don't they? As you can see,
on the left, I simply assembled one of those wire
organizers you can purchase for $15. (This is probably
half of a pack) There is an extra shelf at the top that I
attached with wire ties (also knows as cable ties).
These little babies are the secret of the system.
On the right you see (well, it's hard to see so look
closely!) a clear graduated holder for various files. This
rack already had two holes drilled in it so it was simple
to attach to the grids with the wire ties. I have room
all down the side for additional baskets as I find
necessary.
need to have all my business items in one place.
Business supplies were getting mixed with personal and
school supplies by my desk and computer. You know, all
those notebooks look alike, don't they? As you can see,
on the left, I simply assembled one of those wire
organizers you can purchase for $15. (This is probably
half of a pack) There is an extra shelf at the top that I
attached with wire ties (also knows as cable ties).
These little babies are the secret of the system.
On the right you see (well, it's hard to see so look
closely!) a clear graduated holder for various files. This
rack already had two holes drilled in it so it was simple
to attach to the grids with the wire ties. I have room
all down the side for additional baskets as I find
necessary.
On the back of the organizer is a
memo board/white board. This
board was easily attached with
the sticky squares that came
with it, however, had they not
been strong enough I would have
attached a picture hanger and
used wire ties.
The basket below holds pens and
is attached with wire ties. Any
basket with holes can easily be
attached to the unit.
On the right is another tiered
organizer. This one has optional
dividers. It holds stationary,
envelopes, scissors, etc. Another
basket holds promotional pencils.
memo board/white board. This
board was easily attached with
the sticky squares that came
with it, however, had they not
been strong enough I would have
attached a picture hanger and
used wire ties.
The basket below holds pens and
is attached with wire ties. Any
basket with holes can easily be
attached to the unit.
On the right is another tiered
organizer. This one has optional
dividers. It holds stationary,
envelopes, scissors, etc. Another
basket holds promotional pencils.
I also purchased several baskets in
different sizes that I have yet to use.
A pack of 3 - 4 is only 94 cents. Any
basket with holes can be easily
attached. You could also use S-hooks to
hang items like scissors, hole punches,
etc.
different sizes that I have yet to use.
A pack of 3 - 4 is only 94 cents. Any
basket with holes can be easily
attached. You could also use S-hooks to
hang items like scissors, hole punches,
etc.
I now have a great unit with everything I need right at my fingertips. Once the unit is attached to a board with casters I'll be
able to rotate it easily. I can always add more baskets as I find the need and I can easily remove those that I already have
attached if I want to reconfigure the unit.
I'm planning to make a scrapbooking unit next. This one will have many closely spaced shelves for papers, again attached with
wire ties. I'll use S-hooks to hang decorative scissors. The wider baskets will be perfect for stamps and pads. Markers can go
in the long, thin baskets. Oh, the possibilites!
As far as cost, the above unit cost me less than $30.
Small Baskets 3/.94 or 4/.94
Large Basket 3.94
Tiered Organize 8.96
Tiered Sorter 8.96
Wire Ties .97
Memo Board 4.92
I already had the wire grids & connectors but you can purchase a set, which would make two organizers for $15.
If you'd prefer laminate to the wire, you can find closet organizers that seem as if they would work. In the shower section
you'll find various sized baskets that attach with suction cups. It is my guess that these would work well on the laminate.
I hope this helps some of you get creative. Feel free to submit your ideas and we'll be happy to share them.
able to rotate it easily. I can always add more baskets as I find the need and I can easily remove those that I already have
attached if I want to reconfigure the unit.
I'm planning to make a scrapbooking unit next. This one will have many closely spaced shelves for papers, again attached with
wire ties. I'll use S-hooks to hang decorative scissors. The wider baskets will be perfect for stamps and pads. Markers can go
in the long, thin baskets. Oh, the possibilites!
As far as cost, the above unit cost me less than $30.
Small Baskets 3/.94 or 4/.94
Large Basket 3.94
Tiered Organize 8.96
Tiered Sorter 8.96
Wire Ties .97
Memo Board 4.92
I already had the wire grids & connectors but you can purchase a set, which would make two organizers for $15.
If you'd prefer laminate to the wire, you can find closet organizers that seem as if they would work. In the shower section
you'll find various sized baskets that attach with suction cups. It is my guess that these would work well on the laminate.
I hope this helps some of you get creative. Feel free to submit your ideas and we'll be happy to share them.
