Image from freepik
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.
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.
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.
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 --
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento