Need tips to save money on craft supplies? You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save by following these 7 ways to save money on crafting.
When I first got into crafting, I thought it would be a great way to save money. Instead of dropping loads of cash at the mall, I could make my own clothing! Instead of buying cards from Hallmark, I’d make my own! Instead of paying someone to arrange flowers for my wedding centerpieces, I’d make my own tissue paper flowers! After I got done buying fabric, patterns, a Cricut machine, and all the tissue paper in the Chicagoland area, I realized I wasn’t saving money at all. I do have quite the extensive supply of craft supplies though, and I can tell you where the nearest Michael’s, JoAnn, or Hobby Lobby is at any given time. Here are some money-saving tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.
- Don’t you dare go to a craft store without a coupon! You can look in your local paper for sale flyer coupons, scour couponing sites, or check out the craft stores’ own websites for coupons. There is pretty much always a 40% off coupon available for any of the major craft store chains. Even if you’re only buying a small item, you could potentially save a few bucks this way, every single time you go!
- Save your scraps. You can make a lot of things from paper scraps, yarn scraps, fabric scraps, even wood scraps! Save everything, just in case! I also find that saving scraps inspires me to create things that I wouldn’t have thought of if I had all the paper in the world.
- Buy supplies from unexpected places. I’ve bought tons of craft supplies from thrift stores and garage sales! Just a few weeks ago I hit the jackpot at a St. Vincent de Paul and left with a huge haul of embroidery hoops, wooden plaques, and unused foam balls. People tend to think of these places as only selling used items, but there are a great deal of unused (albeit ancient) craft supplies at pretty much every thrift store I’ve been to. Vintage notions, sewing patterns, and buttons are especially plentiful.
- You don’t always have to use “the real thing.” Can’t afford a circle punch? Trace the bottom of a cup and get used to cutting around the lines. Can’t fathom spending $8 a yard? Cut up old T-shirts or pick up used sheets at a thrift store (or from grandma’s linen closet) to use as fabric. Don’t rule out good ol’ construction paper when it comes to scrapbooking and cardmaking.
- Some of the most fun craft media are not even traditionally sold as craft supplies. Tissue paper, coffee filters, recycled magazines and paper bags, water bottles, and other trash make great craft supplies, and they’re all already in your home. Bonus: if you craft with trash, you’re preventing something from ending up in a landfill. Jars are very popular these days, and you can make so much with them. And never underestimate the power of a 99 cent roll of crepe paper!
- Make sure you have a mental inventory of your craft closet/room when you go to the craft store. There’s nothing worse than buying a stack of rainbow paper only to arrive home and find a similar stack unopened on your shelf. I always thought this rule was a little silly, but I just accidentally bought my second black cardigan, so now I believe everyone who swears by this! You’ll save money and avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse if you make sure to never accidentally purchase duplicate craft supplies.
- Share with a friend! What sounds better than gathering up your craft supplies and setting up shop at a friend’s house, where there’s double the materials? Scrapbookers have scrap nights, sewers have sewing circles, and quilters have quilting bees. Grab a few friends and a bottle of wine and host an informal craft night so you can share the wealth. That way you can use something your friend has (say, that circle punch you couldn’t afford) and she can use all the extra rainbow paper you accidentally bought.
By: Karisa Tell, Editor for FaveCrafts.com
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this is a very great and helpful article thank you very much for letting us know how to save moeny if you have anymore of these ideas I would love to hear about them… and if you know of any sites to save moeny when buying fleece.thank you
great advance,loved it. do you still have your cricut machine?
I get a lot of supplies free or real cheap from craigslist. I have a closet FULL of fabric I got free or spent little on (like $100 for 4 tubs of fabric. Tonight I got a grocery bag of ribbon, one of scrap fabric, and one of buttons! I also use the local bargain browser (a free paper) to hunt up free and cheap stuff. 4 half used teems Dolores paper pack card stick and a pack of construction paper… free picked up on way yo grocery store!!!!
Whoa, that is genius Jenny! I never even thought of checking Craigslist. Definitely will now!
You have some great ideas, thanks for sharing. There’s also a site called http://www.freecycle.org where people post things they want to give away and you can do the same. You can get lots of stuff from houewares to craft supplies.
Not sure if it’s in your area.
Thank you so much! Wonderful Tips.
Thank you! Glad you’re finding something useful.
I would be cautious about using non-archival materials for scrapbooking such as construction paper.
I am a cross stitcher and have found the best place to buy 14ct aida cloth is at Hancock Fabrics. Other craft stores only have it by the package of 30″x 36″ material. I end up throwing alot of it away because it’s not big enough for anything. At Hancock you can buy as many yards as you want off a bolt like regular fabric and it’s 60″ wide, so more economical too.
Another great place I shop for my jewelry supplies is the hardware/home improvement store. I can get copper there a lot cheaper than through a regular jewelry outlet.
In indiana the 1st Saturday of the month is half price day at Goodwill and that includes everything except the new stuff, found 4 beautiful placemats thst became classy clutches, found several full rolls of good material, and oodles of great things. Always look in the back of the shelves. Daily items, if looked at differently, become treasures. I receive medication wrapped in inch thick dense foam and several ice packs. The foam costs crazy in the stores so I am actually selling it to other crafters, giving me more room and money while my buddies get a discount. Look at things you see and try to see it as something you can use. And never overlook a business that is moving out or closing. I have a great deal of things and even a lot of 3 ring binders for different types of patternns, recipees, etc. And lastly ask people! Old towels, odds and ends, and enjoy.
My daughter and I just got into doing craft show. We found out things are high. So, we went to the dollar stores. When things that was in season and the season is over things goes on sale. We bought things up for the next year show. We went to the boys closet. Got there old jeans out and made quilts out of . We even hit the flee market, yard sales, also, this is funny one. I work for a school. Lot of lost a found stuff. Brought it home, used it. Baseballs that is old going to throw away. Brought them home use them. I got my coworkers even looking out for things I can make stuff out of.. just keep your eyes and ears open and just have fun…
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