Short of craft space? 6 useful tips for crafting in small spaces

I wrote a post for social media and it grew so long that it wouldn’t fit! So here it is!

 

One of the things I hear most from my Stampin’ Up!® customers is how they struggle for space. This is a LONG post but well worth saving for the future as it has some fabulous tips for keeping your craft collection under control and freeing up space to actually create.

After 30+ years of crafting I finally have my own craft room but if the last 30 years have taught me anything, it’s that you don’t need a huge space to get creative.

Determined crafters will always find a way: a few years ago, one of my lovely Stampin’ Up!® customers was unable to use her craft table because it was needed elsewhere. She found a solution by making cards on her ironing board!

Here are my six top tips for Stampin’ Up!® fans who are short on space. Number six is the best one for those who can’t bear to reduce their stash!

I've included product codes as these are universal. UK customers: there’s a handy link at the bottom so you can find all the products mentioned easily. 

Stick to a theme

 

Instead of buying everything you love – or being frustrated that you can’t – why not set yourself some informal “rules” such as sticking to a theme.

I love woodland images. Trees, leaves and woodland creatures are some of my favourite themes – and this makes it easy to put products together.

Your theme could be coastal, floral, geometric, or something else entirely.

Of course you will stray from time to time and that’s fine, too. But if you have a solid collection of themed products, you will almost always be able to mix and match to create unique projects.

Create a signature colour palette

Do you really need ALL the Stampin’ Up!® colours? If the answer is yes, skip to the next tip.

But if you find yourself to the same few colours, a signature palette makes sense. Sounds complicated? You could stick to a Stampin’ Up!® colour collection, all of which conveniently feature colours from across the spectrum. 

 

This way just a few ink pads and a small supply of cardstock will mean coordination is always be at your fingertips.

A word of warning: 2027 will bring a colour refresh, so Stampin’ Up!® colour collections are likely to change.

Scale things down 

Stampin’ Up!® sells smaller versions of some staple products which are perfect for the cramped crafter.

Ink pads

No room for a big collection of ink pads? Stampin’ Spots (small square ink pads) are one solution and there are three ways to collect these:

So Chic Classic Stampin’ Spots assortment (167967) is a serene mix of five subtle and neutral colours, while the So Bold assortment (167966) features, you guessed it, five bolder colours. 

 

Uninked Stampin’ Spots (141822) allow you to create your own signature collection by inking them up in your favourite colours. Tip: when it comes to inking these tiny little pads, less is more!

 

Build up a collection of Stampin’ Spots via through our Kits Collection,  many of which include one Stampin’ Spots. The Pretty Party Kit (167998) is a great example, as it includes a versatile stamp set and a Cajun Craze ink spot. 

You can also subscribe to Paper Pumpkin craft kits and build up your Stampin’ Spot collection that way.

Designer Series Paper

If you don’t scrapbook in 12x12, and usually cut up your Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper, why not skip a step and choose from our 6x6 papers? These are perfect for 6x6 scrapbooking and cardmaking.

Don’t want to limit your choice? You could cut your sheets down to 6x6 as soon as they arrive, or go further by embracing the #loveitchopit movement and cutting them down to 4"x3", which is perfect for cardmaking. Trust me, it will be so much easier to use that precious paper once the first cut has been made!

Best of all, 4"x3" pieces fit in our Standard Stamp Cases (119105) which come in packs of four. 

Or, if you have a growing stash, you can fit two stacks of 4"x3" pieces side by side in a craft kit box.

Colouring tools

No room for a full set of Stampin’ Blends markers? 

 

The most space-saving colouring tools are our watercolour pencils, available in two collections. Assortment 1 (161700) and Assortment 2 (149014) each span the colour spectrum so you can manage with just one pack, or expand your options by purchasing both.  

 

For a beautifully shaded effect, use your pencils with a blender pen (102845) or a water painter (168253).

All are compact enough to fit in a pencil case. If you prefer uniformity, a Standard Stamp Case (119105) holds a full set of pencils plus a blender pen.

Die-cutting

 

Taking up less than half the space of a standard die-cutting machine, the Mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine (150673) takes smaller dies and embossing folders. The plates measure 8.7 cm x 17.7cm (3⅜" x 7") which means very many dies will fit in it, and it’s lightweight and cute, too!

Grid paper

Designed for our new stamp-positioning tool, the Stampin’ Positioner Grid Paper (169442) measures 17.2 x 22.2 cm (6-3/4" x 8-3/4"), making it perfect for crafting on the go or in a small space.

Get your kit on

Paper Pumpkin and our Kits Collection are perfect for really cramped spaces as they have everything you need; just add scissors.

My favourite Stampin’ Up!® kits are the ones which include a stamp set. Some of my most-used stamps originally came from kits. These stamp sets are small, which means you can pack a few of them in a Standard Stamp Case, and they are a great way of building up your collection – particularly of greetings – without taking up too much space.

And don’t forget, kits are packaged in a neat box which is perfect for storing craft supplies afterwards.

Have a clear-out

 

How many stamp sets do you really need? People are shocked when they see my modest selection.

The American author Christopher Paolini said: “Books should go where they will be most appreciated, and not sit unread, gathering dust on a forgotten shelf, don’t you agree?”

Similarly, in my opinion, unused stamps are wasted stamps so, once I think I won’t use them again, I try to move them on to someone who will love them.

I sell my retired supplies (Vinted is way easier than eBay), use them as prizes or donate them to organisations which can use them.

I know what you’re thinking: you’re worried about regrets.

Honestly, I have only ever regretted getting rid of ONE stamp... and that was in the years before I was a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator. I only “needed” it back for one card – and I soon got over it.

Hate this idea? You’ll love the last tip...

 

Slim down your storage

 

Keep the stamps but slim down the storage. New Stampin’ Up!® stamps and dies come in slimmer sleeves. These same Stamp & Die Organizers (167772) are available to purchase in packs of 10 so you could transfer your older stamps into new cases. One of my team has done this and now her vast stamp collection takes up a fraction of the space. 

Find all of the products mentioned in my store in one handy list