Handmade Desktop Organizer

Pencils

• Cans are a good container for holding pencils on your desk top. Choose cans that do not leave a sharp edge when opened. To be sure there are no sharp ridges, simply rub away any ridges with a small piece of sand paper. Remove the label and leave it silver, or customize by wrapping it with scrapbook paper, fabric, or self-adhesive shelf liner. You can even make a photo collage and cover it with clear shelf liner.

Papers

• Keep your papers stacked neatly on your desk in a tray made of a cardboard box. A boot box may be just the size you need. Cut down the sides of the box to about 3 inches tall and cover with wrapping paper or self-adhesive shelf liner. For a larger box, use a cardboard case that holds canned drinks. For smaller papers, like sticky notes, use a toaster pastry box, cut trim the height to suit, and decorate it to suit your desk accessories.

Clips

• Use a small glass pickle or relish jar to hold paper clips. Paint with oil paints, or roll decorated paper and stick it inside the jar so the design shows through the glass. Hot glue ribbons around the glass. For a nonbreakable choice, use a plastic spice container with the shaker lid removed. Decorate with papers, ribbons, or self-adhesive shelf liner. Try other small containers like medicine bottles, plastic yogurt cups or small paper cups.

Desktop Blotter

• Desktop blotters were once used to absorb ink that might leak from fountain pens. Since we rarely use fountain pens, today's blotters are more for decoration. Make a blotter by covering a large piece of cardboard with fabric.Create note storage and photo display by adding ribbons down both sides. Simply slide your selected photos and notes under the ribbon pieces. You can even choose to incorporate a convenient desktop calendar into your handmade blotter.