I think this is a great "magazine rack." It is metal mesh and has 12 "pockets." You can buy it from The Container Store. We don't have that many magazines to organize...
But...
We have toys; so many toys... Figuring out a reasonable way to store paddles and straps and floggers and quirts in a way that keeps them all safe and accessible has been a challenge. It isn't like we have the sort of collection that fits into a dresser drawer or the drawer of a night stand.
This is the paddle collection ...
And here's the collection of floggers, quirts, and straps...
We also have canes and things that are "like" canes... 
And we've got whips, which we usually keep hanging over some hooks on the door to our bedroom...
Closet space is limited in our homes. There is barely sufficient closet space to store clothes, let alone toys. We've tried keeping our toys in toybags, and then in an armoire, and we've tried using a dorm-style trunk. Each of those approaches has had some positives, but they have all had their drawbacks as well, and we always end up trying to keep the toys that we use on a regular basis stacked in baskets on the bookcase headboard of our bed. Doing that, He is forever digging for whatever it is that He needs or wants, and things sometimes fall out and threaten whoever is lying there with possible concussion. And toys just take up so darn much room. What to do???
That's been the problem, and I have been determined to find a solution. One of the things that I've
thought for awhile is that we have a collection that is not merely "mean," it is also loaded with pieces that are attractive and even artistic. I have long wanted them to be on "display." So, I've thought and thought and thought about what to do. It is summer, and I have time for all kinds of interesting projects.
thought for awhile is that we have a collection that is not merely "mean," it is also loaded with pieces that are attractive and even artistic. I have long wanted them to be on "display." So, I've thought and thought and thought about what to do. It is summer, and I have time for all kinds of interesting projects.In the end, the solution presented itself... I was given a gift card for The Container Store. The gift made it very affordable to purchase two of those great magazine racks, and here is the outcome of my latest summer project...
I'm really happy with that!
The canes and whips do not fit into the racks, but all the straps, paddles, floggers, and qurits fit just fine! I still think that the canes need something like an umbrella stand, and the whips remain hanging on the hooks on the bedroom door.
Of course, with all those toys out in plain sight like that, the inclination to play is, I think, boosted significantly. We'll just have to see...
swan
swan
our problem with the toys is transporting them..... i have a "Mary Poppins" type carpet bag that holds all but the longest cane ...... The only problem is the digging around in the bag to find just the right toy at just the right moment....
ReplyDeleteEspecially at clubs or our summer camp we go to.... then i usually land up dumping everything out on the ground (sometimes on a tarp if i remember to pack one) and having to straighten them all out.. untangle all the falls etc.. and i don't know how many late nights have seen me crawling around on the ground making sure i have scooped everything back up and dumped it in the bag.....
Maybe we should just eliminate all the "unnecessary" toys??? (cheeky grin)
morningstar (owned by Warren)
We have our canes in a homemade umbrella stand type thing. Master just took a piece of tubing (I can't think of what it's called right now. Like plumbers pipe, the plastic stuff?) and screwed it to a wooden base. It sits way in the back of the closet and holds all of the canes and crops. Works great.
ReplyDeleteTo morningstar- For transporting the canes- I recently saw someone using a rifle carrying case to carry their canes. It seemed to work so well that I plan on copying them. (looks like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001V49N2/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=304485901&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000GLRHSG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WXH19TZK35QAMZ0EJ5P")
The biggest storage problem I have is what to do with the little stuff. The clamps and clothespins and what-have-you. It's generally a jumbled mess.
morningstar -- Transporting toys is a whole other thing. We have a giant, leather bag that holds just about everything except the long canes and the dressage whip. The only issue with it is that, loaded, it weighs 800 pounds... Lucky I can still call on my "Arnold" persona when necessary :-P
ReplyDeleteAs for shepherding toys in public spaces, we have T. T is our own personal dungeon guardian. She defines our space and patrols the edges, hands Him toys with the skill of a well practiced OR nurse, and takes care of corraling everything at the end. Maybe you just need a "T?"
swan
kaya -- Thanks for affirming the "umbrella stand" idea. I'm a-hunting for the right one to do the job.
ReplyDeleteCan't really offer you much help on the "little" stuff... Maybe ziploc style bags in some sort of bin?
swan
kaya -- I found tackle box inserts and we have alot of our smaller items in those. The clips, hooks, wheels, etc are all in these organization boxes that I got at Bass Pro. They are opaque plastic and have dividers that can be arranged in any configuration inside of each. I think I bought 3 and those fit well in the bottom of the traveling toy bag. Not too expensive either!
ReplyDeleteT
Oh awesome idea, T! Thank you. :-)
ReplyDeleteMaster lurrrrves his tackle box organizer things, too!