How To Save Money Crafting.

Crafts can get expensive. There’s a look of dread that goes across my husband’s face every time he hears the word, “Hobby Lobby”.  A few baubles, decorations and then add the supplies and the simple craft gets more and more expensive. There are a few simple tips that will save you money while making great crafts. 1. Reuse and Repurpose.  One of the major costs of crafting is buying the supplies you need. So many times though you will have great supplies already on hand.

Those simple glass spaghetti jars could make some great mason jar crafts such as the tissue paper luminaries or DIY Potpourri in a Jar if you wash them and remove the labels.  Pretty wrapping paper that you receive on gifts could easily be used to make Wrapping Paper Letters for any season or room decorations. Old T-shirts that are stained on the front can be used to make superhero capes and used cereal boxes can be used as cardboard forms for modpodged decorations. There are already so many great items in your house that need to be reused rather than thrown away. Before you go to buy supplies take a minute to think if there are any other items that you can use that you already own. 2. Think Outside the Box.  One of the best crafts I saw this year was pvc pipe that was cut into inch long pieces and then glued together to form a wreath. It was simple but really cool. Instead of looking for supplies to fit a craft that you already plan to make, find items and think about what you can make with it.  If you see an old pallet by the side of the road that has been heat treated and not chemically sealed, stop and get it. Then think about what you could do with it. I have seen a lot of really great pallet art lately and it’s making me crave one of my very own.

The Recycled Capri Sun Giftbag is a great example of thinking outside the box. I took a lot of Capri Sun bags and sewed them into a fabric and then used it to make a giftbag. What else can you turn into a fabric or what funky fun find can you make into a wreath? 3. Thrift It.  Thrift stores are a crafter’s best friend. May times you can find old crafts that you can use pieces from or repurpose. There might be an old junky christmas wreath for $2 at your local thrift store. Stop and look at it. Are there any decorations glued on it that are salvageable? What about the wreath form? If it’s on a grapevine wreath that seems to be in good condition then buy it, tear all the junk off of it and use it! Grapevine wreaths at craft stores are easily $6.  If you can find one at the thrift store that is hiding behind old crumbling decorations then you have saved yourself $4. Don’t discount it because it’s not reaching it’s full potential.

Most importantly don’t look just for craft items, look at everything in the thrift store and see what you can do with it. Simple painted vases are great for home decor and with thrift store vases and leftover paint, they are extremely affordable. The peg doll home came from a wooden cigar box found at a thrift store.  Thrift stores area crafter’s goldmine if you can learn to think outside the box and reuse / repurpose. 4. Seasonal Clearance.  After every major holiday or season, run to the craft store clearance section. There are so many great plain colored items that you can use for other seasons that have a seasonal label. Colored sprinkles, plain colored ribbon, and simple colored platters are always in the seasonal clearance section. A bright green serving platter from spring could easily be decorated with vinyl letters for christmas and at 60-70% off, it’s worth buying and putting back. If you are prone to forgetting what you purchased for a holiday later in the year, make yourself a mark on your calendar a few weeks before the holiday. The Valentine’s Day Wreath was made using red ribbon from Christmas clearance and Edible Coal is made with black sanding sugar that is made with sanding sugar from halloween. Crafting can be extremely expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Crafters are creative people. Don’t just buy supplies straight from the store. Open that creativity and use your mind to save money while taking crafting to the next level. What tips do you have for saving money on crafts?