Have
you ever heard the saying, “Organized people are just too lazy to look for
things”? Well, let’s be lazy
together! Here are some helpful ideas for
organizing the clunky shaped tools and supplies necessary for flameworking.
Posting Project Sketches:
A magnetic board holds sketches or tutorials for design
reference while at the torch. Available
at a local office supply store, craft store, or online retailer. Make sure the board is mounted away from the
reach of the flame. Paper and fire do not
mix!
Stringer Storage: Kitchen utensil holders can be used to store bundles and bundles of stringers. Pictured above is the OXO holder, available
at Bed, Bath & Beyond or online retailer.
The stainless steel holder features a “Lazy Susan” base, allowing for
quick access to stringers. Transparent
stringers in the holder on the left, opaque stringers in the holder on the
right.
Glass
Rod Storage: Plastic Rectangular Downspouts cut down to 15
inch length sections and stacked in a cabinet.
The downspouts can be cut and purchased at a local home improvement
store. Make sure to use a hair dryer set
on cold or air compressor to blow out the plastic flakes from the cutting
process. The cabinet is a kitchen island from Ikea.
Bead Presses: A stair-step spice organizer works wonders
for holding presses. With the ascending
display of tools, labels can be easily read when locating a press. Available to purchase from a kitchen store or
online retailer.
Mandrels: Ceramic Mugs filled with dried rice or sand
to hold pre-dipped mandrels. Multiple
mugs can be used to organize small, medium, and large mandrels or blowing tubes.
Mashers
and Rollers: A stainless steel hanging bar with “s” hooks
can be used to hang any tool with a hole.
Loop a piece of twine through the handle and then hang on the hook. The bar including mounting brackets and
separate “s” hooks can be purchased from Ikea, online retailers, or local home
store.
Murrini, Enamel and Frit: Plastic storage containers
are a wonderful solution for organizing anything small. The printable labels were in the latest Enamel issue of Soda Lime Times. If you purchase murrini, make sure to label
the containers for re-ordering the correct color or variation. If you make your own murrini, label the containers
with the glass recipe for making additional murrini. Available at most hobby stores in the
jewelry/beading department.
Bead
Caddy: Displays and organizes current projects,
marbles, cabochons, and “orphan” beads.
Great for holding example beads for size reference while making pairs or
sets at the torch. DIY project: wood,
dremel, paint, screws, felt and a bit of elbow grease.
