How To Make The Low Cost Inventory Storage System

I posted a thread at www.hipgirlclips.com/forums: Home Made Storage Cube--Get My Ribbon Organized (http://hipgirlclips.com/forums/get-organized/80-home-made-storage-cube-get-my-ribbons-organized.html)

A lot of feedback received asking for the instruction. So here it is -- Store inventory in the most efficient way.

Step 1: Get the boxes

The best place is uline.com. The boxes I bought are:

13X13X13 CUBE BOX 25/500 --$18 for 25 boxes

12X6X6 LONG BOX 25/900 --$8 for 25 boxes

25 cube boxes and 100 long boxes make 25 cubes.

Comments

[ewilhelm]

Nice work. We're always looking to find old card catalogs to store little parts and hardware. Here are two shots of the screw-filled drawers in the shop right now.

[WUVIE]

Be still my heart. Card catalogs. Sigh.

[princessbunnyrooroo]

I don't use cardboard for any storage anymore because I may be storing something that could be damaged by the chemicals they put in cardboard. Finding inexpensive "archival quality" boxes has not happened yet! ewilhelm- I've always wanted a card catalog for my junk ---where do find them????? Are they really expensive? Just so I'm prepared .... thanks.

[Sequimania]

In my trolling on online art supply stores I just saw a fixative spray that was called "Archival Spray" or "Archival Fix" something like that. Sprayed on cardboard, pulp paper, etc. it supposedly sealed the surface so the destructive acids won't ruin the contents.

[porcupinemamma]

What about scrapbooking stores?  They have archival paper

[nitemaresindrome]

couldn't you cover the inside panels of the box with archival paper? kind of like wallpapering the insides of the boxes where your item will come in contact with the box? or maybe paint it with something safe? (kilz maybe? I dunno..spray paint? No idea)

[ewilhelm]

Look on Craigslist. Prices will vary wildly with condition.

[BarginsTech]

Craigslist OWNS!

[schlieffenska]

A tip for getting free boxes.... if you're not down with dumpster diving, or if that's turning up not enough of the right size boxes, go to the postal service website, and they will ship you any and all boxes you need ....as many as you want... for FREE. Just don't get more than you need, or you run the risk of ending up with an unexpected delivery of a wall of boxes full of boxes.....oops. yes, I did that. haha.

[vkowalczyk]

This is what I did. I ordered the boxes from the postal service then I also have boxes readily available for shipping product. Instead of cutting off the flaps I tuck them in. I just order more as needed and then I don't have to worry about the boxes getting weak from the weight of the products inside!

[Re-design]

Using those boxed for any other use than mailing thru the U.S mail is a federal offense of theft. THey are not free they cost the post office money and are meant to be used for priority mail.

[sveilleux tripp]

such a great idea! I can't wait to try to get some of these cans... perfect for craft and homeschool supplies!

[ArtsyFartsyGirl]

Most of the craft sites I've seen, they have their ribbon on cardboard rolls, like from paper towels, etc, or wooden dowels. But, man, you've got so much more stuff than anyone I've seen!
You are like me, I never met a color or style of bead that I didn't like! Unfortunately, I don't have a separate room for crafts, but I found a beautiful and inexpensive tiny little six drawer cabinet, and I have all my beads separated by color. At first I thought it was all the room I'd ever need, but I'm also using a second one now. I also have many,many colorful metal containers that hold beads too. I manage to keep every thing relatively neat, because I work in my one room loft. Everything is neat except my desk. Things just appear there out of nowhere!!!!!
Also, being as prissy as I am, I probably would have spray painted thecontainers black, that would look so cool with all the pretty colors, but then again, I'm always making extra work for myself!

[badart]

I really like this idea. Thanks I will do a version of this for my inventory!
Badartworld.com

[tinker234]

nice could i do one in wood

[far4434]

Wow!!  I thought I had a lot of ribbon.  I have been racking my brain trying to find a suitable storage and organization solution.  I make seasonal door wreaths.  What do you do with your ribbon?

[Batness]

This is a brilliant idea. I haven't had much success with cardboard, but the tennis ball cans are so useful!

[jamy_becki]

awesome!!! with a capital AWESOME these tip on making bow have help me so much it is hard to find the right color or style thank you so much from the bottom & top of my heart . I live the craft world we have such great people!!!!!!

[danamos666]

or you could go to the post offices website and get a free supply of boxes

[colorslam]

I love this instructable. You've done such a great job showing it that I hate to ask for more, but I really don't get it how the drawer box is put together. Any chance you could add a photo showing the drawer box from a different angle? Are the flappers inside or outside? And what exactly is vertical or horizontal?? Did you put a window in the hole in the front? Or is it just open? I suppose a person could do either. Thanks!

[americangeiko]

Or you can get free boxes from the post office for free provided that you eventually used them to mail stuff.

[queen roo]

wow.. thats alot of ribbon! could you use like small cardboard boxer or a milk jug instead?

[dhawktx]

Use it with some light, inexpensive Rubbermaid style plastic shelving units and the falling is a non-issue.

[hipgirl]

Thanks. I bought some rubbermaid 5 shelf units and they works great. Those 'homemade' cardboard units are against wall. They are still holding inventories fine. No falling so far. Thanks.

[sideways]

This is great! I have lots of stuff stored in boxes to keep it clean but never thought to cut a window so I could see what's in them. I'll tape a piece of plastic wrap over the window to keep dust out. Very helpful.

[kaleinor55]

Thank YOU for the ideas and tips! I've been looking for a cheap and efficient way to organize my out-of-control craft supplies! This looks do-able!

[kraM]

This looks like a good idea, but i'd be woried about the thing falling over on me.In my oppinion is still a good method for sorting out stuff,but to each his/her own.

[hipgirl]

Thanks. So far it works great. Nothing fell over yet :)

[canida]

Wow, that looks great! You've inspired me to properly organize my craft supplies.

[robodud3]

great for holden wire and capacitors and resitors and potomiteters and transitors and leds and nuts and blots and screws and ICs and CBs and switches and all sorts of stuff i need 2 make one of these i have piles of crap in my "shop".

[GorillazMiko]

i just might do this, this is very cool.