My DH loves sushi which comes in pretty containers with clear lids. They are great for keeping small units. Covers stay on tightly so they stack easily. Best part is the store where I buy it is on my way home from quilt shop! I stop and get it for him so he gets a treat and I get another container!!!

i have 2 coffee mugs on my cutting table for marking pens, etc--one has a slotted cover that helps keep things separate too. At my sewing table i have one of my Mom's muffin tins--it's really neat and means something to me, that keeps bobbins, extra needles, spools of thread etc handy. Peg board for rulers and Accuquilt mats.

I use one of these too! They are so beautiful as well as functional.

I liked the idea of stacking cake pedestals. They are pretty and it uses vertical space.

I found a three-sided rotating jewelry display unit at a second hand shop for $5. It has a couple of hooks on each of its three sides and holds my scissors and a couple of rotary cutters. It sits on the table behind my sewing machine, and is very handy and keeps all my scissors available. It is tall and has a small footprint.