7 Ways to Afford Your Craft Habit

 Creating is fun and rewarding– but the cost of supplies can add up quickly. Aside from swapping extras with friends or dumpster diving (guilty!) for supplies, here are some ways to keep your crafty costs down.

1. Interchangeable Coupons: You know that Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics have great deals and weekly coupons. Did you know you can use their coupons (40% off) interchangeably? So don't fret if you get to Michaels and you've already used your time sensitive coupon there… they'll take the JoAnn's coupon, no problem– and vice versa.

2. Hold the Phone: Speaking of coupons– you don't need a "hard copy" at Michael's anymore. Just open the coupon on your phone and they'll scan it!

3. Look (Far) East, as in Oriental Trading: It's the go-to catalog for moms and teachers everywhere who need to buy toys and party supplies in bulk. But Oriental Trading Company also sells crafting supplies. They have an entire catalog titled Scrapbooking, Beading & More that you can order for free. Not only do they offer their own "generic" Oriental Trading products, they also carry some high quality name brand products like Making Memories Vintage Groove, We R Memory Keepers items, and my absolute favorite–Chip Art by Melody Ross. Oriental Trading frequently rewards customers with vouchers for dollars off and or free shipping– it's worth checking them out.

4. Wholeport: This online mega-store offers literally thousands of crafting supplies at wholesale prices. They are able to do this by cutting out the middleman and going straight from the manufacturer to customer. Visit the Wholeport website to see the products they offer.

5. Dollar Tree: There are Dollar Stores, 99 Cents stores and many other similar shops all around the country. I am a fan of Dollar Tree and here's why… everything really is a dollar (unlike other stores that suck you in– just to find out everything ISN'T a dollar after all). And at Dollar Tree's website you can check out what's "in store" online before you make a trip. They offer a ton of arts and crafts supplies as well as generic items you can easily repurpose.

6. Crafty Discount Websites: Crafty Steals is an online store that sells one crafting product a day at a great price. Products range from a mega pack of Dear Lizzy embellishments for $9.99 (retails at $28.00) to a Fiskars Scissors bundle for $12.99. Another great place to check out– Peachy Cheap, is geared towards scrapbookers but offer all sorts of crafty supplies– one a day at deep discounts. They get great brands and it's fun to see what they've got for that day's deal.

7. Mega-Sites: There are some HUGE online scrapbooking/craft stores out there that offer great deals and coupons. Two Peas in a Bucket is a very cool place to shop as well as take a class (many free!) and join a community. Another online shop, Scrapbooks.com calls itself a super store– with good reason. They must have about a ZILLION products and frequently offer very discounted prices and reduced shipping.

 Wishing you happy budget-friendly crafting!

Star background courtesy of Katrina Tran/Pugly Pixel