Create a Craft Room Index with a Bullet Journal
I have SO many craft supplies. Like seriously, so freaking many! I have a tendency to buy all these really cool totes and boxes and organizational supplies. Then I stuff my supplies in and never see them again! Then I end up buying the stuff I already have over and over! I decided it was time to take back my craft room! That is why I decided to create a craft room index with a bullet journal so that I could keep track of every supply I have! P.S. I also use the bullet journal to track and plan my craft projects!
Create a Craft Room Index with a Bullet Journal
Supplies:
Bullet Journal or Craft Room Index Printable
Colored Pencils, Markers, or Crayons
Instructions:
This is a very straight forward concept. The first step is to pull out all of your organizing bins. Then count them up, I had 13 bins various bins and containers.
Next using your cutting machine cut out one number for each bin. I cut 1 through 13. Apply one number to each bin.
Now pull out all of your supplies. As you put each item in a container write it down on a piece of paper and write which container it is in. Do this with each and every supply you have. I grouped my supplies by craft. For example I put embroidery floss with the needles, hoops, and embroidery patterns.
For containers like this tool box I put a label on each container inside the tool box and one on the top where the toolbox opens for storage. (P.S. if you have to have this toolbox like I did you can see it HERE!)
As you can see from the picture above I didn’t label or catalog the open boxes that hold my fabric because let’s be honest that is a whole different beast! There is NO cataloging fabric when it takes up my entire craft room closet!
The last step is to transfer the information into your bullet journal index. Here is how I set up the index. Arrange the supplies in alphabetical order. I encourage you to list the same supply under each name that you might look for it. For example: embroidery floss, floss, and thread. My memory is TERRIBLE and I will probably call a supply something different the very next day. Put it in all the places you might look for it and it will save you time and money, promise!
Then create a grid on the right of the page with a spot for the box number and the color. Along the bottom make a chart of the colors. Assign a color to each number. This gives you a great way to quickly reference where supplies are. If you look up floss and see that it is in the red four then you can easily find the rest of your embroidery supplies without having to search for each item by name. You can also quickly see what items are in the red four box just by browsing.
The layout continues as shown above. This is a working layout so I leave empty spots at each letter for future supplies that might need to be added! You don’t want to redo it each time you get a new supply!! For the real bullet journal expert go check out my sweet friend at Pageflutter!
If you don’t want to use a journal and you would rather just print out a craft room index (a sentiment that I totally get) then you can grab your free printable —> Craft Room Index Printable <—.
Would this layout help you with your craft room organization? Let me know in the comments below!
Nuria says
Hi, this is a good idea. Instead, I have a photo taken from all my supplies, arranged by theme, I mean, all my coloured elastic together, all my ribbons together, ric-rac… and so on. I have the photos on my smartphone and this way I can buy just what I need (my memory is terrible too!).
sewwhatalicia says
That is a great idea! I am embarrassed to tell you how many photos are on my phone so I would probably lose the photos too!!
OLIVIA MIRELES says
Great idea! I am in the middle of moving my sew room. This is a great idea. I have used the numbering technique with my threads so far. The neighbor girl is also creating a spreadsheet for me so that I know what thread, books, patterns and embroidery designs I have. Once I arrange the room I will create the index. Thanks!
Karen Pittman says
I also use numbered totes for my supplies.
I also store my craft magazines in totes (by name and in date order). I cut out the index pages and store them in notebooks with dividers showing the magazine name. Also I highlight any patterns, articles I am really interested in so I can find them quickly.
Thanks for the information and the index.