Craft Supplies on a Budget
by Narelle Davison
Occasionally times get tough and often the first thing we cutback on are our hobbies. To save money on craft supplies I've compiled the list below. This list will hopefully help you find yourself a new creative burst. Crafts are fun to improvise and they don't always have to be so expensive.
Paper and Card
Newspaper offcuts: Out local newspaper has been a great place to get plain paper as they have huge rolls of plain white paper for $10 - $15. This roll of paper is over a meter wide and 30cm in diameter. I believe it was over 100 meters of paper, for five years my daughter has been using it. The quality isn't the greatest but it has a lot of uses such as a drop sheet for other projects and sewing patterns.
Scrapbooking card and paper: Scrapbook stores are often too expensive. Check out office supply stores, different newsagents, and department stores for paper and card. The variety will not be as good, but you can often find something to help your supply of paper last longer.
Op shops and flea markets
Fabric and Wool: Second hand clothes can be a great source of fabric when not too much is needed and they can be found at flea markets and opportunity shops. Even when clothes are fairly old there are generally parts that are not faded or worn.
Small amount of wool for wool crafts can be used from used knitwear.
Leather: Old handbags, belts, and leather jackets are excellent for scraps and fittings.
Beading: Op-shops often have old jewelry. Use the jewelry for findings, bead, and pendants.
Buttons, zips and buckles: All types of sewing notions can be found in opshops, the biggest consideration is whether or not you will be able to remove it easily.
Mosaic
Mosaics can be created using broken plates that you find at a second hand store or garage sale.
Nature
Nature: Would you like free craft supplies? An endless bounty of free craft supplies can be found compliments of Mother Nature. Comb the beach. Fossick. Take a walk or hike. Shells, sand, driftwood, seedpods, pebbles, leaves and grasses are all excellent for craft supplies.
Wood
Wood: Offcuts of wood from small timber stores or hardware shops have many uses. Recycle old furniture. Check out salvage yards and secondhand stores for other wood sources.
Making your Own
Making your Own: Often supplies we need for crafting we can make on our own so we don't have to purchase them. For example, cornflour can be used to make a good decent paper glue. Beads can be made with salt dough. Stencils and stamps can be made on your own as well.
About the Author
Narelle Davison comes from a craft background but changed careers to marketing and web development. She has created the Australian Craft Resource, Aussie Crafts, to provide information and promotion for craftspeople through interviews, articles, forum and directory. Aussie crafters wanting an interview to promote their website or work can visit http://www.aussiecrafts.com.au/interviews.html
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