Just a cool idea I wanted to share...

CRAFT CART

One of the things most loved and utilized in our home is our CRAFT CART. It's a wire rolling cart, about 3 feet tall and 2 feet long, with three shelves. I think I got it at Wal*Mart for about $10.

On the top shelf I put two of those Rubbermade storage bins with the three little drawers (for a total of 6 drawers). These drawers are the perfect size for different kinds of paper as well as art utensils like:
pens
pencils
markers
color pencils
erasers
dry-erase markers
pattern books

On the other two shelves I stacked plastic shoeboxes with lids, containing the following, in a somewhat organized fashion:
art smocks/aprons
glitter
glue/paste
craft scissors
templates
extra photographs
stencils
craft punches
stickers
rubber stamps & inkpads
notecards
envelopes
stationery
postage stamps
die-cuts
ribbon
paints & brushes
yarn
used greeting cards
blank index cards
scraps of lace, eyelet, and fabric
cotton balls and swabs
popsicle sticks
modeling clay
buttons
beads
embroidery thread
cross-stitch/sewing supplies

and various items with project potential, such as:
tissue rolls
small, empty cocoa/coffee cans
empty film canisters
plastic communion cups
small, sturdy boxes
baby food jars
etc.

It's also a fun idea to keep a watch out for fun and useful clip-art. It can be cut out of ads, junk-mail, newsletters, and newspapers, to name a few. Kids (especially) find this a nifty way to decorate notes and other projects.

Old greeting cards can be saved and clipped for decorations, gift tags, or used as actual postcards.

A large "pocket" can be hung on the back side of the cart, attached by rings to either side. The pocket can be created by using clear postal tape and attaching sections of poster board together so that it's large enough to accomodate full-sized pieces of poster board. You may even wish to cut a "V" or "U" shape in the side of the pocket facing out, so that smaller pieces of poster board and oversized pieces of art paper remain visible and easy to remove.

A cart on wheels is easy to roll out to the kitchen or family room for projects, and having all the supplies in one place encourages me to organize and collect useful materials. I've even been caught enjoying the convenience by getting creative myself, on occasion. It just reminds me how much fun it can be to take everyday items and create something wonderful.

Lisa Luke Easterling