We’ve been discussing how to organize your space in attractive ways, without breaking the bank. You’ve already been introduced to my ideas for creating labels, and now I want to explain an easy way to organize pencils and other things in your hobby room or home office.
These holders will organize pencils, pens, highlighter, markers, and more, allowing for display in a pleasing manner. Because they are so easy and affordable to make, you can have a separate holder for each group of items. A pencil holder will add charm to your workspace, especially when created to match the décor of the room.
Alternatively, a pencil holder can be made as a way to decorate your work space for a holiday or season.
Materials
Aluminum can, cleaned and dried, with a smooth edge
Tape measure
Paper cutter
Decorative edged scissors (optional)
Scrapbook paper, 2 colors
Adhesive
Stickers or other embellishments
Choose paper colors to match the decor in the area where the holder will be used, or the occasion you’ll be celebrating. One sheet should be light, the other a medium to dark color.
Measure the can height, and then measure around it. Add ¼ inch to the second number.
Use the paper-cutter to measure and cut the light-colored sheet of paper to size.
Glue this sheet of paper around the can by first gluing one end to the can, then overlapping the other end and gluing it in place.
Allow to dry completely.
Using the second number again, cut 2 pieces of dark-colored paper to a ½ inch height using the paper-cutter or decorative edged scissors.
Adhere these to the top and bottom edges of the light-colored paper that was glued to the can, using the same method as above.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
Choose stickers and/or other embellishments to match your décor, an upcoming holiday, or the season.
Look at the can and decide where you want to place each item.
Adhere them in a flattering manner to the areas of your choice.
Place the pencils or other items into the pencil holder, and place it on the desk.
Example: A spring-themed pencil holder may include stickers depicting grass, flowers, and the sun, or butterflies and dragonflies above a pond. An ocean theme would include sand, waves, and seashells.
Alternatively: Use patterned paper rather than embellishments, or paint decorations onto the paper.
Are you working to get your hobby room, home office, or another area of your home organized? For me, it’s the kitchen. An organized space is a tidy space, and provides easy access to whatever is needed.
If you are a scrapbooker or are into other paper crafts, you likely have paper scraps that you can use to make the labels with. Attach labels to boxes, binders, and more. I’m going to make mine for labeling the herbs I dry and put into jars.
You can make labels to put on a number of organizers, including baskets, photo boxes, file cabinets, hat boxes, plastic storage totes, and pencil boxes, that will allow you to organize each space in your home.
NOTE: You do not have to laminate these if you don’t want. Simply delete that item from the materials list, and leave out that step in the directions.
Materials
Measuring tape
Card stock
Paper cutter
Adhesive
Stickers and/or other embellishments
Markers in your choice of colors
Laminate
Measure the front of the container you’ll be making the label for, to determine the size you want to make.
Decide on a card stock size big enough to adhere a sticker or other embellishment to the front of, and that will allow you to write in letters big enough to be read easily.
Choose a light-colored card stock to match the room the organizers will be placed in.
Use a paper-cutter to measure and cut out however many labels you’ll need, in the size you want. Make sure the blade of the cutter is sharp enough so that the cuts are clean.
Use a dark-colored card stock that will also go with the area as a background. Use the paper-cutter again, this time to measure and cut the card stock ¼ to 1/3 inches bigger around than the labels you just cut out.
Glue the light-colored labels to the dark-colored backgrounds, making sure the labels are centered onto each of the darker-colored pieces of card stock.
Allow these to dry thoroughly.
Adhere a sticker or other embellishment to each card. Mix these up so you have some labels with an embellishment on either the left or the right, or keep them uniform by placing one on the same side of each label. Or place a small embellishment to each edge. Whatever you prefer.
Choose a dark-colored marker, such as green, black, or blue, to finish the labels. Write the name of the item for each container on its’ corresponding label. Use clear print or script, so the labels are easy to read.
Cut two pieces of laminate for each label. Cover the front of each with one piece, and adhere the second piece to the back, so the edges stick together. Trim around the edges of the laminate to be sure everything is even.
Adhere a label to each drawer with tape or another adhesive.
After reading the Extreme Couponing book, and checking out a bunch of blogs, I decided it was time to begin couponing in earnest. I have always been one to use a coupon here and there, but never took the time to really plan out a trip with coupons in mind.
In all honesty, I still do not necessarily plan around coupons in a big way. But I am doing so minimally, more so than before. I will likely build on my couponing skills as time goes by and I get more used to the process.
I did take a couple of hours the other day to set up my couponing system, and am glad to have that out-of-the-way. With my coupons organized, I am able to more easily find what coupons I need when I am shopping.
Below are the steps I took to set up my system.
NOTE: I was not paid or asked to promote books, websites, authors, or other products in this post here on the blog. I simply purchased and/used the products and visited the sites.
I first watched some of the Extreme Couponing shows on TLC. These shows interest me in that the people are able to buy so much for so little money. One young mother, living with family, did not have to burden her family with so many financial needs. Another woman’s family donates so much food and other items to members of her community, she is able to get her fans involved. It is truly amazing.
This prompted me to buy the book.
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
Joni Meyer-Crothers did an excellent job writing the book, and explaining all that is involved with couponing. The book helped me to understand the couponing process more, and gave me the boost needed to start down the couponing path I am now on.
The book explains different types of coupon organization systems. For instance, many people use binders with index dividers to separate categories, and plastic see-through sports card pages for the coupons.
After reading this book, I had a real good idea of the system that I wanted to set up.
I then went on to Amazon.com and ordered my organizer.
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
This is a simple poly 13 pocket coupon organizer, with tabs and inserts for labeling, and an extra pocket in the front to hold gift and reward cards.
It looks like this on the inside:
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
Once I had the organizer in my possession, I set aside a couple of hours to set up my system.
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
I already had a bunch of coupons cut out. They had resided in a paper envelope, that was badly in need of replacement. The coupons were not organized in the least.
I also had a bunch of inserts I still hadn’t gone through, and a few magazines with good coupons in them.
First, I threw out all the expired coupons. On reflection, I will most likely be looking for a base to send these to in the future.
Then I grouped still usable coupons by like products. For example, hair care products in one pile, cleaning products in another. I had quite the number of piles when I finished.
Next, I went through the inserts and the magazines, cutting out the coupons I might actually use if I find a good enough deal on the products. I placed these coupons on the proper piles, and added a few more groups of coupons to my collection.
I then had to decide how to combine these piles in a way that made the most sense to me.
There were thirteen pockets to work with, and that was all.
I made a list. (Yes, I am a list person.)
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
In case you are unable to read the list in the photograph, here it is:
Front Pocket: Gift Cards, Rewards Cards
1. (Shopping) List, Current Coupons (The coupons I will use during that trip. If I will be visiting more than 1 store, I will have a list for each with the correct coupons paper clipped to each.
2. Mainly Paleo (I consume a mostly Paleo diet, so this section is important for me. There are not always good coupons for this diet, so I look extra hard for them.)
3. Herbs, Spices, Condiments (Again, I use mainly Paleo versions, but there is not always such a version for what I need, and I do not always have the time to make something from scratch. So half the coupons are not for Paleo items, but are for things I will use if I have to – once in a while.)
4. Other Foods (A Paleo diet can be an expensive way to eat. When funds are low, I will eat non Paleo foods. That is what this section in my coupon organizer is for. I try to buy items from this category, but the coupons are good to have on hand just in case.)
5. Paper, Plastic, etc. (Trash bags, toilet paper, etc.)
6. Office Supplies (I am a writer.)
7. Cleaning
8. Vitamins, Meds, etc. (First aid as well.)
9. Shaving, Deodorant, etc.
10. Shampoo, Body wash, etc.
11. Other products (Household, clothing, etc.)
12. Restaurants (I usually order food once a week for dinner at work, trying to keep it as close to Paleo as I can.)
13. Store coupons, Receipts
So then I had to fill out the little tab inserts, slide them into the tabs, and place the coupons into the correct pockets. Easy peasy!
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
And I have that little front pocket to put the reward and gift cards into. I also kept the extra tab inserts, in case I decide to change the pocket labels at a later date.
Photograph by Shannon L. Buck copyright 2014
It really was an easy system to set up, and I am happy to have it available to bring shopping with me.
Tell us about your coupon system, or tell us about why you haven’t set one up yet. Maybe we can help!
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