Just wanted to share a few tips on how I keep in good supply of certain craft items. Also would love to know what others have learned to do as well!
- Ribbon ... Obviously there are ways to get ribbon at a good price. Lots of options, stores, sales, coupons. But if you haven't already, consider this, lots and lots and LOTS of things we buy come with ribbon. Ribbon that might normally get ignored or thrown away.
For example, when you buy a new blanket it might come wrapped in a large thick length of twill style ribbon. Save it!
I don't know about you, but I do NOT use the little loops of ribbon sewn into sleeveless shirts to keep my shirts on the hangers at home. I just clip those little lengths of ribbon right out when I bring them home and toss them in my ribbon stash.
If you keep your eyes open, little bits and pieces of ribbon will start to add up. This method has enabled me to greatly increase the variety of styles and colors of ribbon I have when working on a craft or sewing project or even wrapping a gift.
And thinking outside the box is ok too. Unused shoelaces, cording, etc. All could have their use someday.
I mean, I'm not advocating boxes and boxes of ribbon for 'just in case" - but I do have a large shoebox full of odds and ends.
- Buttons ... buy these in bulk packages of mis-matched buttons if you can. The price seems to be cheaper this way. And all those extra buttons you get with new clothes. Into the box they go at my house!!! I rarely lose buttons off my clothing, but if I do, I can always find one in my button jar. I've done this over the years and have built up a nice supply of a wide variety of buttons.
- Fabric ... if you sew or do any crafting with fabric at all keep those projects in mind before you donate clothing. For example, a craft project I plan to make this year is a really cute headwarmer made of fleece.
In the pile for the garage sale were several fleeces DH doesnt' want anymore. So, for "free" I can cut up one of those fleeces and use the material for my project. Win, win!
Once again, it is a matter of balancing what you "might need" with storage space. We don't want or need more clutter in our lives. I get that!
But I also try to not ignore ways I can shave $ off my craft supplies!
What does everyone else do? Any tips, tricks?
- Ribbon ... Obviously there are ways to get ribbon at a good price. Lots of options, stores, sales, coupons. But if you haven't already, consider this, lots and lots and LOTS of things we buy come with ribbon. Ribbon that might normally get ignored or thrown away.
For example, when you buy a new blanket it might come wrapped in a large thick length of twill style ribbon. Save it!
I don't know about you, but I do NOT use the little loops of ribbon sewn into sleeveless shirts to keep my shirts on the hangers at home. I just clip those little lengths of ribbon right out when I bring them home and toss them in my ribbon stash.
If you keep your eyes open, little bits and pieces of ribbon will start to add up. This method has enabled me to greatly increase the variety of styles and colors of ribbon I have when working on a craft or sewing project or even wrapping a gift.
And thinking outside the box is ok too. Unused shoelaces, cording, etc. All could have their use someday.
I mean, I'm not advocating boxes and boxes of ribbon for 'just in case" - but I do have a large shoebox full of odds and ends.
- Buttons ... buy these in bulk packages of mis-matched buttons if you can. The price seems to be cheaper this way. And all those extra buttons you get with new clothes. Into the box they go at my house!!! I rarely lose buttons off my clothing, but if I do, I can always find one in my button jar. I've done this over the years and have built up a nice supply of a wide variety of buttons.
- Fabric ... if you sew or do any crafting with fabric at all keep those projects in mind before you donate clothing. For example, a craft project I plan to make this year is a really cute headwarmer made of fleece.
In the pile for the garage sale were several fleeces DH doesnt' want anymore. So, for "free" I can cut up one of those fleeces and use the material for my project. Win, win!
Once again, it is a matter of balancing what you "might need" with storage space. We don't want or need more clutter in our lives. I get that!
But I also try to not ignore ways I can shave $ off my craft supplies!
What does everyone else do? Any tips, tricks?