Whether you’re trying to save a buck or want to cut down on waste, there are plenty of materials available that don’t require substantial spending. Crafting is all about using your imagination, and you can find inspiring, unique materials and items to use for your projects in surprising places.
You can find budget-friendly crafts supplies in a wide range of locations. Here are some of the most popular:
The best place to start your search for craft supplies is often your own home. Go through your closets, attic, garage, shed, and anywhere else that may have materials and supplies that are useful but forgotten.
For example, consider old T-shirts that no one wears anymore. They’ll supply plenty of fabric for a variety of projects. You can even pull them apart to turn them into yarn!
As you go through your house, keep your imagination working in overdrive. Old Mason jars? Make them into rustic lamps. Broken computer or phone cables? Pull them apart and scavenge the wire. Magazines no one wants? Use them to make paper mache. Broken nightstand? Pull off the boards to build something else.
Not only do many thrift stores offer potential craft supplies at lower prices than regular retail shops, but they almost always support a good cause as well, such as the homeless or addiction recovery services.
Purchasing from a thrift store also reduces reliance on newly manufactured fabric and other supplies, lowering your carbon footprint.
You can find items in thrift stores and consignment shops that you’d probably never find at your local mall, such as vintage or used products.
Keep your eyes peeled for signs in your neighborhood advertising a yard sale, garage sale, or estate sale. You can also check social media pages for your area, as well as the newspaper and bulletin boards in local shops. People are happy to let items go at low prices just to move them out, and you can pick up quality items for a serious bargain.
Your city may have a flea market you can frequent for secondhand goods. Some are open year-round, while others are seasonal. The prices may be higher than what you’ll find at a thrift store or yard sale, but you’ll still be able to find unusual and unique wares for less than what you’d pay at a boutique shop.
Don’t forget that your local dollar stores and wholesale retailers will have non-name brand, irregular, or unpopular items at significant bargains. You don’t need to buy a brand-new black T-shirt from a high-end clothing retailer when a dollar store will have those shirts, too.
Whether online or in your newspaper, you can get surprisingly cheap craft supplies through the classifieds. The classifieds are a good place to find larger items as well. If you need an antique tube radio, vintage lamp, bins of old clothing, or other such items, make sure to frequent the classified ads for your area.
Many people don’t want to go through the hassle of selling or fixing an object and prefer to just get rid of it. Pay attention to curb alerts on Facebook and other social media sites in your area. You might be able to grab an old dresser, some lumber, or even a set of wine glasses for free!
You have to act fast, though, as there are people who make it their business to watch for these alerts and scoop up desirable items.
Nature itself will be happy to provide you with plenty of craft supplies if you know where to look. Pine cones, sticks, rocks, leaves, and other naturally occurring objects can become integral to your projects. Sometimes, all you need to do to stock up on craft supplies is to take a walk through the woods.
Once you assemble all of your craft supplies, you’ll need the right tools to see your project through to completion. From sewing machines to scissors to glue, GoldStar Tool has everything you’re looking for. Shop our collection today!