Studio Storage Tips Part 1: Paints/Inks/Stamps OH MY!

I get asked a lot how I store many of the items in my studio so I thought I would address some of them here on my blog.  My favorite storage is my mini "shelves" on my wall where I store my favorite DecoArt Paints, Inks and just some of my stamps.....

 

This is simply t-grid metal 4' strip for an acoustic drop down ceiling that you see in most commercial uses.  I purchased the 4' strips at Home Depot for about $2.50/each and installed them into the studs with screws.  There is a natural lip on them to keep your items secure.

Close up View:

Very low cost and keeps everything right on display at your fingertips (plus it looks pretty).

I will tell you that this storage does go all the way up the wall and I just added the bottom "shelf" this week to house more paints (I guess you could say I am slightly addicted to DecoArt paints).

 Here is a photo from Creating Keepsakes Creative Spaces Vol 2 (awesome issue I highly recommend) that my studio was featured in:

 

 

Stay tuned for more tips from my studio........please let me know if you have questions on how I store particular items.  Always happy to share!

"The single most important thing in life is what it means to you.  Life doesn’t come prepackaged with this meaning either; you create it.  Doing so is rarely easy, but it’s always within your power and well worth the effort.  You’ll be far happier for troubling yourself, rather than letting everyone else design your life for you."

Comments

[Kay Wallace]

I am drooling! I think I have 20 of the DecoArt colors. I bought them initially for their size, as they fit nicely into a drawer of the tote I use to transport my art studio from my house to our trailer at the campground during the summer. Maybe I need two totes! Seriously, I love your inexpensive yet functional storage idea--and, your're right, it looks so pretty!!

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Thanks Kay! DecoArt goes on sale a lot at Michaels. And they last a good long time! two totes may be necessary if you keep coming back here. Thank you so much!

[kathleen schriber]

this is amazing tracy. i love the fact you customized the space between each shelf to fit the size of what you're storing! makes perfect sense to me! this way you can get more storage from a small space. what a great tip! and....yes...(i think you have an addiction here). lol love your sesame street rendition! what a cheerful space! love it!

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

LOL! I would say I have a couple of addictions but thankfully most of them are good ones. Glad you liked the tip Kat :)

[Anna Ely]

How do you reach them tho? Shorty me who have to climb on the desk just to get anything down...and my old knees just aren't up to that any more!!

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

I guess this is where being 5'8" comes in handy. I can reach to every shelf. I may have to lower those babies as I get older ;)

[mjmarmo]

Looks so nice all organized!

[Von Reeder]

I think its brilliant! If I had all that stuff, I'd be in heaven ... but since I have no wall space to do that its probably just as well that I don't have all that stuff! LOL

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Thanks Jean!

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

What's important is to use what we have! I just need mine out so I see it :)

[Marilyn]

What a fabulous idea!!! I wonder if this would work as well on a pantry wall for spices??? I love using things in an unconventional way...just more creative! I have to have all my stuff out where I can see it too, otherwise, I spend half of my create time looking for items.

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Thanks for stopping by! Glad I could inspire Marilyn!

[Marilyn]

FYI, I really liked your painting this evening (1-27)totally different from the ones I have seen you do in the last few weeks, but then you are the one who inspired me to get paints, ALL type of pads, and a bunch of other things you use.

But why I'm writing, I heard tonight something about you wanting a sharpener that would not eat your pencils. I have one that is from the company KUM and have had it for 8 years and it still does the best job, the secret, it is Germany steel, that is what makes it the best.

Have a good day,
Marilyn (ladysilverwolf)

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

THANK YOU SO much Marilyn! I think I found it online and I am ordering it right now. Does it have replacement blades! I am so glad you posted ♥
I am glad I can inspire you!

[Brandy]

Oh I love your storage idea! I have been trying to figure out how to store all my DecoArt paint bottles too! Thanks a bunch!

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Awesome Brandy!

[Michelle C]

You have just given me the long searched for answer to my giant supply of acrylics AND it's affordable! Thank you so much!

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

So glad that helped! Make sure to note my blog location has changed to my new website: www.tracyweinzapfelstudios.com/blog.

[Leah Luper]

have you had problems with the shelves not being able to hold the paints (they get heavy)? I love the idea

Leah

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Not at all. Works great. Please note, my blog has moved to www.tracyweinzapfelstudios.com/blog for more ideas :)

[JoAnna]

How do you store your pens/markers that need to be kePT horizontal ??

[Beth]

I was impressed that the colors were organized. I have that very same quirk~😉

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Hi JoAnna, my website and blog have moved to www.tracyweinzapfelstudios.com/blog. You can see a tour of my Studio here: http://tracyweinzapfelstudios.com/portfolio/ "My Studio".

[Tracy Weinzapfel]

Hi Beth, my website and blog have moved to www.tracyweinzapfelstudios.com. Please visit my updates there :)