Every so often, I wake up on a Saturday morning feeling really antsy and twitchy.  A gut feeling comes over me, one that can only be described as “Yard Sale Fever”.

As a fiber and textile artist, I have a lot of supplies on hand.  Spinning requires roving, knitting and crochet require needles, hooks, and a hefty supply of yarn.  Sewing requires fabric, recycled wool beer coozies require a big stash of recycled sweaters.

And then there’s weaving…cone yarns, shuttles, tools, rags.

And dyeing…measuring cups and jars, scales, dyes, chemicals, mixers.

And felting, both wet and dry…mats, prep fabrics, needles, wool.

And of course vintage supplies like linens.

And trim.

Patterns.

Lace.

Scraps, of course.

And the mending pile.

And works in progress.

Catch my drift?

Perhaps the most important thing you should know is that we live in an 800 square foot house.  All four of us.  It’s really hard to make everything fit in here, despite the multitudes of organizing methods I’ve attempted.  Just when I get a system up and wobbling, the dead of winter comes and it’s time to add another hobby to the repertoire (that’s how I stay sane in our lengthy Montana winters).

I’m at an organizational standstill, unable to function and pursue anything new until the problem gets resolved.

Enter the itchy bargain finger.

Vintage milk baskets.  They stack when in use, they nest when idle.

They’re the perfect size for rolls of fabric, open so that wool can breathe, portable so I can tote them around the house or to classes, and I can see everything.  I have to be able to see everything because it’s how I stay organized.

Did you know that there are multiple organizing styles?  I’m serious.  It’s true.

If you’re having trouble staying organized, it might not be because you’re a mess.  You’re probably not using a system that works for you.

I have not been using a system that works for me.

I’ve tried file cabinets, boxes, cabinets, drawers, shelves, you name it.  There are two issues with every system I’ve employed:  if I can’t see it, it suddenly doesn’t exist; and there’s just not enough compartments, space, etc. to get the job done effectively.

Every solution has been a bandage on the sliding catastrophe known as my studio.  Currently, I have a work area (in the living room) and a storage area (a bedroom).  Every so often, I freak out, get rid of tons of stuff, realize that I needed a good portion of it, and am forced to re-supply.

Another bandage.

We live in a rental, so built-in shelving is not an option.  It would be a great solution but it’s just not feasible right now.  I have to find a permanent, yet mobile solution.

Like vintage milk crates.

Fifty of ‘em.

For twenty five bucks.

Score.

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