How to store 12x12 paper...

I know that there has been a lot of discussion of this in the past, but I wanted to bring it up again. I am so frustrated by my piles of paper. I just can't seem to contain it all. I have a few file boxes and a http://store.yahoo.com/scrapbook-dot-com/crinsttooran.html paper thingy.
What I really want are those paper stackables that sb.com keeps advertising, but I just cannot spend $50 right now. Others have mentioned the Target cubes, but I couldn't find them (is there some secret cube section I don't know about?). I also looked at the Sterlite drawers, but I don't want to open and close drawers.
Does anyone have any input about this. And also, Does anyone have a creative, INEXPENSIVE, way to store paper? Like homemade stackables, etc. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
-Nicole

I use a couple of things - the Cropper Hopper vertical storage is great - I waited for it to come on sale at QVC. But you could also use the coupons for AC Moore or Michael's. I also have a Container Store close by that I found a great 12 x 12 paper holder for only $5.99. I haven't looked on line for those, but I'm sure there must be a website.

I had all of my paper in my rolling tote in 12 x 12 plastic keepers but it was a pain - so now I am more organized.

CM has a great new 12x12 storage system. It runs $32. Check it out on their website.

I'm not sure what your scrapbook space is like...I have a room all my own, but it is not overly large, so I have found two file storage containers to be perfect. I only use them for my patterned paper, and have cardboard separators labeled by manufacturer. They sit on the floor behind my scrapbook table, and have been working perfectly for the past 5 years. The paper is standing up, not stacked, so it makes it easier to access.

I put my cardstock on a bookcase shelf and it is sorted by color. Just as easy to access.

I have just found the sterilite containers at my Walmart and I love them! I like the drawers because then my paper is not out in the open and my lil ones cant get a hold of it, so this works for me!

I love the Cropper Hopper vertical paper storeage....I get mine at the LSS for $5.99 and I have ordered them from another site also.....It holds like 200 sheet of cardstock or paper and I like that the edges don't get all dog earred when I need to find a certain kind.....I also use the 12x12 file folders in these to separate certain special papers! I also love the new sterlite 12x12 holders for all kinds of stuff and with the drawers it keeps little fingers and dust, etc. off of things!

I love my Target wire cubes... where are you looking for them in Target??

I am in the same boat! My paper supply kept growing, and I was tired of going to use paper and finding it dog-eared and bent! My solution?? and it was FREE!!! are Milk Crates!! the plastic kind that milk is delivered to grocery stores in?!? They work PERFECTLY!! the inside dimension is EXACTLY 12 inches!! so your patterned paper will not get bent, or dog-eared!! and cardstock fits perfectly as well!! They also have handles on the side making it easy to move them around in your workspace!!

I have 4 of them full now *(each will hold thousands of sheets!!) and working on filling a 5th! Another great thing about this is you can organize your paper by color, type, etc and leaf through it all without damaging anything!! the other papers just move out of the way for you!LOL! They can be set upright (so the paper is accessable through the top,) or set on their side so that the paper is accessable through the front)...

Check with your local grocery store, fast food outlet, Second hand store...anywhere that might have dairy products delivered!! they honestly are the best storage option for paper!! (I have had all of the prepurchased systems as well..and find that I outgrow them so fast!! that I keep adding to the expense...Milk Crates are FREE!! or at the most a couple of dollars each...the most cost effective by FAR!!

Good luck!! hope you find a system that works for you...

I found the Target cubes in the aisle with other cabinets and shelves that you can put together yourself. HTH

I got my "target" cubes at Costco. Since we don't have a target I just call them metal cube shelves!! LOL!!

Anyways-I am very glad you asked this question! I am creating my own scraproom in my new house and need great ideas!! Some good ones to think about so far!

Right now I have all my paper in my Cropper Hopper rolling 12x12 cart. It has most of my patterned paper in it. I have all my cardstock in 2 generations 12x12 backpacks and that is SOOOO not working for me! Love the milk carton idea. Will have to check it out.

I have a bunch of the cube deals and think I may just use those in my room and hang them on the wall.

There are so many options out there!! It is so hard to choose the one that works for each individual person! Good luck!

In the midst of reorganizing yet again, I pulled all my cardstock folders and set them in this document file thingy I had from Wal-Mart. And to my surprise I loved it! Here's a picture...and it's cheap! Easy to thumb through and find what you need. 12x12 Paper

I use crates and then take it a step further by seperating the colors/patterns with pizza boxes that have the end cut off. Our local Pizza Hut manager was kind enough to give me as many as I needed. I also use pizza boxes to mail 12x12" page kits.


http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.php/photo/51635/password/0/sort/1/page/1

I built my own shelves from home depot products...check out my gallery..it was real easy and cost $50
Good luck!!

TFS everyone! Great ideas.

Hmmm....My husband works for a milk company and I've never thought of the milk crate idea. INTERESTING!!

Ok, I'm on a budget and heres what I do.....I went to the post office and got a bunch of priority mail boxes ( the ones that some online stores ship paper in, they are free!) I brought em' home and and put the ends together. Then cut the boxes on a slant like a magazine holder(make sense?) Line them up side by side, then buy contact paper (i got some at Walmart for a couple of bucks) wrap the contact paper around the boxes (this holds them all together and makes em pretty!) Then whala!!! Paper storage that resembles the Cropper Hopper!! You could buy acrchival spray to make it safe, I chose not too because my paper wouldn't be in there long, but if your a stickler for af/lf it would be a good idea.

PM if you don't understand and I'll be happy to explain it better!!