Freshly Organized Storage
Trying to keep track of your artwork can be a challenge. The most basic part of that is how the work is stored and then being able to find a specific piece when you want it without taking apart everything you own!
Many artists who work with fabric store the work on a bed. That's great as the work is flat however if the piece you want is under 6 other piece it isn't easy or fun or extract. I also don't have a spare bed to use for storage purposes.
Some people fold their fabric pieces to store by stacking the work on a shelf. That works but I don't like the fold line or wrinkles that seem to develop in my work when it is folded. Perhaps it's the intensity of the stitching or maybe the batting I use as I have been told that everyone doesn't get these flaws from folding.....but I do.
Ends of rolls. Still looks complex but I now know which
shelf to check.
I have always rolled my fabric work. I use large (3 1/2 inch diameter) foam noodles that are sold as pool toys. The brand is Khuna and they work great. The Khuna noodles have a hole in the center and I put a pvc pipe through this so the roll is rigid. The work is rolled face out around the noodle then wrapped with white muslin and slipped into a plastic sleeve. The sleeves come from Uline and are boxed as a roll. The sleeves can be cut to any length you need. I tie the ends shut and attach a photograph of the piece with the name underneath the picture for easy identification. Without this there is no way I can find what I'm looking for. I have a nice heavy duty metal shelf and the rolls are stored there. I often put the hanging rod inside the bag with the work as well.
Even with the tags it can be hard to find a specific piece so this weekend I took everything off the shelves, checked for proper labeling and rearranged everything. I kept a list of which shelf the piece is on and I am adding that to my Excel Inventory. As new work is added I will include the shelf number with all the other information in my inventory.
Most of what is stored here is fabric but I saved the bottom shelf for my new encaustic and cold wax and oil paintings. I want to develop some order for this work as well so that it can be easily located. This kind of operation is not something I love to do but I love the end results!
Even with the tags it can be hard to find a specific piece so this weekend I took everything off the shelves, checked for proper labeling and rearranged everything. I kept a list of which shelf the piece is on and I am adding that to my Excel Inventory. As new work is added I will include the shelf number with all the other information in my inventory.
Most of what is stored here is fabric but I saved the bottom shelf for my new encaustic and cold wax and oil paintings. I want to develop some order for this work as well so that it can be easily located. This kind of operation is not something I love to do but I love the end results!
