Keeping Your Beads Organized: Bead Storage Jars
If you are a beginner at bead jewelry making, you already know that your bead collection can get out of control quickly. Every bead artist needs storage for beads. Stacking bead storage jars are popular since each section has both a container and a lid for the section below it. You can reorganize your beads without taking them out of their bead storage container. Bead containers usually come in various sizes (for different bead sizes) and are made of sturdy, clear, high-impact plastic. Since you can easily see the contents, these storage containers are ideal. You can label if you need to, but just by being able to see what you have, you are already ahead of the game!
Light Weight Carrying Cases
For durable, lightweight and portable containers, visit your local sporting goods or fishing tackle store. Tackle boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are relatively inexpensive. You could even have one for each project!
Bead Storage Container Options
Bead storage can be made easy with the right bead container. Look for a bead storage container in small and medium sizes or in single or double configurations. A good bead storage container is clear and allows stacking of same-size caddies. They should come with labels for marking size, style, material or cost of the beads inside. Find a bead container where you can remove the cap and pour out beads from one section of the container while the other beads stay in their own compartments. You will only frustrate yourself and curb your creativity if you try digging beads out of a container with only one lid.
The Benefits of Plastic Bead Storage Bags
There are many benefits bead storage in plastic storage bags. For example, bead storage can be made easy if you create a filing system by lining up your small plastic bags in divided storage drawers. Mark your bags with a Sharpie. Bags also come in a huge range of sizes: 2x2", 2x3", 3x3", etc. Bags are also easy to find (available online) and pretty inexpensive. They are helpful for bead storage and for separating findings and other beading supplies. Plastic bags keep beads and other items clean and organized. For example, sterling silver doesn't tarnish as quickly when sealed away from air inside a Zip lock bag. Bags are lightweight and pliable--great for packing. Plastic bags are even a great place to put finished jewelry for shipping.
Bead Storage Trays
Plastic bead storage trays are great for handling small beads, findings and other loose beading items. These trays have a triangular shape that allow you to slide a flat side along your work surface to easily pick up tiny beads. Once the beads are in the tray, you can easily pour them into a bag or other storage container because the triangular corners function as a scoop or funnel. They have a lightweight design is perfect for quick organization and great for displaying sample beads at bead or craft shows.
A Tic Tac Box Makes a Great Bead Storage Container
If you¡¯re looking for a convenient and inexpensive bead storage container, try a Tic Tac box. Tic Tac containers make a perfect bead storage box. They are perfect for storing Seed Beads as well as other small jewerly findings. Just carefully pry the top off and fill the box with all of your beads. The flip top makes them easy to pour as well. After saving your Tic Tac containers, you can fit them neatly in a bead storage case for easy access and portability.
My Favorite Storage Containers
My favorite storage containers are those multi-compartment plastic boxes. They come in a variety of sizes and some even have removable dividers, so you can choose the size of your compartments. You can store everything from seed beads to accent beads, findings, tubes, hanks, and plastic baggies.
Beadworking Center on a Budget
Are you short on space and money, but still want to have a place to store your beads and work on your beading projects? By watching for sales and frequenting thrift stores, you can put together a wonderful beading center.
One method of storing beads is simply using small zip lock bags or bead storage bags and then organizing them in a shallow box or tray. The 2"x2" size is a handy one for most smaller beads. Depending on where you buy your beads, you may get bags of this size when you make your purchase - or you can buy a hundred new bags for a couple dollars.
The hardware store can be a good source for a storage container. Try one of those racks with the little plastic drawers - or a fishing tackle box. Most have compartments that are great for lining up the 2" ziplocks.
If you use small seed beads (6/0 and smaller) you may want to use the tiny plastic tubes or vials for storage instead. They improve your ability to pour the beads out and funnel them back into the container.
A Clear Bead Storage Container can Provide Creative Inspiration!
Whether you are a master bead worker or just starting out, you will discover that your choice of bead storage container can affect your creativity. By choosing clear plastic containers for bead storage, you can easily view the different beads in your storage boxes. This is an excellent way to develop creative inspiration. Some designers will move their bead storage containers in different color patterns to derive their motivation for new projects. You may also discover that just one bead will capture your attention and become the central focal point for your next masterpiece!
Transporting Your Ceramic Trays
Here?s a tip I learned many years ago when I took a class from Virginia Blakelock, author of Those Bad, Bad Beads: Try a pistol case (turn the foam pieces inside over so you have two flat surfaces) for transporting ceramic trays and you don?t have to put away your beads! Just cover the tray with a piece of aluminum foil, put the tray in the case, close the lid and you?re ready to go!
Stacking Plastic Containers for Projects
These come about six to a package and are available in most craft stores. They are relatively inexpensive and are great for keeping beads together for a project. Be very careful to screw them together tightly and check the threading often. If they get knocked to the ground and they are not tightly sealed, you will have beads everywhere.
Bead Storage Tip
A tip for the bead jewelry enthusiast using plastic bags as a bead container: A plastic bag makes a good bead storage container, but have your beads every tried to jump out when you open the bag? If you blow lightly into the bead container bag, moisture from your breath will make those jumpers calm down enough for you to pour them out. By controlling the velocity and the number of beads coming out, your beads won't get out of control.
Flip Top Boxes
Flip Top boxes aren?t just for Tic Tacs any more! They are also available in a variety of sizes for bead storage. They are the perfect solution for seed beads because they pour easily into your bead tray by simply opening the flip top. When it?s time to put your beads away, just pull off the whole lid and use your favorite bead scoop to put them back in.
Small Bead Storage
Do you have a lot of stock small beads, like seed beads in your collection? Are you sick of trying to keep track of them in plastic bags or some other quick organizational fix? One slick method is a bead container called a tri-tube. A tri-tube is a small, clear plastic tube bead container with a plug lid. You can easily see what's inside, can dispense just a few beads at a time, and the triangular shape makes it impossible for the tube to roll away like a round tube can. Eyepins and headpins work perfectly in this bead storage container and the tubes prevent pins from getting bent. These bead storage tubes can stand upright or be stacked in a small box.
Storing Hanks of Beads
Tack a piece of wire mesh fencing or hardware cloth to two 1X2?s, cut to the width of the fencing. Add shower curtain hooks and you have a great place to hang hanks or other strung beads.