I've been wanting to build up some stock in acrylic paints for some time now.
When Mustard Seed Creations started her Decorative Painting 101 during the Workshop Series we're both hosting together, I knew that it was time to officially start shopping. I wanted a whole bunch of great colours to be inspired with, but knowing the 'ol budget was nil, I pouted while picking up one measly bottle of white. Bleah.
Then one day recently I drifted through my fav thrift store. And you'll NEVER guess what I found.
EEEE! I landed a Tupperware bin full of acrylic paints, between .50 and 1.00 each! As funds were still tight, I traversed from the cashier back to the shelf twice before deciding I wanted them ALL. So $20 later, I had stock! Thank you oh thank you to whomever stopped painting! You have no idea what this little find has meant to me.
But knowing the Tupperware bin was a quick fix, I snooped around the house, only to find the perfect storage solution for my new little bottles of gold. :) (can you believe Tupperware was in spellcheck?!? Wonder when Funky Junk will be... hmph!)
Oh my COKE CRATE! This thing is perfect! The bottles all sit upside down so the paint is ready to roll at a whim's notice.
Tell me this doesn't look like a blast to play with! I have the crate with me in the kitchen at all times. I'm always popping a bottle open to dab this or enhance that. On furniture, crafty things, anything. Honestly, this little crate of goodness has opened up alot of new windows and doors for me. No longer do I have to wish I had the perfect colour to touch something up. I just whip up my own tone creation and enhance whatever I desire. How I did without these guys, I have NO idea.
I cannot wait to show you what I've been tinkering on! But I'm afraid I'm sworn to secrecy, as it's part of what I'm submitting for
Click HERE for my own original announcement
So I'm afraid you'll have to hang in there till next Sunday night for the reveal. Sorry! But I won't disappoint you! Once the post is up and running at SYTYCD, I'll be posting my full blown version with some tutorials back over here. I can't WAIT to show you what I've been playing with, thanks to all my new little bottled up friends. :)
I am SO BAD at keeping secrets. Here's a pic I won't be entering. One teeny tiny sneak peek. I just hope I don't get fired...
I LOVE my paints! All I can say is, thanks Miss Mustard Seed, for the kick in the right direction! Life is gooooood. :)
Do you stock crafty type acrylic paints? How do you store them?
I am SO BAD at keeping secrets. Here's a pic I won't be entering. One teeny tiny sneak peek. I just hope I don't get fired...
I LOVE my paints! All I can say is, thanks Miss Mustard Seed, for the kick in the right direction! Life is gooooood. :)
Do you stock crafty type acrylic paints? How do you store them?
I have a big tool box tote for carrying my paint around from project to project. I keep an extra supply in plastic bins like the one you pictured. I write an abbreviation of the name of each color on each lid for easy viewing.
ReplyDeleteYour pop paint tote is very cool...and colorful!
: )
Julie M.
OMGoodness!!! you scored!!! those paints look so yummy in their new container, no wonder you have them close by! :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat find!
ReplyDeleteYes, after 25 years of teaching painting, I have accumulated quite a few bottles of paint.
I'll take a pic of my storage unit and get back to you with it.
In the meantime, if space on your work area is an issue, see if your coke crate will sit upwards, on it's side.
Takes up a lot less space. =))
blessings and have fun!! barbara jean
I love, love, love the idea of a coke bottle tray ... it's brilliant. Some time ago I posted about how I store mine and mine is so simple ... quite a few colours stored in simple plastic containers.
ReplyDeleteMy post: http://itsthethingsthatmakeyougommmm.blogspot.com/2009/12/project-365-sun-06-dec-09.html
I love that find. I am so getting into this craft paint thing. But they are really expensive here and there are no 50% coupons in my country. So I am builing my stock one bottle at a time. As for storage, I wish I had something as cool as you cola crate. I just toss them in a drawer in my craftroom, I don't have enough space there to keep everything out in the open. Wish I had though. And the teapot with the brushes is gold too!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the look of the paints in the Coke box - genius! I have been painting for a long time, so I have had a rotating collection of acrylics for years. I keep them in the storage totes just like you had them in the first picture, stored upside down. There are so many crammed in there that if you take a few out, they never seem to fall over. But they are heavy and cumbersome, so not the best to travel all over the house. I will be interested to see what the other commenters say!
ReplyDeleteI store my small bottles of paint in an old wood drawer. But my quarts and gallons are in the cupboard. Nothing too "artsy" there. LOL!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Love your storage solution
SueAnn
I love your storage idea!
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of my craft supplies stored in old canning jars and in photo boxes. You can see the shelves my husband put in with a messy version of my storage here (picture before last):
http://livingtheroadlesstraveled.blogspot.com/2010/02/peek-into-what-ive-been-doing.html
I've since cleaned it up some, but it still needs work. :-(
Wow, great storage idea, mine like most peoples are in the shoe boxed size plastic containers, but I am going to steal your idea, I even have a coke crate, I just need to find in in the attic. Thanks Donna for a great idea. Paints open a whole new world up...the ideas are endless.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Donna
I don't know how I'm going to store them yet. I don't have a lot. I have an entertainment center that I have repurposed into a crafting shelf. I'm still working on getting it loaded. When I finish that... I'll work on cute.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! My little rubbermaid tote now looks so boring! Off to dig in the depths! :)
ReplyDeleteJulie
I have been storing my acrylic paints in a coke crate for years, it always looks inviting seeing all the colors. Sad part is, I think I need to get another crate- mine is full. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the coke crate and I can't wait to see what you've been working on!
ReplyDeleteFabulous find! The coke crate is brillant!I have mine stored in old fruit picker baskets and some old drawers I have hung on the wall. Love the brush holder. Looking forward to the BIG reveal.
ReplyDeletesmiles, alice
What a Tease!! Coke crate great idea!! Hurry..Hurry..Hurry....lol
ReplyDeleteCindy
That's a great find!
ReplyDeleteOh my word, dont get me going. My mom has both of those items in her basement: a silver pot just like yours but with etching on it. And a coke bottle box. I havent gotten into any of the decorative painting yet and as such havent needed to store any. But youre making me think I just could get into this now;) Thanks alot! My hubby will be thrilled that Im taking on "one more thing."
ReplyDeleteSarah
handbagsnpigtails.blogspot.com
Very good idea! I have a Pepsi crate that I could use for the mass of paints that the kiddos and I use. Right now I have them in 2 smaller baskets.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Jody
You just gave me a great idea! I have one of these coke crates in my basement that belonged to my great grandparents.
ReplyDeleteWell i used to store them in a plain old plastic bin, but now I am on the lookout for one of those kind of crates. Love that you see the actual color in the bottle. Great idea! Also check out Joann Fabric. Alot of times they have little bottles like that for a buck.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of storing them upside down--how easy to see the color that way!
ReplyDeleteYou just reminded me of something I have sitting out in the garage. I'm going to get it right now so i don't forget. Not sure if I'll put my paints in it, but your crate triggered something else. thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou'll love those paints so much. And if you want to use them on fabric without it being stiff, dilute it down with glaze 1 to 1.
It's like eye candy, isn't it? All those gorgeous colours. I always pick up new ones when Michael's Craft store has them on sale for 2 for a dollar. My son and I are making a wooden box for them. I love your pop crate, I've been looking for one like it but the dealer wanted $30 for one last summer. I'll keep looking.
ReplyDeleteHey Donna
ReplyDeletelove the paint storage idea,, mine are usually all thrown in a box and i have to search for what i'm looking for,, I actually think I have a crate i can use too!!! Cant wait to see what you have planned for SYTYCD ..
I love the soda crate storage idea! Can you believe it would take about 4 of them to house all of my paint? :) Wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - and I have one too - thanks for a fun way to store all those paints!
ReplyDeleteKristi
Punkin Seed Productions
Donna, that's a great find & perfect in your Coke crate. I have lots of those small craft paints too in a big basket.
ReplyDeleteI entered that contest for the next go-around! Can't wait to see what ya'll come up with this time.
Hi Donna: I am new to your blog and I love it. Your finds are wonderful. The Coke crate is a great idea. I will be back again and again. Blessings, Martha
ReplyDeleteI love this! You can see all the colors!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Love that Coke crate.
ReplyDeleteAnd I stink at keeping secrets too. :)
Your house is a fun place...I'll bet! smiles.
ReplyDeleteI am lovin' this idea... and I happen to have a crate like that... either coke or 7UP... I might just have to 'borrow' your wonderful idea!!! :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWHO? I want to know, would THROW their paint out??? That's all I could think about while I was reading and then I had to go back and re-read your post because I was locked in that thought. Then I saw the Coke thing. You ROCK! I mean, ROCK!
ReplyDeleteI was going to reveal my little space to MMS on Wed - where my paint is stored - and now I feel kinda stupid!
Not really.
I love you. And can't wait for the show to start. Did you stock up on anti-persperant?
Great find and organizer for the paints! I use an old round hat box on my bookcase in my craft studio to store my paint bottles...but I love how yours is open and portable. I just love your blog too.
ReplyDelete~judi ;)
Looooove the storage in the crate! Oh so perfect! I've been looking for a Pepsi crate for as long as I can remember. If it comes in sections like that, I'm so doing that with my paint. So happy you scored so many sweet bottles.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteCannot wait to see what you are working on!
What a find at the thrift store. Who woulda thought? Love your storage solution and the fact that the bottles are bottoms up so the color can actually be seen. Fab!
Paula
Love this paint storing solution! Thank you for your sweet words and hosting a FABULOUS Linky party. I have yet to make a tutorial. I kinda just jumped on the bandwagon of --- I MUST DO THIS TONIGHT! It was basically a much needed break from pharmacy and I found it so relaxing. I may have to look into doing a tutorial..although I I am afraid of either being TOO specific or NOT specific enough.
ReplyDeleteI lvoe your little world...thank you for visiting mine. :)
Cheers~
e
don't worry... you're not fired :) I can't keep secrets either and I LOVE the sneak peek!
ReplyDeleteand I cannot thank you enough for posting this paint storage idea!! I have an old crate just like this and way toying with the idea of ripping out the dividers cuz I couldn't think of anything to do with it and it's been over 2 years since I got it! but now it can stay in it's original state :) In fact... I think I'm going to switch over my paints right now!
Love your paint storage idea. I just did a post today on different storage ideas I have had. Take a look if you have a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteAlways love looking at what you are doing. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings...Amy
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog. I can't tell you how excited I am to meet you in your about me story. You made me cry and laugh. I love you already and can't wait to go read the rest of your blog.
Debbie
those paints look so yummy in their new container,
ReplyDeleteWork From Home
I have mine stored in a rollable six drawer sterlite plastic "dresser" for lack of a better term. I wish I had coke crates to put mine in:( Its been an idea that I had for a long time but where I live a coke crate would cost more, ( if I could find one) a fortune.
ReplyDeleteOh must copy! I seem to always be exploding in paint bins. This has much more style.
ReplyDeleteOh! I like that! And I have one of those (well not COke, but it will work).
ReplyDeleteI was staring at a HUGE pallet of wine at Costco that was stacked in wooden boxes yesterday and wondering if I could get some of them when the wine has sold.
I think I could distress them up very nicely!
What a wonderful idea for storing paints but aslo what a wonderful find! Have fun painting!!!!
ReplyDeleteMany Blessings~Judy
These are indeed great ideas for storing leftover paint! It will surely keep these items safe to ensure that children would not have access to it. Thanks for sharing a very helpful article.
ReplyDelete