My next play through I definitely need to do alchemy. I always seem to give up on it after awhile. Mostly because either way I have an inventory with a crazy amount of potions that "I might really need" for later on...
My highest level char does separate smithing and enchanting gear similarly though. Ores/pelts/leathers and strips/ gems. Then filled soul gems/empty gems/jewelry/unenchanted gear, and then a box for enchanting/smithing potions I find.
I don't even want to touch how I've organized my smithing and enchanting supplies in the past. Y'all would definitely call me obsessive, because there are definitely systems in place with that too!
All I'll say about it is that (in Hearthfire) I like to put my enchanting potions in the satchel on that table (with a few soul gem shards scattered at the top for RP ) and putting the first weapon I've enchanted on the weapon plaque across from the table. Because memories.
Melindora definitely keeps alchemy ingredients in various containers in her alchemy tower, I can't remember the exact methodology at the moment, but I believe the greenhouse at the same manor is planted up in a similar fashion.
Meli also has a house with the storeroom, and files all health potions in one chest, magica potions in another and so on. That was my first play through so I did pretty much everything with Hearthfire.
Mr C built all of the safe boxes in one of his houses, and then filed all of his gem stones by type
I can verify that there is actually a viable fix for this glitch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptYY2E83UPA
One of these days I'm going exploit this glitch better though. I like to stick Ahzidal's relics on the mannequin upstairs, so that I can put it on right before I start my enchanting. Relics + potions = happy Edana
Oh good, another organizer like myself!! I forgot about the potion recipes! I stopped using them when I got that app, but it also reminds me that there is in face a 7th container within reach from facing the alchemy table--and that's a knapsack on the shelf next to the strongbox. I was putting my recipes in there.
I also love that you've organized your safes BY GEM STONE. I was tempted to do that too, but I made myself just put any jewelry supplies in one safe because I had other things to sort too. :D
Ah! Your hubs! My mistake. I thought it was a char you had created. :)
I've ordered the gems in the tower as well by size, so I'm right with you there. Have you had luck with the library?? I've never built it out of fear that it would be terrible. The books literally fall off the bookshelf in the bedroom upstairs, so I've become highly skeptical of Hearthfire bookshelves. A whole library that functioned the same way would drive me INSANE... especially because the shelves are supposed to encourage order: not upend it!
I'll have to experiment with this some once I re-acquire a Hearthfire home. I thought I was leaving at least a space or two, but perhaps I was overdoing it. I eventually gave up, so I can't remember exactly. I do know I tried removing some books and restacking and the same thing happened: books tumbled, I cursed the television... it was an annoying time.
Thanks for the pointer!
In Lake View Den...(Don't call it a manor. it's a wolf thing) Sotek keeps the ingredients which he commonly uses in a herb pouch by the alchemy table. Potions/poisons which he uses are stored in the sack and other ingredients are stored in a barrel. In the smithy in the cellar all skins ect go into one chest while bars and ores go into a second chest. he's more organised with his wardrobe. 3 brown trousers and three miner shirts (White) in small cupboard he keeps three pairs of black boots.
Hehe, believe me Sotek, I wouldn't dream of calling it a "Manor." I enchanted a sword for Rayya once with fear and paralyze and called it "Den Defender." Previously I kept Lakeview as the "family home" and Windstad as my Secret Lair.
I like how precise you are with your wardrobe! That's probably my least organized thing, actually. The one at Windstad held various retired armors, and I just threw some random clothes in the one at Lakeview DEN for RP fun.
I just use http://www.garralab.com/skyrim/alchemy.php for my research needs. I've tried apps and they're just more trouble than they're worth, especially when I have two computers with a total of three monitors (and a fourth "monitor" if I'm playing Skyrim on 360).