Organize Your Craft Supplies by Personality Type

Do you keep current craft projects and needed supplies out where you can see them? Or do you put away your projects and craft supplies after every crafting session, even if your craft project is not completed?

Each scenario above relates to a specific personality type. Whether you are a visual right-brain thinker or an analytical left-brain thinker – or a combination of both – you can find ways to organize your craft supplies based on personality type.

Your Personality Type

The study of personality is a complex one. Several schools of thought exist on how to categorize people. For our purposes, we’ll keep it simple and divide into two types: analytical left-brain thinkers and visual right-brain thinkers.

First, figure out your personality type by reading the descriptions below. Most people fall predominantly into one or the other category, but if you discover you are equal parts of both, congratulations. You’ll easily incorporate craft organizing tips for both types.

Analytical Left-Brain Thinkers

Most information on how to organize craft supplies is tailored to analytical left-brain thinkers. This type is naturally organized, likes to plan ahead, and tends to be logical.

Do any of these statements resonate with you?

A place for everything and everything in its place.
I love my label maker.
Making lists is important, and I check items off one by one.
I don’t keep craft supplies that I no longer use.
I’m a great event planner because I am organized.
I prefer a clean, uncluttered desk top.
I love organizing sessions and stick with tasks until completed.
Visual Right-Brain Thinkers

Visual right-brain personality types are more spur-of-the-moment, like flexibility, and see the world in pictures. They are often viewed as disorganized and cluttered by their analytical friends.

Being a visual right-brain thinker is not a failure of the left-brain personality type. It’s simply a different way of moving through the world.

Do any of these statements resonate with you?

Rules are made to be broken.
Out of sight, out of mind.
I love bright colors and lots of visual interest.
I tend to lay items down wherever I am standing at the moment.
I must keep my craft supplies visible, or I forget about them.
A table filled with random craft supplies does not bother me.
I grow bored or overwhelmed with organizing sessions and often don’t finish.
Organize Craft Supplies by Personality Type

Now that you have a better idea of your personality type, take a look at these craft storage options.

Organization for Analytical Left-Brain Personalities

This personality type enjoys visual symmetry, order, and for craft supplies to be out of sight. Look for storage containers that are all the same size and color, preferably with a place on the front for a label, and then store in a closet or other concealed area. Research craft supply cabinets with multiple drawers and storage options.

Consider organizing craft supplies by specific type: all 5mm beads; all gel pens; all paper punches. Another option is to organize by project. For example, use a divided drawer insert to organize all items needed to make a necklace, knit a cap, or create specific holiday scrapbook pages.

Organization for Visual Right-Brain Personalities

This personality type loves visual stimulation and does well using storage options that are colorful, unique, and easy to see. Look for storage containers and rolling carts that are see-through. Use pegboards for storage of craft items that can be hung such as jewelry chains, rulers, and decorative scissors. Re-purpose items as unique storage options, like Valentine candy boxes or popcorn tins and arrange in decorative display.

Consider organizing craft supplies by color: all orange paper one place; all blue beads; all yellow yarn. Another option is to organize by function: all cutting tools; all knitting and crochet needles; all glitter.

Remember to keep organizing sessions short. Visual right-brain personality types can become easily overwhelmed by too much stuff and too many details.

No matter what kind of crafts you do, you can organize your craft supplies by personality type and make your craft area a more functional inspiring place.

If you love to make crafts, but can’t seem to find time, find your craft supplies, find your budget, or find your way to crafty fulfillment, read Melody Jones’ “The Craft Lover’s Success Guide: Simple Ways to Nurture Your

Thank Heavens for Arts and Craft Supplies and Projects!

Can you imagine what the world would be like we were all deprived of art and craft supplies? Imagine how boring summer camps would be for children! Think of how school lessons would drag on for kids if there was no break to play with arts and crafts supplies!

Luckily, we do not live in such a world. If we did, it would not just be the kids who would suffer, either. We adults would certainly suffer, as well. What would we do if someone took away all of our acrylic paints, oil paints, leather craft supplies, wood supplies, and other craft supplies? I, for one, would cry.

In a sense, I did grow up in a world that lacked art and craft supplies. How so? Well, to put it simply, my parents thought that “art” was a waste of time. They preferred that all of my free time be spent reading and learning. In fact, they were so dead-set on this idea that they decided to homeschool me!

As a homeschooled child with no access to crayons and other craft supplies, I feel that I really missed out on something great. I did not get a chance to try out my artistic skills until I was in my teens! Let me first say that my premier arts and crafts projects were not pretty. That being said, let me tell you that from the very first moment I held a paint brush in my hand, I was hooked.

I love art! I love crafts! I can think of no better way to spend my time than grabbing a few paintbrushes and some acrylic paint or oil paint and having at it. I love to paint! Of course, I also love paper craft supplies and wood craft supplies and leather craft supplies. To put it simply, I just cannot have enough.

My parents would roll over in their graves if they saw my closet full of art and craft supplies! Of course, to their credit, I still do love learning and reading and all of those other things that they deemed “important.” Nonetheless, I do feel that I missed out on an important part of childhood by not being allowed to practice the art of art.

I believe that is very important that all children get very well-rounded educations – this means that they should be surrounded not just by books, but craft supplies, sports supplies, music, and other such things. Children should be given a chance to be creative.

Of course, I believe that the same is true of adults. Adults should most definitely surround themselves with scrapbooking supplies, leather craft supplies, paper craft supplies, and other arts and crafts supplies. It is amazing how soothing it can be to work on a craft project after a long day of work. It is good to use a different part of the brain, for a change, too.

How to Use the Internet to Find Craft Supplies

If you love making crafts, saving money on craft supplies can make your hobby even more enjoyable. This article explores several ways to save money by using the Internet when shopping for craft supplies, materials and tools

The first place to look for bargains is eBay. Depending on your craft, you can either search by keywords like “quilt supplies” or browse through the eBay categories until you find the one that matches your needs. Personally, I would try both searches when seeking the best deals. The reason to search both ways is that not every eBay seller knows to include the keywords you use in their listings, while they may at least place the item in the correct category.

eBay also has a category called “wholesale lots.” Check out the listings there for buying supplies in bulk. Be sure you can either use all the items in these big lots or turn around and sell them yourself.

Craigslist is another place online to shop for crafting materials and tools. I have found many listings for equipment I needed there.

Locate online craft supplies by doing a Google search based on your hobby. For example, if you are a woodworker, search for “woodworking supplies.” This is a great way to identify niche craft supply sites. Sometimes searching for “craft supplies” alone isn’t specific enough. Try including words that describe your craft like “jewelry findings,” “stained glass supplies,” “weaving yarns,” or “doll making supplies” depending on what you make. Many suppliers offer mail order catalogs in addition to their online stores.

Sites that sell finished handmade goods also offer craft supplies. For instance, both Etsy and Artfire allow vendors to list and sell craft materials on their online store fronts.

Other places to shop for bargains online include the websites of major retail craft supply stores like Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann’s. Sometimes these sites will run “Internet only” bargains where you can really save some money if you buy online.

If you are a professional crafts person who sell crafts you make, consider bypassing retailers and middlemen by buying supplies direct from the manufacturers. Most manufacturers will require a state sales tax identification number to sell wholesale to you, but those are easy to get. The Thomas Register online lists most of the major manufacturers in the United States by product and by category. When shopping for yarns, I found several mills that would sell to me directly at very low prices. But I had to buy $500 worth at a time. Still, for a production crafts person, this can work out in the long run.

Though the Thomas Register lists U.S. manufacturers, you may be able to find even lower prices by going online to shop overseas. Alibaba is an Internet based clearing house for networking between buyers and sellers internationally. There are however drawbacks in buying craft supplies from other countries. You will probably have to buy in very large quantities. Handling imports may require you to have a trade agent who takes care of the shipment when it arrives. And you won’t have legal recourse if you aren’t happy with what you get.

In summary, start simple by searching online with words specific to your craft. Check out eBay, Etsy and Artfire for supplies listed by vendors there. When you move into production crafting, look towards buying craft supplies wholesale from manufacturers and maybe even from overseas. You can always turn your excess craft supplies into it’s own business.

James Dillehay is author of seven books and co-author of “Guerrilla Multilevel Marketing.” He as been written about in The Wall Street Journal and his books have been recommended in Networking Times, The Chicago Tribune, Family Circle, Bottom Line Personal, and many other magazines and on HGTV.

Choosing Craft Supplies For Children

Whether you are a parent or a teacher, it is always useful to have craft supplies for children at hand. However, it might be difficult to find the right products if you are not too familiar with what children use in crafting. Therefore, shop for the right craft supplies and craft equipment with this simple guide.

Essentials Of Arts And Craft Supplies

The age of the children is an important factor that determines which supplies are suitable for them. For instance, tools such as scissors should not be used by little children under 3 years of age. Here are some essential arts and craft materials:

Paper. You might be surprised at the vast choice of paper, which is one of the most important things for arts and crafts. There are many types of paper, for instance, construction paper, which is sturdier. Copy paper is great for drawing, whereas tissue paper can be used to construct butterflies, sun-catchers and more. Additionally, felt and foam, though not papers, are perfect as crafts supplies due to the many varieties available.

Markers and paint. Many children love to draw, which is why you should consider purchasing supplies such as paint, crayons and markers. Watercolours are the best type of paint for smaller children, whereas acrylic paint is great for older children who paint on wood and canvas. This is mainly due to the fact that acrylic paint spillage is harder to remove. Markers are available in a wide variety of colours, but when choosing them for smaller children, go for the easily washable kind.

Crayons. These are perfect for smaller children and come in a variety of colours and sizes. You can choose a large set with all the possible tones, or opt for a smaller set of crayons.

Other important arts and crafts supplies include fasteners, for example, tape and glue sticks. Also, don’t forget about yarn, glitter, beads, adhesive magnets, sequins, feather and other supplies. For instance, younger kids will enjoy playing with soft clay.

Crafts Equipment For Children Of Different Ages

The choice of crafts supplies is vast, so if you are unsure which type of crafts equipment you should purchase, consider the age of the child and purchase accordingly. The following list will give you an idea of what is best for children of different ages.

Toddlers. Young children are best off with supplies that are safe to use, such as crayons or chalk. A great idea is a set of washable markers and colourful clay, which is non toxic.

Primary school children. Children who have already started school can work with a wider variety of arts supplies, including scissors, coloured pencils and paint.

Secondary school children. Older children can work with an even wider number of arts and crafts supplies, including drawing, painting and even pottery.

Arts and crafts provide your kids with a wonderful way to be creative. Make sure you provide your children with quality materials and supplies for their arts and crafts projects.

Find everything that you need at Buy A Bargain UK, the best place to go for great deals on craft supplies and equipment.