... I thought I'd show you how I keep track of my, many, stamps. And how I store them too. I've mentioned a couple of times that I have a Stamp Catalogue - well, it's actually two volumes now. I use ring binders, plastic folders and cheap copy paper. All new stamps that I get - including those that come free with magazines - get inked up and stamped onto my cheap copy paper as the reference sheets.
A photo showing a couple of pages from the Catalogue. These are some of my Waltzingmouse sets.
When I first started the catalogue, I used the same colour ink for all the stamps, however, now I try to use different colours for each set and also draw section lines around the sets so that I can easily see what's in what set. For example some recent sheets are:
You will notice that I've written on the reference sheet showing which box the sets are stored in. So, for example, I want to use Tatty Ted - I go to Box 2. Easy!!
The reference sheet below is one of my early catalogue pages and, unfortunately, the sets were not stamped in different colours - although I have sectioned off the different sets.
After stamping the reference sheets - I scan them all onto my computer. Then I put the original stamped sheet into my Stamp Catalogue - so that I can see the actual size of the image and I put a copy of the reference sheet into the relevant box. Describing it make it sound a bit complicated - but it's really easy. This box contains just Waltzingmouse stamps - and you can see the copy sheets in the lid.
I store my stamps in "Really Useful" plastic boxes (see above) - the 4 litre size is perfect to take two layers of wood mounted stamps or lots and lots of clear acrylic stamps.
This storage system has evolved over the last six years, and it should be revised - but it's such a big job that I keep putting it off!!!
That's all for now. But do pop back later, I plan to spend some time in my craft room - some I can share with you later, but the bits I'm making for Kathryn's party will be a surprise for later this week! See you soon.
16 comments:
thanks for sharing this Deb! i am in desperate need of a proper storage solution for stamps...i currently use a very frustrating and unorganized method of piling stamps by company...it's NOT working! ;) great storage and index tips...love it!
What a brilliant idea, thank you for sharing. I see you keep your stamps in the same type boxes as I do.
Now that I have finished organising my ribbons, I may just make a start on something similar to this :o)
Jackie xx
Thank you for sharing this with us, its not easy keeping tracks on our stamps. I started to catalogue mine years ago as I have 15 years worth but gave up when I reached 1,000!!! Must say though that the UM's are much easy to keep. Keep up the good work
Anne
Looks like a good system Deborah! I did start a Catalogue but must confess for the WMS I just printed off from the online store and keep these sheets with my other catalogued stamps. Should have made different sets different colours though I think.......that's a good point. My stamps all live in plastic ring binders, either A4 size or the smaller 9 x 8. with wood mounted stamps in a couple of drawers!!!! Must have a few now I think they breed!!!!
Hi Deb, what a great idea, I hope you don't mind if I copy it... I have tried several different ways to organise my stamps, but nothing seems to work well. This is totally different and I think I will be able to work with it. Keep up the great blog posts. TTFN
I have a two volume catalog also! It's probably sad that we have that many stamps, but I do thoroughly love paging through my catalog to find the right stamps.
A great way of organizing and knowing what you've got Deborah!! Thanks for sharing your technique!
This looks a cracking good idea Deborah and something I should have started ages ago...it would take me a whole day to do now!
TFS
Jenny x
This looks like a great system Deborah - particularly stamping the sets in different colours in your index system.
Thanks for sharing this, Deb. I have all my WMS catalogued but nothing else. It would take so long to do now that I've been stamping 20 years. But I think I use the WMS more because they are catalogued, so perhaps I just need to make the time to do it and start using some of those neglected stamps I have.
Thanks for sharing this, Deb! I like the way you've catalogued everything. May attempt something similar myself... :)
I started doing something similar with my wood mounted stamps but haven't got very far. I sorted out all my Elusive Images/Chocolate Baroque stamp sets so I'd know what I have - I'm very much with those as you are with WMS, discovered I have 111 theme plates. Some of mine are on EZ Mount so are in files but the newer unmounted sets are in plastic boxes - the A5 & A4 Craft Boxes that Weston Make - need to get some more at the Cardiff Craft Show in two weeks.
Paula (PEP)
My catalogue is coming along - I'm doing it slightly differently to you - I think yours is simpler than mine which probably explains why mine is taking forever. I have FINALLY got all my clear stamps into cd cases though (over 100 of them now eek!) Just need to catalogue them now. I'll share mine back when its finished.
This is a very good idea Deb, you are so smart to stamp off those images because the size and scale of each stamp is something I have to check out nearly every time I make something. Thanks so much for the ideas.
What a useful system! Thanks for sharing it with us!
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