Saturday, January 31, 2009

Cricut Storage

Figuring out how to store the Cricut cartridges is tricky. For one thing, the boxes they come in are bulky and awkward - not conducive to carrying them around or even flipping through your stash quickly. So, I have been searching out solutions to this problem and here are a number of ideas people have come up with to store their cartridges in space saving ways that are easy to carry.

This first way is my favorite and the one I use. I like that it holds SO many cartridges - there is room for 40! Not that I have that many, but it's nice to have room to grow (ha ha!). Also, it's compact and simple.

Snapware Ribbon Holder for Cartridges:





HERE on this thread on the Cricut MB, Channyne posted actual instructions on how to cut that large needlepoint plastic canvas to separate the cartridges and it works like a dream in the bottom section. I also used a black Sharpie pen on the top side of my cartridges to ID them (like PDDU = Paper Doll Dress Up, etc.). You can purchase these Snapware Ribbon containers at Lowe's and Target (check Christmas clearance aisles) or online HERE for $11.49 at the Container Store. They have a similar looking item at Joann's but don't buy that one because the bottom of the top large section has a scooped area and the books wouldn't fit in there correctly.

Other options are:

Cricut Storage Book:


Cricut sells a book that looks like the cartridge books but holds just cartridges and overlays (see above photo). This holds 8 cartridges, can be either orange or blue (so you could have fonts in one and shapes in the other) and retails for $9.99.

Scrapcessories Caddy and Tray:

Caddy:


Tray:


Then, this woman on the Cricut message board has designed and is selling these (above photos). She has a caddy for $12.99 that holds 8 carts and all their accessories (booklets and overlays). Or you can just buy the tray only for $8.49, which could be put into a notebook, after punching holes with the Crop A Dile. Prices decrease as after you buy 3 (down to $10.99 per caddy). These are a preorder item and will be shipping in February. Click HERE to get more info and pre-order.

Other People's Solutions:

Crafty Cathy stores hers on the wall:


Dany's Storage Solution from Michaels:


This thread from the Cricut message board HERE has many more ideas.

Finally, once you've come up with a storage solution, if you don't want to throw away the original boxes, you could store them inside the box the Cricut came in, because most likely you didn't throw that box out either. I know I didn't.

10 comments:

  1. Awesome post FULL of great ideas! I need to choose one of these ideas and start using it for my cartriges!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Go check out scraponizer.com and see what they has. I love the stuff that they have. If you like it please let me know ok. You can also let them know that I sent you if you would like to. It is very sturdy but light weight. And it is very easy to orginze and keep everything straight but you can also see everything.

    Thanks
    Candie
    iced_2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. A friend of mine suggested using zippered pencil cases to store the cartridges. I found a great one at Walmart for .97. It has a clear window and 1 zipper with holes to put in a binder if you want. I put the overlay in the window and the booklet behind it so I can get a quick look. I also found a storage box at Ikea that will hold @ 20-22 pencil cases perfectly. These are also so easy to take to crops.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been looking for ideas for my cartridges, these are all great, thanks everybody.

    Marilyn
    myrmidon9@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for posting this. I am now up to 10 and even though I have a rolling cart for my Cricut it is getting rather full. It is like a piece of luggage with rolling feature so it works pretty well. Glad to know there are planned storage just for this purpose.
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
  6. You can also cut the dividers with your Cricut! Here is a cut file for the larger snapware tote:
    http://cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com/2010/02/dont-throw-away-that-clam-shell.html
    There is also a link in the post above to Cindy McVey's post for the smaller snapware tote.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I found a link to the Snapware website. They tell you what stores stock their merchandise. It's http://www.snapware.com/W-60882010.html
    Hope this helps someone.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lots of great ideas! I got lots of organizational components for my birthday. I refuse to spend so much money to store things when I could use that money for more cartridges or scrapbooking tools, embellishments, etc. It looks so cool to have everything neatly stored.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Moving Home? At Smart Storage Boxes we offer a wide selection of moving packs to meet your requirements. Whether you are looking for a range of small boxes or a full 3-4 bedroom moving pack we have a range of value packs and box bundles for you. Assembled in seconds with a unique click base, and designed with extra strength, specially strong for archiving files and documents.For details log on to http://www.smartstorageboxes.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love this idea. I can't find the instructions on the cross stitch plastic board... and how to cut it exactly. The link to Cricut and a search there doesn't find it. Does anyone have this information? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

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