Since the release of the new Blendabilities markers this June, there have been several demonstrators sharing their fabulous storage ideas for them. Here is view of the storage boxes these markers come in. (I took this screen shot from Heather North's video. Thank, Heather!)
These sets of markers come in cute plastic boxes, but they are just not that convenient to store that way once you collect a few. The boxes are slippery and a pain to open and shut.
I played around with an alternate storage idea simlar to this…cutting the flaps off the box ends, stacking the boxes on top of one another…
…but in a staggered, stair-step fashion like this.
Traveling from event to event was difficult, though. Plus…what would happen when I'd need to add more marker sets in the future? I needed some sort of way to carry many at once, not worrying about them falling out or getting loose, keep them flat, AND keep them in their sets.
I tried this idea next.
I had seen this storage idea on the internet and thought I'd give it a try – had purchased the wood-mount stamp storage boxes, hair bands, etc.
A few weeks later (hadn't put mine together yet) I attended a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator event in October. Georgia Giguere had seen the SAME idea on the internet and shared HER storage containers. I was even more excited to get to work on mine. I just KNEW this was what I wanted. And within days I set aside some time…
I punctured holes in my wood-mount case boxes with my Paper Piecer, cut my black elastic hair bands at the seams, used a threading tool to insert the hair bands into the holes, and tied the knots after making sure I had just the right amount of stretchiness to the elastic bands. Yippee!!! My three storage containers were done!
I added my markers! – 3 sets on each side positioned the "taller" way so they would all fit. (I was so excited!)
But uh-oh!
After all that work I could only get one of the two closures on each storage box to stay shut. Too much time and work was put into making these, so I decided to just leave it that way and be happy with what I had. Afterall, it was the best solution for my needs so far. I had even staggered the sets like this…
So to keep them from popping open all the way, I stacked my 3 storage boxes together and secured them with the giant rubber band. I was happy and "sold on the idea" enough to share it at my last Blendabilities class. Despite the boxes not closing completely, they class attendees loved this storage idea as well. My friend, Michelle even purchased a set of wood-mount cases so she could do the same for her growing collection of markers.
Then the most MARVELOUS thing happened.
I did a party at Michelle's house a few days ago. We featured Blendabilities, and her husband took a look at my boxes. He checked them out so he could do the same with Michelle's supplies. And as he monkeyed with the markers and putzed with the boxes, he figured out that if you stagger EVERY marker in the box you can get the box to close completely!
STAGGERING EVERY MARKER IS THE KEY TO GETTING THE BOX TO SHUT WELL
Staggering EVERY marker gives you more room so that the markers aren't putting pressure on the box sides. I was elated!! (Thanks, Kurt!)
This storage solution takes a bit of time to make, but it's simple (as you can see from the photos), inexpensive, travels well, keeps my markers in sets, keeps them flat, and holds many sets in one box. Plus! If I get more sets in the future, I can always make another storage box!
GREAT!! idea!
I did the same but I did it with double sided tape. This is much better.
Glad you like what I did Adrienne. 🙂
I like this great idea. Until I got to the end, I thought you were piercing a hole in the clear boxes the pens came in and somehow used them inside the cases. Inserting the words “wood mount cases” someplace near the beginning of your instructions would easily clarify which “box” gets pierced:)
Thanks, Kristen.
Thanks for the suggestion, Trish! Can you reread when you get a chance and tell me if I helped to make it clearer? 🙂
Wow am I happy with this idea! Certainly pacifies the wee bit of OCD in me!
I love that when I open the case the markers do not fly out at me!
I’m a little OCD myself, so I can relate, Kristine. 😉
Thank you Rachel. I have been searching for a great way to store my ever-increasing supply of Blendabilities. It is perfect! Anita
Thanks, Anita. I can’t wait to make another one now that we have 4 new sets in the Occasions Catalog. 🙂
What a clever idea! And I have loads of those boxes since I consolidated all of my large clear sets and my larger photopolymer sets into DVD sized boxes. Now that I’ve seen the hair band incorporated into the storage idea, I can use them for many things, including my Blendabilities. Thanks for sharing!
Yea!! So glad you like this. AND…not much to invest in for you. Just the hair bands.
Oh thank you for this. I just got most of the blendabilities yesterday and was not liking the boxes they came in. I am gonna do one of these right now.
I love the markers . However, some of the ones I have are dry and have only been used a very short time. I was told that SU was going to address . Can you please clear up this issue for me?
Oh my gosh, Lynnette! It appears I never replied to your comment. Sorry about that…Did you ever make this box for your Blendabilities?
I’m so sorry, Cathy. This product has been discontinued for this exact issue. http://www.stampyourartout.com/stampyourartout/2015/03/unfortunate-news-regarding-our-blendabilities-markers.html
Unfortunately the deadline for returning defective markers was a year ago. Click the above link to learn more.
Rachel
Was looking for a way to store my 2018 Stampin Blends and came across your November 2014 Post. Am modifying my cases as I type this.
Great solution. Thanks to all that had a hand in this.
Oh yay! So glad this post helped you out Yolanda. 🙂
Finished adapting my cases. I made a change. Cut spine flap with my craft scissors and made spine holes with my crop-a-dile (enlarging hole a smidge I was able to get both cords in the same hole). One on either end as far as the small hole punch would go. Then made the holes on the opening edges just under 1 1/2 from either edge on each lip at closure. I then criss crossed the hair elastics and my stampin blends held nicely.
Love it! Thanks for sharing your adaptations!
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been wondering just
how to store them neatly organized.
Yay! Glad I could help.
I thought the Stampin Blends were two to each color. The ones you are showing are three. What am I missing/
Linda D.
This post was from 2014 when Stampin’ Up! sold them in sets of three.