Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Office Supply Organization

So last night, I was in my office trying to resolve a work computer issue. Of course, the help desk wasn't much help and I had to wait for someone who knew what to do to call me. Since it was going to be a long wait, I started organizing and rearranging.

My mom has retired and was cleaning out her home office so she offered me some office supplies. I accepted a few things I could use. I should have known better. Considering the fact that my work uses minimal paper, my mom gave me enough office supplies to last until I retire. Space is limited and its such a hassle having all these little packages in a drawer that is already full to capacity.

Then a light bulb went off. 3 boxes of paper clips? 4 boxes of staples? No problem for the vintage Crown jars I had that were sitting empty.

I've seen large Ball jars at Michaels and thought those would be great for the hundreds of pens and pencils I also inherited. (Note: Beware Googling Large Balls Jar!) Its amazing how many uses there are for these jars. I'm wondering if I'll have luck getting more jars once flea market season resumes.

11 comments:

  1. That looks so pretty! Good luck finding more. I had to giggle with your google warning :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is such a decorative way to store things- it has a great industrial look! Love it! As to your comment on my Flea Market Style post- I've heard other people say they have had a hard time finding it, too- I found copies at Barnes and Noble and Walgreens. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very nice. So visible and and tidy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great idea...love how the multiples look inside the vintage jars (love these too). The plus is the ability to "see" what you have at a glance.
    ~judi ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. You can also buy a whole box of Ball or Mason jars at most grocery stores ( for people who do a lot of canning) and they aren't that expensive. I get them myself for free from my stepmother and father, who have a huge garden, and spend the summer canning everything and they always give me several jars of applesauce and tomatoes and anything else they grew that summer. Once I open the jars and eat the contents, I wash the jars (and lids) and put them in a box to return to them to re-use for the next year, but they don't mind if I keep a fee here and there!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Katie,
    I know that standard size Ball jars are pretty easy to come by for canning (though I've never seen them in the grocery store where I live). I just really love the old Canadian Crown jars!

    ~Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  8. That looks great - function and style meet perfectly in how you used the Ball jars.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love this idea...I have collected several of these jars and so far have only used them in the kitchen or for flowers (as a vase). Glad I found your blog, I'm now a follower...

    ReplyDelete
  10. You can also get knockoff Ball jars in sets of 12 from Big Lots - they were only $6 - I used them for the centerpieces at my wedding.

    ReplyDelete

Comments? I love comments!