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Post by judyc on Aug 27, 2022 18:12:16 GMT
I have a smallish craft studio and lately I'm finding all of my electronics and die cutting machines are just monopolizing space. I have a laptop, a printer, a Cameo, the small Cricut, a Big Shot, a sewing machine, and a small flatscreen TV (20" maybe). Right now, all of these devices have their own table or bench, except the Big Shot shares a bench with the Cameo and the Cricut sits on the floor. How do you manage all of your cutting machines and other electronics? Anyone have a unique or creative solution?
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Post by scrappyem on Aug 27, 2022 18:31:08 GMT
I wish I did. I do use an Elfa rolling cart from the Container Store for my die cutting machines and then the longer set of Alex drawers for my Scan and Cut, both have wheels so I can maneuver as needed. One thing that did hep, was my DH mounted my computer screens on these adjustable arm things so it keeps my computer desk space pretty clear if I need to pull something over.
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,591 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Aug 27, 2022 19:03:16 GMT
I have a power strip on my craft desk; that takes care of my lamps and the heat tool. My Gemini (or Cricut, on the rare occasions I use it) are stored on a shelf and go on the dining table behind me for use - I can't leave those out. They get plugged in to a heavy-duty extension cord that stays plugged into the wall just for those two machines.
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Post by cannmom on Aug 27, 2022 19:05:45 GMT
Electronics definitely take up room. My Cameo sits on a small kitchen island on wheels next to my desk. My Big Shot sits next to the desk on a L section I made by putting a 4 cube unit along side of my desk. I keep the Big Shot and my trimmer on top of that and the cube provide extra storage. I have seen in some YouTube videos people using the tall ladder type shelves for die-cutting machines. They will put one per shelf. I use my die cutting systems more when it’s easily accessible so I don’t want to put them away in a closet. Full disclosure, my laptop lives on the floor next to my desk. It’s away where it won’t get damaged, but I really have no good spot for it.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 27, 2022 19:15:09 GMT
I keep my machines on a ladder shelf. The tv is elsewhere.
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Post by Linda on Aug 27, 2022 19:17:26 GMT
I perhaps don't have as many as some but I do have my Gemini Jr and my Cricut expression on my scrapbook desk - they are plugged into a power strip. I do have to plug in the USB cord for the cricut when I want to use it because my desktop is on the other side of the aisle - I'm actually looking for a long enough cord to bring it around a different way.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 27, 2022 19:42:36 GMT
I have a large u shaped craft desk and my electronics sit along one end of the L. But, I recently saw a photo where someone was using a ladder bookshelf and I loved how that looked. I cant' find the photo to share. But, it was a shelf similar to this: Ladder Bookshelf - Wayfair |
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 27, 2022 19:57:59 GMT
Or maybe something like this...it's deep and wide enough for a Gemini jr, Silhouette, Scan n Cut, etc. Open Tier Shelf - Amazon |
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,072
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Aug 27, 2022 20:50:23 GMT
I have the same problem. I have an old iMac that I want to someday mount on the wall so I can watch shows while I craft and that will give me much more space on my desk. I only have a Silhouette Portrait and it's small enough to fit under a monitor riser I got at IKEA years ago (they no longer make them otherwise I'd link it) and my printer is on top of my cube shelving (Expedit from IKEA, now Kallax). My Cricut is put away in the closet because I never use it and my manual die cutting machines (Big Shot and Cuttlebug and also my Bind-It-All) are on a printer cart that goes under my desk when I'm not using them. I don't have room for a ladder shelf because I'm sharing an office with my husband and the room is only 9x10 with one wall taken up by closet and a door.
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Post by judyc on Aug 27, 2022 21:13:25 GMT
Electronics definitely take up room. My Cameo sits on a small kitchen island on wheels next to my desk. My Big Shot sits next to the desk on a L section I made by putting a 4 cube unit along side of my desk. I keep the Big Shot and my trimmer on top of that and the cube provide extra storage. I have seen in some YouTube videos people using the tall ladder type shelves for die-cutting machines. They will put one per shelf. I use my die cutting systems more when it’s easily accessible so I don’t want to put them away in a closet. Full disclosure, my laptop lives on the floor next to my desk. It’s away where it won’t get damaged, but I really have no good spot for it. That was my original plan when setting up my room - store the machines in the closet and take out when I needed to use them, but then I would have to find a place to sit them and it became a lot of time and effort so in the end just left them out - even the baby Cricut that I use on the floor. |
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Post by judyc on Aug 27, 2022 21:36:20 GMT
Or maybe something like this...it's deep and wide enough for a Gemini jr, Silhouette, Scan n Cut, etc. Open Tier Shelf - AmazonThe ladder shelf or narrow tower in the photo seem like good solutions....wondering if anyone has used a ladder shelf or narrow bookshelf and how well that worked. Also, if they recommend the specific one they use. I'm guessing a lot of those might be laminated particle board. |
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Post by don on Aug 28, 2022 0:58:31 GMT
I have a smallish craft studio and lately I'm finding all of my electronics and die cutting machines are just monopolizing space. I have a laptop, a printer, a Cameo, the small Cricut, a Big Shot, a sewing machine, and a small flatscreen TV (20" maybe). Right now, all of these devices have their own table or bench, except the Big Shot shares a bench with the Cameo and the Cricut sits on the floor. How do you manage all of your cutting machines and other electronics? Anyone have a unique or creative solution? All you need is a bigger studio. |
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Post by amyl on Aug 28, 2022 13:49:36 GMT
I thought this was mentioned here recently by someone who used for their Silhouette and Scan N Cut. The white is available at Target as well. I’m considering…. link |
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beatrix
Junior Member
What does your heart tell you?
Posts: 66
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Post by beatrix on Aug 28, 2022 14:50:01 GMT
I have a decent size studio (12x15) and before this one it was a smaller room but I kept the same layout as the smaller because the cricut and laptop placement were my starting point when designing the space. The ceiling is very slow, this is an old house. I do not have a closet but adjustable shelves from Home Depot. My cricut maker and laptop are in the corner of the L shaped desk (all from Ikea) and this will always be their place. I don't have to move anything, just seat down, design and cut. All of the other machines that came after have their dedicated place as well. What worked at the end for me, was adding 3 of the 4-cube Kallax from Ikea and a top as the center table which gave me additional storage underneath and a bigger space to assemble projects. I also added a couple of monitor risers and a printer desktop stand from Amazon. My Big Shot sits on the stand and the Switch right next to it. My TV is mounted on the wall. Here are the links for Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097QW96Q3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087JHNXFS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1Attachments:
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Aug 28, 2022 15:45:01 GMT
I thought this was mentioned here recently by someone who used for their Silhouette and Scan N Cut. The white is available at Target as well. I’m considering…. linkI have two of the three tiered version, it's wider and shorter than the four tier. Great quality. I love them! I use them to hold cafeteria style trays, for my "work in progress". I bought extra boards, to replace the baskets, so I would have more flat surface space. Mine are black. The four tier would be great storage for all the various machines. |
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Post by judyc on Aug 28, 2022 21:17:30 GMT
So the top 3 solutions so far--
1. Add a multi-tiered stand/cart that will hold several machines (vertically)
2. Update to a u-shaped desk with risers that will allow me to have my electronics and manual die cutting machines in a permanent spot on my desk convenient for all my projects
3. Find new homes for family members that have the bigger bedrooms so I can have a bigger craft room. (Technically the suggestion was 'bigger studio' but buying a new house to get a bigger studio might be a little expensive....)
All good suggestions!
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Post by gizzy on Aug 29, 2022 16:54:05 GMT
Counter top is at a premium & my room is small. I think 9x12? I have 2 desks arranged to form an L & everything has to fit on there, including my work space. The printer/scanner is on a small table in the corner where the tables meet up. One wall is all window, the other is the closet & the 2 remaining walls I have kallax units for vertical storage. There isn't anywhere else to put these machines. It makes for a crowded workspace but what can you do?
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Post by don on Aug 29, 2022 19:36:52 GMT
So the top 3 solutions so far-- 1. Add a multi-tiered stand/cart that will hold several machines (vertically) 2. Update to a u-shaped desk with risers that will allow me to have my electronics and manual die cutting machines in a permanent spot on my desk convenient for all my projects 3. Find new homes for family members that have the bigger bedrooms so I can have a bigger craft room. (Technically the suggestion was 'bigger studio' but buying a new house to get a bigger studio might be a little expensive....) All good suggestions! The family member with the 2nd biggest room won't be there all that much more, so maybe a life lesson as to how it will be in the real world. Emanate domain. |
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Post by infochick on Aug 29, 2022 22:15:31 GMT
I thought this was mentioned here recently by someone who used for their Silhouette and Scan N Cut. The white is available at Target as well. I’m considering…. linkOh! I love this. I have a really narrow space between my desk and the wall, and I think I could put my Silhouette and laptop on this so that it can be tucked away and slide out when I need to use them. Right now my Silhouette lives in its case and I haul it out and use it on the floor or a bench whenever I want to do any cutting. It would be amazing to leave it set up. I'm already thinking of the things I could be storing on the other shelves  |
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Post by judyc on Aug 30, 2022 1:44:28 GMT
Counter top is at a premium & my room is small. I think 9x12? I have 2 desks arranged to form an L & everything has to fit on there, including my work space. The printer/scanner is on a small table in the corner where the tables meet up. One wall is all window, the other is the closet & the 2 remaining walls I have kallax units for vertical storage. There isn't anywhere else to put these machines. It makes for a crowded workspace but what can you do? This is exactly the dilemma that I'm trying to resolve.....I have an L desk too, and a wall with a closet and entrance door plus a path to the guest bath that needs to be unobstructed, and a wall with a large window. |
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,963
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Aug 30, 2022 2:12:50 GMT
My solution is few electronics/machines in a large devoted craft room. In addition to a Sizzix Big Kick sitting atop the cutting station & a Sizzix Sidekick on my project table, I may bring my phone &/or laptop (to draft journaling for future layouts) into my craft room & place it/them on a side table next to an oversized slipcovered chair in the corner beside a floor-to-ceiling window. My printer is in another room/home office, & I don't use sewing or electronic diecutting machines. I have had two PB Studio Ladder Shelves in my craft room for ~15 years & highly recommend them for storing supplies; while I don't use them to house electronics/machines, IMHO they would work well for that purpose. Hope you find the ideal solution for your space... |
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Post by grammadee on Aug 30, 2022 2:50:14 GMT
My cameo sits on top of a hutch on my computer desk. The printer is under the hutch. My all-in-one computer sits next to them across the corner. I have a rolling kitchen cart for my Vagabond and dies, with a portion of a shelf available to tuck in my Spellbinders Hot Gimmer system. My scrapping area is on the tops of two counters. I stand when I scrap and can step between them.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 30, 2022 3:36:20 GMT
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 30, 2022 17:30:44 GMT
Nancy, are your ladder shelves new enough to link to? I’ve looking to purchase one and it’s so hard to tell quality in online listings.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 30, 2022 18:50:06 GMT
Nancy, are your ladder shelves new enough to link to? I’ve looking to purchase one and it’s so hard to tell quality in online listings. The last one I bought was from Lowe's last year. I believe this is the one. I purchased the others about 8 years ago and they are a bit different and were probably $80 at the time. www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-Java-Wood-5-Shelf-Ladder-Bookcase/50432990The one on the right is the Allen and Roth one in Java Wood. It has a lip on the shelves. The black one (I have 5 of them) were from years ago. I also use three of them to store albums in the hallway. |
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Post by anniefb on Sept 1, 2022 5:51:07 GMT
I like the look of that ladder shelf but unfortunately wall space in my craft room is limited and I already have one set of shelves where I store most of supplies apart from inks.
I have an L shaped desk arrangement which works quite well with storage underneath but have had to relegate my sewing machine to the cupboard because I’ve run out of desk space.
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