Bagua 7, Part 2: (Clearing out the Adult's) Toys, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Hobby Related Equipment!
How did the decluttering with the kids go? Was there a lot of screaming, kicking, crying, and grumbling? What about from the kids (hee!)? This next part may be the tougher segment of this bagua, but exciting news! We are about to go "live"! Read on...
How did the decluttering with the kids go? Was there a lot of screaming, kicking, crying, and grumbling? What about from the kids (hee!)? This next part may be the tougher segment of this bagua, but exciting news! We are about to go "live"! Read on...
I want to preface this segment by stating this: Going back to part one of this segment, I am an avid toy collector and seller. “Toys” being action figures, Transformers, vintage superhero figures and cases (I stay away from Barbie. I gave up on her at an early age when my brother and neighbor kept taking my Barbie dolls and blowing their heads off with firecrackers… today I would easily join in on the fun…), board games and other miscellany.
Here is the difference: I sell these things. For a living. I have a constant awareness of what my inventory is, and I rarely come across something that I say, “Oh, I forgot all about this!” My philosophy is: if you haven’t looked at it, thought about it, or used it in a year… out it goes.
The categories “hobbies” and “arts and crafts” become a little hazier… you never know what you are going to need for any given project. I think it depends on your level of hobby-ness or craftiness (i.e. how long things have been sitting around unused, collecting dust).
Again, for this, I have asked a Consultant Mom (who will at this point in the blog add “avid Consultant Hobby and Arts & Crafts Person” and “Consultant Wife”… little does she know…) for her input. I love going to her house because instead of flopping in front of the television, there is almost something baking and cooking related, or artsy and crafty going on (cue Beastie Boys song here). It is a refreshing change.
So, when asked what to do with excess craft and hobby supplies, she offered a bit of helpful advice:
“Mostly I organize them -- those shoebox-sized plastic containers can occasionally be found at Michaels for $1. Then I label them (one says ‘pompoms and eyeballs and beads - oh my!’).”
Can it really be that simple? The answer is a resounding YES!
A label maker is a great tool to have. It is handy not only for organizing in the cupboards, but also in the pantry, fridge, freezer… wherever something needs a label! I personally don’t have one, so I just cut strips of colourful paper, hand write what ever is in said container, then I use clear packing tape to affix the label onto any given container (this became exceptionally handy when labeling mason jars full of dried herbs from my garden this past season).
Here comes the caveat:
“But I have caught myself hanging onto craft kits that I bought when the kids were young for an ‘I'm bored’ day... 15 years later, still in my cupboard.”
Well, Consultant Sis-Ma-C.H.A.C.-Person… I am on my way. Here we go (this is an exciting chance for me to put all this talk into action, with a real live guinea pig! I mean test-subject… er, I mean, very nice person who buys me Mexican food to celebrate…)!
Make a date! Next Thursday, in the late afternoon or evening, we will sit down to assess the Craft Cupboard situation. The craft cupboard(s) is an area above the computer desk that houses all things artsy: Paints, paintbrushes, paper, scissors, felt, glue, hot glue gun, pompoms and eyeballs and beads (oh my!). Oh yes, and a jar full of baby doll heads- I can’t make this stuff up.
Make a plan! The goal will be to cull out all of the 15 year old crafts projects, scrips and scraps, unuseables and unwanteds, and make it all look sharp and clean and organized! This includes taking everything out to be able to clean the shelves properly, containing and labeling whatever needs it, and then putting everything back to make room for more!
Make a deadline! Our deadline will be the following Monday. This gives us Thursday to check out the situation, and Friday to go to town on that bad mamma jamma! When we are done, we will put everything in the car (or my suitcase, you know, whatev… er) and make it go away. Clean cupboard, clear bagua, decluttered mind fresh for the next project!
I think I already know how we can celebrate...
Next week: Putting all this talk into action… and the results! 4. Toys, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Hobby Related Equipment (Part Three)
Here is the difference: I sell these things. For a living. I have a constant awareness of what my inventory is, and I rarely come across something that I say, “Oh, I forgot all about this!” My philosophy is: if you haven’t looked at it, thought about it, or used it in a year… out it goes.
The categories “hobbies” and “arts and crafts” become a little hazier… you never know what you are going to need for any given project. I think it depends on your level of hobby-ness or craftiness (i.e. how long things have been sitting around unused, collecting dust).
Again, for this, I have asked a Consultant Mom (who will at this point in the blog add “avid Consultant Hobby and Arts & Crafts Person” and “Consultant Wife”… little does she know…) for her input. I love going to her house because instead of flopping in front of the television, there is almost something baking and cooking related, or artsy and crafty going on (cue Beastie Boys song here). It is a refreshing change.
So, when asked what to do with excess craft and hobby supplies, she offered a bit of helpful advice:
“Mostly I organize them -- those shoebox-sized plastic containers can occasionally be found at Michaels for $1. Then I label them (one says ‘pompoms and eyeballs and beads - oh my!’).”
Can it really be that simple? The answer is a resounding YES!
A label maker is a great tool to have. It is handy not only for organizing in the cupboards, but also in the pantry, fridge, freezer… wherever something needs a label! I personally don’t have one, so I just cut strips of colourful paper, hand write what ever is in said container, then I use clear packing tape to affix the label onto any given container (this became exceptionally handy when labeling mason jars full of dried herbs from my garden this past season).
Here comes the caveat:
“But I have caught myself hanging onto craft kits that I bought when the kids were young for an ‘I'm bored’ day... 15 years later, still in my cupboard.”
Well, Consultant Sis-Ma-C.H.A.C.-Person… I am on my way. Here we go (this is an exciting chance for me to put all this talk into action, with a real live guinea pig! I mean test-subject… er, I mean, very nice person who buys me Mexican food to celebrate…)!
Make a date! Next Thursday, in the late afternoon or evening, we will sit down to assess the Craft Cupboard situation. The craft cupboard(s) is an area above the computer desk that houses all things artsy: Paints, paintbrushes, paper, scissors, felt, glue, hot glue gun, pompoms and eyeballs and beads (oh my!). Oh yes, and a jar full of baby doll heads- I can’t make this stuff up.
Make a plan! The goal will be to cull out all of the 15 year old crafts projects, scrips and scraps, unuseables and unwanteds, and make it all look sharp and clean and organized! This includes taking everything out to be able to clean the shelves properly, containing and labeling whatever needs it, and then putting everything back to make room for more!
Make a deadline! Our deadline will be the following Monday. This gives us Thursday to check out the situation, and Friday to go to town on that bad mamma jamma! When we are done, we will put everything in the car (or my suitcase, you know, whatev… er) and make it go away. Clean cupboard, clear bagua, decluttered mind fresh for the next project!
I think I already know how we can celebrate...
Next week: Putting all this talk into action… and the results! 4. Toys, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Hobby Related Equipment (Part Three)
RSS Feed
