DIY: Ribbon organizer for FREE!

I've been having ribbon issues. I thought I had it all figured out by hanging my ribbon spools on these little bars on the side of an organizer cart. Then they all started unraveling, and all I had was a big tangled mess.  And the ones I couldn't fit were just stacked up, creating another tangled mess. Last night I came across a tutorial which I pinned and planned to do. Their version looks like this..

                             

While theirs is quite inexpensive, I realized I could make the same thing for free! So here's mine...

A bit more attractive too, eh? Takes a little more work, but its worth it because I had all components lying around my house so it was FREE and GREEN! Here's how ya do it...

Things you'll need

1. Cardboard box - mine was a shipping box about 7" wide x 10" long x 3.5" deep. A shoebox may work well too, as long as you can fit 2 spools across the width (and then you'd have a lid too! hmmm...)

2. Fun paper - wrapping paper is perfect

3. Unsharpened pencils or pens, about 4, all of equal thickness (or 1/4" dowels if you have those lying around)

4. Hole punch

5. Scissors

6. Glue - Elmers, Tacky Glue, any kind will do.

Step 1: Cut the flaps off of your box (unless using a shoebox) using scissors

Step 2: Wrap your box with your paper of choice. Place a large sheet underneath your box and wrap upwards like a gift. Bring the paper over the rim of the box and glue inside. You may glue paper to cover the entire interior of the box if you choose.

Step 3: Make your makeshift dowels. (I used one unsharpened pencil and one ballpoint pen , but I recommend using 2 unsharpened pencils because the thickness will be more consistent) Wrap around connecting point with duct tape until it does not bend easily at that point.

Step 4: Hold your largest ribbon spool to the inside corner of the box and mark inside the hole.

*TIP* use similar size spools and mark at the lowest point possible. This will allow the spools to rest against the bottom and they will not spin freely, therefore coming unravelled easier!

Step 5: Punch holes where your ribbon will feed. Line up a few spools and punch your hole along the center of each, down an inch or so from the top of the box.

(nevermind the dowel here, thats the next step!)

Step 6: Make a hole where your dowels will feed through. If your hole punch will reach, use it. Mine did not, so I used the tip of a sharp pair of scissors (PLEASE BE CAREFUL!) to help punch the hole through from the outside.

Punching through from the outside leaves a cleaner finish

Step 7: Insert dowel on one side only and feed on your spools of ribbon (be sure the ribbbon feeds from the top, kinda like the toilet paper should be :) Slide dowel out the other end. Feed ends of the ribbon through their respective holes. Voila! 

Happy organizing!