Desert Shine Jewelry on Etsy

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Traveling With Beads

When we retired and moved to AZ, we promised the kids that we'd come back up to WA every summer.  Okay, so that sounded easy.  Until I decided to take my jewelrymaking seriously and start selling.  Now, we have an RV full of beads, display items, wire, our show tent, tables....  My Hubby keeps reminding me that we have a weight limit.  But I've discovered that it IS possible to carry around my supplies and inventory; and still have room for our clothes and food.  THE KEY IS ORGANIZATION!  (I'm yelling that because I have to constantly remind myself that I have to stay organized.)

It's so easy to spread out in an RV when you stay in one spot more than a few days.  For instance, right now, I'm typing on my PC at the dining table.  The computer takes up about 1/4 of the table.  The rest of the space is covered in half-finished projects that I have to complete before Thursday night's in-home trunk show.  Not so organized, huh?  But the good news is that my inventory is organized in clear containers, clearly labeled.  My beads are stored in drawers in a small metal cabinet with locking wheels that I picked up at Ikea.  It's just the right size to fit at the end of our bed and has 6 drawers that are perfect for small containers of beads.  My wire is neatly stored in one of those plastic accordian type file folders.  I love that because I can label the different types of wire and keep them easily accessible.

My wirework tools (torch and related fun stuff) have been banished from inside the RV.  Hubby is afraid I'll catch us on fire....I only dropped a little piece of melted wire on the throw rung once!  Geesh!  The compromise is that I can easily set up a table outside - and he's put everything in a storage compartment that's right up front next to the door.

Pliers, nippers, and anything I use daily is stored in one of those stacking boxes with the handle on
top.  I can pack that with me anywhere but keep it on one of the dinette benches where I work. 

Now...if I could just figure out what to do with this stuff on the dining room table!

27 comments:

  1. Hah! We use TV trays so that all the REALLY important stuff can stay on the dining table!
    ;-)

    -Sharon
    RomanticThoughts.etsy.com

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  2. too funny, sometimes the more room we have the more projects that get laid out waiting to be finished.

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  3. I so feel your pain, I actually have a dedicated room/studio in my home that's just for me and I still end up bringing my 4'x2' table in the living room to be with the family while I work!!!

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  4. you could send that stuff to me!:D

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  5. LOL, I have my studio upstairs and still manage to mess up the dining room, kitchen, and family room with supplies and products that are in varying stages of completion. There's stuff everywhere!

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  6. Ha, that is great! Happy and Safe travels!

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  7. LOL....I'm not the most organized person, but I say it's my organized mess! All the best on your projects and travels!

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  8. wow, sounds like fun, actually. my grandkids are in Seattle - love that part of the country.

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  9. Haha! Glad to know I am not the only one who drives my husband crazy with craft items ;) I JUST bought a to go storage for all my beads but I still have a table at home with all my craft stuff on it ;) Thus is life! Organized chaos ya know?

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  10. Organization is key...And sewinggranny's blog post for today gave me some tips to follow. But hey, travels in an RV (w/supplies), on your way to a great place to visit...Not bad at all, even if it's a little bit unorganized!
    ~Kim

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  11. my house is a mess but my Etsy shop looks fantastic!!!))))

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  12. It's a common problem in my house how my polymer clay goodies take up just a corner, then the table, then the dining room. So many things to make and so little time!

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  13. I hear ya! I have projects all over the house in various stages of completion. My desk is a swamp of business cards, lists, stationery and coffee mugs.

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  14. The last time my workspace looked really neat & organized is when the team did a Blog project including photos of our workspace ;D

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  15. Oh NO! You want me to be held accountable for my organized chaos???!! lol I to, have a small area that is just for my business (It is actually a walk in closet that we have converted to an office for me) But I have projects in various stages of completion in different areas of the house. I can't really stay in my office AND chase the kids around lol Drives my husband nuts hehehe

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  16. I so wish I had a separate kitchen for my business! My husband is in the Army so I am waiting until he gets out and we settle into a house before I can have my own workspace and incorporate and get licensed and everything. At least I have my own little office and storage space.

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  17. Wow, how lovely that you've got a whole RV for your storage!! I was happy just to get a little cabinet with cubby holes recently:) Sounds like you've got lots of stuff! One of these days, maybe I'll outgrow my cubby holes:)

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  18. How fun it is to be taking your business on the road. Organization is key, but it's so fun to collect those goodies for the things we make. Creation Is Messy!

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  19. I have a small house and have to do some of the things you mentioned. I start out well but after working on a few projects, seem to have every surface covered...yet again. Sigh...

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  20. My craft supplies are all over, even in the garage, dining room, bedrooms. I accept it.

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  21. Oh...you are living my dream! lol...but I would have a much harder time storing mine items...serger, sewing machine, ironing board, iron...fabric fabric more fabric...you get the picture.

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  22. LOL sounds like the story of my life! my beads are everywhere and you should see my fabric....

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  23. You need a dedicated studio!

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  24. What a great idea. I am so gonna do this buy a tray or something for our trip to California.

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  25. Ha, moving jewelry supplies is such a hassle!

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  26. i am SO impressed! i have too much *stuff* and would really have to downsize to get organized in an RV as you are---congratulations- you have it all together and are enjoying life as well!

    marilyn

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