what I do

what I do

Monday, August 29, 2011

The anatomy of my tool bag

{pinterest}

I am hanging frames for a photo / art wall today and there are a few things I take along when I am hanging art. I keep my tools in a bag that is always packed and ready to go and I bring it to every install. I have had a bag that I carry everything in for a while but it was not working for me. I found myself losing things and rummaging around in the bottom for a screwdriver or another item I needed. I wanted something more organized.


I was at Target the other night and thought I'd look in the tool section for something that would work better ... nothing. I looked in the purse section ... nothing. I thought for sure I would find what I wanted in the luggage section ... but came up short. I was almost out the door when I had a thought.

The anatomy of my diaper bag tool bag:


How clever that a diaper bag would have everything I need to carry my tools. It has so many little compartments to keep everything separated ...


It has an easy-to-clean fabric ...


It is quite roomy inside ...


It even comes with a connected see-through bag so I can find my bandaids quickly (hanging art can be brutal on the fingers!) ...


A separate compartment for my pencils and calculator ...


I love that is is plastic and can be wiped down easily ... and the best part is that everything I need fits inside.  Here are some of the things I take along:  I have my hooks and other hanging supplies in separate compartments ...


I have earthquake hold to secure art that will not be moved, painter's tape (I wad it up) to secure and level art that may be moved later (to change photos, etc.), easy furniture gliders in case there is a furniture piece in front of the area I am hanging, a pencil to mark where my nail / hook goes, an eraser to take off the mark, a black sharpie for touching up wood (frames or furniture!), a calculator when I am tired and cannot add in my head, and the other usual tools (hammer, screwdrivers (one regular, one small for frame hooks), scissors, extra wire, pliers, and the most important tool of all ... a level.


And when I add accessories to a client's house I always add a protective dot on the bottom.


All that tucked neatly in my diaper bag tool bag makes me efficient and ready to work.


Who knew a diaper bag could be so versatile?

9 comments:

17 Perth said...

I think that is actually perfect----not only is it functional, but it is also more stylish than traditional tool belts!

Amy Chalmers said...

Oh my bag is such a mess, you are nice and neat and organized!!

Marianne said...

Great idea! I have a monogrammed LL Bean tote that I use, but of course everthing is always buried at the bottom!

Unknown said...

Yeah, I loved my previous bag too but that is what happened - EVERYTHING buried at the bottom. I like the monogram idea - I may have to add one to mine ;)

Town and Country Gals said...

Sherri,
Very Clever! It's perfect for carrying "stuff"! They have such cute ones now, I do love yours! Nothing like being prepared with everything on hand. I have to have a pocket or compartment for everything, even in my purse! I can't stand digging and having everything in a jumble at the bottom!
Rebecca

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Gosh.. you're soooo CLEVER! :-)

Seriously.. you always teach me something new! Can I call you mentor?

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Victoria said...

You are so clever, Sherri, and, knowing Target, I am sure it was economical as well.
Best, Victoria

SHERRY HART said...

Awesome idea....and dang you are neat. I might have to show a picture of my tool box just to scare people!!! I might have to get some of that "earthquake" stuff you were talking about!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

You are a genius!!! I would like to know where all my missing tape measures have gone??? I need a bag like this. Have you seen that infomercial for little pads and a crow bar to move heavy furniture?? That could be a good addition to our "tool" kits.