Creative Saving with Arts and Crafts Supply
Sure, scrapbooking is fun. Cross-stitching is relaxing. And candle-making is as nice as it gets. But most hobbyists’ problems are the materials and supplies they use in their crafts. The simple, do-it-yourself, household type of hobbies can use materials from your kitchen or backyard, say those, used pieces of fabric, the year-old newspapers and magazines, lace and ribbons from Christmas and birthday presents, shoe boxes, hangers and other knick-knacks. Other hobby crafts use more specialized materials and tools.
There’s the enamel paints and Plaster of Paris for sculptors and painters, beads and wire cutters for the jewelry enthusiasts, and many others. Of course, there are materials which you can get as you stroll along the beach or as you take an afternoon walk in the park. Dried leaves, stones, pebbles, seashells, figs and twigs are good decorative objects for your scrapbooks and those shoe box containers you’re making, or for that penholder you’re making out of the empty coffee can. Indeed, there’s always nature, your backyard, your closets and cabinets from which you can get these supplies.
For the more serious hobbyists, here are the other places you can check out for your art craft supplies:
Garage Sales. Got a neighbor who’s cleaning out her closet? Hit those garage sales in your neighborhood and you just might get for yourself a box of yarn for your knitting, used fabrics for your quilts and other knick knacks you can use in your crafts. They are usually discounted, and some are even given away for free.
Swaps. It pays to be a member of a group of hobbyists or enthusiasts. If you’re a member of a group of knitters or scrapbookers or jewelry enthusiasts, you might want to think about swapping your materials and supplies. You can even collect those extra and left-over supplies in a box where anyone can use these materials whenever they need it. You share or swap. Check out also online sites who offer craft supply swaps. If you have something to exchange, you can always try swapping supplies with these hobbyists and enthusiasts.
Hit the keyboard and surf the Net. There’s Freecycle, an online site which offers craft supplies fro free. This site brings together hobbyists and other enthusiasts who would like to dispose their supplies and materials for free. You can even request for special items and all you have to do is pick them up. Online stores also offer sales and discount coupons to their customers. Online stores like Hobby Lobby and Joann offer as much as a 50% discount on their products. Auction sites like Ebay also offer some great deals on craft and art supplies. Other online stores you can check out are MisterArt.com, Michaels.com and Craft Supplies Online. Some of these online stores even offer membership discounts and freebies.
Depending on your craft and hobby, the cost of these supplies and materials may vary. Some you can get for free, from your backyard or your kitchen, while others you need to purchase. Sometimes, you can get them from friends, family, relatives and fellow hobbyists. The key is to start with something that’s available to you. Recycle. Search your closets and cabinets for something that can still be used. From there, you move on to newer, bigger things. This is not just about savings. It’s also about creativity!
Artbeads.com is your jewelry-making superstore.
Artbeads.com has been a leading online bead and jewelry supply retailer since 1999. We are most recognized in the beading world for our specialization in Swarovski crystal components and sterling silver beads. Our collection has become expansive, and we are proud to say that Artbeads.com has evolved into the one-stop beading superstore for discriminating bead enthusiasts.
 Stenciling the Arts & Crafts Home
Published: August 17, 2006 Paperback
List Price: $24.95
Amazon Price: $19.46 Prices subject to change.
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