From Eveningsnews.com

Toys and Hobbies
Advice for Preparing Hobby Corners for Summer
By
Aug 18, 2005, 21:22


(ARA) - As summer gets into full swing crafters are probably busy planning vacations and getting the house ready for multitudes of visitors. While it may seem as though each part of the home has been readied, there is probably one area that has been overlooked: the hobby corner.
Whether you scrapbook, build model trains or craft pottery, your work area is probably not as clutter-free as it could be. Before becoming overwhelmed by visitors or hundreds of vacation pictures, take a little time to organize your hobby corner. Not only will it revitalize your home for the summer, but it will also inspire you to complete unfinished projects or find the time to start new ones.

The first step in cleaning out your space is to sort through all of your items. Putting your things into categories makes it easy to see what you use, what you don't and what you still need to purchase. With this done, you can easily organize your area.

Here are some tips for clearing excess clutter and organizing your hobby corner:

* Discard items you no longer use: Eliminating things you have never used or that no longer work is a great way to rid yourself of extra clutter. If you've never used it, odds are you never will. Throw it out or, better yet, hold a yard sale. Craft materials are big hits and the profit can be used to buy new craft materials.

* Fix broken items: Objects needing repair are one of the biggest sources of clutter around the house. Finishing these projects will clear space, and the feeling of satisfaction will motivate you to tackle the rest of the hobby corner. It is likely that you will have various things to repair so it is important to choose a glue capable of fixing them all. Perfect Glue 1, 2, 3 bonds materials from metal and wood to fabric and paper, and is a great way to save money while keeping the newly organized area in tact. Visit www.perfectglue.com to determine which glue works best for your project and for tips on mending broken items.

* Buy clear containers to hold different craft materials: These stackable, see-through containers keep items compartmentalized while allowing for quick identification. They come in many shapes and sizes to organize everything from craft tools to old photographs. Put frequently used things in the most reachable spaces for easy access.

* Pace yourself: Depending on the condition of your area, it may take more than an hour or two to complete your organizational overhaul. Don't give up. Allow yourself a little time each day to work on the area, and stick with it. You'll be pleased with the results.

With your hobby corner clutter-free, you will be able to enjoy the space to work on your special projects. Upon completion, you may realize your area is lacking that “certain something” that transforms a workspace into a creative haven. Now is the perfect time to invest in shelving units, a new printer, or upgraded equipment.

Working on a shoestring budget? Perfect Glue is providing a year's supply of its trio of adhesives and $5,000 for materials to the winner of its “Perfect Hobby Corner” giveaway. From June 1 until August 1, participants can register to win their dream work environment by visiting www.perfectglue.com or by mail. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by certified mail. Courtesy of ARA Content

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