I went to Home Depot and bought a Workforce plastic toolbox for $10. It's shaped like a briefcase and has completely adjustable compartments. It's absolutely perfect for storing needles, thread, sewing machine feet, and all the notions I need at my side. I couldn't sew without it.

This is one storage solution where I think utility should win out over looks! LOL! Nancy made a good choice with her tool box. You want some way of sectioning or compartmentalizing your sewing notions, not just tossing them in a container willy nilly.

If you want something pretty, what about a wood or wicker picnic basket with handles and a lid. I used to keep all my tole painting stuff in a picnic basket. You still will want some smaller clear plastic containers and even zip bags to contain your threads, a box of pins, etc. but a picnic basket looks pretty. You could stamp or paint on it if you want to decorate it.

I keep my threads in Tupperware marinating containers. Notions go in an old priority mail cardboard box and my stuff-I-use-everytime-I-sew (white thread, black thread, scissors, chaulk, pincushion, pinking shears, seam ripper) goes in a smaller box that gets taken out everytime I sit at the machine. I have everything else divided in plastic bins--elastics, ribbons, buttons, UFOs, felts, zippers, interfacing.

I ascribe to the "Beautiful Mind" way of organizing; only I know the code.