The problem: All the small items, like address labels, priority mail labels, decorative stickers and most of all, postage stamps, are all over my desk. I can't find the ones that I need if I'm working on something else at the table. I used to keep them in a box, but then had to go through an entire stack of things when working on something.
The solution:
A photo album. I can't believe I didn't even think of this before. I actually bought this album a long while ago for another project. I ended up never doing that project, so it's been sitting on my shelf all this time, taking up space.
I organized it to have the large sticker sheets of postage stamps* in the first few pages in the front. Then there are mail related stickers like priority mail stickers and address labels. Then we have other "office supplies" type stickers (square and round blank labels, highlighter tabs, file organizers, color-coded dots, etc) and the end of the album is reserved to all sorts of random stickers, like the silly Korean ones.
I feel there are two major benefits to this; I have all the materials in one place, so 1) I can easily browse through what I have and 2) I won't have to look for things when I'm sending something out.
Do you have a great organizing tip to share? I'd love to hear about it!
*) I have another solution for non-sticker stamps. I'll share that with you next time!
This is a great idea. Unfortunately, I have all of my stickers and labels in a box too and it is very frustrating looking for what I need when I'm in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly the situation I started with as well. Using a photo album like this really helps. And I actually use all my materials!
DeleteI've started stamping my own letters and they arrive in fancy folders but those are stored in the original envelope they arrived in. I think I'm going to copy your idea as I can then find the design I want too.
ReplyDeleteI really recommend trying this out. It just makes this whole thing so much easier, not to mention much, much tidier!
DeleteGood idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have to admit I'm pretty proud of myself :D
DeleteThis is a genius idea! I recently got really frustrated looking through my stack of labels for a specific size. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteIt's exactly that kind of frustration that sparked this idea. Hopefully it'll be helpful to others as well!
DeleteHi Katri! What a wonderful idea! I always seem to be looking for my things. Thanks for commenting on my blog. It's nice to see a comment from someone who lives near Sherbrooke. You also have a very adorable cats! If ever you want to contact me via e-mail: jackyroy@sympatico.ca. Maybe we can exchange mail! :) If not, I'll be checking out your blog again in the future. Bye for now, Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline! Thanks for dropping by! I'll definitely come by to visit your blog soon again! I am scrapped for time and can't commit to a new writing buddy right this moment. I will, however, keep you in mind, as I hope I'll get some more time soon!
DeleteThat is SO clever! I'm totally stealing your idea. Thanks Katri! xox
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Julie! I can't even begin to express how much easier this has made things! I highly recommend!
DeleteI keep all my vintage postage, by denomination, in a one of the small "brag book" photo albums. It fits nicely in the plastic accordion file folder I use for non-vintage postage (I carrry about $200 in postage at all times so I ALWAYS have EVERY denomination I might need). But ... I never thought of using a photo album for all my stickers and nonsuch. Thank you! You have helped me so very much, although, since I tend to carry all my writing supplies with me all the time, there will be more weight in my backpack. It weighs a lot already so I guess maybe I'm practicing for the Appalachian Trail ...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear I can help others in this as well!
DeleteI was going to suggest you could get a few of those small photo albums to carry around with you. You know, the more flimsy kind, with less pages and not-quite-so-sturdy covers. I remember getting those when I got photos developed (back in the day when people still did that...) free at the photo-place. You know which ones I mean?
Although, if you say you're carrying everything with you, those might not be quite big enough.
Also, now I think I'll need to go find one of those small albums... I'll post a few photos if I find one.
I had a lovely, lovely felt covered small photo album, that has a few more pages than the usual brag book size and I loaded that up last night. It is such a pretty little album and finally putting it to use felt really good! I decided to just load it will a good selection of items and I'll use up what is in it then reload it with more. Finally, I will USE the embellishments I save so painstakingly!
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