Friday, February 19, 2010

Clear Stamp Storage Solution 101

 

Clear Stamps...

I adore them. Don't get me wrong...I still {LOVE} my wooden handle rubber stamps too but these clear ones hold a special place in my heart. I can SEE exactly where to place them when I am creating. No second guesses or screw-ups here.

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As I was cleaning out my studio last week, I was thinking that maybe at least ONE other person could benefit from this marvelous idea (if I do say so myself ;).

*By no means am I taking credit for this ingenious idea. I'm sure some other creative mind has done this already and I'm just making it clear that I'm just sharing the creative love here!!!

So...do you have a BUNCH of clear stamps still in their packages? Or do you keep them in an album like I once did? Or maybe an organized file folder??? Well, I tried all that and I just wasn't "happy". I'm the type of person that I have to SEE it and if it's locked in a drawer, or an album, or a folder...it just doesn't exist to me.  I'm just such a visual person! (sigh)

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I had a few extra clear CD cases that I saved when a CD was too scratched to listen to anymore, or thinking I'll keep it just in case another case cracked, etc.

hmmm....Organizing, Storage...let's think re-purpose, re-use!

I started gathering all of my clear stamps together and placing them inside the CD cases. They stuck right to the plastic and I was able to use both of the interior sides because these were the original thick CD cases...NOT the slim cases.

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Then in some cases, (not all) I was able to cut out the packaging information and use it as a cover to the case when all of the clear stamps fit on one side of the interior of the case!!! yay!!!

FRONT:

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BACK:

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Don't they fit nicely in the case??? And you can SEE them!!!! yay!!!

Plus, they take up less room than an album or folder and they are much easier to stack on a shelf.

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Then, once I had them all "cased up", I made some labels for them on my computer using plain old return address stickers. I'm in the dark ages here, I don't have one of those fancy labelers. (pout) So I sufficed and I just typed all the names of my stamp collections, printed them on the address labels, cut them thinly to fit the side edge, and stuck them on...

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Ta-da!

Not only do they look good...

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They stack good!!!

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And they are VISABLE when you need that "perfect" stamp!

If you are interested in this idea, you can find these CD cases in a 10-pack or more at Wal-Mart, Sam's, Target, etc. for really cheap. Just remember to get the original case, NOT the slim case.

If you have a clear stamp storage solution idea...I'd love to hear it too. As you know, I love to keep it real here and share the creative love with all of you!!!! ;)

42 comments:

KeKe said...

Well, I didn't know that..or think of that before, so thanks for sharing!! Now I know what to do with them!

Hearts Turned said...

Fabulous idea, Jodie! I need to do something with mine & this seems like a VERY good solution!

Hope you're having a great day!

Lori said...

what a brilliant idea Jodie!!! i love it...on a side note: i cannot believe your will~power...i am usually ripping packages open before i even have them in the house...LOL...i will be at work when you open yours...but i am anxious to hear feedback:)

Geralyn Gray said...

I can't believe I missed my favorite post of yours----mardi gras..........anyway I am Clearly Impressed at your organizational skills and how you present your thoughts on your blog..........Clearly Impressive!!!!!!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Donna

vintage girl at heart said...

Oh my goodness you are a LIFESAVER!!!
I have been trying to think of a way to organize all of my clear stamps so I can use them and stop buying duplicates!!!
I have seen many ways but this is the one for me!!!!
You are so clever!!!
I will be traveling through your state next week and I am ready for some good ole' cajun food!!!
Blessings!!

vintage girl at heart said...

Uhhhh was that a lIVE chicken on that revelers head???
Looks like a blast!!!

Connie said...

I've never seen clear stamps, honey. Where do you get them?
xoxo,
Connie

Tina said...

What a great idea - thanks for sharing

Lisa said...

Wonderful idea, Jodie! Now to find the CD cases. :)

Leanne Shawler said...

It's possibly a good thing I read this before heading off to work because I sang out "Love it!" I think I'll be stopping @ Target on the way home from work tonight. Mine are all still in the packages, except for the one that was too big to fit in its assigned storage space...

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Just popped over from Enchanted Revelry, and I LOVE this idea!
I just got started with these stamps and was trying to figure out safe storage.....and my DH collects CDs, and always replaces scratched cases....soooooo.....I'm off to his music room and will be organizing!
Thanks for posting this!

XXOO!!
Anne

Madison said...

I LOVE it! So does my mom I just told her! Were going to have to do that! Thanks so much for sharing! Oh and if you could re-follow me that would be great! I had some html problems!

Love, Madison

sepiadreams said...

Ingenious!!!! Thanks for the great idea!!! Hugzzz...Tiina....

Leslie said...

That is a very clever idea! Thank you for sharing!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a great idea! So organized. Everything I have is hidden away, somewhere, which is why I can't seem to move forward with anything at the moment. Can't find anything so don't know what to do. Frustrating! Hope you are have a lovely day. Blessings, Tammy

Jessica Rodarte said...

You are a clever, clever lady! What a great idea!

Tarnished Rose said...

Great Idea! Just what I was looking for. I wasn't happy with the binder I have them in, but couldn't come up with a good solution. They are so bulky in sheet projectors - but, now all I need to do is get to WalMart (once this cervical collar is off) and get some empty cases. Cool!

Smiles~
Marilyn

Theresa said...

Wonderful idea! All organized and easy to see. Love the idea, Jodie! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Have a blessed day!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I LOVE this fabulous idea, Jodie! I could never find a convenient way to store my clear stamps before. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Now I know what I will do tonight while watching TV when hubby is off to play cards :-).
xoxo,
Julia

Debby said...

You are brilliant!!! What a fab idea, guess I know what I will be busy doing this weekend. You are the best!
xoxo
Debby

Rochelle said...

Hi Jodie!
This is such a great idea...I am heading to my studio now to update mine! Thanks for the suggestion...
Have a great day!
Rochelle

Tristan Robin said...

I wish I had thought of that before buying all these clear storage boxes on ebay! LOL Great idea.

LiLi M. said...

Great idea! I have them in a clear plastic folder with these I guess 32 holes and then the folder in a ring map, I just don't know all the english words but i hope that you know what I mean. But I think this idea is much better, as you can 'see' what you have in a blink of the eye, thanks for sharing and have a lovely weekend!

The Victorian Parlor said...

What a great idea! I have never used the clear stamps but I use the wood/rubber ones all the time. I will have to check these out!

Blessings,

Kim

trash talk said...

Well aren't you just the Miss Smarty Pants! I'm a visual person too...problem is I don't see well enough anymore to do anything about it!
I just wanted to tell you I read the previous post and had such a good time doing it. It reminded me of when I first "found" you thru Pam and it was with the Mardi Gras parade post. I said it then and I'll say it again...one of these days...
These are my people...I'm just trapped in a Texan body!
Debbie

Karen Valentine said...

That is just brilliant! I have all mine in a folder and they are slid into clear sheet protectors but sometimes that doesn't work very well. I like this idea much better!!!
It was so nice to see you had visited me Jodie. You are always so sweet and never fail to put a smile on my face!

Karen
My Desert Cottage

Patti's Artful Design said...

Very ingenious, Jodie! You have the best ideas!!

Tara said...

Now call me "naive" but I have never seen these clear stamps. I only recently began using stamps and I have had MAJOR issues with stamping crooked because I can't see the placement. These would certainly come in handy! I like to see all my stuff too, not only is it handy, but I like to look at it too. Your new way of storing them is very clever! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Jane said...

Jodie,
This is a fabulous idea!! So organized. I don't have a lot of clear stamps but enough that I could use this idea. You are the best!!!
Jane

Karen said...

I just want you to know - I checked my blog at 8pm before the Olympics. . . and now . . . at 5 mins before ten PST, and your post from today shows up like SIXTEEN HOURS LATER!
That stinks!
I've waited all day to hear from you (hehehe) and only then find out you posted HOW MANY HOURS AGO?????

I am not happy.

BUT! I love your clear stamp storage idea . . . BUT JODIE! I'm on a TANGENT HERE! It's the principle of the thing!!! . . . yeah , I know "Shut up Karen and get over it."
But SIXTEEN HOURS LATER?

Harrrruuuummmmmpppphhhhhhhhhh!

Unknown said...

Great idea! i have a big shoebox full of those empty cases. Now I know what to do with them:D

Tracey said...

you will never believ it but i was on a mission today to find something to store my stamps in and could not find any thing and low and behold i find your blog while hoping through others.Fantastic idea i shall go sort my cover out straight after i have writen this.Thats if i dont look at any more of your postings.lol
no forget it i shall stay here on your blog a while more

have a great weekend
angel wishes tracey x

Vivianapachecofineart said...

OM Goodness!!! You rock!!!

Draffin Bears said...

Well I am behind the times here, dear Jodie, because I have not seen these clear stamps before.
I have only ever seen the wooden stamps which I have, quite a few of.
Now that is a very clever way to store them.

Hugs
Carolyn

Sue said...

Love, love, love this idea! I'm off to raid my hubby's office right now. I am sure he has stacks of these CD cases!

Hugs,

Sue E.

NicNacManiac said...

WOW Jodie...fabulous idea!
You obviously are the most organized person....I am so going to borrow this idea from you!!
Hugs xOxO Nerina

qltmaster@sbcglobal.net said...

I have been using CD holders for my clear stamps for years. You can buy them dirt cheap at Big Lots or dollar stores. It makes organizing a cinch.
Elizabeth

Lisa said...

Jodie,
I think you are genius and need to work for 7 gypsies! I am so mad I could spit tho, I just did a spring cleaning and threw out about 20 of them...UGGG! I really need to do that tho because mine are all loose in my bin, I thought I'd seen binder pages that zip up but this is green & free! Lisa

Tarnished Rose said...

I just gave this a try and WOW what a way to store my clear stamps. I'm sending hubby back to WalMart this weekend to get me another 10-pack so I can finish up.

Smiles~
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Can you come do mine? I have loved yours since the day you pulled one out for me to use! :) ohhh and I am still waiting on my trip with you to sams!!! ;)
hugs

toodles-
sarah

Vanessa Spencer said...

love what you did here! so cool...