Storing Dies???

It's time for me to try and figure out how to store all of my thin metal dies. I like the idea of magnetic sheets to store these dies, but I really don't want to use the ArtBin system. I'm afraid using a binder might let dies fall off and out - loosing the small ones.

Soooo...... Please tell me how you store your dies, I need some ideas

For my alphabets and large sets, I have the Quickutz metallic books.

My Stampin' Up ones and other Sizzix ones came in plastic envelopes so left them in there and but into a box found at Homesense (like the home store in the TJ Maxx family of stores).

The Spellbinders and other dies are in a bin. I bought magnetic sheets from the dollar store and put them on the sheets. Each sheet is slid into a DVD sleeve (purchased on Amazon - Atlantic movie sleeves - use the full ones only). I label each sleeve with my label maker. I also keep the packaging info and slip into sleeve (image, instructions, brand, number...).

Sorry. No help here as I use the ArtBin system with its magnetic sheets. It works really well.

• Vivian Lake Said:

Me too! very happy with the artbin

I first stored mine in DVD cases without the nub and magnetic sheets. The (10) cases I bought on Amazon for about 10 dollars plus shipping. The magnetic sheets at Dollar Tree for a dollar a piece. But then I spent time opening and closing the cases and they did break eventually. So I bought some 8 by 8 scrapbooks and slid the magnetic sheets in the page protectors. It works but is a mite heavy. I have 3 books. (not all are filled). Then one poster on another site said she just puts them on the magnetic sheets and stacks them vertically in a box. She said they do not fall off or shift. So that may be my next try.

(I bought the Art Bin but it as a total waste of money)

I use the magnetic sheets ( purchased at Home Depot, used to cover vents), I cut them to an 8 1/2 x 11 size and the put them in those plastic sleeves and then into a binder. I did place thin cardboard inbetween the magnetic sheets making it more sturdy so I could utilize both front and back of the sleeve. Pretty cheap and it holds way more than the Art Bin set up. I almost bought that on a good sale, had it in my cart and then realized it didn't really hold much or have much space. I will try to get a pic of it to add here.

This is it.
Thin die storage By ChansGram

I just redid my die storage also. I was able to dedicate one shelf/cubby to my dies so I just lined the inside of the shelf with sticky magnetic sheets. I like my stuff out in the open and handy because I tend to use them a lot more that way.

I found a plastic container that was used for storing cards at Michaels. It might be an Artbin. It fits the pre cut Artbin die sheets. I use the vent covers from HD and cut them down. They sit in there vertically. For my alphabets, I put them in 4 x 6 photo containers backed by smaller pieces of the vent covers. These sit in the back. It holds a bunch of dies and nothing falls out.

Another ArtBin lover here.

I buy magnet sheets (12 x 24) at AC Moore and cut them down to fit inside plastic page protectors that go inside a loose-leaf binder. I have several such binders filled with thin metal dies.

I save the paper inserts that come with the Spellbinder sets and slide them into the plastic sheets in front of the set of dies. That way I know which dies belong where when I remove them for use, so they don't go missing. I keep one of the pages, backed with cardboard for extra support, to fill with selected dies that I can bring to a crop.

I had used one or two of the magnetic air conditioner vent covers from Home Depot, but at AC Moore, I can use a coupon to get them for less. And now my AC Moore store is an outlet with everything 40% off, and I just bought two more of the magnet sheets.

I use the art bin for bigger ones and the magnetic sheets cut down for a CD case. I just started and might change but for now it works. easy to cart as the CD cases fit into a plastic storage bin. I also put the paper that came with it in the back so I know the company and shapes that go together.

I LOVE the Artbin. Have two of them.

I like the idea of magnets but it would just be too heavy for me. I use CD/DVD sleeves, which are are clear plastic envelopes. They have a top that folds over so the dies don't fall out. They're great for nestable dies. I do have a couple of larger dies and they get stored in baggies. All this goes in an Ikea box.

I also love all four of my artbins. I have one for basic shapes, one for cards in case I ever make cards since I have all the card-dies, one for the real thick dies, and one for everything else. That one has 36 different sets in it since several sets will fit on one magnetic sheet. I might move the card dies into the basic shape case and make the 4th for holiday dies. I like that they close tightly so if a really small die manages to get loose, it at least doesn't get lost.

I really like the idea of putting them on magnetic sheets on the wall. But I chose my scrapping space because of all of the windows. I have no viable walls in my craft area...but if I ever get a proper scrap room that is the way I am going.

Four Artbins? Oh MY how many dies is that?

The Artbin is small. Yes, it is heavy if you add a lot of sheets, but it's not so gigantic that I have trouble lifting them in an out of my cabinets, and I have a touch of arthritis so I wouldn't enjoy anything too large, too heavy.

The caveat is that I wish Artbin had made the profile just a tiny bit larger because the Spellbinder Grands won't fit. I just keep those in original packages in a magazine holder right next to the Artbins. Most people don't have dies that large and you can't use them if you don't have a Grand Calibur. (Unless there is something new with a 8.5" wide platform?)

Zutter is now making one that is a little larger and also allows for stamp storage. Thinking about that one.

Have you thought of these? We've had some great reviews on them. (also, they are on sale today - all storage is). Hope that helps!

I purchased some magnetic sheets and found a basket that will fit cd sleeves. I'm going to give that a try and see how that works. The shelves I have are not real deep, hopefully it will all fit.

Thank you for all of your storage ideas. It seems all I do is organize now lol

why doesn't ScrapBook .com hand the plastic dividers to go between the magnetic die and storage system? They have 3 that comes with it.

Dell8

ChansGram. I did switch over to your system. I found Zippered notebooks at garage sales and put my dies in them. (On their magnetic sheets and in a page protector.)

I like to take my dies to crops. Each book is labeled, Shapes, Images, Words/flourishes and Holidays. I have 2 Shapes books. I try not to put too many pages as they get heavy.

I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for, but it might be an idea for someone else. This photo actually shows embossing folders, but it's the same system I use for my metal dies. They are in plastic zipper bags from Gaylord, with card-weight stiffeners. I label each and hang them alphabetically on a Clip-It-Up. (I have one for dies and one for embossing folders. And I have bags on order to start another one to hold my Cricut cartridges!) On the ones for embossing folders, I actually emboss the stiffener page.
Metal dies storage By Dwelch

I love my Art Bins! I have 3 and plan on having many more.

Darla, I like your set up for dies and folders.
Are the clip it ups still available?
For some reason I thought they didn't make them anymore.
Do they hold the weight of the dies fairly well?

I have since taken mine out of the zipped binder because it was getting way to heavy for me.
I still have them on the magnetic sheets inside the plastic sleeve but now they're just loose in a drawer.
It works because I can just flip through like a file to get the sheet I need. Much easier to lift one page than the whole book!!

my new die storage By Christiscraps61
Hi Cherene,
I store my dies on magnetic sheets which are glued to thick chipboard sheets. I just flick through them to find the one I need, they are sort of in categories.

No help here....use the artbin system and LOVE IT!!

I just started doing this and I love it. Super easy and the magnetic pages aren't outrageously expensive.

I use the zutter magnetic sheets but I keep mine stored in a bin in my raskog cart and not in their plastic case. Works great. I can flip through and find what I need.

I've been scoping out some ideas for this because although I have been using the Artbin storage system and like it, I think I'm outgrowing it now.

I saw recently an idea of using clear plastic envelopes (in different sizes even) or even zipper style plastic bags (again, in the right sizes - I think 6 x 8 " was suggested somewhere). Inside of each of these bags would be a die cut set with an appropriately sized magnetic sheet cut from vent covers (purchased at a home improvement store) and behind that would be a labeled piece of heavy cardstock or chipboard (and/or the original packaging) for stability. All of these are then stored inside a box (or drawer) much as Christiscraps61 does. Little dies don't get lost, and they are still very portable for crops and such if you select the ones you'd be likely to use.

I've considered going this route, but the Artbin was an investment and is again, pretty handy already so I'm not sure if I'll just purge and buy even more selectively from now on. I guess it depends on whether I can actually do that. This sounds like a neat alternative idea though if I just can't. Thought I'd throw it out to you and others if you haven't already heard about it.

Hope you find the way that works best for you.

I purchased these a few months ago
http://www.stampnstorage.com/5x7-6x7-magnet-cards/

they are a bit expensive but very sturdy and I don't think I will ever need to replace them.

Judy

TriciaH --that was exactly what I was about to recommend!!!
I literally own (12 ) DIES!!!! and like 13 embossing folders so atm I AM storing all that in one cubby drawer in my micheals recollections cube with four drawers!!!
sorry if not much help oh but I do eventually want to get
the zutter etc magnetic sheet and envelopes!!!
MG

Born2shop....chipboard (or cereal boxes) glued to magnetic vent covers are the same thing and they cost way less. You can find magnetic vent covers at Lowes or order them from Amazon. I think they are 11" by 18" and has 3 sheets in them for about 6 dollars.

Hi thanks for the info so the binder and sleeves works out ok? Do the dies all stay on the pages or do the fall to the sleeve bottom? Any suggestion on stamps ?

i actually have the same question !!! i have been for years storing my stamps in small zip lock bags and my dies as well then putting each baggie in a little container -- but this is getting old and they falll to the bottom -- need to reconsider a new method of organization !! good luck in your search !!!