The number of places to find useful supplies and equipment is vast, and for leather craftsmen novice or advanced it can be difficult to find solutions to our needs that are budget friendly AND actually work! In this first of several "Favorite Things" post, I will share with you some of my favorite finds for organizing various items within my shop including leather, patterns, hardware, and tools. I will provide links to some items where possible and let you in on some secret sources for great shop materials! FYI, I do get paid if you purchase from one of my Amazon links, but I can assure you I am only linking it because I tried it and it WORKS!
I've always had a knack for thinking outside the box. I also have a lot of hobbies so sometimes I find something from one hobby that works well for another. I am also an extensive researcher when it comes to choosing a product. I search for the best prices as well as read reviews and compare. So hopefully I can save you some time AND money.
Book and Pattern Storage
This is a common subject I see on the leather groups. Organizing all your books, patterns, Craftaids, and templates can be a PAIN! I've done a lot of different things over the years and here are my go-tos:
Craftaid Storage: I originally started with this wall mounted document holder and it did a great job for a long time. It could hold 60 pages of templates and was expandable. I used this until my collection became so vast that I needed another option. I went to a set of XL Binders with heavy plastic sleeves. I found these clear Map Sleeves that work great for the half size Craftaids!
XL Format Doodle Pages and Books: I have a large collection of vintage Doodle Pages and really wanted to preserve them. Unfortunately their size make it difficult, but I found that I can trim them slightly to fit into an 11" x 17" clear sleeve and keep them in a large 11 x 17 binder! This also worked great for some of the long format books (but not all of them). I use these Magazine Holders for binders and have a separate binder that holds all of these books for easy access and reference. These also work for your regular size books!
Large Patterns and Templates: This is a hard one because I personally do a wide variety of leather craft. I have hard templates, plastic templates, and paper templates. I have several things I use to keep these organized. For my XL paper tagboard patterns I found these great Pattern Hooks and I am able to keep like-templates together and hang them easily. For similar small templates such as multiple spur strap patterns, these zip plastic bags are great! You can get them in many different sizes AND you can hang them using the previously mentioned Pattern Hooks. I also highly recommend investing in a long file drawer system if you ever come across one.
Tool Organization and Hardware Storage
I'm inevitably always reorganizing as I find new and neat tools to collect. There are some storage solutions that have always stuck around and that I go back to time after time.
Hardware Storage: I've used a ton of different storage bins, boxes, and drawers. I've done cheap and regretted it. I have settled with the Stanley Bin system and have bought 4 of them total. They are stackable and sturdy, with good drawers and you can put dividers in. The mix of large and small drawers are very handy as well.
Sewing Caddy: I came across this wood caddy some time ago and I've reorganized over and over but always end of keeping this setup. I made some of my own modifications but it's super handy for my hand sewing needs.
Hand Press Dies: these little buggers are a pain to keep organized in my opinion. I finally nailed it when I figured out that these Silicone Tool Organizers fit them PERFECTLY! I can organize them in pairs and easily access them for quick changes.
Quick Access Tool Slide-out: This is my own creation using these drawer slides attached to a
board top and bottom. I have it installed where I do most of my work at my table and I can easily access it. Yeah, I know... Genius....
Leather Storage and Organization
Small skins: This hanging Vinyl Roll holder is just right for storing small bits of leather, light hides, and small exotics. It can be hung in a number of places for easy access.
Large Hide Rolls: I have several ways to store large hides. My main one is used 6-8" PVC pipe I found used on FB Marketplace, cut into 2-3' section and stacked on each other. I secure them by drilling holes from one to another and attacking zip ties. I have also found that small shelving units like these are a great way to store hides lengthwise for simple access.
Scraps: I have a TON of scraps and in fact love to buy scrap packs at Hobby Lobby for on-hand variety. I built my own rolling 4' x 8' work table and made a shelf underneath to specifically hold scrap bins. I access them frequently and found that having them under the table is the most efficient. I can slide one out to dump scrap into or to search for something useful. I have these separated into different bins for veg, black leather, oil tans, and specialty.
Other Secret Places...
There are so many places to find unique and helpful items for your shop. Often buying common tools on a leather-specific website is may more expensive! Hear are some of my favorite places to find unique items for my shop:
Dollar Tree: Or should we say $1.25 tree? This is a great place for things like cheap stir sticks, containers, drawer organizers, and packaging supplies like tissue paper. I like their "party custlery" section for little plastic dishes and bowls that are great for paint, water, or small parts. They also have things in their craft section like the rubber glue erasers. Their tool section is great for zip ties and some hardware.
Harbor Freight: Um, yeah, my tool paradise! Scratch awls, hand tools, hammers like dead blow hammers, work benches. You get it...
Hobby Lobby and Other Craft Stores: Hobby Lobby has a small leather section and typically very basic stuff. BUT, I LOVE their scrap packs and they are cheap! They change frequently as well. I use craft stores for things like paint supplies, paper, lining fabrics, foams as well as my basics like cutting boards, rotary cutters, glues, tapes and some storage.
Goodwill and Second Hand shops: YEAH! YOU'RE MISSING OUT!! The world is your oyster if you just think outside the box! I have found magazine racks that I can organize small hides, desk organization, computer stands, fabrics, tools, and more. Great things to do and support upcycling!
Ikea: Ikea is great for shop organization for sure! Just check out their website! BUT if you go in person make sure you check out their clearance/return section by the checkout area. You can get desk table tops for a couple bucks, shelves, and other miscellaneous things while you enjoy your meatballs.
This is not by any means an exhaustive list, and I have so many more things to share with you! Check out my Video on my new YouTube channel showing you how I've used the above items in my shop and watch for the next post for some of my favorite tool finds!
Links in this article are affiliate links and I do get a small percentage if you make a purchase via that link ;) So help a girl out!
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