My priority is to buy the DAFs, then sometimes outfits and/or accessories for them. Expensive micro storage pieces - while nice - are NOT particularly first on my list. So I need to be more creative in my storage choices.
How so? Well, let's start with recycled plastic covers and clear boxes that housed dolls or action figures I have deboxed. Surely Mattel and Hasbro and other companies would LOVE to know that they have given us a bonus in the packaging. That's why they make all those clear "windows," etc. For the savvy consumer, hmmm? Right.
The empty tall, mostly clear Fashion Fever tubes can hold tall objects like fishing rods, microphones, swords, rolled up posters, etc. Bodiless heads, etc. Less mess already. Plus, I can "see" what I have. Similarly, the clear plastic covers for the 12" pegboard G.I. Joes make neat shallow bins. I have plastic doll purses and backpacks in one of those.
Don't let us forget the plastic mini bin for wet wipes. I LOVE these. Easy open, easy close. You get this neat "snip" sound for free! (Who can pass up special sound effects like that?!) I have retained almost every one I nabbed. One large aqua one, I use for my toddlers' clothes and accessories. The more usual size, I use for accessories like shoes, food items, and other items. They can be covered with fabric or papier mache, etc. to individualize them or to identify the contents.
Other packaging can also be used for new purposes. You can give these pieces a Second Life. You can rescue them from landmines. Well, ideally, before they reach the landmines ;-D
Here some samples ... hope you enjoy seeing them!
5 comments:
I never thought about the wipes containers before. Hmm if I come across them they're mine :O)
Oh I do the same. But other than the original doll packaging, I also like the plastic tubs some food items come in. I use little tubs of butter (cleaned of course) for the tiny accessories (belts, shades, plastic blings etc) and a tub of cookie for the heads. :)
Hi Dollz4Moi! Yes, those empty wipes containers work well.
Hi Niel! Yes, cleaned tubs minus the butter - lol - work well, too. In the U.S., I usually see rounded tubs for butter, etc. And now that I think about it, the shorter, wider container might be easier to keep loose heads in. Thanks for that mention ;-D
Alas, I don't have a dedicated doll room so I have boxed dolls stashed in every closet. I tend to keep outfits and small accessories in zip loc baggies and the baggies in those cheap, clear plastic bins with tops which I have stacked on top of my book cases in my home office. I wish I could get control of my collecting habit and get my collection down to a very small size and then get a nicely appointed doll trunk (or two.... or ten). When I was little I loved to store clothes and accessories in doll trunks - you could open them up and they were like a beautiful clothes closet.....
I LOVE having a dedicated doll/action figure room. (Spoiled? Yes!) LOL
Thanks for those storage ideas, Kim! Setting individual outfits in individual bags - possibly with cardboard backing? would be neat. The kind of project I could enjoy ;-D
Oh, now it would scarcely be a collection with under 10 boxes, would it be? LOL.
As a little girl, I always wanted to have hoards of dolls, outfits, and related stuff, so I think I "understand." Now I have them - with a vengenace!
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