I wish I was a naturally organized person. The whole “a place for everything and everything in its place” idea is wonderful – but the first problem for me is finding a place for everything!
Back before the holidays, orders started flooding in for my art and I felt like all I was doing was packaging and shipping orders – and the packaging was taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r. For one thing, I didn’t have a good inventory storage system. Also, every time I needed to package something, I had to go gather all my supplies together. I don’t have a separate studio, so shop supplies had to put away to have livable space.
It just wasn’t working.
And then I bought two vintage items which drastically changed my art shipping process. They are pictured above: a vintage LP record holder on the left, and a vintage silverware caddy on the right. With the record holder, I was able to store my backed-and-sleeved art prints in a space-efficient way, where I could easily glance through and find what I needed. With my silverware caddy, I was able to store my regularly needed shipping supplies (washi tape, notecards, address labels, etc.) in one portable unit (love the handle on top!) so I could bring it out and put it away as needed. Packaging started going SO much faster.
Plus, its just fun to have nifty organizational stuff! And vintage items are generally nice and sturdy and will last well. So I thought it would be fun to gather a collection of vintage items from Etsy that can be repurposed in fun organizational ways, and help you find “a place for everything”. (A few of these are from my own shop, but most are from other sellers on Etsy.)
This vintage silverware caddy from SaltandGinger is almost exactly like the one I have! I highly recommend it for storing various small items – the little dividers, the “basket” and the handle make it just perfect for keeping small things organized and portable. You could use it for sewing supplies, or makeup and hair care items, or as a desk caddy – all sorts of uses!
I think this is so clever – and pretty! This vintage muffin tin from NavarreCharm is such a charming idea for storing all those little-bitty items that tend to get jumbled together. Keep it on your desk to sort beads, or put it in a drawer and keep your safety pins and other such items from getting all mixed up.
I’ve got a soft spot for old record holders. Few people need something to store their vinyl anymore, but we all have mail, printouts and other such items to sort. This one is nice and long and you could easily add dividers to keep track of various papers.
How charming is this vintage metal basket from TimelessFindsVintage? One great thing about a vintage storage item like this one – it doubles as decor! Especially nice if you have limited closet and hide-away places … keep crafty items out in the open in this cute basket. Bonus: it has a handle.
This mid century modern magazine rack from CastandCrew is so sleek! It would add a snazzy retro feel to a room AND give handy storage space. Use it to stylishly store magazines, craft books, mailers, skeins of yarn – you name it!
Another fun repurposing idea you might not have thought of before – a vintage vanity set from BusyBreeVintage could be used to house any number of small crafty items! The especially nice thing about these is that they have lids, to hide away contents and neaten your work space.
Now this is a vintage item which you probably wouldn’t have much use for its original purpose – but could be extremely handy to get things organized! This vintage photo slide box from heartkeyologie could house colored pencils, or other art supplies … or insert some slides (or little pieces of cardboard) in the slots to create compartments suited to what you’re storing. Make compartments for beads, seam rippers, thimbles, whatever you need!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t really need something to hold my toast (except my belly.) I listed this vintage toast holder in my shop, though, because I think it would make a great little caddy for storing crafty items. There are two blank spaces on either side (probably for butter/jam pots) where you could put pencil holders, and the spiral in the middle is handy for small paper items like stickers. And a handle. I’m fond of handles, in case you haven’t noticed. I like portable.
If you want something *truly* portable, though, check out this gorgeous vintage leather camera bag from BusyBreeVintage. Use it to carry your camera – or, as is pictured, to store and carry your art supplies! This would be especially nice if you like to paint outdoors – have you supplies together and ready to go! And, even when you’re not going anywhere, it still looks spiffy with all those art supplies.
We have tape dispensers – why not dispensers for more items? This is a vintage brass postage stamp dispenser from my shop, but it wouldn’t have to be limited to stamps. Fill it with ribbon, or tickets, or trim, and snip off as needed!
I hope you’ve found these vintage items inspiring for organization!
Do you have other vintage repurposing ideas to help you get organized?
Are you naturally organized, or just trying to learn, like me?
Leave your thoughts and ideas below, I’m always tickled to get comments! :)
Fantastic ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I love all these Etsy finds! :)
These would make for a beautiful crafting space. My favorite is the brass stamp dispenser.
Ooh, yeah, I think a repurposed vintage theme studio could be gorgeous!
Thanks for stopping by! :)
These are all fantastic ideas! I use vintage glasses and vases to hold pens and markers, but I could always use more storage. The muffin tin would be perfect for my jewelry parts…
Ah, yeah, vintage glasses and vases are a great idea! Thanks for sharing! :)
Love the muffin tin idea! That would be perfect for drawers in my desk. Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t NavarreCharm clever with that muffin tin? I just loved it! She has other great finds in her shop, too – as do the other sellers as well!
Thanks Jacky! :)
Awesome idea for a post! I’m glad that you were able to find a couple vintage finds that work well for your organization. It’s great being able to re-purpose something, especially an item like a record holder that most people don’t use anymore.
Thanks Rose! :) I definitely enjoy my vintage finds! :)
These are all so clever & I’m very excited to be included – thank you! I’m in love with your brass stamp holder and would probably use it to hold all the various bits of ribbon I save & re-use. Clever ideas and a great way to get an early start on Spring Cleaning!
Also just realized I used the word clever twice and will now commence finishing my coffee :)
Thanks for letting me feature your silverware caddy, Katrina! :) And yeah, spring cleaning is something I definitely want to get going on soon!
Ha, and I wouldn’t have even noticed the double use of clever! But some coffee sounds lovely! :)
I LOVE your photos – you have two totally awesome pieces there already! I must find one of those record holders!!! Love it! Thank you so much for including a piece from Timeless Finds Vintage ;-)
Hugs – Brandi
Thanks! I do love those two pieces I own. They make sure a big difference in my Etsy organization!
And thanks for letting me feature your basket! Love that it has that little price slot on the front – adorable! :)
Great ideas. Now I’m on the lookout for an LP holder. And a toast holder too.
Glad you found it inspiring! Etsy is definitely a wonderful place to get great vintage finds!
Wow April- this is the best! I really love to repurpose old items and give them new meaning. I also have a love for vintage toast racks, I have several in my craft room and they are so helpful in holding little bits of things! All of the items featured are great. I truly appreciate you featuring my muffin tin- I would also be lost without these in my craft room, they hold so many little goodies! Great post- I am feeling inspired!
Thanks Again,
Anna (Navarre Charm)
Aw, thanks Anna! I appreciate you letting me feature your muffin tin! :)
I love all of these ideas for organizing plus they are decorative too! Perfect for small homes or tiny rooms.
Or apartments, which is what we have! :) Thanks Sandy! :)
Love all of the ideas. Now, you just need something to organize all your organizers!!!! (and…now I’m on the search for an LP record holder….arghhh)
Thanks! And so true, haha :)
Such wonderful items to organize everything that needs organizing,
we always have to think outside the box:)
Yeah, I wish organizing came more naturally to me … but if I tackle it as interesting think-outside-the-box project, it certainly makes it a lot more fun! :) Thanks for stopping by, Elly!
This post is AMAZING! I love organizing and I love re-purposing antique pieces….. so this post is basically all of my favorite things.
It was a pleasure to meet you at Blog Brunch today. Look forward to keeping up with your blog!
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Amy
Thanks Amy! I’m so glad I came across the Blog Brunch – so much fun! I hope to be able to come next month too. And thanks for your kinds words :D
I simply adore the muffin pan! I wish I had small things I need to store so I could buy it now.
P.S. Wasn’t Blog Brunch fun today?! :)
Isn’t it cute?! :D And I love how she photographed it!
Totally agree – I loved the Blog Brunch! And thanks for stopping by my blog! :)
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