How To Use Your Stash

A few days ago, I was on facebook on a nail stamping group looking at different comments and the conversation took place about getting on a buying frenzy. Accumulating all sorts of stamping plates and nail polishes and not really putting them to good use. We started talking about different ways of how we could make sure we use our stash.

So I figured I would share on here how I accomplish that and how I keep myself interested in the stamping plates and polish I currently own.

Tips (that was not necessarily shared in the video):

1 - Keep your stuff organised:

You will be more likely to use what you have accumulated if it can be easily accessible and easy to locate. I keep my stamping plates in a small binder that have trading cards folders inside. If you do this be aware that you will need to address the issue of the plates falling out easily. You can either be very careful when handling the binder, or you can insert a non-slip material in the pocket with the plate to help keep it in place, or you could do as I am and glue a Velcro dot at the opening of each pocket. I am in the process of installing all of those dots in my binder and so far have only done the first couple of pages. I purchased mine at my local Dolorama for $1 for a set of 16. Try different solutions and see which best work for you.

2 - Know what you have:

This is true with the stamping plates but I mostly have the nail polish in mind here. Some nail crafters have a great set up with all of their polish on display on a shelf, making it easy to find and reach out for the one they want. In my situation, I am a little space challenge and keep all of my polish in a box at the moment. This makes it difficult to easily see which color I own. In order to know which polish is available for my manicure project or simply just to make sure I am not buying duplicates I use a nail wheel display that I have painted in each of my available polish. To go a step further, organize to have certain color combination together. Here I have a wheel in progress with my glitters. When I purchase a new glitter (which I have btw) I will add it on to this wheel.

3 - Keep it interesting:

Sometimes our new stuff is always more interesting and we tend to use only that. When that "New Car Smell" (or polish in this case) is gone, we get tempted to purchase something else to get it back instead of returning to our older stuff. Or also, we may unknowingly start a mani routine. Using the same colors with the same images again and again. This is where keeping it interesting helps. For one, joining a nail stamping group that holds regular challenges will be great for that. But I've also created my own challenge box. This is something I also do when scrapbooking. Before starting a new manicure pick out a random challenge. This will make you get out of your comfort zone or make you look beyond your favorite go-tos. (I will post my list of challenge at the end of this post)

4 - Change up your manicure:

When you only do your manicure once a month or so (as I was), you are a little limited as to what you will be willing to try. I didn't like having Halloween nails for over a month. But if you change it up as often as you want, weekly or maybe even more. You will be more open to various options if there is not the commitment of having them for a month straight. If you get professional nails done monthly, ask to have the kind that can have polish applied over and remove without damaging your original manicure. That way you can change it up for a day or two.

I know there are more tips out there and I would love to hear about your techniques for using up your stash. Please share in a comment below.


Melanie's Challenge List:

Using a plate that ends with 0
Using a plate that ends with 1
Using a plate that ends with 2
Using a plate that ends with 3
Using a plate that ends with 4
Using a plate that ends with 5
Using a plate that ends with 6
Using a plate that ends with 7
Using a plate that ends with 8
Using a plate that ends with 9
Large design
Use an image you have never used
Non-stamping mani
Goth
With an accent nail
Funky french
Gradient/Ombré
Canada day/July 4th
Inspired by a book
Inspired by jewelry
Inspired by song
Inspired by movie
Inspired by blog
Inspired by a holiday
Inspired by Disney
Childhood memory
Something I love
When I was a teen
When I'll be 60+
Alter ego (something totally not you)
What a boy would pick
Someone else's pick
Fall
Spring
Winter
Summer
Flower
Money-Money-Money
Galaxies
Under the sea
Sky
Neons
Pastels
Using 3 purples
Using 3 blues
Using 3 greens
Using 3 colors
Ugly polish
White base
Red base
Blue base
Yellow base
Pink base
Purple base
Green base
Orange base
Black base
Light stamp over dark base
Try a new technique
Water marble
Stamped decal
Leadlight
Double stamp/shadow stamping
Inspired by fabric/outfit
Stamping using two plates
Red & black
Black & white
Purple & orange
Red & green
Metalic only
Stamp over glitter
Holographic
My favorite stamp
With stripes
With glitter
With matte finish
With dots
Animal print

(PS: Do not include a challenge that includes a product you do not own. But as you acquire more, add challenges to include them.)