Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Left Leg and the Right Brain

Jack did indeed fracture his growth plate.


In fact, it's specifically called a Tillaux fracture, he's in a cast and the healing time is 6-8 weeks because the break is at the joint. That means the break is surrounded by synovial fluid hence the longer heal time.


This is Jack's final week of school so he's delayed his exams, graduation will be Friday and he'll miss the class pool party and the trip to Hershey Park. It's been a busy few days so I haven't had time to finish my little Alice Aftermath project.

But I have had time to put away some of my supplies and start clearing up my workspace. Which got me thinking about optimal methods of organization for right-brained people...you know, we creative types.

I was overjoyed a few weeks ago when I heard an interview on the radio where the guest speaker was saying how right-brained people and left-brained people had different organizational styles (Really?). And most organization books are written by left-brained people (that explains why I buy them and they don't work for me). That right-brained people can be, in fact, very organized -- they just tend to be visual...keeping things in piles and out in the open where they can be seen versus filed in folders and tucked away into drawers and cabinets..out of sight.

Eureka! For so long, I felt labeled (particularly at work) as someone whose organization was lacking because I liked to have piles on my desk. And, how I struggled with administrative assistants who were always trying to file my papers away....where I couldn't find anything...aaahhh!

I always felt organized....I always knew which piles contained what...and I'd have the pile I needed to take home with me at night by the door so I wouldn't forget it. But the left-brained people didn't see it that way.

Well, right-brained beauties, there are organization books written for creative people now...I found this one on Amazon and I'm going to look for it at the library.

But before I even knew about this...I had found a perfect solution for me and my needlework stash. And the solution is crystal clear.


Almost a year ago, I began converting my storage containers to crystal clear, acrylic boxes. Not those hazy plastic boxes but the totally transparent ones.

I used to have all my little bits and bobs in these aluminum boxes...and I can't tell you how much time I waste opening them up all the time...even when I clearly label them.


And so, I went in search of a better option. I've found lots of transparent solutions at The Container Store. And you'll find that the ArtBin brand like these provides lots of options and can be bought with coupons at JoAnn's, Michaels and A.C. Moore.


Only problem I have with ArtBin is that they leave too much vertical space for small items such as sew-ons, buttons, beads, etc. and so they waste space on the shelf.

Every now and then I find a fun one like this one I got from Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City.


Now that's my kind of candy!

All of these were great until I found my absolute favorite. I found it at the Container Store but I noticed they don't have it on their website (I wrote and asked about that so I'll let you know what I find out).

But here it is...


They are beautiful, thin and stackable transparent boxes sold at The Container Store sku#10048402 and they are titled "Transparent Box No. 6127"


I hope you can find them because they are great. And I am slowly replacing all the aluminum with them.

Maybe this might help some of you who have struggled with organization systems like I have.

And my absolute fave crystal clear solution for threads and ribbons and "soft" supplies...


The humble yet wonderful plastic ziploc bag. No need to say more...

21 comments:

Jane said...

Poor old Jack, shame he'll miss the party but these things happen. Glad to see 'The Hat' made it through unscathed!

Love the clear boxes. Have fun filling them all up.

jane

Gerry Krueger said...

Being a stasher with limited space I love those plastic bags that I can smoosh down to create more space to save more stuff... Following the hints on Robin Atkin's site...Beadlust... I converted all my beads to small bags long ago and will never go back...

Sorry about Jack's leg and he will have to be careful even when the cast is off... Have the pretty girls sign up for shifts to wait on him!!! Hugs Ger

Missy Ann said...

I hope your son heals well and quickly!

And can I come over and play in your stash? lol

Mosaic Magpie said...

Poor guy having to miss some of the fun. Tell him to get the girls to sign his cast. That will cheer him up. Love the storage ideas. I am a out of sight, out of
mind kind of girl.
Debbie

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Great Post. Poor Jack.

Gosh, I never thought about if I were right or left brained. I'll guess right now and say left. But I could be right.

I started that clear box method several years ago. Just wish I would put the mess away before I make a new one.

I love those little flat boxes you posted from the container store. That extra room at the top of compartments is always such a waste of precious space.
xx, Carol

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Right or left??? I took a test. I better take another just to be sure. I am not surprised at the results.

I'll be blogging about this real soon!

Judy S. said...

Now that's not a good way to kick off the summer, but I hope Jack breaks all records by healing more quickly than anyone expects!

I can SO relate to your desk!

Elizabeth said...

Tell Jack that he looks COOL in his hat and I like his choice of cast colors- serious bummer about the break! I hope that he is not a down hill skier!!
I ahve also struggled with organization and get so exasperated I walk by the mess and work on the kitchen table- Serious state of De NILE!!!!! I will check out the book and I adore those boxes from the container store- only problem - the closest store is in DC- YUCK!!! DO let us know what you find out about ordering on line!!!! You ahve a serious collection of rhinestone bling girl!!!!!!!

Will Jack be a freshman next year? My eldest Matthew grads from high school on June 19- serious de NILE on my part!!!!!! I really am a mess aren't I!!
Hugs to you MOM- I hate skateboards myself!!!!

flyingbeader said...

Poor Jack...what a way to start the Summer!

Thank God you said it...I'm a Right Brain pile making made fun of because I'm a mess kind of organizer!

Laurie said...

Oh, I feel so bad for Jack!

I loved this post. If you could see my dining room table, you'd know why!!

Lynn said...

I hope he's not in pain. What a drag for him to spend the summer like that :( Maybe you can put him to work re-organizing your stash! lol

My stash is a mish mash of bags, tubes, screw top little circle containers, etc., etc. I guess I must be middle brained - there is no rhyme or reason to it!

MeganH said...

oh, poor Jack!
(Hold him down and paint the toenails on his broken foot!Mwawhahahaha!)

Lovely getting a peek at your stash!

Dees said...

at least Jack didn't loose his Mojo!! Wish him well!

Love your organized treasures.... it is way much more fun when you can see what's in all those boxes isn't it?
Is there a book for double-brained people too? It seems my brain after 40 years still can't choose which side it prefers so I can do almost anything right- and lefthanded. LOL

Sonja said...

Poor Jack, but I am betting he quite likes the attention.

Loved the clear boxes, where can I get them in the UK? No idea so will have to search the net to see what I can find here. Glad I am not the only one with piles of stuff that creep down stairs and onto the sofa next to me.

Catherine said...

What a horrible time of year to have such an injury!!! Hopefully he'll still find plenty to do to keep him busy and out of trouble!!

Love all your containers - even the aluminum ones! You have such pretty baubles - no wonder you can create such fabulous things!

Robin said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry... The summer and all the missed activities... and you with a laid up teen aged boy on your hands. Yikes! Two months WILL pass and hopefully the healing will be solid and complete. Hugs to you both... Robin A.

Vicky aka Stichr said...

ahhhhh jack, darn it. cast color is cool at least.

clear storage, finestkind! i have been using it for as long as i can remember, as i too am right brained. i don't even want labels, i just wanna SEEEEEEEEEE.

Marty52 said...

Oh, bummer about the cast... I can certainly relate!

I LOVE those last, thin, clear containers. I put my beads in tiny bags because I can store so much more that way; however, the pins and other jewelry were always a challenge. These will work great! Thanks so much... isn't stash organization fun? ;0)

Ingrid Mida said...

Poor Jack and poor you - he'll probably need lots of help over the next 8 weeks. Hopefully he'll recover quickly.
Love your organization idea. I too like clear boxes for storage but am inspired to take it further. Thanks for these tips!!

sam said...

I have just stumbled over your blog via another one (as you do!) and I was so relived! I have spent the summer putting all my montessori school stuff into clear boxes and bags - out of coloured containers.. for exactly the same reason! see.. knew I wasn't going mad!!! fab stuff!

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