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How To: DIY Marker Storage from Vintage Luggage

After years of struggling to organize my art supplies in my tiny studio apartment, I found the perfect solution: Markers, pens, colored pencils, and bullet journaling supplies fit perfectly in a vintage makeup case. With a few easy modifications, a train case makes an ideal DIY Marker Storage case- complete with a carrying handle!

In this article, I show how to shop for luggage that can be converted into DIY marker storage. Then, I’d walk you through small modifications to convert the case into a marker case. Finally, I’ll show you how to use this method to live with art supplies always within arm’s reach!

Markers in a vintage train case turned diy marker storage.

What’s a Train Case?

Sometimes called cosmetic cases or just vintage cases, train cases were the “carry on luggage” of the era of train travel (although they actually peaked in popularity in the 60’s and 70’s as precursors to the “kaboodles” cosmetic cases of the 80-90’s). Today, vintage train cases are sometimes found at thrift stores and flea markets.

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To get your pick of the litter, try sourcing train cases on Etsy, where you can be pickier about color, closure style, and a functional lock. Not only do train cases make great DIY marker storage that can be left out without feeling messy, train cases are still a great way to store and transport makeup- especially if you have a bathroom with lots of counter space but not a lot of storage.

When my markers started overflowing my vintage planter organizing system, I got creative with luggage.

Why Use a Train Case for DIY Marker Storage?

When I was hunting for a way to store my markers I just couldn’t find a commercially available marker storage case that was functional and stylish. Utilitarian plastic boxes can work great if you’ve got an art closet or dedicated place to stow them, but in my downtown apartment space is at a premium. There’s no good place to hide art supplies that still keeps them handy to retrieve and use on a whim.

My challenge: find a way to store my markers in plain sight that wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb in my 100-year-old apartment.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make DIY Marker Storage that’s 🌵 cute, 🧳 portable, & ✂️ easy to make at home!

Step by step, we’ll transform boring plastic marker holder inserts into an enviable marker case. Say goodbye to ugly utilitarian marker cases designed for crafters and scrapbookers! Say hello to an adorable custom homemade marker case hidden inside a decor-friendly vintage cosmetic case.

How Stylish Storage = More Art Making

I created this marker storage purely for aesthetic reasons, (it just looks way better than tackle-box looking premade plastic art supply storage boxes!) but there’s been a really fun surprise: storing my markers in this vintage tote in the middle of my living space has meant that my markers are almost always within arms-reach, and having them so close all the time has resulted in me using them to spontaneously create art much more often!

Using a vintage train case for art supply marker storage

Supplies You’ll Need: 

I’ve always loved using vintage items for useful, utilitarian purposes, but my affinity for it really exploded after I moved to Seattle in 2015. Living in a 280 square foot apartment, there is simply no space for items that are “just decoration,” so I’m becoming increasingly skilled at figuring out how to blend aesthetics and function, especially in vintage objects. Since the move, I’ve been adapting vintage cases to hold all kinds of odds and ends- including my entire store of art supplies.

With my entire collection of Copic Art Markers organized inside this case, I can display the case right next to my favorite chair in my apartment instead of having yet another box shoved in an overflowing closet. I like having my markers in my living space and ready to use on a whim- My creativity increases when supplies are within arm’s reach.

I use illustration markers primarily for sketchnotes and graphic recording.

Before you begin, make sure your suitcase is clean and odor-free. Click here for tips on cleaning vintage luggage or use some of the tips from my article on removing the smell of smoke from wood furniture.

How To Convert a Vintage Cosmetic Case into Stylish Marker Storage Step by Step:

1. Get marker trays or a plastic grid.

I used ArtBin Marker Trays (linked above).

In researching for this project, I read other marker storage tutorials that said the plastic grids for commercial fluorescent lights would work to store markers, but when I took a Copic Sketch Marker to Home Depot, those grids were too small for markers to slide in and out – and those panels were more than $20 each! 

ArtBin Art Marker Storage Tray in package

 

2. Get a vintage suitcase or “Train Case”

Traditionally called “train cases,” vintage cosmetic cases are my favorite. You can find them at flea markets or thrift stores in the $5-$20 range. For the thrill of the purchase without hunting through second-hand shops, click here to shop train cases on Etsy, where they usually sell for $25-$50.

You can use a full size suitcase for this project, but you’ll need to recalculate how many marker trays you need and potentially build a framework to support and secure multiple trays. The advantage of using a suitcase is  that the markers are stored horizontally when the suitcase is closed and sitting upright- which is the manufacturer’s recommendation for storing most art markers

Careful! Not all train cases are created equal!  This was the first cosmetic case I tried to adapt for this purpose and it bombed:

A blue vintage cosmetic case
This light blue cosmetic case was my first attempt to create this marker storage case. This train case, it turned out, was just fractionally too small to hold two marker trays side-by-side, so got relocated to my bathroom as a place to hide cosmetics.

The case above was too narrow to fit two marker grids side-by-side. My second case measures just a bit larger, and is able to accommodate the 8.2 x 1.5 x 9.5 in. size of the double-wide marker trays.

Idea: Store Copics arranged by color in a vintage costmetic case
If you shop for a case for this purpose and use these same marker trays, make sure the longest side has an interior measurement that can accommodate two trays

Skyway brand cases are my favorite since I attended a graduate school located in their former factory, but this dreamy Herculyte case in off-white was perfect. I like the ivory finish in my apartment full of creams and whites.

This creative method for marker storage stows your art supplies

Step 3. Add Marker Trays to Suitcase

Use the included clips to raise the tray off the bottom of the case. This will help the markers remain more upright in your handmade marker storage case.

If the elevated trays aren’t held stable by the sides of your case  (it will depend on the width of your case) add a few dots of hot glue to the edge of the marker tray to help hold them in place, snug against the lining. (If the hot-glue doesn’t hold, and you’re positive of placement, you can use an epoxy putty (suggestion for this is linked above) to both fill in gaps and permanently secure the tray to the sides of the case.

How to use vintage cases for organized art marker storage
These clips are meant to secure the tray in place in a branded plastic case, but, used upside down, they work well to elevate the tray to stabilize the markers.
How to use vintage cases for organized art marker storage
For best results, you want the marker trays kind of snug, as shown. If they have lots of room to wobble, you can either permanently secure them with epoxy or fill the gaps with hot glue.
Hot glue applied to sides and allowed to harden before placing into the case creates a non-slip bumper to help the trays stay in place.

Step 4: Fill Case with Markers & Enjoy

Placing your markers in a marker homemade storage case or a suitcase made for moving, really makes creativity on the go more possible (not to mention more stylish),

This vintage converted marker case is one of my very favorite projects. It’s so fun to always have my markers at hand, and this case makes them really, really easy to grab to take with me to art nights with friends or even to do illustration work at a cafe or on business trips.

This creative method for marker storage stows your art supplies
In this case, for the first time, I can really get a good view of my markers and the shades I have, and the shades I need for a more balanced palette.
This creative method for marker storage stows your art supplies

In a standard train case, like the one I used. About 130 slots are open, with space at the back for about two dozen copic various ink refills. I don’t have 130 copic markers, so I also have room in my case for multiliners (black inking pens with various nib sizes).


BONUS: Locking Train Cases for Securing your Art Supplies while Traveling:

Vintage cases with functional locks make ideal art storage- especially if you travel with your markers.
check online sellers to snag a train case with a working lock and key

Admittedly, unless you are planning to handcuff your case to your body, locking cases aren’t the most secure way to lock up something valuable, BUT if you travel with your markers to art classes or scrapbooking events, it may be worth the investment in a locking case to help keep people honest.

Plus, using a vintage suitcase to store your art supplies is unique and noticeable, and smart thieves won’t walk off with anything distinctive or unique. (In 2008 I had a horse trailer stolen from the Kentucky Horse Park where, I learned too late, dozens of horse trailers are stolen each year. The officer who took the report told me to put custom decals on my next trailer because thieves never took trailers with decals or custom paint jobs because they drew more attention. Lesson learned.)

Vintage suitcases and traincases with functional locks & keys included are tough to find in vintage shops, but there’s always a selection available on Etsy. Locking cases are usually a little more expensive, but may be worth the upgrade in convenience and peace of mind.

Idea: Store Copics arranged by color in a vintage costmetic case




That’s it! Once you’ve located a train case and marker trays, this is a 15-minute DIY project! Did you try it? I’d love to hear how yours turned out. Leave a comment below or pin it to Pinterest.

Using a vintage train case for art supply marker storage

Thanks for Reading!!!

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Reader Questions and Recommendations

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Betsy

Wednesday 18th of September 2019

OMG I love train cases and I never would have thought of this. I love this idea. Thank you, this is amazing. I'm speechless.

Katydid

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

Only problem is, markers should not be stored vertically

Lindsayanne

Friday 3rd of May 2019

You could definitely do this same set-up with a deep vintage suitcase, hat-case, or typewriter case, so when closed it could be turned 90° for sideways storage!

I've heard this storage advice before, and while it's probably best-practice, I think "within reach for when I get inspired," is my favorite way to store! (at least until I notice any issues from vertical storage- which so far hasn't been a problem)

Carol Kerr

Friday 6th of April 2018

Super idea for beautiful marker storage and transport.

maureenkmorton

Wednesday 28th of June 2017

I don't know I found you, but I've been collecting train cases for years and love them. I use them for lots of things but had never thought to make them work for markers. thanks for the inspiration!