ORGANIZING YOUR WINDOW COLLECTION:

When I first started collecting old windows I really wasn't concerned with how I was going to keep track of my inventory. Eventually, as my collection began to sprawl more and more,  I started to dread having to page through every window, every time, to find just the right one for my customers. I had to find a solution to #1: How can I keep track of the windows I have and still need?  #2: How can I possibly remember what those windows wAAAy in the back look like? And #3: Is there a way I can help my customers help themselves when designing their custom piece(s)?

The answer: An Online Digital Inventory

To begin with, I arranged my windows in "LOTS". These are "like" windows - so all 2-paned windows, for example, are in LOT 1; All 4-paned windows are in LOT 2, and so on. In other words, these LOTS can be thought of like files in a cabinet.

Next, like files in a cabinet, each file, or LOT, has different folders, or in this case, Window #s (which are actually letters!...lol). So, although I have 5 windows that have 2-panes each, those 5 windows are all different sizes. The first 2-paned window in  LOT 1 is "A". The second 2-paned window in LOT 1 is "B"; perhaps there are two exact same size 2-paned windows and both of these become LOT 1 "C", and so on.

The set up for this project was extensive but well worth it. Each window needed to be sorted, measured, photographed, downloaded, edited, posted and published. Now, each window I collect I have to be sure to follow these steps in order to keep my online digital inventory current. My initial intension was to do this every single time I aquired a window but I'm finding that I'm waiting until I have managable groups to do all at once. So, instead of updating my online digital inventory by adding 4 windows, I wait until I can add 24. Is this better? I don't know but it IS easier on me so maybe it IS better. Plus, my husband doesn't have to call in the National Guard after I've disappeared in my window storage for days anymore. ;)

There are so many ways you can organize your windows. The most important thing to keep in mind is finding a way to organize them so YOU understand and remember what you have. Plus, sometimes it's that little window you haven't seen in weeks or months, way in the back, that can inspire you the way no other window seems to at the time.

To be honest, I browse through my online digital inventory more often than I ever thought I would. It's just so much easier because I can look through my windows anytime I feel inspired, day OR night. NO, I'm not going outside at 11:30pm to browse through my window storage - I live in the northwoods...can you say "black BEARS"? ;)

Anyway...that's how I solved my problem of too many windows and not enough brain matter to remember what I had, etc. ;) My solution works for me but it may not work for everyone so if you have any ideas that you want to share or add to this, please feel free to post to my blog. I always love to hear what inspires others.

:)   -Michele