I know. CALM down people.
I, Cathy Zielske, being of sound mind yet lowly stamp prowess, am now proud to share that I am using a stamp storage system.
First off, it’s because my good friend Jennifer McGuire, who saw a stamp storage question I posted on my Facebook page, kindly decided to set me straight on the hows and whys of clear stamp storage. Also many of you said, “Jennifer McGuire” on that same post in terms of someone who has a great clear stamp storage system. (She has an awesome post and video here.) If you follow Jennifer’s work, you’ll most likely agree: she’s a stamping maven. Plus, any stamper with an engineering background is going to have some serious organization chops.
She sent me two things: Avery Elle Stamp & Die Storage Pockets and trimmed, white card stock sheets to fit. (Aw, Jennifer! You!) While Jennifer recommends using these to contain your stamps, because of my paltry number of stamps, I had to think smaller for now. Instead, I went with this 69.7 oz. container from the Container Store.
I feel so legit.
I plan to label each one with a little strip of printed card stock. Right now I only have about 8 pockets of stamps. That’s it. But in this day and age of clear stamp sets, not only do I want to design and create more myself, I want to own them, too. But don’t think I now believe I’m the shit when it comes to storage and craft rooms. Keep in mind, I still work here:
Yes. One day we’ll refinish the dining room floors.
Did you know that almost one-third of that paper cabinet goes to storing shit we don’t know where else to put? Receipts, recipes from the newspaper, random pieces of paper Cole has written a few words on that he swears cannot be tossed. I had that cabinet built right after I got paid for writing my first book. It was $600 and built by some dude in Northern Minnesota (no longer in business) who was apparently the same man who built all of the shelving for some of the first Minnesota Archiver’s stores. Or so he said. He had a very clear understanding of crafter paper storage needs. And then he also built me this:
True, it’s never well lit. It always looks a little shifty tucked back into its weird alcove, but it’s where I keep more stuff, plus all of my albums are in the lower cabinet. This is why I do digital Project Life. There is literally no more room at the inn for albums.
But for now, my little stamp storage makes me very happy. Oh hey, hi Ali Edwards‘ stamps! Aren’t you adorable in your little pocket? Yes, Cathy. I totally am.
I just wanted to share my latest crafty story as I move more deeply into the dark forest of clear stamps. Wait. A forest of clear stamps would be super bright and transparent. Either way, stamps!
Note: Love my cute holiday set in the first picture? ME TOO! You can buy my Cool Yule set here.
Margaret in AZ says
Cathy, welcome to the stamping storage world; my clear stamps envy the homes you and Jennifer have for yours!! LOVE the storage unit in the alcove. That’s pretty sweet!! Stay warm the next couple of days — I’ll be thinking about the northern tundra and my family who live in Bloomington, MN.
Louise Fortune says
PHEW – glad I am not the only one with a fifteen yr old that swears blind that that random word, phrase, name, gibberish is something that will end life as we know it, if I happened to throw it away (read recycle, I do my bit 🙂 )
heidig says
I have slightly more stamps than you (emphasis on “slightly”). I may have to re-think my storage. Yours is way too cool!
Jodee says
I just wanted to comment and say-that is exactly what my dining room table looks like right now! ; ) And, I love it!
Yolanda says
Umm, I know it’s kind of corny to a lot of scrappers out there…but I actually don’t get the whole how-to-stamp thing at all. I don’t know what supplies you need (There’s some sort of block involved but I always see the stamps like this in a sheet. Huh?). And even though I primarily make photobooks, I think I’d love to stamp card envelopes or even embellish end sheets of my books, or add color and texture to a printed page. So, any possibility of making a beginning stamping video for people who are more comfortable with computer mice?
Cathy Zielske says
Yolanda, I have to laugh. If I did a How To Video, it could be totally hilarious.
But, you should check out Jennifer McGuire Ink. She definitely is a great resource.
Maybe I’ll do a video over the holidays. For shits and giggles. 😉
Michele says
LOL!! I love your sense of humor as well as your honesty Cathy. Thank you for sharing these! Just what I needed 🙂
Laura says
Yolanda, clear stamps do come in a package all by their lonesome. You can buy the clear blocks separately in your local craft store. I think the ones I have are from Inkadinkado — they’re thick, with indentations on the sides that make them easy to hold on to. You’ll never need to replace them — they appear to be indestructible. The clear stamp sticks to the clear block and it’s so easy to see exactly where you’re stamping. (I do have some woodblock rubber stamps, too, with amazing designs. It’s just not as easy to see where you’re stamping.) Jennifer McGuire is a-ma-zing as is Kristina Werner; they both have blogs & YouTube channels. Just breathe deeply and remember that they do this for a living. lol The rest of us are over here, not always getting perfect images with our stamps (and filling them in with a marker and no one knows). Have fun!!!!!
Yolanda says
Thanks Laura. I’m off to investigate. Non-digital crafting really confuses me in way I’m sometimes afraid to admit.
And, Cathy, a shits and giggles video is fine with me. Bras and wine are completely optional.
Laura says
Yolanda, clear stamps do come in a package all by their lonesome. You can buy the clear blocks separately in your local craft store. I think the ones I have are from Inkadinkado — they’re thick, with indentations on the sides that make them easy to hold on to. You’ll never need to replace them — they appear to be indestructible. The clear stamp sticks to the clear block and it’s so easy to see exactly where you’re stamping. (I do have some woodblock rubber stamps, too, with amazing designs. It’s just not as easy to see where you’re stamping.) Jennifer McGuire is a-ma-zing as is Kristina Werner; they both have blogs & YouTube channels. Just breathe deeply and remember that they do this for a living. lol The rest of us are over here, not always getting perfect images with our stamps (and filling them in with a marker and no one knows). Have fun!!!!! [Forgive me if this double-posts — it disappeared when I clicked “Submit.”]
Zalaine says
love ya Girl but clearly, I could never go back to stamping after going digital. I know you make your living this way and thank goodness, there are those who support you but from a lack of stamping talent, ( yes, there is an art to it that I possess neither patience or well, patience)’ the whole storage thing and mainly because digi is my default after years of struggling with paper, stamps, embellishments and all things, touchable. Me and my external HD live in perfect harmony. I wish you happy storage finding…
kelly says
when my cool yule stamp set arrives (oh, please let this be the day) i am totally going to put it in the front of my storage which is also similar to the lovely ms. jennifer mcguire’s storage. ah. it is simple, it looks great, it makes my heart happy
Christine K. says
I set up my clear stamps the Jennifer McGuire way. I am thrilled to adding some Cathy to my Ali.
P.S. Cathy you have some catching up to do.
Tracy says
Are you going to be making more stamps? Looking forward to seeing some of your
Cathy-ness in stamp form. Could you make a “for shits and giggles” stamp”? Would love to see some of your sayings on stamps, oh pretty please?
Pat says
Ah, what a slippery slope you are going down!!! I love JM’s storage system and have converted both my stamps and dies to it. I have multiple fridge binz to hold them all. (Yes, I did have to contact Jennifer to see how many sets fit in a binz and ordered accordingly). It makes me happy to look at them all nice and neatly lined up, all the same size, etc.
But Cathy, I’m not seeing evidence of ink on some of those stamps. Pull out a pad and get inky, my friend. It is very therapeutic.
Maureen says
Oh how I love the look of my tiny collection of clear stamps, all in their little CD cases (how I store them) but oh how they make me lose my patience ever so quickly as I can never get a nice crisp clean print from them. So I continue to use my wood block mounted rubber stamps so I can remain calm and happy. Thank you for pointing out Jennifer McGuire. I think I shall take a look at her videos and see if I can’t figure out why my clear stamps dislike me as much a I dislike them. I like your storage and just may switch mine to that method, IF I can figure out how to actually use them!
Sheri says
Maureen-The type of ink and paper you use can make a difference. And it’s always a good idea to stamp a new stamp on scratch paper to “break” it in. Jennifer will be your gal. (Along with Kristina Werner and many others!) Jennifer has several ink comparison videos, you can search Pinterest for them, or her blog.
Nicole says
Thank you for making me laugh today. And after reading “shit” a few times, I also read “always looks a little shifty” as “always looks a little shitty”. Which made me laugh even harder when I realized my error. Keeping it real, as always. And I thank you for that – you inspire me! 🙂
Michelle t says
I did the exact same thing. She’s the best. Michelle t
Cynthia F says
I was thinking: That’s a cool stamp set in front, but I don’t think I’ve seen it before! Now I know.
Helen says
So glad to see that you are branching out into stamping. I’m new to it as well, and they are so darn cute!
Tami says
Ok, stupid question.
A few years back I bought some clear stamps from Stampin Up. It was not explained to me how they work. So I got the clear stamps but nothing to actually stamp with? Does this make sense? I shoved them in a drawer and forgot about them. This makes me want to figure it out. Do I need something special from Stampin Up?
Cathy Zielske says
Tami, all you need are some clear acrylic blocks. The stamps stick to ’em like magic. That’s it. Plus, you can see exactly where you are stamping!
Meg says
LOVE 🙂
young says
Cute post! I love JM’s organization tips, and do use her stamp storage system with the double bin. I’m committed to ONLY having one side used for stamps, and the other for embossing and stamp cleaning supplies. Love that it makes it easy to keep everything stamping related together (Ink is housed below the stamp storage container). Hope it helps you stay organized!
Cathy Zielske says
That is a GREAT idea. Didn’t even think of that. Hmmm. Maybe I DO need that Fridge Binz thingie!
Barbara says
awesome! I’ve been trying different things for all my stamps. I’m working on organizing my basement in hopes of having a scrapbooking room and everything in its place! Ha! I think I’m more of a collector than a scrapbooker – I want that to change.
I love the storage unit. I’m hoping to inherit a buffet from my mother and plan on figuring out how to use it for my scrapbooking storage and hopefully the top will hold my silhouette ready to be used when ever I so desire. (yes I kind of live in a fantasy world but thats ok)
Shirlee says
It seems as though Stamp Storage is on a lot of minds at the moment. (although you have the best blog about them by far!) My Favorite Things has some new storage envelopes similar to Avery Elle’s but these come in 50 packs and are a little less in the pocketbook too!
The following is from their newsletter and here is the link to their website: https://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=5alb32h5kun6j
Stamp Set and Die-namics Pocket Storage
Transparent pockets are ideal for storing your clear stamps and Die-namics. These pockets keep your sets stored safely together while maintaining visibility. Add labels for easy identification or, stamp your images on a sheet of card stock and slide in the pocket with the set for quick identification. Once you’ve transferred your supplies to these durable pockets, keep them in a basket, binder, or clipped up for easy browsing.
We’re offering two handy sizes to accommodate all of your storage needs: the large size is perfect for 4″ x 6″ stamp sets and large sets of Die-namics while the smaller size will accommodate 3″ x 4″ stamp sets or Die-namics. These packs of 50 are an incredible value and a must-have if you’re serious about getting your supplies organized!
I have not personally checked either of these brands out for how well they’re made. Has anyone?
Myra says
I don’t know what ***** and giggles is! and I don’t think I need to! but why is that language necessary on anyone’s blog? I can’t speak for anyone else, but can we keep it clean? My 12 year old reads my craft emails before I do, and she was the first to comment. Thank you for your consideration.
Cathy Zielske says
Hello Myra,
Sorry to offend. That is a phrase I grew up with an reminds me of my family who I love very much. There will be language on this site from time to time, just a head’s up in the future. 🙂 I use language in my every day life. I use it here. I have some lines I do draw but I’m not trying to present something that I am not. 🙂
Lynne Rudolph says
Thanks, Cathy, your blog, your rules…and I love it! You make me laugh.
Nicola says
Oh Cathy, quite simply, you just crack me up every. single. time!
Leora says
I am “freaking our” as you say and I love this storage system. I, unfortunately, have several generations of storage system. This size of stamp sets, though, seems to be becoming a standard. This will be my NEW system for sure.
Thanks a ton,
Leora
Leora says
I mean “freaking OUT” of course. I must learn to proofread before hitting submit…
Cathy Zielske says
I welcome all typos. I think that’s pretty clear by everything I ever post online. 😉
Carol says
I might need to buy this stamp set simply for the phrase “I know him”! We use that Elf phrase all the time in December. Love it!!!
Ksenia says
Jennifer McGuire is so inspiring to do almost everything!