Michele Made Me

Cardboard Tube Clip-On Shelf Labels

by

There really is no need to…

… because I’m about to show you one of the simplest crafts to ever grace this blog. In fact, I’m fairly confident in asserting that it is probably one of the simplest crafts EVER in the history of ALL crafts. So don’t fret, no. Just sit back. Relax. Take a load off. This won’t take but a minute.

I give you the…

 

Let us begin.

All you need is love. And some form of cardboard tube. Like a toilet paper roll say, or a kitchen roll tube.

Ascertain how you’d like to label your shelves. I needed to be able to locate my painting and drawing supplies at a moment’s notice, so that’s what I chose to write on one of my tubes.

Now, take your tube. And now take your pencil.

Am I going too fast? Are you able to keep up with the sheer complexity of this craft? Good.

Now, write your chosen words in pencil on your chosen tube. I chose the words “painting & drawing”. Don’t be afraid to get VERY specific. Your children will thank you when you order them – or in my case, ask them nicely – to go to the “Painting and Drawing Shelf” to get the #47 red.

Trace around your words with a fine-tipped Sharpie.

Note: Sharpie is a very famous brand of marker here in North America. They are literally everywhere.

If you like, you can also add colour to your words with paint or colourful markers as below.

Alternatively, if you are down and out, you may decide to forego the labels entirely, and instead give yourself a lively boost with a few choice words of wisdom. “Be brave” or “Laugh” for example. As you know, it is essential to occasionally laugh or be brave. Sometimes both at once. So these tubular concoctions work perfectly to jog a sluggish memory.

Once you’re done with the words, flip the tube to the other side (or 180˚) and cut it lengthwise as below.

Finally, it is time to place your tube on the shelf edge. Gently pry open the back of the tube and clamp it in place. It will look like it is eating the shelf.  It isn’t of course. It’s only a card tube.

 

And now you will never forget where you put your stationery supplies. If you do, be brave and/or laugh. But don’t come crying to me.

Have a lovely weekend!

 

♥MCheck out another lovely toilet roll craft right HERE!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. nicolette at dutchcomfort says

    You’ve made me smile with this simple but clever idea!!

    My shelves are behind doors (thank goodness for that), there’s enough clutter left on the floor, so I need to find a way to make lables to put on the doors without damaging them! Any… idea… ?

  7. liniecat says

    what great fun!!
    I must show your blog to the gals at the local scrapstore where they get shed loads of fabric and carpet rolls handed in to them for play scrap.
    So many of your ideas they could make up as samples to inspire members who go there.
    I love this idea and will try and find space on my shelf edges to fit them! My shelves seem festooned with stash right up to the edges though……..a sure sign I need to tidy up some lol
    Another fantastic idea thank you!

  11. Michelle L. says

    Oh my sainted toilet paper roll! This is amazing and I love both the concept (genius) and the beautiful calligraphy you have done. So stylish and elegant, and so change-my-life useful. Thanks for a great one!

  13. Agy says

    Oh this is such a great idea! Have you thought about making them waterproof so you can wipe them when they collect dust? I'm just wondering what will make them waterproof though.

  16. Poppyprint says

    But wait. There is a glaring design flaw! You assume there is a strip of vacant space on the front of my shelves to fit said easiest craft in the world. No so! Darnit. I'll have to fold everything smaller.

  32. Erin Fickert-Rowland says

    Just brilliant, Michele! Wow- I am going to start saving my paper tubes! You are such an inspiration to me to re-use and re-purpose things that we normally just toss out. Have you ever shared how you organize/store your recyclables for crafts? I'd love to know!

  33. bookkm says

    I just re- read this post. Not only is this craft brilliant (see my comment above) BUT your writing style is so …. well, it is just so, um, what's that word? BRILLIANT!! Yep. That's it.

  35. holmesmp says

    I love this. I'm busy getting our "homeschool room" done and was thinking of ways to label all the supplies and this is just perfect. Thank You. 🙂