I’m sure you can imagine the amount of ribbon a Ribbonista would acquire. But what do we do for ribbon storage? We decided to share all our ideas with the May Arts Ribbon Organization Hop. Welcome aboard! Today I have a special ribbon storage idea to share. A while back I picked up this VHS movie stand at a thrift shop for 10 bucks! It was a little shabby looking, but sturdy. With a little TLC and elbow grease I whipped it into craft room worthy shape and turned it into the perfect DIY ribbon storage rack.
Have a look at the ribbon rack before and after:
The movie stand was all black which wasn’t going to jive with my bright new craft space, and it had no back. I gave it a coat of white paint and spray painted the metal rods. You may remember the back board from my Easy No Measure Chevron post.
I had considered buying a few carousels to sit on the top, but with a little work from my craft slave hubby, he was able to add a few rods with cute pulls on the top for about $15! He threaded the top of the rods so the finial just twists off, when access to the spools is needed. There is enough space to add three additional rods along the front of the shelf, when the time comes.
I started to organize my May Arts ribbon by color, but to maximize the space a few rolls had to be placed out-of-order. As my collection expands, the tall spools will rest along the back of the rods and the shorter spools can be put on the posts on the top.
I use paperclips to keep the ribbons from unraveling. I before had used stick pins but my kiddos little fingers could pull them out too easily, plus sometimes the pins leave a little hole, or snag.
I do my best to keep the samples and small pieces on cards and ravelled up, but I won’t lie, they sometimes get a little crazy!
***UPDATE***
My ribbon rack is FULL! Its currently holding 150 spools of ribbon! Can you believe an old VHS rack would give that much ribbon storage?! This was the perfect solution to organizing my ribbon spools, but now I need to hunt for another!
What do you think of this ribbon storage idea? Do you have any special way of organizing your ribbons?
Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says
What a wonderful way to easily have your ribbons on hand and recycle at the same time. Love the rods & finials at the top. So cute!
cheryl says
Oh my word aren’t you just the smartest gal eva!!! I love this Virginia!!!!
Barb Wagar says
Wow what a great idea for people on a budget. These come into our thrift store all the time and could be converted so easily! Thanks for sharing your storage solution!
Buffy Esser says
Oh My I really like this idea,and adding the rods to the top was a brilliant idea! I have to say your Craft Slave(LMAO) did a wonderful job,my fiance say he’s glad he isn’t the only one who gets these strange crafty job requests…thank you for sharing!
Shana says
AWESOME! Can’t believe the before and after! Who would have ever thought…. a movie stand?!! You’ve got me looking at old, run down or discarded items a whole new way! Loving it!
Shana says
AWESOME! Can’t believe the before and after! Who would have ever thought…. a movie stand?! You’ve got me looking at old, run down or discarded items a whole new way! Loving it!
TracyM #6773 says
WOW – you and your handy hubby have done a wonderful job – your storage is so cheery and practical too!!!
Hadn’t thought of using paperclips before – thank you for this clever idea 🙂
My ribbons all too often get in a tangled mess, so I have started putting the loose ones into resealable bags … too early to tell if it is going to work yet.
kathy/NorthCarolina says
Great job on transforming this old piece into something beautiful and practical. Love the ribbon rods on the top. Your craft slave done good!
jenscull says
oh do I ever love those gorgeous holders at the top with the finials! your hubby did good! 🙂
great idea with the paper clips, too.
Cheryl Walker says
Love how you recycled a shelving unit! Love the dowels too, My mom stores some of hers like that too! We are both Ribbon LOVERS!! 🙂 hehehehehe
thank you for sharing 🙂
Hugs,
cheryl
Charlene says
Awesome job! On the hunt for a VHS cabinet for sure.
Amy#8546(TheTigersHaven) says
Oh…Wow.. This is really nice. I love it!!! I love the ribbon rods your hubby put in place for you too. What a great idea. One of my favorites for sure. Very creative. Love it….Oh I said that already. LOL…Thanks for sharing. HUGS
Verna Angerhofer says
I love your storage idea. I can see I need to check thrift and auction sales for ideas on storage. It is so cool the way you recycled a movie stand and created an attractive storage area for the ribbons. Mine are in baskets and loose ones in a drawer. I saw a hint from Sandy about your storage so was anxious to see what you had used.
Miriam Prantner says
What a great piece! Looks fantastic and love that there is storage up top!
Marilyn Tucker says
I think this is my favorite storage idea so far! Too bad I don’t have the room for it.
sandeeNC says
Totally digging the upcycled VHS stand, that’s an awesome idea!
Caroline D. says
What a great makeover of that shelf!! And the pretty ribbons even make it nicer!!
Barb Murphy says
I love this! the crystal topped columns are a fabulous idea! love this!
SandyG says
My favorite ribbon storage solution; you are so creative! I love the knobs on the top of the spindles, so sophisticated and classy.
Toni Storie says
What a gorgeous thrift shop find! I love the standing rods with the drawers pull/finials on the ends. They look super classy.
Sue D says
wow–love your snazzy ribbon storage.
Melanie (reasons To Skip The Housework) says
GORGEOUS!! Love this idea! I’d love for you to come link this up at The Weekly Creative- a party I co-host with The Girl Creative!
http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/2013/04/the-weekly-creative-4/
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework
Lucy E says
What a fabulous ribbon keeper you have made! I will have to watch for one of these.
Brenda says
Great storage!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel says
I’m not sure what I am more impressed with – the amount of ribbons you have or the amazing storage rack you have created!
Very cool!
Paula says
Thanks for joining us at Social Sunday, new follower ~ Paula
Ava G says
thanks for sharing your storage ideals… like that upcycled shelf.
ava g
~Tammy~ says
Dang, I knew I shouldn’t have sold the VHS stand before I moved! What a gorgeous idea!
Kimberly says
That is awesome! I do a lot of scrap booking and those ribbons are such a pain to store!
Laura @ The Experimental Home says
I love it. My husband has an awful media cabinet full of CDs in our loft. I don’t even know if we have a device to play CDs other than a computer anymore. I have been thinking about stealing it and making it into crafty storage…. you may have just inspired me. Can I send my mad husband your way? 🙂
Cheryl @ That's What Che Said... says
I love this idea! I tweeted it out! Thanks for linking up to Monday Funday! xoxo – Cheryl
Lucy says
Thank you for the huge inspiration. Really picked up some great ideas for my own old furniture
Alex @ northstory says
Oh woman you have no idea how much I need one of these. My ribbons are a disaster!!
Sara says
Stopping by from Craft-O-Mantic. Such a great idea for ribbon storage! Definitely pinning this for future reference! Thanks for sharing!
Shannon at MadiganMade says
This is such a clever idea!! I love how you customized it with paint, too. Thanks so much for sharing on Project Inspire{d} this week!
Brianna @ craftandrepeat says
I love this! I especially love the vertical spool storage! The angled ones just don’t seem like an efficient use of space! Awesome job!
Virginia says
Thanks, its proving to be really functional so far!
Kate says
What a great idea! Love it!
Jenna says
Such great and cute ribbon storage! So glad you linked up to Give Me The Goods Monday! Can’t wait to see what goods you bring next week! Hope you have a great weekend! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Robin says
I could just kick myself – I saw one at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Great repurpose!
Hugs, Smiles & Blessings,
Robin
Fluster Buster
Creativity Inspired by Frustration
Virginia says
Now you know to keep your eyes peeled! I can’t imagine anyone has a use for them these days!
Martha says
I’ve been eying those at thrift shops, but couldn’t quite figure out how they’d work since I was thinking of putting the cross-dowels through the spools. Maybe I’ll get one and hang it on the wall behind the door. Thanks for posting this!
Miranda @ Someday Crafts says
So much pretty ribbon! I love your storage system. We’ll be featuring this over at Someday Crafts tomorrow. We’d love it if you’d come on over and take a look!
Virginia says
Thanks! I’ll be sure to pop over!
Patty says
Oh, I need to do this so badly. I love ribbon, that’s all there is to say! Would love to win more, of course! Love your idea!
Korrie@RedHenHome says
Amazing idea!
louise says
Love this idea! I’m going to keep my eye out for one to replace my latest ribbon holder!
amie @ Pinkapotamus says
This looks amazing.. what a great transformation! Hope you hop over and share with my Pink Hippo party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2013/04/pink-hippo-party-124.html
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Christine says
I love this! know my mom has a movie rack like this that she isn’t using. I’m going to try to talk her into letting me transform it. Thank you for the idea!
Christine at First Home Love Life says
So clever! It turned out great! I’d love for you to come link up this and some of your other projects at my new party!
http://www.firsthomelovelife.com/2013/05/house-party-1-b-y-o-p.html
Desiree @ The 36th Avenue says
This is so clever! I am featuring you this evening during our link party!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Found you over at The 36th Ave. I love your ribbon storage rack!
So glad I found you!
Leslie
Virginia says
Welcome Leslie, I hope you’ll stick around to enjoy my DIY and craft projects!
Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama says
Love this!! Such a great idea! You were featured at Artsy Corner today 🙂
tsurutadesigns says
wow…LOVE this.
Peggy A says
This is awesome! Who woulda thought? Thanks for sharing!
Amy Peters says
Love the whole room! My favorite though, the simply genius paperclips on the ribbon!
Dani @ lifeovereasy says
Oh my…. speechless! I think I am in love with your ribbon rack!
Shauna says
Wow, this turned out so great. Definitely jealous of your collection of ribbon!
toti b says
Thank you, thank you, luv luv luv…took me 5 mins.
Cathy says
Oh I need one of these! Love it!! I would love for you to share this at my link party Making Memories Mondays going on now! There’s a great cash giveaway too!
Cathy
Amanda says
What a brilliant way to handle those unruly spools. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with the #homemattersparty. We love having you!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Oh, what LOVELY organization! Thanks so much for taking the time to link up at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again on Friday!
Marie says
I’m a newbie at craft and looking how to set my craft room, this is sooo beautiful and it’s a super great idea thank you for sharing your idea.