I have spent way too much money on art and craft supplies over the years; I most likely could have retired by now. I’m half kidding as I nervously laugh. I will admit that I used to be at craft stores several times a week. Way too much for my bank account to handle! I had to come up with ways that I could continue doing what I love without spending so much money.
“Do not throw away useful materials. Remember, you are on a budget!”
Creating art, whether it be watercolor on canvas or a doodle on a sheet of notebook paper, has amazing benefits for the creator. If you read my other posts Benefits of Being Creative or 20 Ways to Be Creative, you will know that art/creating/crafting- whatever you want to call it- is worth it. I wonder why more people don’t do it. Then it occurred to me that most people are deterred from doing things because of time and/or money. If you make the time, then I can save you some money with my crafty budget tips below.
- Clearance section
Check out the clearance section at any store you go to! You will be amazed at what random, useful things you can find in the clearance aisle at all types of stores. It does not have to be a craft store.
Hardware stores have clearance items that may be useful to your hobby. Wood scraps, painter’s tape, mosaic tiles, self-stick wallpaper, adhesives, spray paint, house paint, drop cloths, paintbrushes, and foam sheets could all be used to create some awesome art projects. Many hardware stores have free paint chips, tile, and linoleum samples. Depending on what you are creating, there may be a free source of materials.
Target and Walmart have clearance sections, too. You could find markers, paint, watercolor paper, crafting sticks, wooden dowels and so much more. Both stores have several aisles of craft items and they do clearance those items out from time to time.
The clearance section is a gamble. You never know what you may find there. That is part of the fun for me. Make sure you check back often since the selection will change rapidly.
- Craft Store Coupons
Make sure you sign up to receive store coupons from all the major craft stores. This way you will receive the weekly coupons and sales flyers.
I never pay full price! I wait for items I want to be on sale or use a 50-60% coupon. These stores offer military and teacher discounts as well. If you qualify, this will allow you to get an extra 10-20% off your purchases, depending on the store.
- Amazon
You can find interesting and affordable craft items that will be delivered right to your door within 2 days. They offer everything from art sets to bulk jewelry charms. Most of the items are reasonably priced. Sometimes Amazon can be a little overpriced depending on the item. I google the item to make sure I cannot get it somewhere else cheaper. The good thing about Amazon is that there are usually multiple sellers with various price points for a similar item. Just like anything else, read the reviews to make sure you are getting a quality item. There have been many occasions where I find an item I like and scroll down to read the reviews only to find out that it is not recommended, and other customers have had a lot of issues with it. Do your research.
- Yard Sales
I fell in love with yard sales a short while ago. Who knew people would be selling such quality items at such a cheap price? I was also surprised to find out how many art & craft items I was finding at these sales. Most advertisements for the sales will list that they are selling craft items. Some sales that I have gone to that did not list craft items ended up being an artist’s greatest find. Yard sales offer such a wide range of items. That is the fun part. You never know what you are going to find when you show up. These are great places to find vintage jewelry to repurpose and wood furniture to refurbish. Other items that I frequently find are scrapbooking supplies, rubber stamps, markers, stickers, yarn, fabric, ribbon, mason jars, and jewelry making supplies. Often times, people start a new hobby and then decide not to continue with it, so yard sales are filled with barely used and sometimes brand-new art and craft supplies.
- Goodwill
Similar to yard sales, Goodwill is another place where you never know what you are going to find. They are packed full of super affordable items that you can use for crafting. My friends that create junk journals often find vintage books here and repurpose them into journals. Clothes are really cheap, and the fabric can be easily repurposed for all types of projects. Another good place to find unique and inexpensive items.
- Local Companies
Think of the materials you want to use in your creations. Then think of places near where you live that may have some of those materials.
If your art is created with wood, it may be worth giving your local landscaping and construction companies a call to see if they have anything you can use. They may have wood scraps that they would gladly give you for free since they cannot use them. A lot of businesses have pallets that they often offer for free.
Need lots of vinyl; call a sign company. Thread and fabric; call a t-shirt embroidery store. Need lots of magazines; call your local drugstore (I have gotten back issues of magazines without the front cover for free before). Make the call! The worst they could say is no.
- Library Sales
Several times a year most libraries hold a book sale. Prices can range from .25 – $5.00 for books. If you create mixed media or journals using repurposed old books, then this is a great place to find materials.
- Recyclables
A.K.A. Trash! There are so many useful things that you can find in your recyclable bin. You can take empty water bottles and cut the tops off and use them as water cups when you paint. Or you can mix paint in them and then pour it onto canvas. Save empty cottage cheese and large yogurt containers to hold paintbrushes, mix paint, or store craft items. Cut up an old cereal box and use it as a disposable paint palette or use it as a thick piece of paper to practice your painting techniques. Cardboard boxes are great for spray-painting projects. I put my object to be painted in a box and spray away. It also prevents the grass from getting painted and I have an easy way to move my project afterward. Buy oranges in a mesh bag? Use the mesh bag as a stencil. I use the mesh to create a textured stenciled look on my journal pages. Old magazines and newspapers are great for so many reasons. You can cut out the pictures and use them in collage or mixed media. They can also be used to prevent the area you are working in from getting messy. It is so easy to just throw away a piece of the newspaper than clean up glitter and paint off my desk. Plastic mushroom containers are useful for organizing project items. I set out a few on my desk to add items that I will need for the project that I am about to complete. For example, one will contain rhinestones, another paper scraps, and another beads. This way, I can easily grab what item I need and also not have to worry about any of them falling off my desk or being misplaced. Lastly, do not forget toilet paper and paper towel rolls. There are a ton of crafts to make using these.
- Scrap Stash
Did you complete a few scrapbook pages and have some paper scraps leftover? Finally, finish sewing that tote bag and have leftover fabric scraps? Don’t throw them out! Start a scrap stash! I have a stash for paper and for fabric. You can start a scrap stash related to your crafting materials. They come in handy. There have been many times that I have needed just a small amount of fabric or paper and it was so convenient to not have to cut into a whole new sheet of paper or yard of fabric. It saves money, too. Do not throw away useful materials. Remember, you are on a budget!
- Free Digital Resources
Yes, free! Just Google what you are looking for and you will be surprised to see what results you get. There is a free printable scrapbook paper. This is a good alternative if you need a small amount for your project and cannot see spending money on pads of paper at the craft store. You can find free fonts, templates, digital graphics, and images. There are also sewing and wood-working patterns. All for free!
- $1 Store
In my Facebook feed, I have been seeing several pages that are posting craft videos using only items from the $1 store. Although I will admit I am not always fond of what they have created you can still find cheap craft items. Most $1 stores carrying all the basics- paint, googly eyes, glue, tape, stickers, canvas, frames, posterboard, pipe cleaners, raffia, foam sheets, washi tape, markers, crayons, glassware (for glass painting), and removable decals. However, I also use $1 store items for my art that isn’t a craft item. I use the tablecloths as drop cloths when I paint. The tiny plastic containers in the kitchen aisle now house beads and other small craft items. The aluminum trays work great for paint. Paper cups are great for mixing and paint pouring. Have a look for yourself and see what inexpensive items you can find.
- Repurpose Your Own Stuff
Go shopping around your house and find items that you can use in your art! There are obvious things like repurposing the Christmas cards you received, postage stamps, and wrapping paper. Don’t forget about old clothes. This is a great way to save money on fabric. I take clothes that I no longer wear and turn them into new creations. An old sweatshirt or t-shirt can become a tote bag. The adorable sea life pattern on an outgrown shirt can now become a skirt. Cut up an old t-shirt and make a scarf or fabric bracelet. When it comes to fabric, there are so many things you can do!
Have old nail polish? Don’t throw it away. Use it as a durable paint. There are YouTube videos that show you many creative things you can do with nail polish.
What about home décor that you are no longer fond of? Give it a fresh coat of paint in your favorite color, add embellishments, or turn it into something else entirely. Crush up old dishes or ornaments and make a mosaic piece. Turn that old dresser into the star of the room with a vibrant shade of fresh paint. Repaint a picture frame and stencil your favorite quote on it. There are so many things that you could do with the items around your home.
Think Outside the Box
The possibilities are endless to what you can create with objects you encounter, whether on a clearance shelf, in a trash can, or jammed in your basement closet. My list is just a start to where to begin to find affordable ways to craft. Use your imagination and keep your eyes open for things you can use. It is amazing what people are using to create art; everything from beer caps to coffee grinds. Heck! There is even a TV show about a woman who makes crafts out of moose turds. People, your imagination is the only limit here! So, get out there and create!!
