Quick Tip: Inventory Organization Lee Ustinich

Appears in the May 2020 issue of Ceramics Monthly.

I approached designing a ceramics studio in a 12×14-foot room like a game of Tetris. Just about every square inch is purposefully engaged. Then I started making stuff and realized I had to store it somewhere. I’ll fast forward and get to the solution. This tip is not for high-volume output nor large pieces of work, but works best for a home-studio environment.

I take a reference photo of each piece, assign it an item category and code, and record details on a spreadsheet. I assign broad categories, i.e. catchalls, bowls, desktop items, wall pieces, etc. Example: catchalls is CA, so the 30th one I make is labeled CA30 (written on a piece of masking tape adhered to the piece). Each category has a separate worksheet in the master inventory workbook. When a piece sells, I note it on the spreadsheet so I know it is no longer in storage (see 2).

The spreadsheets work in tandem with wheeled storage carts with deep drawers that are labeled by category (1). I bought my carts at a local big-box store. The pieces are stacked inside, in dollar-store bins. If needed, foam sheets serve as a buffer between pieces. Since the carts have wheels, they can easily be moved out of the way or repositioned.