I love it when those things I save for; "someday I will use it for something, or make something out of it", find a purpose. My lifelong mantra has always been, "Waste not want not". Of course it took many years to really "get" what it meant. I really hate waste of any kind. Whether it be ribbon, food, money, or time, that mindset is the basis for what some call my being a "pack rat", which I am rather defensive about because, hey I am organized about it. And I don't keep everything myself, I do not "hoard". I actually feel a responsibility when things, people, or time pass through my hands. I like to make sure that I help make that transition responsibly. Which is why I love recycling, donating to charity or re-using things. I also appreciate the aesthetics of things, the beauty of the moment and the potential in a person.
One of my favorite containers for organizing; glass jars. Yes, those vessels that contain basic edibles that we so like to recycle.
I say re-use first into beautiful organizing containers. When I am creating, I need to have my materials visible. Which often means a big mess on my work table that takes a week to clean up at the time when I want to start a new project. By then I have almost lost what it was I wanted to make. Decades ago, glass jars were used as storage containers for many a nail, bead or marble. When I purchased the milliners lot in 1998 from Pearl Hemenway, she had stored seed and bugle beads, and pieces of jewelry in old spice, peanut butter and yes baby food jars.
Last weekend my husband made the "shelving unit of all shelving units" for my jars full of bits. Tiny flowers, buttons, glitter, shells and yes, beads and jewelry pieces. All within reach and all visible and lovely.
The jars are perfect, and virtually free! I would love to see what storage containers you are using that meets this "green" theme. If you would like to share, please send me a post!