Reader Question: DIY Hiding Cables & Wires

Over at my Storage Geek blog, I get asked advice questions on organization and storage. (I know! Isn't that just the coolest?!) And since the posts take some time to search and type I thought I would post them here as well. 

Photo Credit: Adam Pash

imakesht asked: Do you know of any ways to store/hide wires both inside a house and out? It's making my place look cluttered and disorganized.



Cables got you down? Wires tripping you up? Go wireless. Just kidding. Unfortunately, wireless doesn't work for power cords. Boo-urns! But I did some searching and found a lot of options. Unfortunately, most are not cheap and/or little effort required.
The other thing was without clarification on where your wires were located I just kind of collected a general assortment of cable corralling solutions. So lets start with the cheapest and easiest first.

This computer cord tamer from Instructables user trainwiththom is fashioned from wire hanger and hangs off the back of your flat screen monitor. Super easy and super cheap. Bonus. But unfortunately not a help to thos of us with lap tops (Or giant pre-flat screen monitors).

Photo Credit: Adam Pash

The first step in hiding your cords and cables is to corral them together. At your computer area (If you have a desk) you can use an under desk basket like this one from Ikea to keep them flowing together tangle free and in the same direction (toward your surge protector and/or cable outlets). Use a few cable ties to keep them neat. You could also cable tie them to your desk legs if you have legs on your desk.

This is my new favourite. Created by Karl Zahn for the 2006 MUJI International Design Competition it is not in production yet but could easily be DIYed for little to no money I think. The effort is there though with the cutting, painting and installing but I think it would be totally worth it. Some 1/4" thick plywood, paint and double sided tape and your sitting on a lovely little fence.

That pretty much takes care of the minimal effort alternatives. After that you can install WireTracks CM which "WireTracks CM WireTracks CM kits turn regular crown molding into removable wiring channels that you can use to hide low voltage or electrical cables (check your local codes). They can be used for simple jobs such as getting wiring from the front of a home theater to the back. Or, they can be installed throughout a building to give building owners the ability to run wiring between any two points that are linked by connected walls. And because crown molding is installed above doorframes, it is easy to get uninterrupted coverage of an entire floor." I am not going to lie, I think this is brilliant. I couldn't find a price but I see it being worth it if you have a serious amount of wires and cables to conceal.

UT Wire cord protector and concealer. This looks to be a great option for renters as it does not require permanent installation and you can also take it with you when you move. From the website "Our unique flexible material makes installation simple to do.Ÿ Easy to lie flat and ready to tape on the floor in seconds.Ÿ Three individual separate compartments for extra storage and easy identification of cords.Ÿ Remove cords from the 2 top loading compartments for any future adjustment needed.Ÿ Adjust the length of this cord cover to desire length using a pair of scissors.

Photo credit HomeImprovementsdepot.com

Finally, you could also hide them in your walls using various wall plates at various locations in your house. If you feel up to this sort of project (Because you own or have really nice landlords) here is a great link about Doing It Yourself.
Regarding outdoor wires, I am sorry, short of burying them in PVC pipe I haven't any ideas.
A few goodies I have posted over the last little while include:

From Crinkled Cupcakes

From  Facebook-Pimpandpomme

Wireless peripherals are not the be all end all solution although I sure wish they were and not everything can be wireless (Right?) so I hope these suggestions helped in some way.
Thanks for asking such a great question! Don't forget to stop by the Storage Geek blog for more great storage tips and fantastic DIY inspiration!

Wednesday on Wednesday (or Thursday)

I must have done something right in a former life because this week has been AMAZING for weather. I have been outside almost all week (Hence the lack of online presence.) Today Wednesday asked if she get crafty, I thought what a great idea! I brought all the paints outside, set up her easel and let her get to it. What a great way to spend the morning, watching my little one create in the fresh air and sunshine!

The Wednesday on Wednesday feature helps me not only share with you the reader bits and pieces from Wednesday's growth and development, but also helps keep me blogging, no matter how much craft/word content comes with it. I have some ideas for blog posts coming soon and a long over due review of the spring issue of Nuno titled Rustle. I'm also knee deep in Storage Geek stuff and sewing up a storm. Hope you guys have had weather just as nice and days just as productive! ♥M

Reader Question: Handbag Storage

Over at my Storage Geek blog, I get asked advice questions on organization and storage. (I know! Isn't that just the coolest?!) And the code copies perfectly to here, so I thought I would share with you the bigger posts I write up as a warm up to the new website (Which is ages from being launched!) so I hope you enjoy.

teafondknee asked:

Any  advice on how to store purses and bags? I have a ton but haven't found a  good way to store them!

Another fabulous question! Purse storage can be tricky much like shoes, we tend to acquire so  many so quickly. And a great bag is worth holding onto until it no  longer functions. I never used to be a handbag gal, I was so picky about  them that I rarely found one that 'did it for me'. Now though, I can't  get enough quality leather purses, granny purses, vintage beaded party  bags, plus I love making clutches so storage has become an issue for me  as well. That being said I have done some googling and this is what I  have discovered.



First off, for storing your high end bags I recommend a shelf system with divider supports. You can use these stylish clear Acrylic Shelf Dividers or more practical metal ones. The reason I recommend a shelf system is because long term storage by hanging can eventually damage(stretch) the strap.



These hanging closet organizers are probably my favourite because they are reasonably priced and also protect against dust. I had one for shoes given to me by my mom because she was tired of wiping the clear vinyl free of dust. To clean it, I just throw it in the washing machine with towels and hang to dry.Unfortunately, I haven't the space for the sweater hanger or carousel one though. *tear* US residents can purchase the two pack of organizers here on Ebay and the carousel organizer can be purchased here on EBay.

If you are not lucky enough to have shelf space to devote to your handbags, or none at all you have other options.



These Handy Hold Alls from Simply Sarah Shaw are definitely handy. My room mate bought me one for Christmas years ago and when I had grown out of it I passed it on to my mom who loves hers. For those with a small to medium sized purse collection this is definitely an option. I like it because it doesn't have to hang on a door (Which are of short supply in lofts and studio spaces.) but is small enough to fit in closets of all sizes or on bedroom walls. You could also DIY one these easy enough with fabric and snaps/buttons/ribbons etc.



Although I haven't the door for this you might and I think it is a fabulously pratical solution. The Jokari Purse rack holds up to eight purses per strap and mounts on a door. That is a lot of purse storage for under twelve dollars.



Source: beckster740

For those of you with more space and higher budgets you can always build cubbies and store your purses like works of art like this lucky lady on Flickr.

♥♥I would like to add two quick tricks as well; The first came from a Tweet on Twitter and that is to stuff the purses with newspaper. I thought brilliant because we already do that with our boots. Right ladies? You have boot forms for those fabulous boots right?!
The second was for your little handbags (You know the gorgeous beaded vintage ones you take to dinner parties.) You can keep them dust free and still visible by putting them in clear shoe bins.

There you go, handbag storage solutions for every budget and (hopefully) space limitations. Thanks so much for asking another great question! For those of you who have storage and organization questions you can reach me at any of the four links on my sidebar. And for those of you who haven't yet checked out my Storage Geek blog I encourage you to do so. Lots and lots of great DIY projects, fabulous design photos and even some container gardening and library photos.

Wednesday on Wednesday

 

Wednesday has known since last Halloween that she wants to be a witch this coming Halloween. Apparently, so did my mom. Wednesday found her hat and broom. I am excited though, it should be a fun Halloween costume to make. Do your children (or you) know what they want to be for Halloween yet? I'm going dressed as Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon.

What is going on around here?!

Are you as confused as me as to the state of things around here? Sorry for that, I just have some serious moving and shaking going on and this place can get pretty barren when things pick up elsewhere. But! I have been creating a lot lately, having finally found a sort of peace where my studio is concerned. That is another post for another day though. Today I wanted to show you what I have been  up to!



I made this super hot set for a friend's birthday. It is a beach tote set. I thought it would make the perfect beach accessory because the entire set is made from four PVC coated nylon place mats meaning sand cannot penetrate the fabric. Also, c'mon hot pink at the beach? Yes please! It is lined with a coordinating fabric (a bed sheet turned fabric stash years ago.) With a matching make up size bag and key fob/zipper pull/wristlet handle. I sure hope she likes it!



This little cutie was made from a hoodie the hubby bought me that shrunk on the first washing. (Damn you cotton fleece!) I cut the kangaroo pocket off for another project and then cut around the laptop. Serged the edges (for interest not necessity) and then sewed up the sides. Voila! A great little lap top sleeve for travel. We rarely bring the lap top out and about so this is just what we need for now.



Finally, I have this toy hammock made from a vintage pillowcase. I love it, it helps to corral the ever growing (no matter how I try to curb it) collection of plushies. I know that a branch from my yard, or a painted doweling would be more aesthetically pleasing but I had a curtain rod kicking around, I'll change it up when I find the right branch.

There you have it, I do still create! I have been sewing a bit every day and it feels great! As soon as I stopped waiting for the right light to take tutorial photos, my to do list got smaller! But, I am still going to do tutorials for all three projects I just worked out the kinks ahead of time. (You're welcome.*wink wink*)
I am also creating a website, something to combine my Storage Geek blog with this blog. My Storage geek blog has almost 3000 followers to this ones 352. But I love this one because I can show off my little turtledove Wednesday and I have such wonderful bloggy BFFs here. So I figure if I can combine the two I can find a nice balance of DIY/Mama blog. So stay tuned and thanks for bearing with me!
P.S. Any helpful advice on building and/ore maintaining a website would be most appreciated.

Wednesday on Wednesday

Wednesday at Sunset, originally uploaded by Cara.Mia.

My little turtle dove on Easter Sunday.

Wednesday on Wednesday

Last week when The Mister listed his kayak on Kijiji for sale someone offered to trade their Canon Rebel XT and we jumped on it. (By jumping I mean we drove almost two hours away to meet him halfway as he was coming from Quebec!) I am in love, the weather has been utterly horrible so I haven't been able to take too many photos but I did manage to get some great ones at a conservation area on the way home from the day trip. I am so excited for spring to warm up so we can spend more time outside!
How are your families holding up waiting for some sunshine?

Mind The Mess

Some of you may be able to tell I am "redecorating' as a friend so kindly put it. I am not sold on the fonts and definitely not the buttons but I was editing until 1am last night and I was anxious to see how it looked. Feel free to give me your constructive criticisms.

Happy Monday ♥

Secret Stash Busting!

A few months ago Heather of Dollar Store Crafts had a hiccup on Twitter that announced a year old stash busting giveaway. Without reading the dates ('cause that is how I roll) I filled out the form, only to be red faced later when Heather was kind enough to reply letting me know my error. I thought "Hey, why not do it again?!" and offered my supplies to join in on the fun if she so chose to repeat the process. She did, and I did but do to a communication hiccup (Read stupid tooth infection that made me useless for weeks!) I was not able to send mine directly to her to mix up and mail out, instead what I am doing is sending off four packages to Canadians as a bonus to Heather's randomly chosen ten picks.My packages are a bit smaller (I have no sponsors and a smaller stash lol), but hopefully the recipients find them to be satisfactory. (I'm all nervous as I address them to mail off!)

I kind of dropped the ball and didn't get a chance to announce it here so that you could at least apply to be a secret stash bustee so I will be collecting one more package to send to one of you. (Although I am sure that every single one of you read Dollar Store Crafts!) Stay tuned for that and a few more giveaways and announcements, times be a changin' around here!

P.S. For those of you who love this idea and have an excess amount of supplies you could always head on over to Swap Bot Supply Swap where everyone is a winner!

Wednesday on Wednesday

Just look at that pink nose and those pink cheeks!

I am beyond grateful that the stars aligned and we were able to pick up a this second hand play structure for Wednesday. Now that we live in the country, we are not able to walk to the nearest park. We are working on bringing the park to us. ♥ My heart swells knowing that we will get to enjoy our yard(!) to the fullest this year. Now...if Mother Nature would just cooperate and give us more than one sunny day in a row we'd be set!