My Bargain Basement Project

I admit it. I'm a bargain shopper. I have a hard time plunking down the cash for many of the latest/greatest scrapbooking products out there. It's not that I don't like these innovative products, I just feel that they are significantly overpriced. That's the finance person in me.

Take the Clip-It-Up. Wonderful concept, really. All your drool-worthy scrapbook products displayed at your fingertips in an organized manner. I even priced this product. If I purchased the base unit, then the smaller top rack, the clips, and maybe even a pack or two of the plastic sleeves for some of my smaller things, we're talking well over $100. No way, not for me! So I turned to the internet. Google is like the best invention ever! I simply searched on homemade Clip-It-Ups and voila! Tons of hits. And some really creative, budget-friendly ideas!

But with every homemade project, I think you need to make it work for you. In my case, I don't have a lot of counterspace, so the stand idea doesn't really work. But I do have this area between the underside of my cabinets and the ledge in my room. It seems like it's almost unusable space, but those are the areas where you can get really creative!


One evening, while working on the computer, I was looking at the space, and the idea just came to me! The next day, I rushed out to the hardware store and Home Depot. For around $2.50 - $5.00 you can purchase a 3/16" x 48" metal rod (like a dowel rod, but metal). Like this: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2432630011_85cd7de857.jpg NOTE: The 1/4" rod will also work, it's thicker and will be sturdier, but too wide for the clips to hook on. You'd have to slide them on from the end each time you wanted to add a clip.

I'm still debating whether we will drill out a "cradle" on the underside of the cabinet (there is about a 1" lip there) for the rod to set in, or if I will just use screw hooks like this: http://www.mutualscrew.com/subcategories.php?pid=3502 If I go the way of the screw hook, I will need to devise a "stopper" of some sort for the end of the rod, so that my product doesn't slide off the ends. Also, we may need to saw the metal rod to fit the space.

As for the clips, I 've seen a number of ideas on the internet, from safety pins and paper clips with washers, but I like the original clips from Clip-It-Up. Archivers sells a package of 25 clips for $6.99. However, one of the ladies who made her own, found the same exact clip at Joann's (a package of 21 clips for $3.99)! See here: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat1937&PRODID=prd53257&source=search/

I believe I can make this entire project for under $20! And that just makes me smile! :) I will be sure to post pictures of my finished project as soon as we get to it (it's #964 on the mile-long to-do list ;))

Please feel free to post your ideas for any budget-friendly scrapbook projects!

Jenny