With the rise of online marketplaces, crafty jewelry makers now have even more ways to sell their DIY wares. If you're a creative crafter who sells their creations online, you need somewhere to store your materials and inventory. When your spare bedroom or home office starts to overflow, take a look at the do's and don'ts of self storage.
Do Store What You Buy in Bulk
Bulk buying allows you to save money on your raw materials. Whether you buy bins of beads, bags of bows, or anything else that comes in lots that are too big to store in your home, a self storage unit can help.
While you might need some of your bulk buys right now, unless you have a mega-sized order, store the overflow off-site. Sort your bulk materials and remove what you need for the upcoming week or month. Put these items aside and pack everything else for storage.
Before you store, create an organizational strategy that allows you to keep some items at home and some in storage. This may mean that you divide everything in half or fourths, or that you work on specific projects during set times of the month.
Don't Bury Your Products in the Back
Even though self storage is an ideal option if you have an excessive amount of ready-made jewelry, it won't help your sales if you can't get to the items. If you can't predict when you'll get extra orders, you need to store your crafting goods in an easy-to-get-to space.
Where should you store your items in a rental unit? For easy access, the best bet is in the front. Unless you have other items that are more important for your business or personal use, keep your stock near to the unit's entry. Read on for more information on how to safely store your products and any extra materials.
Do Choose Plastic Bins
Moisture, light, and pests can damage your precious inventory and ruin your would-be jewelry stock. While cardboard boxes are inexpensive options, they may not provide the protection your items need.
Plastic bins (with sealable lids) offer an air-tight way to keep dampness, light, and almost anything else. They're also a sturdier selection than cardboard. This makes them easy to stack and can save you space.
Don't Mix Materials with Finished Products
Are you tempted to put all your jewelry into one bin? Even though this strategy may seem like it saves you space, it can also lead to an inventory disaster.
Don't get caught off guard without enough finished products or accidentally trick yourself into thinking raw materials are fully crafted jewelry. Separate materials from finished products and store them in two different bins. If you have different types of products, such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, store each set of materials and pieces separately.
Do Label Everything Clearly
Multiple bins mean you have multiple chances to mix materials and finished products up. Clearly written labels are the easiest way to avoid this potential mishap. Stick masking tape or larger mailing labels to the bins. This allows you to create a temporary label that you can either remove or write over later if needed.
What should you write on the labels? The specifics depend on your products and your individual self storage needs. In general, you should include the material or name of the product, the date purchased or made, seasonal use (if you have holiday or specially-made products), and any other important identifying information.
Do you need a self storage rental to keep your jewelry-making business organized and afloat? Contact
Tysons Self Storage for more information.
