Desk Apprentice owners: Tell my why I *have* to have one...

[Sue G in PA]

My quest to get organized is ongoing. I feel it will never end. So, I read about this on the old board, looked at it online and wondered...what would I use it for? Would it actually SAVE space or just TAKE UP MORE space? So, you all who couldn't live w/out it...tell me why! I'm a sucker for organizational products...I used to buy plastic bins, containers, desk organizers by the truckload only to have them sit in my closet b/c I couldn't figure out what to actually put in them! I'm certifiable...I know. Anyway, while at Staples today getting some papers laminated I looked at the Desk Apprentice and wondered again...is this an answer to my organizing woes? So, is it? :)

[Karenciavo]

I wish I could go into great detail, but my dh stole mine. :rolleyes: As I recall it was great for holding all our tools and weekly folders. My dining room table was a lot neater when I had it.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Here's how I use mine.

We sit at the "dining room" table for our "at the table" lessons. I sit on the long side with my 2 dc at either end. The Desk Apprentice sits at the other long side. Two sides of the DA (the double sides) are full of the dc's workbooks (Math, handwriting, Latin, music theory, etc. They're labeled with their names and face the respective, most of the time. The third side, the one that faces me, contains the teacher books for subjects that we do all together (Latin, Natural Speller, Calculadder master sheets, etc.) The fourth side is for my planning books. All the sides are labeled to make it easy to figure out how to position the DA. The corner containers are labeled "Pens", "Pencils", "Tools" (for scissors, triangles, calculator, ruler, etc.), and "Vitamins". The tray on top contains erasers, and other little stuff (I don't remember). In the center compartment, I have hanging files for finished work, calendar, etc. I also have Bibles, and other books we're reading. I think their's a Staples "Easy Button" in there, too (it was a Christmas present last year).

Anyway, I love having all that stuff within easy reach. We can all get to what we need easily, and put it all away just as easily. We have other bookshelves in the room, and they're all well used, too. But, the DA is great for our purposes.

It may not fit your style at all. :)

[Melissa B]

The hanging files in the center are the big winner for me. We are so much better at putting papers into a file folder than into a three ring binder. We were just getting swamped with papers. I also like the four big pencil holders in the corners. I try and keep about 20 sharpened pencils in there at one time. (We have a terrible time keeping track of pencils.) The other three corners have markers, dry erase markers and pens (blue, black and red.) We keep all notebooks, composition books, folders, etc. in the pockets, anything that had a tendency to walk off. In the top I keep erasers, paper clips and the little Judy clock that also seems to have legs. I try and keep a ruler or two and a tape measure in with the pencils, but they still disappear.
I put it right on the table when we have school. It does seem to keep loose paper to a minimum and keeps the kids on task rather than constantly looking for a sharpened pencil or the missing math notebook (which is simply a spiral notebook that looks exactly like the other forty in our house.) I have four children so each one gets a side for his or her notebooks and folders. I don't know if I need one, but I am certainly glad I have one. :)

[kalanamak]

Anyway, I love having all that stuff within easy reach. We can all get to what we need easily, and put it all away just as easily. We have other bookshelves in the room, and they're all well used, too. But, the DA is great for our purposes.
:)

Do these weigh so much (loaded with books and files) that they sit where they sit or do you pick it up and move it off the dining table and put it somewhere else between sit down times? I like the look, but we eat at that table and whatever I use must be portable.
Thanks

[Plaid Dad]

I looked with longing at them, but my ever-practical wife pointed out that we already have excellent storage for all those items in our desk and they're out of sight. So I passed. I still look sometimes, though....

[Michelle T]

I looked with longing at them, but my ever-practical wife pointed out that we already have excellent storage for all those items in our desk and they're out of sight. So I passed. I still look sometimes, though....


:) This is exactly my situation, too! Well, except for having an ever-practical wife! I just have to be practical on my own, as that is not DH's strong point!
Michelle T

[6packofun]

Because when I get bored I can spin all of my pretty, organized office supplies and sigh with delight. Do I need another reason? :p

Seriously, though, it's just a cool thing to have even though I don't think it's the most space-efficient organizer! It fits all of MY stuff just right. I don't share.

[tlcmom]

I got one last year when everyone was talking about how great they are. My problem is I don't have anywhere to keep it that is easily accessible. I think I am going to be putting mine on Craigslist.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

There are handles cut into two sides. We move it when we have company and need the dining room (we have another table in the kitchen for daily use). You could easily move it to the floor or a chair for daily meals.

[Michelle in MO]

and now I want one! It looks great! Very handy! In fact, if I'm not mistaken, isn't this the device that was invented by one of the teams on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice"? My husband used to watch that show (he said it showed him a lot about human nature!) Anyway, I vaguely remember one of the teams inventing that device and Staples liked it so well that they marketed it!

[Elinor Everywhere]

and now I want one! It looks great! Very handy! In fact, if I'm not mistaken, isn't this the device that was invented by one of the teams on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice"? My husband used to watch that show (he said it showed him a lot about human nature!) Anyway, I vaguely remember one of the teams inventing that device and Staples liked it so well that they marketed it!

Or, at least, I think so. I've been meaning to ask that question every time I read about the DA, and keep forgetting. I watched that season of The Apprentice, remember the team creating it for Staples, and thinking that it looked practical. I'm glad it's gone on to be a very well-received design!

[Kari C in SC]

Yes, it was invented on The Apprentice. Staples really liked the idea and kept it.

[Paula in PA]

Um, I like them so much I have 2 of them. :D They sit on our buffet (which was long ago converted to a school supplies holder) and hold just about all the books we use, except the very largest. I don't actually move them to the table since it's right beside it, so I have no idea how heavy they are (and I probably don't want to know). They take up much less space then the setup I had before and I like that they spin in a relatively tight space. I would like to get a 3rd one, but dh said I must wait for a sale again.:(

Paula in PA

[HomeCOO]

I love my DA, and I'm looking forward to getting another one just for ds. We keep all necessary supplies in it, and that cuts down on looking for stuff when work should be done. DH had a business trip not long ago, and we just put the DA in the trunk, and had it to use while we were at the hotel. Very convenient. I'm waiting on a sale as well.