“The other day I was running late for work and put my shoes on and felt something. I was just sure it was a bug – so I pulled it off as I got in the car and ferociously shook it out – crystal. In the mud room. Where nothing but the cat food and laundry live. Go figure!”

“There was a bead missing at work and I looked everywhere I could think for it. Later that day I went home and cleaned out my lunch box to my surprise I found a bead mingled in with the scraps from my sandwich leftovers. It must have gotten there when I ate my lunch and scooped up my leftovers to bring home. At least I didn’t bite into it!”

Now that we’ve shared a couple of our stories We’d love to hear yours!

Here are a few things I found lying around the house that I am currently employing as bead displays and organizers:

• I go through tons of head pins, so I cleaned out old votive candle holders and filled them with different lengths and gauges of head pins. They fit perfectly! I wouldn’t recommend this for infrequent users , as the metal could tarnish being exposed to air.
• I have two cool olive dishes that I use about twice a year for parties, now they are my focal bead holders! I put all my best and most inspirational pieces in there, right in the middle of my table!
• One of my favorite new tricks is a dowel that hangs right over my table with all of my ribbon and jewelry wire on it. If I need a piece I just reach up and snip it. The spools are secure and out of the way, and being at eye level, I am really aware when I am running low on something!
• Drawers! I found a lingerie chest at a yard sale for just a few dollars, painted it funky colors and I store all of my bead strands where they are laid out neatly and I can see them! I found when I shoved them into the hardware-style bins, things would get lost or forgotten. Now I have a gem drawer, a pearl drawer, a silk ribbon drawer, it is wonderful!

Despite my couple of flashes of brilliance in design, I am still really lacking in ideas for organization. I would love to reach out to the Artbeads.com community and see if anyone out there can help! Post comments about your favorite organization secrets. I could sure use them!

Rebecca Gilbert, Vice President of Product Marketing