Frugal Crafting - Gathering Supplies

One reason a lot of people give for not crafting is that materials are so expensive. As the queen of cheap, I have been crafting for years, on a shoestring budget, and I'd like to share some ideas for gathering a good collection of materials without a huge outlay of cash.

The first tip: Use what you already own. Chances are that you have old greeting cards, odd buttons, ugly funky 1970's jewelry that you wouldn't be caught dead ever wearing again, dresses that went out of style ten years ago, old curtains or bedspreads that you will never use again. All of these are crafting materials. Have a sweater with a massive hole in it? Unravel that puppy and get yards and yards of yarn for other projects, all you need to do is wash it to get the kinks out! Old bead necklaces can be cut open and the beads recycled, dresses and other clothing are a virtual goldmine for crafters - fabric, trims, buttons, hooks and eyes - get the picture?

Next one: Before you throw anything away, ask yourself: Can I use this for anything in the future? If the answer is yes, toss it into the craft resource box that every craft junkie should have. Even dryer lint can be used for crafting (it's great in papier mache or in making your own paper!), so look at everything with a new eye.

Another tip: Watch the clearance sales, particularly after holidays. Wrapping papers, ornaments, decorating items, can all be purchased for a fraction of their regular cost, and put away for future crafting.

Another: Become a second hand connoisseur. Thrift stores and garage sales are the crafter's best friend. Picture frames, old vases, strange little doodads, bags of buttons, out of style costume jewelry, all of these and more can be found at second hand shops. Is somebody selling a truly hideous rhinestone encrusted broach for a quarter? Grab it! You can pull the rhinestones out and use them in future projects! Is there a school pennant for a dime? Felt at the craft store costs more than a dime for that quantity, buy it, you can cut it up and use it in future projects.

Still more: Wallpaper stores frequently give away (or sell for ridiculously low amounts such as a dollar or two) their out of date sample books. These provide attractive background papers for paper crafts, as well as motifs you can trim and use in other projects. The same goes for upholstery shops and their sample books. Don't forget the remnant rack at your fabric store, where you can get small (usually less than a yard) pieces of decorative fabrics or trims for mere pennies. The local lumber yard probably has a bin full of scraps that they are about to throw away, these scraps can be incredibly useful. Paint stores frequently have cans of mis-mixed paint that they're happy to sell for a buck or two.

Even more yet: Stop in at the craft store regularly and watch for sales of items such as hot glue sticks, tacky glue, paint brushes and the like. When there's a great deal on something you use regularly, stock up!

And finally: Use the net! Magic Mike, for example, used to send out huge boxes of fabric scraps (45-60 POUNDS worth) for the actual cost of shipping plus $5. Shipping ranges from about $20 on upwards depending on distance. (This was before Mike had brain surgery that left him unable to handle the workload involved.) There are hundreds of other similar places, all easily found using your favorite search engine and the keywords 'cheap craft supplies'. In addition, there are websites with tips and tricks, ideas, recipes for making clay, patterns for painting and beadwork and crochet, all of which will save you a fortune in purchasing books and magazines on your favorite craft.

So, in closing, if the expense of materials has been your excuse for not crafting, stop copping out and get on the stick! Anybody can create great crafts for a very minimal outlay of cash, simply by keeping their eyes open!