Envelope #34

January 3, 2014

Organization Part2

A couple of people have asked me about my lists and organization obsession regarding my art supplies and craft materials so I decided to share some of my organizational techniques with you.

There are two main types of organizational methods that I use--electronic and non-electronic methods. The electronic methods are primarily used for when I am away from home and I need to reference something at home. This mainly has to do with craft/art supplies. I usually will use the Notes feature on my Apple products (iPad or iPhone). These are simply lists of products (like colors, or manufacturers ID numbers, etc.).

One list that I find helpful are the lists for my colored pencils. Prismacolor already provides a definitive list of colors and ID numbers so I simply use that list. As mentioned previously, Crayola provides no such list and I had to develop my own list and numbering system.

Crayola Colors

Similarly, Micron provides a comprehensive list of their colors and manufacturer's ID numbers. The problem that I have with this list is that they include all tip sizes and I only use the .05 tip. Also, because the print on the barrel of the pen is so small, I have placed a piece of masking tape on the barrel and written the ID number for quick reference. While in the store, this list becomes very helpful because I have found that many employees (or patrons) really don't care where they place the pens after looking at them. I have come home on many occasions with the wrong pen.

Micron Colors

Labeled Micron Pen

I am also a huge fan of Excel Spreadsheets and use them often. For me, it is probably one of the most helpful electronic tools that I use. I have a collection of ink pads, ink pad inks, acrylic inks and watercolor inks that I use quite often. Keeping track of them and how much of each that I have/need can be a daunting task. I have entered all of this information on a spreadsheet that helps me keep track. Once a month, I will take out the plastic bin(s) that contain each of these items and do an inventory and will then update my lists. I will then make a running shopping list of the items that are getting low. When I go shopping, I will only use this shopping list so I don't buy unnecessary or duplicate supplies in the spur of the moment excitement of art/craft supply buying.

Watercolor Spreadsheet

I am also a big fan of apps that help with organizational matters. I use the My Library app to catalog the books in my library. This is an invaluable tool because it lets you use your cell phone/iPad camera to scan the bar code to enter the information for that book. I usually buy my craft books online so I use this quick feature to check to see if I already own the book. When I happen to go to a physical book store, this is a handy reference.

My Library app page

For non-electronic organizing I have two journals that I use to keep track of things. The first is my Idea Book. It is a spiral journal that keeps book/craft/art ideas that interest me. I used to subscribe to too many craft and card magazines and I was overrun by them. Instead, I would color copy the pages that would interest me and I would then place them in my Idea Book.

Card Ideas

Another use for my Idea Book was to store my ink pad swatches and brass stencil collections. When working on projects using ink pads, it is helpful for me to see how each of the inks will react. I made several swatches (organized in color families) and placed them in this book for each reference. Also, I made copies of my brass stencils so I could have an easy reference when looking for ideas or to prevent from duplicating purchases.

ink swatches

brass stencils collections

My second journal is my Recipe Book. It contains the details of all of my completed projects so I can replicate them if I decide to do so. Once all of the mock ups have been completed and a final version of a project is done, I will notate the necessary information in the Recipe Book for future reference. Also included in this journal are the colored pencil color swatches that I mentioned previously.

Card notations

Color Pencil Project Swatch

Envelope # 33

February 2, 2014

Envelope #32

February 1, 2014

Month two begins with a drunken mess. Didn't start this until after I had a night of drinking. Not my best effort but at least it was completed.

Envelope #31

January 31, 2014

Today's lesson was blending colored pencils. These are Crayola colored pencils.

Organization and New Colored Pencils

I have been known to be anal retentive regarding my art/craft supplies. Many of my friends laugh at me regarding my lists, sample books and other organizational methods that I use to try and remember what supplies I have.

For example, I just purchased a new box of 50 Crayola Colored pencils for my 365 project. I was currently using a set of 12 pencils and I wanted to expand on the colors that I was using. Rather than carry around my tin of Prismacolor pencils (which can be quite expensive to use on a daily basis), I found these pencils on sale; I also had a coupon which made them less than $6 including tax. I just couldn't pass up the deal so I bought them.

One of my pet peeves regarding colored pencils is that they label each color (which I like) but they use a font so small that it is difficult to read it. With Crayola, they also use a gold foil for the lettering which makes it even more difficult to read. Finally, if you use your pencils often and sharpen them, many times the color designation will become obsolete so it becomes very difficult to replace that pencil (Crayola doesn't sell individual pencils but with Prismacolor pencils, which are sold individually, this becomes important.)

To alleviate this problem, I take a small numbered sticker and place it on each pencil with cellophane tape (the stickers will not stay on without the tape). I then create a spreadsheet or list that states the sticker number and the corresponding color. When I am working with artwork, I will notate these numbers so I can reference them later.

Since I will be using these pencils for my 365 project, I need them to be portable so I simply place them in a gallon Ziploc bag which makes them very portable.

New Pencils in a Ziploc Bad

To complete this total project, I spent about 45 minutes from beginning to end (including the sharpening of all of the pencils). All in all, not a bad investment of time considering the benefits.

Pencil Detail

Envelope #30

January 30, 2014

Roses

Envelope #29

January 29, 2014

Envelope #28

January 28, 2014

Iron Craft 2014 Challenge #2--Traveling Art/iPad Box (Project 4)

Closed box.

For Challenge #2 we were asked to make something to do with organization. In 2012, I made a clamshell box to hold my iPad. I talked about it here. The box was a result from a challenge from Kat to make a container for an iPad or electronic reader. After almost two years, the box was showing some wear and tear. Since it was only made of board and paper, I decided to redesign the construction.

Lately, I had been using it as a traveling case for my markers and envelopes so I could work on my 365 project while on the subway. It was sturdy and provided a great surface upon which to make my envelope doodles.

To update the box, I make it out of board and library book cloth so that it would withstand daily use. I made it a little bulkier so I could carry my markers, envelopes, and colored pencils. When I need to, I can still use it to carry my iPad and in the empty space I can place my reading glasses.

Open Box

The interiors of the box uses one of my favorite Japanese paper designs. I decided to be a little selfish since this project is for myself. I have used this paper sparingly because I will no longer be able to replace it once I have used it all. This was the last remnant and I decided to use it for this box.

iPad Holder

I am really happy with the way that this box turned out and it makes me smile every time that I use it. Opening it up to find my hidden surprises inside is a great way to start my morning commute.

Traveling art supplies

Envelope #27

January 27, 2014

This was a practice on consistency. Consistency in line shape, thickness and spacing. 

Homemade Valentine's Day Card Swap--Part3

Here is another card I am considering for the Homemade Valentine's Day Card Swap that I mentioned in other posts. I have one more that I am considering so I will have to make up my mind soon. I have two weeks to send these out--as soon as I get my addresses.

Envelope #26

January 26, 2014

Another study in line work and black/white. I started with the eight little boxes and then couldn't contain myself.

Envelope #25

January 25, 2014

A black and white kind of day.

Envelope #24

January 24, 2014

A heart divided.

Envelope #23

January 23, 2014

Today's envelope is sponsored by the Oval.

Homemade Valentine's Day Card Swap--Part2

In a previous post, I mentioned the Valentine Mail Swap that I have joined. The above card is the second card that I am considering for this swap.

Envelope #22

January 22, 2014

Today's envelope is titled Waves and is sponsored by The French Curve.

Project #3--Flat Back Journal

Final Project-- Flat Back Journal

This week's project is a coordinated project for the Iron Craft Challenge that is due next week. I had some leftover materials from that project (I will share it with you next week on reveal day) and I was already in the studio so I decided to make something with the materials. I hate wasting materials but I also hate inventorying materials as well. Therefore, I try and make stuff with whatever bits and pieces that I have around being unused.

This is a pre-made text block from Hollander's (which is one of my favorite online supply stores). It is the medium sized Diary block. The pages are approximately 4.75 inches by 6.5 inches. There is a one day spread for each day. Since the pages only have the month and date printed this would work for any time of the year. I plan on using this for my gym journal to keep track all my exercises.

Add caption

The Nordic Blue Book Cloth a remnant from the previous project. I decided to do a 3/4 binding since I was running short of this piece of book cloth. The Blue Crane paper is from a larger sheet of paper that I brought from Japan. It is one of my favorite patterns and I have used it sparingly since I can no longer replace it. Since this was a project for myself, I decided to be a little selfish and use the last pieces of the paper.

The end sheets are pieces that were left over from project mock ups. It is a blue wood grain paper that was not used in the previous project. I wanted something different than the Crane paper but that would coordinate with it. I only needed two small pieces for the end sheets so this was a perfect fit.

End Sheets

It has been a while since I have made one of these journals so it was good to get back in the saddle with this project--especially since it only had to please myself. While it isn't a perfect sample, I am pleased with the way it turned out.

Envelope #21

January 21, 2014