I was wondering how everyone organises their DIY necessities and if anybody has any especially ingenious storage methods? Storage has always been an issue in general where I live and DIY seems to be a pretty space hungry endeavour. I built a shelving unit and keep my flavours in boxes, different boxes for different companies, which has worked fairly well so far but I keep buying more flavours!
Also, does anybody have any good methods of organisation so flavours are quick and easy to find? One of the most annoying parts of mixing for me is trying to find things.
I’m sure other people have these problems too. I was wondering how everyone has managed to overcome them.
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I use the coat hanger with 80 pockets. Probably takes as much space as a jacket in the wardrobe.
You can roll it up as well.
Thanks, yeah- actually that was what prompted me to write this post. I can’t really do a lot of those storage methods cos I live on a boat which so storage is always an issue. Plus I have to keep my mixing stuff higher off the ground so dogs and children can’t get to them. I saw the photo of the coat hanger with pockets and thought that was so smart. I might steal that!
Oh i didn't realise that, i have hence come to understand one can become too much of a proud side bar reader. This is what i ordered, works well for me because i can keep it out of sight. It also fits a coat on top.
Get a Rubbermaid locking top storage tote. About ten bucks for a "good" one at WalMart.
I keep my store of giant nic bottles, all my vg and pg, scale, empty bottles and a bunch of other miscellaneous crap in there. The way I got it put together, these things make up the "floor."
Two shoe boxes are filled with flavorings and "lined" with a washcloth on top of each (and even then, a big part of the "other miscellaneous crap" mentioned earlier is errant flavorings that won't fit in the shoe boxes). These sit on top of the "floor" and (barely) allow the top to close and lock.
Slide in and out of the closet as needed.
When it's mixing time, I pull out the shoe boxes and leave them open and grab what all I need, mix, and everything goes back in the same way it came out. Keeps everything nice and tidy and contained.
I used to display all the flavors on a wall mounted acrylic display stand, but since moving a few years ago, I've just been sticking to the tote idea, and it's working very well.
I have been using something like that for over 4 years now. Just ordered alphabetically. Nice and compact when done, and no smells. Link
I picked up a couple nail polish shelves for my flavors and have them alphabetized by flavor. This .
I have my empty bottles and mixing containers stored in refrigerator bins, like These on the shelf below my flavors.
Another item(s) I have found indispensable for organizing all my hobbies in general are Super Stackers (http://superstackerboxes.com/). Usually, after the back to school sales have wound down, they will go on clearance for a pittance of their usual price.
I was confronted by a similar problem. At first, I had flavors in boxes organized by vendors and it was fine, but then, with every sale, my flavor stash grew. I finally bought cabinets with drawers, like file cabinets, but lower drawers. I reorganized everything into groups such as nuts, caramels + butterscotches, coffees, spices, fruits (subgrouped in citrus, tropical, berries, apples + pears + quinces, peaches + apricots + plums, etc.
Imho, it‘s easier to find flavors for mixing recipes as well as developing them. But who knows, 500 flavors later, I may be facing a new problem.
Good luck DixxleRoo
I use one of these and only keep the flavors I like/use in it- Tool Organizer.
I really should get another though. I've labeled each drawer. This has been the easiest way for me. I can find what I need in seconds. I also have them organized by groups. But some of the drawers just say, "Random Inawera, Random TFA" ect. I also have almost 600 flavors. I got really snall bins from Walmart for a buck a piece. That's where the flavors I didn't like, or use much, live.
So you have about 500 flavours and you find it easier to have them sorted into groups like nuts, caramels etc rather than companies?
Ive got around that many too and that’s been a big reason I haven’t done it yet. Trying to keep track of that many little bottles I don’t want to confuse myself. Also, there’s those cross over flavours that fit into more than one group. Or flavours that are called one thing but actually taste like something else.
Maybe I’ll try to reorganise them today into flavour groups anyway cos that does sound a hell of a lot better for mixing. If you need a caramel for example you can see what options you have right away. Thanks
I use a microwave cart
My flavors are separated by company and multiple companies are in the same bin, separated by just a piece of cardboard.
I keep stuff in both a toolbox and a large plastic ammo crate. I didn't see any need to get crazy and spend a lot of money. The toolbox holds all the smaller bottles, the ammo crate, being much taller will let me stand 500 ml bottles upright.
As for organization, I just set things in order inside the boxes by manufacturer and alphabetical by the label. Not sure if that is enough organization for you, but that's my system.
Cheap, simple, doesn't take up much space, stuff is kept in sealed dark containers.
I converted an extra closet into a storage/mixing area. Built shelves that are 3" deep that wrap around all 3 walls. There are 3 rows of shelving, plus the big shelf up top that's typically in closets. Holds all my mixing supplies and vape gear in there. Also added a door lock on the closet to keep the kids out. Best setup ever.
I said somewhere on here, that I should go for a Helmer (ikea), because all the cool gals got them for their makeup stashes... So that is what I did, as I always wanted one for my polishes, but never actually got one.
It fits a ton of stuff. And it has wheels, so I can ride it around (I generally keep it in a closet, a very nice smelling closet now). And I did not secure the drawers, so I can take them out and put them on my desk.
I did get lied to by a blog, it said the Antonius inlay fit the Helmers drawers, they did not . So I had to cut the sides of them. And I also bought some smaller baskets. I keep most flavours by type in those baskets. additives/custards/cakes/cookies/drinks/creams/tropical fruits/berries/citrus
The only annoying thing is that I buy a lot at Chefs Flavours nowadays, and they put all their flavours in the same type of bottle, which makes it harder to distinguish the flavours. But at least I've got a ton of space again to fit all the flavours I buy, and bottles, and other stuff.
I have one of those units but I keep my polishes in them. I also fell for the falicy that the inlays fitted, and ended up doing what you did, and took off the sides. I've been reducing my polish stash, and now have a drawer free, so I'm transfering my flavourings (small stash) to the spare unit.
They're so cheap, but so versatile!
This is what I use to store my DIY supplies in.
How do you keep the bottles from getting jumbled up?