Colored pencil storage

[piecesandpom]

I'm devouring Cecile Baird's 'Painting Light with Colored Pencils' book and she stores her pencils in a homemade tote made out of placemats. I can do that, just have to see if I have enough elastic in my stash or if I have to go get some. I probably even have an old tablecloth that I can cut down to make the front and back covers, bottom, and side and top handles. I'm really liking this idea!

I can't store my pencils in jelly jars or some such to enable me to keep them out and see the range of colors. Two of my cats climb up on tables, counters, etc., and they get particularly excited when pom is playing with them.

[donnarie]

I have almost bought that book about a dozen times. Since you say that you're devouring it, I'm thinking that you like the book muchly. I'll have to make it a point to get a copy next time I'm in a book-buying mood!

That pencil tote sound really interesting...please share a pic if you make one...pretty please!

[teena]

ok...this officially does it...lol.

When I saw the title of this thread, I mis-read and thought it said colored pencil SHORTAGE...rofl!!!

Phew...lol.

Bifocals...can't live without 'em, can't live with 'em!!! :D

Teena

PS--I just bought some metallic markers last night...and they were in a nifty clear case that doubles as a desk holder.

So i am thinking clear jar for a pencil/pen/marker holder...or even a clear plastic jar or jug to avoid breaking a glass jar...:)

Just a thought...

[alsmouse]

So i am thinking clear jar for a pencil/pen/marker holder...or even a clear plastic jar or jug to avoid breaking a glass jar...:)

Just a thought...

If you are going to do a plastic jar of jug, remember the weight of the pencils may tip it over. You might want to put marbles or sand in the bottom inch to give it a heavier base. HTH
I keep mine in a large plastic cake carrier. I sort them by color families & use $ tree hairbands to keep them together. Previous rats have loved the smell/taste of pencils so I have to keep them stashed or end up with odd shaped pencils with colored shavings everywhere. Plus cleaning their cage has been a 'colorful' experience.:shock:
~C8>

[piecesandpom]

I'm doing this book in small chunks and I got it from our town library. I pulled another one and felt like it went over much of the info I already learned in a class at the LSS. Guess I'm going to request the book that's been mentioned here so many times as I don't have the $s to buy books right now.

Colored pencils and markers have meandered all over the place in my house ever since the girls were little and we've always had cats. Every time we try to purge our family room downstairs more crayola types keep appearing! This just sounds like it will do the trick for me as the elastic should mean pieces can't pull them out and push them off the table.

I'll post a pic once I get this done. But then I'll have the chore of figuring out how I want to pack them in it - favorites and then color families, just color families, lights to darks (nope, I'll possibly mistake the color family), just scatter so I have more inspiration? :)

[Spideycindy]

I received a lovely flower arrangement long ago that was a lower pot base with a angel perched next to it. The flowers are long gone but the pot was perfect to put a mason pint sized wide mouth jar into it. It is not tipping anywhere and many of my pencils are there tip side up and ready to go. I also got another lower large square sized vase that had arranged flowers it it clear glass and it also holds so much more. I arrange more or less by color family and pull out and use what I need and then record the colors if warranted and put them back. I love to see the color sitting out and my desk is huge and so far no critter troubles with them. The latest square glass container is base heavy and thick and in fact I have colored tissue to take up the extra space for now...lol Being clear I can see all the colors and love it very much!
Karen I am so sorry you cannot have the colors out to enjoy but do understand protecting them at all costs...lol
precious tools!
Spidey

[fab]

I have a set of prismacolors, bought on sale long ago, that came in a cloth holder much like you describe. It rolls and ties. I have used color families for placement. This is the set that goes with me if I'm going somewhere and need the colored pencils along. I also have a partioned desk carousel with more pencils and some pens sorted in color families too.

[TheAfricanQueen]

Right now, I have a big coffee cup that holds all of my colored pencils. I've looked for a case, but haven't found anything that I really truly have to have. That tote you mention Karen, sounds particularly intriguing. I'd love to make something that kind of stands up in an A frame style.

I love Arlene Steinberg's Masterful Color. She highly suggested making your own color wheel, which I did and it gave me a far better understanding of the pencils in my repertoire. I also have Bet Borgeson's Color Pencil. It was a good foundation for Arlene's book.

Has anyone here joined the Colored Pencil Society of America?

[fab]

I have not joined that. But I do have a very old set of colored pencils (from my schooldays) that came in an easel type box. It was very convenient to use. There are some easel backs on the market that you can stick on the back of things to make them stand. That might be a posibility for creating your own container. Just don't buy the easel too small to support the container.

[stampin stacy]

My Prisma pencils I keep in the original tin they came in but I did reorganize them by color group. I can take the 3 trays out of the tin and fan them out before me while using them. Once I'm done I re-stack them into the tin and then place that back in the drawer until ready to use again. Having them tucked away also discourages others from being tempted to use them.

I do have a number of other brands of pencils that I have "collected" over the years including some brands I got as a teenager that are no longer around. These too are by color group and below is a pic of how I have them, cheap but very usable & handy.

empty TP rolls, not just for kids puppets/projects..... :p

[piecesandpom]

Hubby was wondering what I was reading last night and I showed him the amazing artwork in the book, and also let drop that it looked as though I was going to have to invest in the Verithin pencils! :)) Guess that means I need to leave room in my placemat container for additional pencils! I was getting lots of affirmation for some of my own experiments with the pencils so I understand why some of us are so excited about the wonderful books out there.

I'm kicking myself for not borrowing this sooner. . .one of my Xmas cards designs would have been even better if I'd used a couple of the techniques I've now read about.

[Spideycindy]

My Prisma pencils I keep in the original tin they came in but I did reorganize them by color group. I can take the 3 trays out of the tin and fan them out before me while using them. Once I'm done I re-stack them into the tin and then place that back in the drawer until ready to use again. Having them tucked away also discourages others from being tempted to use them.

I do have a number of other brands of pencils that I have "collected" over the years including some brands I got as a teenager that are no longer around. These too are by color group and below is a pic of how I have them, cheap but very usable & handy.

empty TP rolls, not just for kids puppets/projects..... :p
Wow that would work better than the tissue paper I currently use and we certainly throw out several rolls...great idea and thanks for sharing Stacy!

[fab]

I too was impressed with the clever use of the cardboard tubes for storage. Seems you also cut a few short ones to handle the stubby ones.

[Inky Whiskers]

I have a brief case like thingie for artists with pockets for stuff & elastic loops for pencils etc. I added what I think was supposed to be a marker holder with elastic loops that folds out into a triangle to set on the table. This combo holds all of my standard Prismas (I think I have them all now.) & my Spectras arranged by color. In 2 tins that fit in one of the pockets I keep the Grays; in the other metallics & other neutrals. I keep my sharpener, eraser & stubbs in the other pocket. This set up is great for travel, but not so good for daily use. :D

[stampin stacy]

Thank you but I can't take all the credit, it's actually an adapted Carol Duval show idea. They took the tubes and hot glued them to foam core board or something similar. That was too much time and effort that could be spent stamping and I already had the empty metal planter, so I just placed them in, sorted by color and I was ready to go. It's heavy enough that it won't tip over too.

BTW, I too would love to see your placemat pencil holder once completed :D.

[StamPoor]

I store my colored pencils, Marvy markers, and Copics in square plastic containers (2 1/4 sq. x 5" high) that fit snugly next to each other on an expandable 3-tiered plastic shelf (originally meant for spices) which uses minimal desk space. Each container easily holds 35 pencils, 15 markers or 12 Copics. Provo Craft makes the ones sold at Michael's.

[TheAfricanQueen]

Thank you but I can't take all the credit, it's actually an adapted Carol Duval show idea. They took the tubes and hot glued them to foam core board or something similar. That was too much time and effort that could be spent stamping and I already had the empty metal planter, so I just placed them in, sorted by color and I was ready to go. It's heavy enough that it won't tip over too.

BTW, I too would love to see your placemat pencil holder once completed :D.

I can understand why they used a foam core board. That way if you 'drop' your pencil in the tube, you won't break the lead somewhere in the body of the pencil.

Still, I really love what you did with your tp tubes.

[fab]

You could cut a piece of foam core to lay in the bottom of the tub or maybe put a double layer of recycled bubble wrap in the bottom to save the points.

[alsmouse]

"empty TP rolls, not just for kids puppets/projects....."
Thank heavens for Costco monster packs of TP.:D

You could cut a piece of foam core to lay in the bottom of the tub or maybe put a double layer of recycled bubble wrap in the bottom to save the points.

Maybe the firmer foam sheet used for shipping might be better since it has more 'bounce' than foam core.The bubble wrap has too much space between the bubbles to protect the points. ~C8>

[stampin stacy]

The one's I store this way aren't the fragile Prisma's and I never thought about padding the inside, great idea! I'll bet I could find some craft foam around here somewhere. The advantage of having or in my case having had a grade school age child, there are always left over bits of crafting stuff around.

[piecesandpom]

I'm chuckling. My youngest surely has a hodge podge of crafting stuff but she won't let me near it. We never seem to have enough storage containers, etc.

[LorraineB]

I don't like to mix brands. I bought 3 zippered cases which are just for pencils and pens. They have individual elastic bands to keep the pencil in it's place and the cases are pretty flat so they don't take up alot of storage. Unfortunately I don't recall where I got them and there's no name on the cases so I can't even give you a clue as to who makes them.

[Timbo]

Mine is along the lines of Stacy's. I used 1" pvc pipe and built one of old chestnut and the others out of mahogany. Keep the Verithins in a box. I don't use them as much as I thought I would.

[LorraineB]

The cases I bought are the "Crop In Style" Pen Caddy. It has 75 elastic loops with 3 different sized loops, and is a trifold case. When you're actually using it it opens up and velcro makes it triangular and it stays in an upright position and becomes a stand so that all the pencils are facing you and are easily accessible. The only thing I don't like about it is that in order to keep it closed when storing it, I have to put rubberbands around it to keep it closed. Other than that it's pretty good.

[stampin stacy]

Timbo I love the rustic wood you used on the left one, very cool looking.

The PVC pipe is a great idea, I'll bet they stay put better than my idea although my idea was more or less free. The cardboard tubes do tend to creep up and I'm always having to push then back down into place. I do have 2 glue guns, just too lazy to get one of them out and use one to fix the creeps. :))

[fab]

I think the thinner walls of the cardboard tubes lets them hold more pencils. The PVC is more durable but naturally bulkier. Both can work nicely depending on your needs and the quantity of pencils, pens, markers you store.

[Timbo]

I think the thinner walls of the cardboard tubes lets them hold more pencils. The PVC is more durable but naturally bulkier. Both can work nicely depending on your needs and the quantity of pencils, pens, markers you store.

Depends on what gauge PVC pipe you're talking about as well . I have a friend who uses the thin walled stuff for irrigation systems and he saves the scraps for me.

Thanks Stacy!

[fab]

Having a good friend is worth gold!

[clarkpc456]

I LOVE the toilet paper roll idea!!!
My idea is in a glass, clear jar because I have to see things to know what I have, BUT the toilet paper roll is so good, I'm going to change!!!

[stampin stacy]

Another convert :p

I am visual too but they are short and you can sort colors too.

[Timbo]

I LOVE the toilet paper roll idea!!!
My idea is in a glass, clear jar because I have to see things to know what I have, BUT the toilet paper roll is so good, I'm going to change!!!

For me glass is a bad idea.. I'm clumsy and we have kids too! I was using plastic cups for awhile.

I use the toilet paper rolls to put big fishing lures (Zara Spooks) when I go fishing. They work great!

[alsmouse]

I'm switching to the TP rolls but I'm getting mine from work since they are the industrial size ones [4" across!!:shock:]. So far the cleaning crew have dropped off 8 & I expect more. If you work in a place with the industrial TP dispensers ask the cleaning staff for them. The rolls are 3" hi & sturdy to boot. I may give up my glass jars of pens for these. ~C8>

[michelle328]

Wow, lots of great, inventive ideas here! When I got my 120 set of Prismas, I knew I had to have them more "available" than in the tin. I went to the thrift store and bought several cute coffee mugs for about a quarter a piece, and keep them tip up, according to color family. They line up along the back of my desk and don't take much room, but I can see them easily.

[fab]

And you benefitted a local charity to boot!

[Inky Whiskers]

Dang! All this talk of easy pencil access is making me want to set my pencils up to be used more. :lol: Maybe when I move my crapht romm later this year...

[Darci Simmons]

I didn't have enough paper rolls, so I cut them in half, and now MY colored pencils are organized in my small crocks! Yahoo! Thanks for the great ideas! I was ALWAYS sifting thru ALL my pencils looking for the right colors. I NEVER even tho't of organizing them (DUH!) until this thread appeared. :)) :clap: for you smarties on RSC :clap:

[fab]

The half tubes are really good when the pencils get short.

[Inky Whiskers]

Hmmm...I don't currently have enough desk space for a container of tubes to be out all the time, but if I tape a bunch of tubes together & put them into a storage box that's deep enough to hold the pencils up right, that might work! :D

[fab]

Most boxes are not deep enough but a clever person could turn a box on its side and create a container of more depth. Use the former lid to cover the side that formerly was the top. The new top could be left to hinge up as needed.

[stampin stacy]

Besides being easier to use when sorted by color, they also look nice that way too don't they.

Mine aren't always in front of me. They actually live on top of an Iris cart near by, handy for the grabbing when needed but out of the way when not in use.

[Susanlhl]

You all have such great ideas!

I saw something that may take a bit less desk space as it goes up rather than taking up a big footprint - it was a pyramid stack of PVC pipes on their sides, all hot glued together and the whole lot tied up with a large ribbon as a decoration. It was for pen/pencil storage and I am thinking about trying that.

(To make the pyramid, glue 4 tubes together for the bottom, then stack 3 on top for the next row and glue, then 2, then 1 on top).

[stampin stacy]

The pyramid would be great for markers and gel pens especially. Hope you share with us Susan if you do decide to make one.

[alsmouse]

You all have such great ideas!

I saw something that may take a bit less desk space as it goes up rather than taking up a big footprint - it was a pyramid stack of PVC pipes on their sides, all hot glued together and the whole lot tied up with a large ribbon as a decoration. It was for pen/pencil storage and I am thinking about trying that.

(To make the pyramid, glue 4 tubes together for the bottom, then stack 3 on top for the next row and glue, then 2, then 1 on top).

Did it say what they used for a backing/end so the pens didn't escape out the back/bottom? ~C8>

[fab]

I think you could use most anything from shirtboard to plastic sheeting. Run a line of glue around the bottom end of each tube and stand them on the backing as you glue them together. A large rubberband might help. When it is dry, trim away the excess. Now you can stand it up for pencils or keep it horizontal for pens/markers.

[akonpittbull]

Like Stacy I have made the box for the pencil storage and I can manage the different pencils in different small boxes so I can find the particular color from that. Thats really help me to store it and easily find it.