So you want to make all kinds of great crafts, maybe try your hand at a special baby quilt, or make your own reusable grocery bags? But the cost of supplies can be staggering. Here is my (growing) list of ways to save.
What’s on hand?
I know it sounds simple, but what do you already have on hand? Last year I started making sturdy tote bags for the homeless in the area (Hope Totes). My first thought was to go buy a lot of sturdy fabric, but instead I took an inventory of what I had on hand, and was surprised at what I already had.
There was leftover fabric… you know the piece; too much to throw away, but not enough to make anything from. Or was there?
There was trim, lace, bias, Velcro and more
Before I had to purchase one yard of fabric I was able to make almost two dozen hope totes.
One man’s trash?
They say one mans trash is another mans treasure… And that goes double for crafters!
- A friend of mine had a lot of extra small pieces of fabric (those same scraps I didn’t want to part with) but she was moving and they had to go. It was fleece, so I couldn’t make tote bags… instead they turned into dozens of beanies for our homeless… what a treasure!
- Another friend had a box of left over wooden beads, some tole painting wood, and stacks quilt squares. She gladly traded for the leftovers for glass pearls and silver charms I had from a long ago project.
- Craft Swap party. We get together for our family fashion swap (more about swaps later) and last year we set up a table for fabric & craft swap. I was able to get some items I could use, and was glad to see my leftover items going off to happy crafters. If you have friends that are crafters, see if you can do the same.
- On line Swaps and trades. I was on an online scrapbooking group and mentioned that we were headed on a dream vacation to Alaska. Several members sent me their left over/ extra Alaska paper, stickers, and die cuts. I had enough to make albums for me, my mother in law and my sister in law.
- Social media. If you have a group you connect with through FaceBook, Twitter, or other social media, why not just ask. When I started making my Hope totes I posted on my family FB group that I was in need of Velcro, and several members came thru with yards of Velcro and more.
Re-use, Re-Purpose, & up-cycle
Some crafts lend themselves well to being made from repurposed items. My tote bags were a great example. I was given a set of slip covers that were in great shape, and a sturdy fabric. I made dozens of tote bags from them. So were can you find items to repurpose?
1. What is in your closet, in your friends closets
- I found several pairs of jeans that were hopelessly out of style. I had a long skirt someone had given me; the fabric was too heavy, and it went to the ground… something I’d never wear – but had about 2 yards of great fabric… cha-ching!
- I had a Christmas vest someone had given me years ago (I think it was a joke??) It was covered with dozen’s of buttons; red, green, silver, white, and the occasional snowflake or Santa button. The vest went, but not after I salvaged all those beautiful buttons.
- My mother in law had several purses that were worn through, but she was able to salvage the zippers, and some buckles, which were still in great shape.
2. Thrift store, garage sale. Look at things with a new eye. Remember the tote bags I made from slip covers? What can you do with a set of drapes? Look at items and ask if you can use it in another way
When you have to purchase items
Of course there are things you will have to spend money on, (I forever need elastic, and Velcro) and when you do, here are a few tips.
1. Use coupons – Friends don’t let friends shop at the major craft stores without at least a good 40% off coupon. Some stores, like Joann’s, will take the competitors coupon. Some offer senior discounts, or student discounts; be sure to take advantage of those.
2. Occasionally you’ll find craft items in other non craft stores. I’ve purchased large bright buttons (name brand) at my local Dollar Tree. Big Lots had scrapbook paper, acid free stickers. And my sister just bought ribbon, quilt squares (charm packs) there as well.
3. Shop online. Often the online stores have a better price, but be sure it is the brand and type you want. I’ve purchased fabric that was not the quality I expected. Also, be aware of shipping costs; you don’t want to pay double because you forgot about the price of postage.
4. Besides online stores check sites like Ebay. In my city we have a local Varage sale (online garage sale) that has yielded many good finds.
Other ideas
Save your scraps. I started making crazy quilt squares (To use in other crafts) and found that the smallest pieces were still useful. And right now I’m working on a new project that uses the tiniest, almost confetti size scraps… stay tuned ;-)
You’d be surprised at the creative things you will come up with… things you’d have ever thought of if you hadn’t been staring into that “scrap” box!
The video below is a fun and easy Scrap Buster Pin Cushion.
What do you do?
I’d love to hear what you do to save money on your craft supplies.
What’s on hand?
I know it sounds simple, but what do you already have on hand? Last year I started making sturdy tote bags for the homeless in the area (Hope Totes). My first thought was to go buy a lot of sturdy fabric, but instead I took an inventory of what I had on hand, and was surprised at what I already had.
There was leftover fabric… you know the piece; too much to throw away, but not enough to make anything from. Or was there?
There was trim, lace, bias, Velcro and more
Before I had to purchase one yard of fabric I was able to make almost two dozen hope totes.
One man’s trash?
They say one mans trash is another mans treasure… And that goes double for crafters!
- A friend of mine had a lot of extra small pieces of fabric (those same scraps I didn’t want to part with) but she was moving and they had to go. It was fleece, so I couldn’t make tote bags… instead they turned into dozens of beanies for our homeless… what a treasure!
- Another friend had a box of left over wooden beads, some tole painting wood, and stacks quilt squares. She gladly traded for the leftovers for glass pearls and silver charms I had from a long ago project.
- Craft Swap party. We get together for our family fashion swap (more about swaps later) and last year we set up a table for fabric & craft swap. I was able to get some items I could use, and was glad to see my leftover items going off to happy crafters. If you have friends that are crafters, see if you can do the same.
- On line Swaps and trades. I was on an online scrapbooking group and mentioned that we were headed on a dream vacation to Alaska. Several members sent me their left over/ extra Alaska paper, stickers, and die cuts. I had enough to make albums for me, my mother in law and my sister in law.
- Social media. If you have a group you connect with through FaceBook, Twitter, or other social media, why not just ask. When I started making my Hope totes I posted on my family FB group that I was in need of Velcro, and several members came thru with yards of Velcro and more.
Re-use, Re-Purpose, & up-cycle
Some crafts lend themselves well to being made from repurposed items. My tote bags were a great example. I was given a set of slip covers that were in great shape, and a sturdy fabric. I made dozens of tote bags from them. So were can you find items to repurpose?
1. What is in your closet, in your friends closets
- I found several pairs of jeans that were hopelessly out of style. I had a long skirt someone had given me; the fabric was too heavy, and it went to the ground… something I’d never wear – but had about 2 yards of great fabric… cha-ching!
- I had a Christmas vest someone had given me years ago (I think it was a joke??) It was covered with dozen’s of buttons; red, green, silver, white, and the occasional snowflake or Santa button. The vest went, but not after I salvaged all those beautiful buttons.
- My mother in law had several purses that were worn through, but she was able to salvage the zippers, and some buckles, which were still in great shape.
2. Thrift store, garage sale. Look at things with a new eye. Remember the tote bags I made from slip covers? What can you do with a set of drapes? Look at items and ask if you can use it in another way
When you have to purchase items
Of course there are things you will have to spend money on, (I forever need elastic, and Velcro) and when you do, here are a few tips.
1. Use coupons – Friends don’t let friends shop at the major craft stores without at least a good 40% off coupon. Some stores, like Joann’s, will take the competitors coupon. Some offer senior discounts, or student discounts; be sure to take advantage of those.
2. Occasionally you’ll find craft items in other non craft stores. I’ve purchased large bright buttons (name brand) at my local Dollar Tree. Big Lots had scrapbook paper, acid free stickers. And my sister just bought ribbon, quilt squares (charm packs) there as well.
3. Shop online. Often the online stores have a better price, but be sure it is the brand and type you want. I’ve purchased fabric that was not the quality I expected. Also, be aware of shipping costs; you don’t want to pay double because you forgot about the price of postage.
4. Besides online stores check sites like Ebay. In my city we have a local Varage sale (online garage sale) that has yielded many good finds.
Other ideas
Save your scraps. I started making crazy quilt squares (To use in other crafts) and found that the smallest pieces were still useful. And right now I’m working on a new project that uses the tiniest, almost confetti size scraps… stay tuned ;-)
You’d be surprised at the creative things you will come up with… things you’d have ever thought of if you hadn’t been staring into that “scrap” box!
The video below is a fun and easy Scrap Buster Pin Cushion.
What do you do?
I’d love to hear what you do to save money on your craft supplies.