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Sunday, May 01, 2011

Marker Storage

Sorry, no card today, but oh, look, look!!! Look at what I made. Woo-hooooo....don't you love it?

My craft table is neat and tidy right now, but we'll see how long that will last...LOL.


I've had this idea of a storage box for my markers for well over a year, but only got around to making it now. I got so frustrated because when I work, my markers are all over the place on my table that I have hardly any clear space to work on...LOL.

It's actually not hard to make that now I wonder why I kept putting it off.

I used this type of CD rack to make the shelves. I bought mine at Lee Valley Tools. (Link to their catalogue item if you're interested here.)


If I place a CD jewel case on every other rail for the shelves, then the space in between 2 shelves is just right for my markers. The CD cases you can buy at your dollar store for about 25 cents each--even at Future Shop they work out to about 40 cents each.


You can make this as wide as you need. One tower measures 10 3/4 inches high and 5 1/8 inches wide. You just have to make a box to accommodate that height and the width of the number of towers you want, in the inside of your box. I used 2 pine boards (4-ft long, 5 1/4" wide, 3/4" thick) which I bought at Home Depot. I have a scroll saw to cut the 2 end pieces and then I just screwed them in place. I used a foam board to cover the back. Hmmm...I bet you can make the whole thing with just foam boards--so much easier!

I have 3 types of markers: Letraset Promarkers, ShiHan Touch markers and Letraset Pantone Tria markers. The barrels of all these 3 brands are of about the same size. You can fit seven markers in each shelf. There are 10 shelves within a pair of CD rails, so each set can accommodate 70 markers.


I don't have any Copic markers, but I think the Copic Markers are the same size as the Touch markers, so this will work just fine for them. I don't know about the Sketch or the Ciao markers, though. I do believe they are slimmer in size, are they not?

OMG, I didn't realize I had so many markers until I had them laid out like this. Wait a minute though! I didn't spend as much money as you think!!! I only buy markers when they are on SALE...LOL...I am a cheapskate!

The Letraset Pantone Tria markers were the first ones in my collection--they are my favorites. I started with them when my local art store DeSerres (formerly Loomis Art Store) had a clearance sale. Little did I know that they were clearing them because they were being discontinued. Boo hoo hoo...I cried when I found out. But hey, I stocked up on all the colours that I could get. The markers were about $.099 - $1.29--woo-hoo...almost like they were giving them away--I was like a kid in a candy store!!!

The Promarkers are what replace the Pantone Trias I believe. I could be wrong, but it's the same barrel size and similar nibs. The Promarkers and the Touch markers, when they are on sale, are about $2 - $2.39 each.


That's it. Sorry no card this time, but I just wanted to share this.

As an afterthought, I am also sharing this with the ladies at Top Tip Tuesday.

26 comments:

  1. Wow what a brilliant idea. Unfortunately I live in the UK but I'm sure I could find something similar to make one of these. You truly are inspiring!!! Hugs Denise xx

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  2. You are genius! What a fantastic idea! We have a Lee Valley about an hour from here...maybe a trip is in store!

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  3. OMG Norma, I cannot bellieve this. I WANT ONE.....NOW!!
    I am going to show it hubby after and tell him how you did it, it's adorable and so nice lookin, you are a genius...Brilliant.
    Debbiexx

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  4. Not only are you so incredibly creative with your coloring and card design, but now look at you!!! Designing storage solutions!!! Wish I had that many markers!!
    Hugs,
    Teri

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  5. Norma, everything you create is a work of art and this is no exception. Brilliant idea, and how lovely it looks sitting on your desk.
    Sue S.

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  6. Norma how brilliant!!!!!

    OH GF My first coloring medium are the letraset pantone Tria markers.I was so sad when they discontinued them.

    I got over 50 markers for $5 from a guy at the flea market!!! I got me the whole set of the warm collection for $20 on ebay. Yeah I LOVE THEM!!! Aren't they awsome!!!


    I love love your storage unit.I love that it's at a close reach!!! Ruby♥

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  7. What a fantastic storage unit you made for your markers! OMG Norma, you definitely are a creative genius! Both in paper crafting and making such a functional storage unit!
    Hugs, Cami

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  8. Congratulations on this fabulous storage Norma. BRAVO!!!!!! What a great and smart idea :-)
    Hugs,
    Cabio

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  9. I just love this storage bin!!! I just bought some more copics that I had got on sale and when I saw this I almost died! I want and need this. Thanks for showing us your beautiful work and this awesome project!!!

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  10. This is totally amazing, I want one!!! I'm going to show my hubby this in the morning, he loves working with wood so maybe he'll build me one. Thank you for the inspiration.
    Hugs
    Suzi x

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  11. Brilliant! I like that they are all at your fingertips. Clever girl!

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  12. WOW Norma - way to think up a fabulous idea - and one we DON'T need a handyman for!!! WOoohoooo! I have a mix of markers too - and one of the stores near here is stocking your Trias over copics so they must still be around!!! I bought my touch markers on sale too - they are what I started with - but I prefer to brush nibs and re-fills on the copics. AWESOME idea my friend!
    xXx

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  13. way cool Norma! I've been working on organizing stamps... I'll have to get some pictures taken...so fun to make progress! Although I have a way to go to have more room! lol TFS!

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  14. WOW -- now THAT is one impressive storage set up!!! How nice of you to share your idea with us!!!!

    justme,
    laura

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  15. Zazdroszczę tych markerów, u nas niestety są bardzo drogie. Półeczka jest rewelacyjna, miałaś niesamowity pomysł. Pozdrawiam serdecznie z Polski

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  16. Wow, nice idea. I like that. Best wishes from Germany.

    Hugs,
    Susi

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  17. Wow this is an absolutely fabulous tip!! Thanks for sharing it with us at Top Tip Tuesday!

    Hugs
    Leanne xx

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  18. Brilliant post and such a clever storage idea. Can't wait to show this to my teenage son who has just finished constructing a shelf for all my papers. :-) Something else to keep him busy.

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  19. Oh my goodness! I'm crying tears of joy over this creation!!!!!!! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing this. I'm totally putting it on my to-do list. Thanks for sharing with us this week at Top Tip Tuesday! :)

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  20. well look at your storage AWESOME job! thanks for sharing with us at Top Tip Tuesday! great! hugs Samantha :0)

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  21. Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Top Tip Tuesday :)

    Carol x

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  22. An ingenious idea, thank you for sharing. Off to see what I can find in the UK. Elaine

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  23. WOW!! This is so so clever!!! Thanks so much for sharing this lovely idea with us!! After my teens leave home...I get a new stamp area and will be keeping this in mind!! THANKS!! :)

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  24. An amazing top tip Norma. I would love one of these for my Copics - it would be such a help. I am definitely going to search for similar materials here in the UK.
    Sylvia x

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  25. Don't your markers dry out faster if they aren't stored caps-down? I might make it with a steep slant to help with this. It IS a brilliant idea, well done!

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Thanks for stopping by and giving me a bit of your time to leave a comment. Very much appreciate it. Norma