Recycling Image: sxc.hu

Selling “green” products?  How you package them might make a statement, too.  Consider how to organize so your packaging is as green as possible, too.

My niece tells about ordering pencils that were made from recycled materials.  She wanted to see what they were like, perhaps use them for stocking stuffers, and do her bit in saving trees.

However, she wondered how much “greening” the seller believed in.  Of course, for sending something in the mail or via another delivery service, there are limitations on packaging.  However, within the mailer, the pencils were inside an attractive non-recyclable (not #1 or#2) plastic container.  This was placed within plastic bag.

She may have saved some trees, she thought, but added to the amount of non-biodegradable plastic accumulated.

Consider whether your packaging is compatable with the product(s) you’re selling and the practices you’re promoting.   Granted, some of the environmentally safe packaging costs more.  Perhaps explain to your customers this difference in cost and let them have the option of paying more for this type of packaging or going with the traditional.  Sometimes, too, you have little choice of packaging when it comes to shipping items.

How do you, or would you, solve this dilemma?

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Magnetic paper clip holder image: sxc.hu

They’re one of those items you usually don’t think of mentioning when describing desk top or desk drawer organizers.

They’re small, they’re hardly noticed, they’re not decorative.  Yet they keep the clips at one’s fingertips so you don’t have to go searching around, under and over stuff in and on your desk.

I first discovered these on teachers’ desks when I was substitute teaching and found it so handy to have paper clips readily available when I had tests or homework to clip together, along with notes I left about the day’s activities.

They’re so nice to adapt for my office, too.

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Image: sxc.hu

When I was subbing for a secretary at a nearby school, I noticed the upright clipboard affair next to her computer screen.

When I needed to type on her word processor, I discovered how handy it was to have my paper on the clipboard and glace at it there rather than down on the desk.

If you’re not using it for  manuscript or letter drafts, you can clip memos, reminders or photos there.  Inspirational sayings also would be ideal on the clipboard when not in use for other tasks.

I’ll have to look into one for my office and writing projects.  I’ve also seen clips with an arm that attach to one’s computer.  You can attach manuscripts and letters to these.

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Image: sxc.hu

Yes, it depends on the look you want to achieve.  Some offices may give a more professional message if you use the efficient office supply items.

However, home offices and those with less formal appearance may benefit from personalized containers.  Also, your attitude may be affected positively with these items around you.

Take cans or jars and personalize with artistic designs.  Use mixed media techniques or simply cover with paper, photos or art work.  Some of this might reflect work that you do in your business.  Personalize the files for books, folders, and note pads the same way.

In your home office, you might even have containers decorated by your children.  This also might help them feel part of your business and life and not shut out from it and you when you have to close your office or production room door.

I have an old pencil holder made years ago by my daughter in one of our 4-H Club arts and crafts projects.  We covered with glue and glitter and decoupaged flowers to it. 

Perhaps the youngsters have made something at school.  Use it for your desk and add a bit of cheer to your life and work.

Do you personalize your organizers?

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Image: sxc.hu

Then surrounding it on the organizer was a round container for pen, pencils and markers.  Various slots enabled you to place note pads and sticky notes within reach.  Other depressions were for paper clips and similar items.

This got me thinking about other types of desk lamps, not necessarily attached to an organizer.  They might be simply serviceable.  Or they could be colorful, antique, or modernistic. 

My granddaughter purchased a small desk lamp for her desk at college because she decided the one she had at home would be too large.  The one for college also was more streamlined.

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I am often made fun of for my obsession with office supplies because I am always cleaning and reorganzing things. I have issues with my work space currently because we have such a small area to work in, and I have way too many projects going on at once.

I have another binder that is just for my freelance writing. I have a different section for each company and have the same general idea of pages. I write down whatever assignments I have, or sites they recommend. I also write down any ideas or questions that come to mind so that I try to do things in a specific order each day. I am one of those people who every time I do one task I come up with 5 more to replace it, so detailed organized to-do lists are very important to me.

I also keep a folder for things that I need to read or review so that they are easy to access at any free moment.

What ideas do you have for organizing your office and/or writing?

(Image: sxc.hu)

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Image: sxc.hu

• Browse through office supply catalogs
• Look around office supply stores
• Ask questions of clerks in office supply stores
• Search the web for new supplies in use
• Read blogs about organizing
• Ask others who have well organized offices where they found the items
• Keep your eyes open as you visit offices
• By trial and error you will find what works for you.  But don’t make huge investments until you’ve investigated the possibilities.

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Image: sxc.hu

I’ve gradually discovered, that those who use some type of organizer for their desk top and other work areas generally have a more orderly area.

I’m able to find the items they want me to use easier and more quickly.  Organizers seem to save time and have needed items at one’s fingertips.  Now the person who works there most of the time may find easily what they’re looking for midst the clutter.  But generally areas without organizers or organization of some type appear more cluttered.

Now I look at my work areas at at home, I realize I need to become even better organized.  I have some organizers, but they’re not the most efficient.  I spend too much time looking for things.  

So…even though I’ve tried to do better, I need to take a long look at what I’m doing in my various work areas (unfortunately in our multigenerational home, I’m working in several areas).  Also, my husband has a renovating plan going on at the moment, and my daughter is redecorating and moving to the loft area.  So restructuring goes on around me.

So…..I’m trying to find the best methods for having my work at my fingertips and being able to move the most important items easily when I have to relocate temporarily. 

Any suggestions for the mobile writer and home business owner?

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I haven’t run any giveaways on my blogs lately, but do search for nice ones on other blogs and occasionally point my readers there.  Why not check out Karen’s
at Little Fun Little Learning with her Avery School & Office Supply Giveaway.
This giveaway of Avery school and office supplies runs through October 11. (Don’t leave your comments here for the drawing, but go over to the Little Fun, Little Learning, at the above link,  for details about entry.)

Image: sxc.hu

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How do we store or organize them on our desk?

• Square plastic holder like the one shown
• Plastic desk organizers that separate each type into its separate compartment.
• Organizers within a desk drawer for different types of writing instruments
• A decorated cup, perhaps with your name on it
• Pint fruit jars
• A glass, plain or decorated.
• A small vase
• Something made by your child in school especially for your pens…and that you must use.
• An organizer that holds pens in the center and sticky notes or small pads in pockets along the side or lying flat in front.
• Pad with pen pocket  that you can carry with you

What do you use as handy organizers for your writing tools?

Post from: My Organized Biz