Have you decided to settle for a low-budget lifestyle intentionally? You may have heard about the positive effects minimalism can bring, and how it helps reduce stress, enrich existing relationships, decide what to prioritize and when, which can potentially lead to more savings in the long run.
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| Photo from freepik |
The fact is, a lot of us are still reeling and trying to recover from the effects of COVID-19, which wreaked havoc in 2020.
Thousands of workers lost employment, or were forced to settle for underemployment or part-time jobs, or resort to freelance work or short-term contract work.
And yet, as a crafter, you're left wondering how cutting back on your spending can affect your hobby.
Well, fret not! A low-budget lifestyle doesn't mean enjoying crafting less. It doesn't involve heaving a huge sigh of disappointment while looking at a display of brand new pads of scrapbook paper, more complex cross stitch patterns, or balls of high-quality yarn for crochet or knitting.
A low-budget lifestyle, once applied to crafting, only means being more mindful of one's spending habits, knowing what to buy and when, and developing the skills needed to produce your own craft materials, like paper ephemera, instead of buying them manufactured from certain brands.
It may also extend to allowing crafting to be the focal point of social events, like incorporating accessory making into your pre-teen daughter's birthday party, hosting a craft supplies swap, or an afternoon of crafts for girls' night in instead of going out on a pricey pub crawl.
(**DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links to relevant products have been incorporated throughout this blog post. I'll be collecting a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)
When stretched to crafting, operating on a low budget involves any of the following:
Shifting From A Consumer Mindset to Something More Practical and Utilitarian
Instead of regarding crafting as a recreational activity that lets you spend mindlessly on materials, take the focus away from consumerism to the long-term benefits of crafting.
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| Precious Moments 3D paper tole by lastingimpression |
Sometimes, after a tiring day at work, all you need to do to relieve stress is get caught up in the repetitive motions of a craft like macrame, cross stitch, or paper tole. This is infinitely better than snacking on a huge bag of chips while binge-watching shows on Netflix.
And even if you took up crafting as an adult in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, realize that it has tremendous benefits like preventing the decline of your fine motor skills.
From A Hobby That's Entertaining and Engaging, Crafting Becomes An Opportunity to Hone Essential Skills
Let's take sewing, for example. You can replace missing buttons, or hooks-and-eyes, or replace a loose elastic band with a new strip of garter, in order to shop less often for garments.
Should you resolve to be really frugal and be ecologically friendly, you can gain "brand new" outfits by learning to deconstruct worn out jeans and repurpose them into a skirt.
Sewing an elaborate embroidery pattern onto the collar of an old blouse or breast pocket of a polo shirt can also make them look new.
Buying Pre-loved or Second-hand Stuff
Never think twice about settling for pre-loved stuff or second-hand items as a crafter, because they're being sold at drastically reduced prices.
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| Arts and crafts books sale by Sarah and Momi Book Shop |
To illustrate, craft books and magazines can serve as a goldmine to a variety of creative projects, with different levels of complexity, from which you can glean ideas -- for a family night of crafts, for the women's ministry at church, for suitable DIY gifts for your Christmas potluck party, or even just to keep you preoccupied for a few hours on a weekend.
If you have enough patience to comb through ads published at the likes of Facebook Marketplace or elsewhere on social media, you can have access to second-hand tools and equipment that would have otherwise cost a fortune when bought brand new.
Looking Online for Free Resources
Here are just some of the resources that are available for free online:
- cross stitch and crochet patterns
- coloring pages that can be downloaded for free and printed on typewriting paper for kids and adults to enjoy
- craft tutorials uploaded on YouTube
- craft eBooks that can be downloaded
Being Willing to Buy the Basics From the Kids' Section at Bookstores
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| Crayola crayons by q5jq9880gg |
A lot of craft materials can be bought cheap from the kids' section: construction and art paper, non-toxic crayons, crayon-pastels, glue, poster or acrylic paint, yarn, popsicle sticks, and glitter.
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| Assorted comics for less from Thousand Hobby |
Choosing to Reuse, Upcycle, and Repurpose
A lot has been said about the advocacy to "turn trash into treasure," and a few perfect examples are --
- turning empty cans into pencil holders.
- making magazine holders out of cereal or large cardboard boxes.
- turning old greeting cards into gift boxes, bookmarks, and gift tags.
- making unique coasters by using old issues of magazines or low-grade comics to cover ceramic tiles.
- using empty jars of mayonnaise, pickle relish, and fruit preserves as containers for loose buttons, paper clips, leftover thread, ribbons, or twine.
- crafting a jar of date ideas.
For more ideas on reusing, upcycling, and repurposing, read --
Upcycled Project: 7 Ways to Reuse Cereal Boxes
Junk Journals Repurposed From Pre-loved Sesame Street Books
7 Ways to Upcycle Old Magazines
And when you look at it from a larger scale, choosing to reuse, upcycle, and repurpose junk when crafting helps the environment a lot by --
- diverting a considerable amount of waste away from landfills.
- reducing the need for raw materials.
- reducing carbon footprint.
Crafting Some of the Stuff You Use at Home
An attractive table runner can be crocheted, and a pot of paper flowers recycled from old magazines can make an eye-catching centerpiece on a table.
You can also cut costs on seasonal decorations like a holiday wreath by making your own.
For more tips on saving money on craft supplies, read --
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