New Year's Resolution: Organize Your Beads with Beaded Labels!

Susan Beal, contributor

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Make these pretty embellished bead-box labels in color-coordinated combinations for an instant organizing boost!

Susan Beal

I arranged my blue beads and rhinestones across the paper label before I glued them down.

Susan Beal

After I finished the pink beaded label, I used double-stick tape to join it to the front of the pink bead box.

Susan Beal

Make these pretty embellished bead-box labels in color-coordinated combinations for an instant organizing boost!

Photo: Susan Beal

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I organize my bead collection in a system of plastic compartment boxes—I found a couple dozen at the craft store and divided up my beads by color, along with separate boxes for metal charms, seed beads, and semiprecious pieces. For my New Year's resolution, I thought I'd reorganize my unruly craft room, starting with my jewelry-making supplies. Whipping up these labels, with beads, rhinestones, and charms hot-glued to neat strips of paper, was so easy...and now when I glance over to my bead shelf, it's a snap to find any color or type I want to work with!

You'll need:

• Colored or plain cardstock
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Assorted beads, rhinestones, or other pieces to decorate with
• Hot-glue gun
• Double-stick tape
• Marker (for labels you don't want to bead onto)

1. Measure or eye your bead box and cut a piece of cardstock that easily fits on the front side, without interfering with the lid snapping shut. I used color-coordinated paper, but you could also use plain white or a neutral color for each one.

2. Choose an assortment of beads, rhinestones, or other pieces to glue down to the paper. Be sure to choose inexpensive pieces you have duplicates of, or won't miss in your collection, and nothing too heavy, either. I like to use lightweight rhinestones, acrylic or Lucite beads, and flat pieces to decorate mine.

3. Arrange your beads and other pieces as you like on your label. Once you're happy with the arrangement, glue them down one by one using a hot-glue gun. I used glitter hot-glue sticks for this project for an extra-sparkly element.

4. Let the pieces set until cool, then apply double-stick tape to the back of your paper label. Press it right onto the front of the bead box.

5. Make as many labels as you like. For special collections like my semiprecious beads, which I didn't want to use up for labels (plus they're heavy and glassy, two things that make hot-gluing tougher), I just wrote the type of beads on the label and taped that down. I did the same with my seed beads—too messy to glue!

6. Now you can stack your bead boxes vertically on a shelf and instantly see which colors or styles are in which box—so you can spend your time crafting instead of endlessly searching for just the right bits and pieces.

Wishing you a happy and crafty 2009 with plenty of time to bead!

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Comments (4)

alankarshilpa writes: This is the coolest idea I can ever think of. I'm going to add this in my article "Organize" that I've just posted recently in my web site http://www.Bead-z-mommys-business.com.
Please check back a few days later, Susan, I'll give you credit. Thank you again. All the best - Dita.
Posted: 10:13 pm on March 31st

susanstars writes: thank you both so much! I would love to see photos if you label your bead boxes too :)
Posted: 4:11 pm on January 7th

NIckiLee writes: Thank you! Thank you for such a terrific idea! I just love it! Just yesterday I was stacking my #31 box of beads thinking there had to be a better way of finding the bead I was looking for. I can't wait to pass your idea along to all my Crazy Quilt friends as we are constantly talking about finding easier ways to manage all our pretties. Which, by the way yours look gorgeous all groups together.
Posted: 6:29 pm on January 6th

GingerGurl writes: what a really great idea kudos!!!
Posted: 1:58 pm on January 6th

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