How I Save Money on Craft Supplies

Image from freepik

This blog post will be filled to overflowing with tips on how I save money on craft supplies.

Having been a crafter since 2006, with paper crafts and scrapbooking as the gateway crafts, has been extremely fun and fulfilling.

But one thing crafting will never be is cheap. Although I was fortunate enough to monetize my hobby, and even save a substantial sum because I DIY my own gifts for loved ones, I kept shelling out money for brand new craft supplies. 

Thankfully, I have learned more than enough tricks on scrimping and saving on craft supplies that I can now dispense as tips to my fellow crafters. 

I Keep Excess Supplies 

I'm fond of stocking up on scrapbook paper because I often stumble upon attractive designs that suit different occasions, and which complement the cardstock that I have. 

I realized I can make more than a couple of dozen cards with scrapbook paper. But what poses as a real challenge are the scraps of cardstock and scrapbook paper left after my cardmaking projects.

I don't let any of these scraps go to waste as much as possible. Instead, I turn them into bookmarks and gift tags.  

I Take Advantage of Free Stuff 

I recycle old magazines. 

Old magazines can be turned into colorful gift bags, beaded accessories, covers for notebooks, and can be used for paper mache projects, among others. 

For my own personal use, I like gathering those glossy teen magazines that were popular during the '90s for their colorful pages. I used them to decorate this cardboard box that I kept to store my craft books. 

Also, if you're fond of making junk journals, you can tear off pages from magazines and make collages. 

I ask for craft supplies from a fellow crafter. 

While my sister's not exactly a crafter in the classic sense, she's into junk journaling and hoards washi tapes, stickers, and other embellishments.

She gave me permission to look into her stash of washi tapes any time and, should I see anything I like, I can get those and use them for my craft projects.  

I reuse those freebies from sticker sheets.

When it comes to collectibles, cute stickers are some of my absolute weaknesses. 

I stock up on stickers by ordering them online, with Sanrio and BT21 being my favorite characters. 

Now, I realized that single sheets of stickers come with a cardboard with a popular character that's too cute to throw away.

So what I do is, I cut any excess portion of the cardboard so I can be left with adorable gift tags. I even used a heart pattern to add variety to my gift tags. 

I look for creative uses for brown paper bags. 

Brown paper bags used for packing different items come in a variety of sizes. I use them to save on gift wrapper. I just tie a ribbon or twine around the present, and add 3D embellishments or stickers.

I Reuse, Recycle, and Repurpose Stuff to Store My Craft Supplies

If you've been a crafter for several years and you've tried a multitude of crafts, it will soon dawn on you how crucial it is to organize your craft supplies. 

And you don't need to head over to an office supplies store to buy organizers.

Sometimes, all you need to do is look at stuff that has accumulated all over your home and see of you can reuse, recycle, or repurpose them.

There was a time when I saved all the aluminum cans and junk food canisters we had and decorated them with gift wrapper. I used them as containers for my pencils and paintbrushes. 

Cardboard boxes used to store skincare products and shoeboxes can be upcycled into a sewing container.

You can use old magazine pages or wrapping paper and apply techniques in decoupage to jazz up the look of your sewing container. 

Also, you may have heard of those inexpensive yet sturdy plastic food containers used for prepping meals. 

These containers have dividers, which you can take advantage for storing loose buttons, paper clips, and safety pins. 

I Invest in Pre-loved Copies of Craft Books 

Next to pre-loved craft magazines, on which I spent a small fortune before, I really enjoy relaxing while thumbing through the colorful pages of hardbound craft books.

The good news is most of these pre-owned copies are now being offered online -- through marketplaces like Amazon, Thriftbooks, ebay, Alibris, and Shopee.

For reviews of my collection of pre-loved craft books, read --

A Review of Highly Recommended Craft Books

Craft Books: A Comprehensive Review

How to Save Money on Craft Supplies

Being a crafter has many benefits. There are endless opportunities to explore and be creative, you get to hone different skills, you have the privilege to customize gifts for your loved ones, and you get to boost your mental health as well. 

Photo from freepik

But the one thing crafting will never be? Cheap. 

When I decided to pick up crafting as a hobby, with cross stitch and paper crafts as my gateway crafts, I didn't spend much money upfront.

But as I got better and developed my skills, I began to add more tools and equipment, and shopped for more and more craft supplies. 

It even got to a point where I was able to make an income out of my handmade greeting cards and other crafts.

While some of us may be fortunate enough to make an enterprise out of our handmade crafts (or even sell them on the side to augment our monthly income), a lot still treat crafting as a hobby.

And sooner or later, it will dawn on all of us that if we wish to sustain our passion for crafting, we will all need to look for creative ways to save money on craft supplies.

Here are just a few suggestions:  

Look Through Your Stash of Craft Supplies First

If you've been crafting for a while, then you're aware how quickly craft supplies can accumulate.

Before you make another trip to the craft supplies store or place an order online, look thoroughly through your existing stash of craft supplies first.

To illustrate, if you're into paper crafts, you may find yourself with a lot of leftover cardstock and scrapbook paper.

And while you may no longer be able to make a bunch of cards with your leftover supplies, you may be able to come up with several gift tags and bookmarks.

Visit Thrift Stores and Second-Hand Bookstores 

There are thrift stores that sell pre-owned tools and equipment for crafting and a surplus of donated craft supplies, not clothes. It might be cheaper to shop from these stores.

Now, if you're the type who enjoys junk journaling, then second-hand bookstores can be your haven. You might be able to stumble upon a wealth of old, hardbound children's books that can be filled with ephemera, artwork, and mementos.

IN TUD's Arts and crafts kit

Buy Craft Kits or Bundles 

Most cross stitch enthusiasts would agree that it's much more frugal to purchase entire cross stitch kits with a pattern, aida cloth, a needle, and the necessary colors of embroidery floss than to look for each item piece-meal.

Take Advantage of Clearance Sales

If you have a habit of stocking up on craft supplies to avoid unnecessary trips to the craft store, you can save a substantial sum during clearance sales, when discounts go as high as 30%-50%.

Shop at the Kids' Arts and Crafts Supplies Section at Bookstores

Don't dismiss brands of arts and crafts supplies intended for children. Head straight to the kids' arts and crafts supplies section at large bookstores and stock up on items like glue, poster or acrylic paint, glitter, stickers, crayons, and yarn.

Take Advantage of Free Stuff

Turn junk into craft supplies.

You may already be sitting on a goldmine of craft supplies if you have piles of old magazines, newspapers, and comic books lying around.

For ideas on crafts using old magazines, read -- 

7 Ways to Upcycle Old Magazines

Also, if you're the type who has accumulated greeting cards through the mail over the years, you can recycle them into gift tags, bookmarks, and even covers for notepads.

For a list of crafts recycling old greeting cards, read -- 

Quick Crafts: Recycling Old Greeting Cards

Keep tab on craft blogs. 

A lot of craft blogs publish step-by-step procedures of creative projects, complete with photos. You can gather plenty of inspiration from these projects.  

Go online for free printables and templates. 

The internet is truly a haven for crafters, since it's filled with a wealth of resources. To get you started, Google "free cross stitch patterns," "free coloring pages," and "free scrapbook templates." 

Skip Store-Bought Organizers

Once your craft supplies start to accumulate, your next concern would be organizing them.

Don't even think about shelling out extra cash for organizers. You can place your craft buttons or beads on those sturdy plastic containers with dividers for food.

Put your crochet hooks or knitting needles inside aluminum cans or empty jars. Boxes of breakfast cereal can be cut open and decorated and used for storing craft magazines. 

For other uses of cereal boxes, read -- 

Upcycled Project: 7 Ways to Reuse Cereal Boxes

You can also turn an empty cardboard box into a sewing container by tearing up colorful magazine pages and applying techniques in decoupage.

Join A Craft Supplies Swap

Joining a swap is a good way to get new craft supplies in exchange for some of your excess or unused supplies.

If you can't find a craft supplies swap near your area, why not host one yourself?

For details, read -- 

How to Host a Craft Supplies Swap

DIY Vision Board: How to Make One

DIY vision boards are an inexpensive way to manifest one's desired reality. They act as visual affirmations, keeping our awareness of our goals and dreams alive.

Vision boards aren't merely a hodgepodge or a dump of images and words, thrown together without cohesion. 

Vision boards act as a tool to help us focus on our values, practice gratitude, and check our lifestyle choices for authentic alignment and change.   

Do Vision Boards Work?

Lest you think that vision boards will make your life perfect, they won't. Vision boards act as a map toward our goals and dreams, spurring us to plan, strategize, focus, and bring tasks to completion.

Why Create Vision Boards?

Since the attempt to achieve something is a process, and a long one at that, we might find a vision board helpful for the following reasons: 

• We need to be reminded constantly of our goals, dreams, and wishes. Referring to the images on a vision board can be more pleasant than listening to life coaches or experts speak through a podcast.
• A vision board can serve as a quick "pick-me-up" whenever our self-esteem flounders, or motivate us to persevere when we're tempted to give up. 

Materials for A Vision Board

• poster paper, corkboard, illustration board, or a sturdy sheet of cardboard 
• photos or images from magazines, catalogues, print ads, flyers, newsletters, etc.  
• (optional) additional sources of photos, images, and text (postcards, art prints, old books, etc.)  
• felt-tip pens
• glue  
• (optional) arts and crafts supplies like scrapbook paper, ephemera, washi tapes, stickers, and glitter 

Procedure  

Write down your priorities. 

Grab a pen and turn your journal or a composition notebook to a blank page, and jot down whatever goals, wishes, and dreams come to your mind.

You can come up with several categories or life areas, like Travel Goals, Stuff I'd Like to Acquire, New Hobbies I'd Like to Try, Restaurants and Cafes I'd Like to Visit, etc.

It could also be something less grandiose, like ticking off a to-be-read list, finally getting a coffee maker in exchange of 3-figure lattes, or getting started on weekly meal preps in order to eat healthier.

And vision boards aren't about manifesting all things tangible, either. If you've been dealing with stress or anxiety, you can look for a picture of a yoga mat to remind you to meditate, or a couch for taking power naps 2-3 times a day.

Assess your list and decide what you truly want to achieve.

Cross off anything that, for some reason (finances, time constraints, etc.), may not be plausible for the coming year.

You're now left with goals, wishes, and dreams that you can potentially achieve, given enough time and effort.

Look for images and words for the vision board. 

To illustrate, if you wish to manifest a sense of calm or peace, you may choose a photo of white, puffy clouds, a rainbow, or a waterfall.

You can also take a couple of index cards and write down famous quotes that you find inspiring or motivational. 

Create a basic structure for the vision board.

You can divide one huge vision board into a few life areas, or you can devote an entire vision board to one life area.

Assemble the elements of the vision board.

You can devote an entire vision board to one life area. But if you wish to have several life areas overlap, then by all means do so. 

To illustrate, a vision board dedicated to Health may contain images and text related to Physical Health or Mental Health. 

On another vision board, you may combine elements promoting Health in Mind, Body, and Soul.

Jazz up your vision board. 

There truly are no limits with what you can achieve potentially, so make your vision board look as grand as possible. 

You may wish to use markers in different colors, or even calligraphy pens if you can write in fancy letters.

You can use washi tapes to create borders, glue embellishments to make your photos pop, or crop your images with scrapbook scissors or paper punches.

A Review of Highly Recommended Craft Books

Craft books are valuable resources for improving creativity, learning new skills, and having fun. 

Craft books are filled with photos or images, step-by-step instructions, illustrations, diagrams, and occasionally, patterns, making the process of crafting as seamless as possible.

Why Are Craft Books Good Investments?

• Craft books offer advice, tips and techniques, which help boost a crafter's creativity. 
• Through well-illustrated pages and step-by-step instructions, craft books help inspire self-expression from a crafter.
• There are books that offer tips on recycling and upcycling, and making your own craft materials, so you can cut back on costs.
• Crafting can help relieve tension and stress. 
• Craft books make excellent gifts, and recipients can have them displayed as coffee table books.

Check out the following list of highly recommended craft books:

Get this copy pre-loved from ebay.

Carnival of Feltmaking by Gillian Harris

After successfully launching Complete Feltmaking, Gillian Harris now draws from a carnival atmosphere. 

By crafting the delightful felt projects in this book, you can add charm to your home and wardrobe.

Buy this book pre-loved from ebay.

DK Stitch by Stitch by Jane Bull

If you'd like kids to be creative and get started on textile pieces, including quilts, pocket purses, shoulder bags, and embroidered pictures, this book is for you.

Buy a brand new copy from ebay.

Snug as a Bug from Melly & Me

This is basically a sewing book filled with various projects that will delight kids of all ages. All designs were made using Melly's Snug as a Bug fabrics.

Get a pre-loved copy from ebay.

Paper Transformed by Julia Andrus

What would a collection of craft books be without something about paper crafts? 

Since paper is a bountiful and inexpensive resource, it can be turned into fabulous works of art once touched by a skilled paper crafter or designer's hands. 

Paper Transformed offers step-by-step illustrated instructions for hundreds of styles of beautiful, handmade paper.

Get this copy pre-loved from ebay.

Super-Cute Felt by Laura Howard

In this book, Laura Howard offers plenty of cool projects using a really versatile material: felt. 

The fact that felt doesn't fray when cut makes it a really easy material to work with. It also comes in a lot of great colors. 

With Super-Cute Felt, you'll learn how to craft, sew, and make all sorts of chic accessories and items you can give away as presents.

Buy this brand new copy from ebay.

Halloween Spooktacular by Matthew Mead

Want to get into the boo-tiful and spook-tacular spirit of Halloween, but still want to keep things minimal and fuss-free? 

In this book, holiday style pro Matthew Mead offers inventive makeovers for that "haunted home" look, quick-and-easy ways to reinvent store-bought cookies and candy, and ideas for awesome themed parties.

Buy this copy in very good
condition from ebay.

In the Nick of Time

After a boo-tiful and spook-tacular Halloween comes the festive holidays. In the Nick of Time is filled with eye-catching illustrations and great ideas for crafting and holiday recipes.

Buy this copy pre-loved on ebay.

The Merry Christmas Activity Book by Jane Bull

Just like Stitch by Stitch, The Merry Christmas Activity Book is another slam dunk of a craft book. 

If you want to wean the kids away from activities that involve a screen and get them into the world of creative play, the detailed photographs as well as clear instructions in this Christmas-themed book will make that easy enough.

Get this copy pre-owned from ebay.

Art Attack: How to Make Puppets

This book belongs to a series of Art Attack books by Neil Buchanan. While other books focus on cardmaking, paper mache, collages, drawing, etc., Buchanan focuses on making puppets out of different craft materials this time.   

How to Plan A Crafty Bachelorette Party

June is a popular month for weddings. In fact, according to The Inspired Bride, approximately 10.8% of couples get married in June.

Photo by
Ann Danilina
from Unsplash

If you're good friends with someone who's tying the knot this month, you may be familiar with an event called the hen do, or bachelorette party.

What is A Bachelorette Party?

The bachelorette party, hen do, or bridal shower, is simply an intimate gathering of the bride-to-be and her closest friends before she ties the knot.

Guests to a bachelorette party are usually comprised of the maid of honor and bridesmaids.

If you were assigned to be the maid of honor in a wedding, it's also assumed that you'd organize the bachelorette party. 

For something truly unique, why not set yourself and your bride squad apart by incorporating crafts into this event that screams "one last fling before the ring"? 

Why Plan A Crafty Bachelorette Party?

It's cost-effective to incorporate crafts to a bachelorette party.

Instead of taking a trip somewhere or signing up for paid entertainment, it's relatively inexpensive to plan a crafty bachelorette party, for the following reasons: 

• Craft materials can be cheaper when bought in bulk. 
• A bachelorette party can be held at home. There's no need to rent a venue. 
• Everyone can chip in for decorations, food, and refreshments. 
• There won't be any need to shell out extra cash for bachelorette party favors or giveaways.

No one in the bride squad can bemoan that "I'm not creative enough."

There are plenty of crafts that are simultaneously inclusive and suitable to a bachelorette party theme. 

Regardless of everyone's skill level -- beginner (or newbie), intermediate, advanced, or expert -- you can decide on a craft or 2 to keep yourselves preoccupied throughout the bachelorette party. 

You can decide on a bachelorette party theme and choose a craft that adheres to that theme.

Remember the slumber parties or pajama parties you used to have as girls? Well, you can turn it into an adult pajama party as a possible bachelorette party theme. 

Or, why not opt for an elegant ladies' afternoon tea, a backyard cookout, sushi or Italian night, a Mexican fiesta, or even a luau?

You can also take note of the month in which the wedding will be held. While June is a popular month for weddings, a lot of couples choose to tie the knot during other times of the year.

If it's a wedding that will be held in spring, you can have the bachelorette party held at a garden and create flower crowns or bouquets from Japanese or tissue paper. 

If it's in October, why not incorporate fall or even Halloween crafts? On the other hand, DIY snow globes or upcycled wreaths will be suitable for a December event.  

You and the bride squad can craft some of the wedding essentials. 

Floral bouquets, a boutonniere, and photo booth props are just some of the wedding essentials that can be handcrafted during a bachelorette party.

Everyone gets to take home a handmade craft by the end of the bachelorette party.

As mentioned above, you or the bride won't need to shell out extra cash for bachelorette party favors or giveaways.

Having mentioned these, here are tips to make planning a crafty bachelorette party as hassle- and stress-free as possible:

(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll get a commission anytime you click on those links and make a purchase.)

Determine Your Negotiables From Your Non-Negotiables 

Set a budget by making a list of negotiables and non-negotiables for the bachelorette party. 

Negotiables

• No need for an elaborate menu 
• No need for fine china or sparkling cutlery

Non-negotiables 

• Decorations must adhere to bachelorette party theme 
• Bachelorette party playlist (ask the bride for a few of her favorite tunes)
• Bachelorette party photo booth props

Decide On the Venue 

As a maid of honor and bachelorette party organizer, your home or one of the bridesmaid's would be the best venue for the intimate event. 

Design the Invitation

To cut back further on costs, skip the paper invitations and use free software instead.

Download this template
from Greetings Island.

Choose the design you want and customize the invitation. Make sure to have all details (bride's name, date, time, address of the venue, contact information, etc.) spelled accurately. 

Choose An Inclusive Craft

When choosing the type of craft to do with your guests at the bachelorette party, keep the following tips in mind: 

• An inclusive craft should be challenging enough to ignite everyone's interest. 
• Everyone must be inspired to express their creativity.
• The procedure must not be too complex that the craft can't be finished in less than an hour. 

The Bachelorette Party: What to Do on the Day Itself

Serve Food and Refreshments First

Even if you choose to economize on your bachelorette party menu, there's a wide range of food and refreshments that you can serve and enjoy with your guests. 

You can DIY a charcuterie board for something really simple and fuss-free. Or, should you have an adult pajama party, you can opt for pancakes with Prosecco for brunch after getting up.

Grilling lean portions of meat, chicken, or fish, with fruit kebabs and a salad on the side is perfect for a backyard cookout. 

Should you wish to have something buffet-style, deck your dinner table with a checked gingham cloth and serve a platter of finger sandwiches, a pasta dish, nachos with homemade dips, and quesadillas.

Plan A Few Games 

Bachelorette party/
bridal shower game
by cherry6688NI

Incorporating crafts into a bachelorette party is a good way to keep it a sober event. But who says you have to miss out on the fun of playing games? 

Should everyone agree to taper down on the alcohol, suitable bachelorette party games would be Would She Rather, He Said, She Said, or What's in Your Purse? 

Image from freepik

And instead of serving cocktails, look up recipes for mocktails instead.  

For the best mocktail recipes, read --

45 Easy, Beautiful, and Seriously Delicious Mocktail Recipes That Everyone Will Love 

Top 10 Mocktail Recipes

Have Someone Assist You in Demonstrating the Craft

It would be good to have a finished sample of the craft you have chosen, so everyone can have an idea of what the outcome looks like.

Take Photos

By the end of the bachelorette party, have everyone whip out their phones and take a few snaps of the bride, the entire group, and the finished crafts.