How to Store Art Supplies

Part of getting ready for new artistic ventures is getting my proverbial ducks in a row. Even as I prepare hard and fast for two of my five shows for the year, I'm gathering the goodies for the classes I'll be taking. Paint, metal stamps, glass - it's accumulating fast.


One of the issues is figuring out how to STORE all this stuff, these growing assortments of beautiful things that await metamorphosis into a different type of loveliness.



I've started random collections throughout the house. Here, lovely jars from Pottery Barn full of yarn, waiting for a class in sock knitting....



The yarn was just too pretty to put away in a box, so for now, they're filling up these jars. Speaking of jars, I found a vintage fruit jar and I'm using it to hold a treasure-trove of glass rod ends that I was given by a lovely blog reader. I'm holding on to them for a bit, just waiting to mash them up and turn them into frit.





Storing your art supplies this way may not be practical. Don't get me wrong -- all of my stash is most certainly NOT on display. Most, in fact, is packed into boxes and unceremoniously shoved under beds or into closets. But considering the beauty we make WITH the tools of our trade, doesn't it stand to reason that they would be beautiful, too?


So choose a few. Find an unusual way to make them an everyday part of your decor. Who knows? It might just be the gentle nudge you need to try that new project you've been meaning to start.




Lori Anderson's jewelry can be seen at www.lorianderson.net. Her other blog is www.prettythingsblog.com.