Thursday, November 19, 2009

My new rubber stamp shelf...I'm in love!!!!

For awhile now, I've been looking for a new way to store all my rubber stamps so that they are easily accessible and don't take up a lot of wall space. I think I've done it, and I can proudly say I did it ALL BY MYSELF!!! Here is a picture of the finished product, followed by a step-by-step picture tutorial for anybody else who might like to try it. Click on any picture to make it larger. Thanks for looking!

Here is the "naked" shelf, which I purchased from Michael's. The normal price is $49.99 (a little steep, I know), but with all the coupons out there, I know none of us ever buy anything at full price. :)

Here's the label on top of the shelf, to help you identify the correct one:

For my first step, I used a level and a pencil to extend a line even with the top of the first shelf:

I then continued that line around to the side of the shelf, across the back, and around to the other side of the same shelf:

I measured the distance between the top of the first shelf and the top of the entire unit, and figured out the number of tray inserts I could fit in this space. Each tray insert is about 1.25", and I used 1/4" dowels as my supports. Once again using my level and a pencil, I drew horizontal lines showing where each row would be. I flipped my level and made vertical lines representing how far apart the front and rear dowels would be:

I continued the horizontal lines across the back:

I made the same markings on the other side:

I drilled holes for my dowels where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect, except at the level of each existing shelf. Even though there are staple marks showing where each existing shelf is, I still penciled in the word "shelf" to remind myself not to drill holes there:

I used a 1/4" drill bit and drilled holes in the appropriate places:

I used these dowels, also purchased at Michael's. They are 1/4" x 12", and they come 10 to a pack, for $1.99:

I inserted my dowels through one side of the unit into the corresponding hole on the opposite side:

I wanted a "shabby chic" look, so I decided to crackle paint my shelf. I used DecoArt crackle medium and Apple Barrel paint (Satin Cream color), also from Michael's.

Here's the finished crackle:

I used fabric from Hancock's Fabric, along with pom-poms by Offray and a sheet of scalloped Bazzill cardstock to dress up my shelf. The fabric was 18" x 21" and cost $1.99. I bought two pieces, one for each side of my unit. The spool of pom-poms I already had, and I found them on clearance at Walmart for $2.00. The scalloped Bazzill also came from my stash, and I distressed it slightly by dry-brushing the acrylic paint on it.

I pleated the fabric and adhered it the the shelf with my ATG. I also adhered the paper and pom-poms with my ATG:

I loaded my stamps into the trays , divided into themes. The "trays" are actually clear acrylic box frames that I purchased at Michael's and Target. They are 8" x 10". Neither store had the quantity I needed in that size, plus I had a gift card for Target, so I actually got 9 trays for free.:) The cost for these trays are $2.99 at Michael's and $3.19 at Target. I made sure to use one of Michaels' "20% off your entire purchase" coupons. If you do decide to make one of these units, you may be tempted, as I was, to use the 8.5" x 11" frames for your trays. They don't fit in the shelf! On average, I was able to fit about 17 stamps in each tray, depending on the size and arrangement. I chose this particular tray to photograph because it shows a lot of different sized stamps:

I loaded all my trays into my new stamp shelf. I was able to fit 22:
And here's my (almost) finished product. I haven't yet decided how I'm going to label each shelf. I want to do something cuter than using my label maker, I just haven't thought of the right solution. I'm also planning on putting an 8" x 10" piece of paper at the bottom of each tray and stamping each stamp in the proper place. So when a stamp is missing, I know which one it is :

I'd love to hear what you think! Also feel free to ask questions if I left something out. Thanks for looking!

51 comments:

Slyn11 said...

Came out beautifully. I think you may have inspired me to making something similar for myself. Thank you for sharing.s

Andrea Padilla said...

I can't believe I haven't been to your blog sooner. You are a creative genius!! I love your stamp shelf--so cute and practical!!! I may have to make one of those once I get enough rubber stamps. Thanks for the detailed directions with pictures--just awesome! And that halloween card with Wilton's molds is a good idea. I'll have to look for Xmas ones. Thanks. I look forward to your next projects!

LisaMH said...

You did a great job!!! I love it :) Thanks for sharing how you did it... and exactly what you bought for it... LisaMH

Anonymous said...

You did a great job! Thank you so much for providing your step-by-step directions. I would love to do this, but I just need to figure out where I would store the shelf. It would work out much better than what I'm using now.

kim.mom said...

Incredible!! Love it - may have to try it myself!!!

Jazzy said...

What a great idea!
Thanks for sharing.

MicheleV said...

What a great idea - thanks for sharing! love the pink & green - love your blog background too!

Unknown said...

This is the best idea I have seen yet for those rubber stamps!! I love it!! You said you bought the trays at Michael's and Target. What area of the store do you find these in? I'm not sure I have the space to make one of these but maybe I can figure out something else using those trays. I would love to make a unit like yours. You are a genius!!! Thanks so much for the great tutorial too.

~Suzy~ said...

Great job! I love this. Maybe try vinyl lettering on the outsides of the boxes?~SuzySunshine

Kathy said...

Fabulous!!!!! Love the shelving unit!

Cat said...

PERFECT! i just love your new shelves and you've inspired me to try something a little different. i'm not afraid of a drill [but a staple gun is another matter!]. thanks!

cathi said...

It is so cool. I think you love it!!!

sunghee said...

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

Katie Skiff said...

Very neat!! Thanks for sharing the process esp.!!

Unknown said...

wow, what a great idea, its amazing ;)

Anne said...

Simply brilliant! I may have to give this a shot. With your incredible directions, I feel as though I could do it. Thanks!

Teresa said...

WOW... beautiful as well as functional. Great job and thanks for sharing! Pictures are worth a thousand words too!

maiahs_momma said...

Wow, going to have to give a go at this project okay or perhaps my dh can :)! Great project :)!

Inky Hugs,
catherine

SDCrafts said...

Utterly fabulous, totally useful, and terrifically inspiring - you can see I'm lost for words! LOL. Hope my hubby will be inspired by this!

Mari said...

This is AWESOME! I only *wish* I had the floor space to do it. What a cool idea...
now if only I can convince dh to give up his part of the room! :)

liannallama said...

What a wonderful stamp shelf you have made! Fantastic!

Lyneen said...

I love this... what a clever idea... and no wasted space with easy access.

Thanks for sharing!

Hobbyaholic said...

What a great idea, I'm so glad that Paula (Crafty Storage blog) shared your link. Fantastic tutorial and idea. Really economical. Can't wait to see what thrifty finds and coupons I can get to recreate your shelf.

Meg said...

WOWZERS! Color me impressed. Would have never thought that was an unpainted shelving unit and some frames!

The Craftaholic said...

what a great idea! I may have to make one of these myself!

Kasey said...

I am in love with your shelf! I have been trying to organize all of my scrapbooking/cardmaking things and think this would be great! Thanks for all of your advice and tips!

Shalana, the funky felter said...

WOW! I really love that. You did a great job. Thanks so much for sharing this and in such nice detail with photos too :O)

octlove said...

WOW...what a great idea & a great project! Love the idea of having the dowels to seperate the stamp cases versus just having them piled on top of each other! Also love how you decorated yours:)

Leslee said...

You are one smart cookie creating this stamp shelf. Kudos to you. I would like one in my scrap space.

Leslee in MT

kroller@centurytel.net said...

love this idea...may even try it with a diff shelf and the 12 x 12 paper trays...where at in the stores do you find the trays you used? Haven't seen them yet, thanks to you and crafty storage for the link and great directions w/ pics!

A Little Time said...

Kim!! I don't have your email. can you please email me?

bucketomonkeys@comcast.net

BrendaLea, the Prpldy said...

OMG! The shelf is awesome and just what I need. Can you tell me what your final cost was and the dimensions of the shelf. Love the shabby chic look! Thanks for such detailed directions.

Cindy Major said...

I think your hard work paid off! This is a wonderful system! Nicely done!

Cindy

Deeps said...

Wow love the idea that u have. I am not that crafty but can show this to hubby dear. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I would like too take some time too thank the posters for doing what you do and making the community what it is im a long time reader and first time poster so i just wanted to say thanks.

Yolanda said...

This is just lovely! You did a great job. I'm so inspired. Thanks for showing us how to make it.

Something Special said...

Super cool Idea. Hey come on over to my creative blog, I am having my first giveaway, and is scrapbooking supplies included. Love your site!

Renee said...

Just found your blog and I LOVE your stamp shelf...making one just like it, already have the shelf unit and all the supplies needed....having trouble with the measuring part...could you tell me how many holes you put between each shelf? (ie. how many extra shelves did you get in between each permanent shelf?).

Thanks, Renee
renee@jrshean.com

Jill R. Kim said...

This is really amazingly organized!
Properly storing those stampS will also preserve them. Isn't it irritating when you just can't find the right thing to use because they are just lumped into one container. Now that will surely be a thing of a past for you.Good thing for me I don't have that much... yet. Thanks for sharing this brilliant idea!

Unknown said...

What a brilliant idea.I may juust have a go at that!
Great blog BTW.

Pouky said...

I'm so impressed by all thoses stamps ! Wowwwwwwwwww Great shelf. In face of this, mine seems ridiculous !

http://pouky.tumblr.com/post/396841556/armoire-a-tampons

Vanessa said...

WOW!!! GREAT JOB!! :)
Thanks for sharing!!

Jen Young said...

AWESOME! Great idea- may need to do this myself!

Anonymous said...

This is the first time I've been to your blog! So glad I stopped by! I have approximately $30,000 dollars worth of stamps and scrapbook material. I have stamps coming from everty oriface! They clog closets, shelves, containers and it all looks so hideous. You have officially been bookmarked so when I get rid of the excess clothing and toys I can organize and find something I wanna play with!

Unknown said...

Great idea. I actually have two of these shelves at home. I am going to use your directions to make me one. Thank you so much!!

Garret said...

Just getting into scrapbooking. Love the shelve. We are just creating a website as well.

Yours looks great. I can't beleve you did that shelf yourself!!!

Cuttlebug Embossing

Kim said...

Fantastic idea!! How clever are you, great job doing this project without the assistance of a man!
~Kim
P.S. I saw this on Pinterest:)

PEA said...

Pure genius! thank you sharing. I am working on my studio as we speak. Love this idea.!!!!

The Jule Box Studios said...

OK....YOU ROCK SISTAH!!! Love it!:)

Debbie said...

Wow. Hope they still carry this unfinshed shelf at Michaels. Thank you for sharing such a great idea.

N. said...

I saw this on pinterest too - has it withstood the test of time? Is there anything you'd do differently to it if you did it all over again?