I bought clamps at the dollar store to hold quilt backing on table. These clamps are the kind used to hold a table cloth to a picnic table.
After the new school year starts, I shop the discounted school items. For instance a pencil sharpener that has both a large and small hole - great for sharpening caulk pencils. Pencil boxes for rotary cutters or assorted pens and pencils for marking quilts. Desk organizer for pencils - holds scissors, large tweezers, etc. Small plastic drawers to hold misc items like needles, sewing machine attachments, note pads, etc. The various sizes of the school boxes that elementary kids have to have are great little organizers/project holders. I have one that has items pertaining to applique, another for items needed to take to a quilt class, etc. You would be amazed at the items you can get from shopping the school supplies.