Hi All,
I cannot even tell you how long I’ve been searching for the perfect way to store ink pads. All the methods seem to involve labeling the pads on the side with sample colors. OMG. I don’t have time for that, lol! So, I was keeping my distress ink pads flat in my IKEA Alexa drawer:
The problems: (a) too much wasted space, and (b) no room for new ink pads. But… look what I found!…
Guess what these containers are. You’ll never guess. They are nailpolish organizers! They fit distress ink pads PERFECTLY. I was in a good mood about this for days. Weeks!
I also found a much better solution for my non-SU ink pads (I store my Stampin’ Up! pads in the Stampin’ Up! Color Caddy). Before, I used old cassette tape holders:
They worked okay, but I didn’t like they way there were lined up in one long row. If I took a few out, they all fell over and I had to rearrange. Here’s the current solution:
They are vanity trays by InterDesign, the same people who make the Fridge Binz products. The trays have three compartments, which prevent the ink pads from falling down. And, I can still flip through them to see the colors on top. Yay!!
For more detail, see the video below. Enjoy!
Supplies:
 Distress Ink Pad Storage |
 Ink Pad Tray |
 Stampin’ Up! Color Caddy |
Caly
I only have SU inks and a few other pads…but I love that you’ve found the bins 3-compartment bins for other stamps. I will definitely be looking into those! Thanks for sharing, Darlene!
SandraMaria
I’m switching to the distress minis…but it’s funny that you found these. I was looking at make up caddies and bins for craft storage…cuz hey, whatever works…right??? hehe
swimbikerunat60
Hello Darlene: First of all, this storage units for nail polish are a great idea for the Distress Inks, I’ve started to increase my collection of this ink pads and I just didn’t know how to store them so I can see all of them, this is a brilliant idea, thank you so much. I don’t have to many SU ink pads and I have a few others but these are ok in a little wire shelf I found at a second hand store.
Ok, I know September is almost gone but I just posted my entry to the Sparkle and Shine challenge, sheeesh!! I hope it’s ok.
Thank you for all of this wonderful organizational ideas. I can’t wait to see your new crafting space.
conil
Holy cow. Does this looke terrific . I’m so excited. Solves so many issues I have with ink storage. THANK YOU!
Whimsical Creations
I LOVE THESE IDEAS; thank you so much; I have been searching and searching for a way to store my ink pads; right now they are a HOT MESS – HA!!! Love this, thanks for sharing!!
Barb M.
This is an awesome storage idea and it looks great, but……Is it ok to store the ink pads upright like that? I had always heard they should be stored flat., otherwise the ink would flow to the bottom of the pad and you would not have good coverage.
Darlene DeVries
Hi Barb. I’ve been storing my Simon Says Stamp and Hero Arts pads on their sides for almost 2 years without any problems. No leaking, no lids popping off, and no ink pooling that I’ve noticed.
Barb M.
Thanks for the info Darlene. I will give it a try. I need organizing so very badly!!
ElsieH
Hi all. Great ideas. Love the nail polish holder but not sure I can give up that much counter space. About storing the pads on end, I actually asked Tim Holtz (via email…couldn’t believe he took the time to respond to a random customer) about this very issue. He said the same thing Darlene said. It doesn’t matter how they are stored. Something about the ink being dispersed in the pad. He stores his on end too I think (at least in the one video I was watching and asking about). Common sense makes it seem like it should matter, but if the people making the pads say otherwise, I’m going with them.
Darlene DeVries
Thanks for reporting back Elsie!
JB
I think it’s a rumor; maybe inks from years ago were like that? But no company recommends it, and well known stampers don’t do it. : )
romoser
Barb M. I was thinking the same thing. These are great storage ideas, however. Makes me want to buy more ink pads. 🙂
Barb M.
Check Darlene’s reply to me on this. I think when I get them organized I will have room for more ink pads!! 🙂
dcmac11@shaw.ca
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for sharing the ink pad storage problems that I’m sure most of us have. I have a question though… I was always told to store my ink pads upside down so they don’t dry out. SU pads are already upside down. I do notice that my “new” SU pads dry out so quickly thankfully they sell re inkers (maybe that’s why). Now that yours are standing on end I’m wondering if you will notice any difference. Am I the only one that has these issues? Any info/help you can suggest would be helpful.
thanks,
Claudia
Carol Mac
Thanks Claudia, I was wondering the same thing? I am assuming distress inks don’t have to be stored upside down? Darlene?
Darlene DeVries
Hi Claudia. I’ve been storing my Simon Says Stamp and Hero Arts pads on their sides for almost 2 years without any problems. No leaking, no lids popping off, and no ink pooling that I’ve noticed.
dvcote
This takes up too much valuable counter type space for me. Still looking for my perfect solution. Right now I have them flat in drawers from Michaels. 3 drawers that are like 1/2 the regular Michael’s cube. Problem is that I can’t see them unless I open the drawers. I got the 60 ink holder from the company that makes the scrap supply holders out of foam board. Very sturdy and holds my Stampin’ Up inks and reinkers/pens. I should have gotten it to hang on the wall instead of stand as it doesn’t stand unless braced. I did get a nail polish holder for all my Tim holtz inks, stains, sprays (on the top open shelf) and I also have other stuff in. moved the glitter out as it really didn’t fit. I will email you the place I got that from and it hangs on the wall, about triple the width of yours as all his stains fit on one row of the shelf and they have other varieties.
JB
What about organizemore.com holders? They’re shallow and tall. Very nice folks, a family owned business.
Junhameed
Hi Darlene. Love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing! Just wondering whether the nailpolish organizers fit into the IKEA Alex drawers? Thanks!
Darlene DeVries
No, they don’t fit into the Alex drawers.
Jennifer Stark
Super helpful!!!! Thanks a million!!!
Char
Thanks for the info on ink pad storage…..simple and reasonably priced…YEA!!!! I was just looking for storage as I just made my first purchase of memento pigment inks. And no place to put them ( by the way, I love these ink pads) ….Thanks for all your videos and great information!!!!!
Wensfun
Darlene: thank you so much! I ordered one so I could see how it works and now I am ready to order more to store all my distress inks. Mine have been stored in my IKEA drawers very unsatisfactorily and this is a perfect solution. Luckily I have storage space on top of my IKEA cabinets. It is much more convenient storage as I use my distress inks more than any other inks.
I love your videos and really look forward to each new one
Thank you!
Darlene DeVries
So glad I could help! 🙂
Susan Berry
Thanks Darlene, what great ideas for storing our inks. I will have to buy these, especially for the SU inks. I have been wanting to get one of those carts and didn’t know if they were sturdy enough.
its me Faith
On the SU Pads, a girlfriend had stored hers on end in a drawer so she could read the color names and when she went to use one, she opened the drawer, after only one day, they had started to leak and stained the bottom of the drawer… something must be different in the pads from the Distress Pads, because Darlene has had very good luck with them…. Just wondering….
Catherine
Hi, I am a bit late coming to this, but I am trying to organise my room and looking at various ink pad storage options (amongst other things…) I am very worried about storing the in pads on their side (as I am wanting to in new Alex drawers) because the SU pads I have all leaked in the box they came in as I did not open them for a week. Even though they were sealed with clear wrapping most of the ink had actually leaked out and they had to be replaced. Any advice or solutions? I don’t want to ruin new drawers or lose all the ink again.
Darlene DeVries
Hi Catherine. I’ve had my ink pads stored on their sides for several years without any problems. It sounds like your SU pads were defective.
Jessica Schollmeyer
I did this and I love it.
Kate Dykstra
Your distress ink storage idea is brilliant! I’ve just ordered a couple from Amazon and can’t wait to store my inks in a more accessible way that I’m using now!! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Cari Scharping
I’m buying two of the nail polish trays today–OMG thank you!!!!