Dolls and Doll-related Items for Sale

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Improving Storage For Doll Items

In my experience, doll collecting is a lot more fun if you can easily find what you want, whether that is a new outfit, some jewelry, or even a backdrop or prop for display or photography. I wanted to show some pictures of a couple of changes I've made recently in how I store things related to my dolls.

First of all, I found a few double-decker small storage containers at Target. Unfortunately, these were being clearanced out, but there are probably similar storage items out there. I also picked up some more round stackable containers which are generally sold as a way to store beads for crafting. I already had some of those to store small snaps for doll sewing, but I've decided I also like them as a place to store doll jewelry, and some small accessories like sets of doll dishes. In so doing, I managed to cut down space in at least one of my doll drawers. I went from this:
to this:
The new containers are on top of the old container to show how much less space the new stuff takes
And since my drawer is deep enough to stack the two rectangular boxes on top of each other, it takes up even less space. Coincidentally, most of my 16" size doll shoes fit really well height wise and width wise in this container. In this picture you'll see how a row of shoes fits nicely in the box, with another row of shoes lined up the same way on the other side of the box. The shoes in the top box are loose because most of them are too tall to stand up.
Next, I've never really had a single place to store clothes for my 11 1/2" dolls. They've just been stuck in several plastic storage boxes, since I didn't have anything big enough to hold them all, especially the large, poofy princess dresses. What I ended up getting was an ArtBin Super Satchel. I consider it worth it just because I won't have to buy anything else to store 11 1/2" doll clothes in for a long time. As you can see in my picture, I haven't used very many of the separators available for this box. I might put another separator in on the right side, and put tops and jackets in the new, smaller space, and pants and shorter dresses in the second space. Right now, I also have Stacie size clothes in the top left. In the top right section, for now, are larger shoes, the ones made for My Scene dolls, that I want to keep. I also have my one pair of Liv doll shoes in there as well. I'd like to find a doll who can wear them, and who fits in my collection.
Lastly, like some of you, I've been buying more and more pieces of scrapbook paper, both to use for photo backdrops, and as wall paper and flooring in some of my smaller rooms.
After a couple of pieces of paper got a bit crumpled, I gave in and bought a case specifically for storing scrapbook paper. Sometimes I do hate spending money on storage instead of dolls, or doll furniture or jewelry or clothes, etc.! But protecting and storing what you've got is important as well, so I got a case.
I'd been in a storing-things-the-same-way-forever rut. It was nice to make some changes for the better. And in the end, it works towards the same goal of enjoying what I already have in my doll collection. Do you have any clever ways to store things?


9 comments:

  1. *creeping over from MonsterCrafts' post* Storage is always the biggest problem as your collection grows. Right now I just feel stunted with having too much stuff and not enough room. Good ideas you've had!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! I'm also there with the "too much stuff" issue. I like seeing different ideas for how people deal with their doll spaces.

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  2. You had me at "Storage". Always a challenge. I have a few systems that work, and a few that don't. Lots of plastic bins floating around here. So funny you mention the scrapbook case. My case is sitting in the basement empty, and the loose paper is here in my craft room. I need to rectify that. Thanks for the remind.

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    1. I have a bunch of plastic bins too, and I'm getting tired of the way I store things, so I'm trying to find different options. Glad I helped you remember your case. Mine really helps me keep that stack of paper under control.

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  3. I LOVE that huge plastic container you've purchased! I'll have plenty of space for all my doll clothes in there. I need to figure out how to store the crafts I do, as some of them can be easily broken.

    I loved your post, you have great ideas.

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you like that container. I finally decided I needed all those clothes in one place, and have space to get more. :) I hope you can find good storage solutions for all of your projects.

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  4. There are many storage methods available out there which can be easily created in the comfort of your own home. All you need are some creativity and the right materials to get you started. Tips, guidelines, and even instructions are very useful to steer such a project especially when you are a beginner. Everybody has to start somewhere and experts from online portals are a good start.

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  5. Thanks for the storage tips. I love these articles as well as doll posts. I've never considered storing paper backdrops, etc. I'm going to share this post on my Pinterest board.

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    1. Oh, thank you D7ana, and thank you for stopping by! I hope you're doing well.

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