Major move, how did you do your Craft room?

At a guess, about as successfully as I managed with DH's collection of National Geographics....we've moved them at least 3 times so far and I think they are still in the same boxes I packed them in for the first move.

I moved cross country two years ago, but my stash is small. I basically just left everything in the containers I use to store my scrappy stuff in. We packed it all ourselves in a POD in the middle of a blizzard and everything got to its destination just fine. Good luck with the move!

I gave away some things to my scrapbook friends, packed my papers tight in boxes, some in Iris cases or ArtBins, put embellishments in zip lock bags, and packed them in boxes. Albums went in a larger box. The boxes were in a PackRat unit for months, but they did fine, despite the Virginia humidity, rain, snow, etc. that got dumped on that PackRat while it sat in our driveway. Then they got hauled to the storage facility, shipped to our new town/state, and brought to our home. I have some regular shelves which hold paper or other things in Iris bins, but mostly I use cube shelves to store 12x12 papers in my craft area (a loft), some with drawers, but I am hoping to replace the cubes that hold my 12x12 papers with sturdier ones from Ikea. The shelves line the walls of the loft. I have portable tables set up in the middle, which can be taken down when grandkids come. Anything I need to protect from the kids goes into a locked closet temporarily. It’s simple, but it works.

I recently moved across the country twice in 12 months (never again, it was the pits). I used the 12x12 Irish storage containers and those were great for paper and then I put them in rubbermaid containers we had on hand. I did have 2 of my alcohol inks leak but I had put all inks in ziplock bags and then in their own plastic bin which I wrapped with the plastic moving stuff we grabbed from Home Depot before putting in a regular moving box so damage was contained. I also listed the contents on the outside of the box to help me when I was unpacking. I still managed to move some dried up glue and paste to my great annoyance, so you might double check that stuff. I worked with a professional organizer to pack us up this last time and she was a million times better and far cheaper than a moving company, so you might check that out. She helped me purge and took care of all the stuff we were donating, including taking food to a food drive for us. We had a brand new baby and she was a godsend.

One thing that helped me was I had done a craft room re-do with a professional organizer and had purged a ton right before we found out we were moving. When we got the the PNW, our space was tiny, so I had to purge even more. Now that we are back in a much larger space, I am sad I got rid of more than I would have had I known we would be moving again so soon. But on the other hand, I know exactly what I have, I'm not overwhelmed any more by my stash, and I'm working hard to purchase as I need things this time around instead of just what want because it's pretty. That happens still too of course, but I'm a lot more conscious. I don't want to fill up my new space, I want to keep it organized and for it to be my happy place.

I found out about after I moved is you can rent reusable storage boxes from places like U-Haul. They are plastic bins (that get cleaned between users). I would look into that for my next move if I could afford it (I've heard it's not that much more than buying moving boxes, no idea if that's true) since they are sturdier and it's better for the environment. Recycling here is iffy, so even though we recycled our boxes, I'm not sure they didn't just end up in a landfill. Bins like that would be great for paper and albums.

I don't have firsthand advice but maybe some general thoughts from helping others.

Prioritize the stuff you love and use most at the beginning, maybe creating a few "unbox first" boxes so you can get your favorites out and maybe start creating even if unpacking everything gets away from you (which it always seems to). I guess you might not want to actually pack that stuff first since it's the stuff you might have a need for before you leave, but maybe create a capsule craftroom within your existing space. Make sure your paper trimmer and glue doesn't get buried in a box of stuff that won't be unpacked for 6 months!

The thing I've observed most often is that as you go along you'll get so overwhelmed and sick of everything and you'll start making rash decisions and throwing things randomly into boxes. You don't want to do that with the trash or with the stuff you love and use most. Get rid of anything that is trash ASAP, and look for things that you can't craft without to go in the priority boxes.

My favorite declutterer (Dana K White, great audiobook companion when you're working) always has a trash bag and a box/bag that can be donated with all the donations inside. Even when you can't face the tougher/more emotional decisions you can dig through a drawer or pile and find some obvious trash and obvious donations (like the stuff you didn't even remember you had any more). Never assume you know what's in something - look through and see if there's anything that has become trash or that makes you go "duh, why do I have this?!"

Hope that helps. Good luck!

12x12 paper went into boxes that I had saved over the years from orders, milk crates (I was moving myself so could make sure nothing went on top of them), and Artbin satchels that I taped shut just in case.

Just don't do what I did, which was label most of my boxes "scrapbook." Much better to label boxes with the contents, even if the box contains multiple items. I was able to find my punches, 8x5x11 paper, and Quickutz quickly because those boxes were labeled, mostly because they were extra heavy and I wanted them on the bottom of the truck and not crushing lighter boxes.

Good luck!

great start angel97701 and I agree with scrappyrabbit - if stuff is already organised in a container - wrap it or tape it and stick it in a box.

If you don't mind...just the title of your thread sends my stomach into a complete spasm of tension... I'm ostriching and ignoring your pain
But when my time comes, I'll come running for advice, k?

For my new craft room I am 75% set up. I need a few more storage items.

My desk is an old ikea corner desk but I have the side up against a wall & the main edge aligned with a wall so I can now see the TV without bending my neck too far 🤣

Next to me I have a black wire shelf with my shoe boxes
Behind me I picked up a 3 drawer ikea dresser to store stamps & stuff, next to that is a 4 high single with cube bookcase from target ( ikea was out of stock ) on top of the dresser I have my die files & my small photo printer

Then across from me by the window is my sewing machine, printer & 2 shelves, with less used items in them. I have not set up my silhouette yet at this house. But it’s in its box on the shelf it will go on. I can try to post a rough floor plan when I get home ( graph paper )

I LOVE my new studio. Love it.

Good luck with your move!