Twofold re: size markers

[Novismom]

I volunteer at a free clothing depot and really feel the need to organize. It is not a great feeling to see people who really need something have to waste time searching through the wrong areas. (Yes, I help them but they sometimes put things back in the wrong spot when they can't find the correct section again.)

My question is twofold. What can I use (REUSE) to create new ones and what can I use these old ones for? I would like to make all new ones so they are uniform and well...PRETTY.

I am sitting here, looking at my old license, thinking it is the right shape and texture, but too short and too personal. Who wants to see my mug on a clothing rack? 

[curiocait]

hmmm.
Well there are some really cool gift card designs out there.
Would old gift cards work?

[jen.i.fuhr]

if you just need something the size of a standard credit card (I assume that's what you mean by license) I have a LOT of starbucks gift cards that I could mail to you.

[hyper_azn_girl]

Yeah you could collect those free fake credit card things they send you in the mail or old gift cards. In another thread on craftster, someone was talking about how they went to starbucks and asked for gift cards and the person handed her a huge stack of them

[habitat-lady]

Some stores have round dividers, maybe old CD's or plastic container lids would work. 

If you want them rectangular shaped, see if you can find an old plastic vertical blind like from a sliding glass door.  They cut with a dremel or strong shears.

[sum1smuma]

If you hit a last resort...ask at your local department store or  Walmart. Often large stores toss useful items and like to help a good cause. You might consider attaching a sign to an old plastic hanger so it is large enough and sits high enough to be easily spotted. Good luck and good karma for helping others!

[Ivy Cross]

For what it's worth, .....I did something like this on a much smaller scale for my kids when the became fond of rearranging and organizing their own closets by color. What I did was take 2 5x7 index cards, write or print out the color name glue it on the index cards and run it through my cheapo laminater. The double index provided enough support so the would not get bent, and the lamination added protection and durability. I made the cards over 3 years ago and since added to the collection as the colors in the wardrobe change, and also add things like "Play Clothes" , School Clothes".  The great thing about this you can have as little as or as much as you want, with a 5x7 card you can cut them to fit, and they would all be the same style and our color, you can even print off pictures like of pants, shirts, or w/e to add by the Lg, Med, or Sm size tag. I understand not everyone has a laminater, but I got mine off of e-bay for 5 bucks and a boat load of the plastics for free, also I think Stables offers it for a reasonable price per sheet.

[Novismom]

Wow, what a treat to log on and have responses! Goes great with coffee.

Thank you so much for the offer of the gift cards. I think it would be the same as my license, which will be too short.

I will try out the laminated index card idea and let you know how that goes. Thanks ladies!

Now, as for the old ones, methinks I have a decoration/abstract art gift to make for Little Brother's wedding gift. Muahahaha! (He loves my work.  )

[PixieVal]

Ivy Cross- I agree with your idea for kid's closests. Such a huge help to label kid's clothes, my dd was grown out of so many clothes by time I found stuff in the back of her closet. These would make a great baby shower present if you changed it to common baby sizes, and decorated them a little bit.

[Novismom]

Just found out that they are having a baby, too! Wedding has been planned for MONTHS, much to our parents' relief, so I am not in gift-making hell. Still plenty of time for making gifts for the second blessed event.

I like your ideas, girls. I will use the old dividers for their baby's closet along with creating homemade baskets from cardboard and fabric to create shelves...their apartment is not ideal for storing baby stuff.

Oooooh, and maybe I'll hang some baby clothes on an old clothesline across their apartment instead of traditional streamers at the shower. I am SO excited! (Can ya tell??) I used to change HIS diapers, so I can't get over the fact that he's top be a daddy.