Let me start by saying that I went through a massive array of ideas before landing on this organizational method for stains. If you have any ideas that could prove both sturdier and easier to access, let me know! I came up with this…
I don’t know about you, but having to open and hammer shut the traditional, metal paint cans of varnish and stains every week was worrying me. The metal rims were getting demolished and stain/varnish was slipping into the little rivet no matter how careful I was to not touch the side of the can.
Constantly Opening and Re-Sealing the Rims
After time, the lid rims became tacky and hard and no longer sealed my product.
I’m aware that most people, when they buy stains and varnish they use paintbrushes for walls and not paintbrushes for paper. However, if you’ve seen any of my time lapses, you know I prefer stains over paint to add contrast and “color” to my wood art. So, I needed to think fast and come up with an idea that still sealed my products. I needed to save my money in the long run and I’m all about helping the environment as much as I can.
I went with little, 8oz., pint-sized jars. This way, I was able to label, reseal, and use however little amount I needed without damaging the seal of the canister. Now, I only have to open the larger stain cans when I need to refill the jars! Power to the organizational method Gods!
Boring, but Effective Organizational Method
They look a little less than stellar at the moment, but sometime down the road when I have landed at my final destination I can organize the best way for myself. Right now, I have to take into consideration the company I’m renting my corner space from and not be too overwhelming with ideas. Keep it simple for now, right?!
I think it would be a great idea in my near future to find some small jars with loops on the sides to hook a spoon in. The stains need stirred before every use and though I’m all for wiping off my current plastic spoon to reuse, I think it would be amazing to have wooden spoons that, over time have taken on a dark and rich color of the stain it’s used for!
Wood, Wood and Organizational Methods for Stains – Oh My!
I think it would be amazing to keep everything unique and reusable. Plus, wood spoons, wood art, wood, wood, wood galore!!!
I’ve also been toying with the idea of taking my red rags and saving one for each color of stain. Right now, I’ve had instances where I’m using – say weathered gray – but the rag was used for Kona earlier that day. I got smears of Kona in my Weathered Gray area that was unintentional.
Of course, I was able to work with the mistake and make it into an amazing stain blend, but it gave me a heart blip, thinking that I might not be able to fix it.
“Fixing mistakes” is half the fun of making art though, so… who knows. Maybe I’d be wrong. But, I like the idea of being able to reuse the rags for the same stain colors.
Is That Really the Best Organizational Method Though?
The biggest problem with organizing that is that I don’t really have the space to keep the rags clean. Other than the stains, of course! I have my PVC Pipe Drying House back there, but it’s for the varnish process and I wouldn’t want to compromise the integrity of the varnish just to keep the rags cleaner.
Ziploc bags, maybe? If I go with zippies though, I’ll have to keep track of not only my stain jars and my stir spoon(s), but the bags for the rags as well. That seems like it could cause some troubles. There’s gotta be a better organizational method for stains to keep it all together, in the same place. A simpler way to keep organized, right?
Front and Back Offices Keep Me on My Toes
I’m currently working out of a small, front office where I write, design, and house my paperwork. Soon, I’ll be working on my digital art and charcoal art up here as well! But, then, in the back of the same building, I have a small space for my carving shop.
It’s a nice set-up and I am in NO way complaining, but my shop area gets too cold to keep my stains and varnish in. I keep them up front in the computer office. Naturally, that makes it so I’m hauling them back and forth a few times a week when I get to the final stages of a piece. Which is where my organizational methods go on the fritz.
When I find my 100% best method, I will tell you all about it! For now, I’ve fallen in love with how easy and clean this organizational method for stains is. If you work with the same paints or other materials, I’m sure it would keep the lids clean as well!
Let me know if you give it a shot!
Remember to check out my shop for my wood art creations! 🌲
