Are you ready to tackle your next crafting project? Before you do, check out these EASY tricks and learn How to Save Money on Craft Supplies!
When it comes to crafting, I’ll admit I’m a bit of an addict. I started knitting when I was 8, cross-stitching when I was 10, and scrapbooking when I was a teen. And since then… I’ve tried to learn and tackle any new crafting technique I can get my hands on. I guess Fun Crafts are just my way to relax and unwind.
However… with all of the fun projects brewing in my mind, that means I’m always in need of more craft supplies. 🙂 You know the feeling, right? We’ve all wondered ‘How Can I Save Money on Supplies?’ And that’s why I’ve put together this list of easy tips and tricks for How to Save Money on Craft Supplies!
Have you tried any of these yet??
How to Save Money on Craft Supplies
Related:
- Fun Crafts to Do at Home {HUGE List}
#1: Use What You Already Have!
Francesca writes: “Use what you have. Don’t have the ideal blue for a project? It’s okay. Use it anyway!”
Janice writes: “Use what you have first. Stop looking for *new* projects to make and makes the projects that you bought all that stuff for first. lol”
#2: Load Up on Cheap Supplies at the Dollar Store
Liz writes: “I tend to buy my craft supplies at the dollar store.”
Linda writes: “Dollar Tree is becoming very crafty.”
#3: Know How to Shop the Craft Stores Like a Pro!
Whether it’s Michaels or JoAnn… make sure you’ve got your coupons in hand before you head to the store. You can either print coupons online, or load them up on your store app at checkout.
Whether it’s 40% off 1 item, 20% off your entire order, or $5 off $30… it all adds up. You won’t believe how much you’ll save!
I’ve even split my orders up into 2 before, because I needed separate receipts, and the checker at JoAnn insisted I use multiple coupons on both of my orders. Woohoo!
And don’t forget to walk the clearance aisles… I’ve found so many thrifty little treasures that way.
Related:
- 21 Joann Fabric Hacks! {How to Save Money at Joann’s}
Tina writes: “I always buy my big stuff with a 50% off coupon at Joann or Michaels!”
Karen writes: “I always watch for sales .. who wants to pay full price”
Mindy writes: “I use a Michael’s 40% off coupon and get one small thing a week.”
#4: Snatch up Holiday Items Off Season
Another simple trick is to always be on the lookout for holiday craft supplies during the wrong season. For example, snatch up those Fall silk flowers in December and that fun Christmas fabric in January. Just stash your treasures away for the next upcoming seasons, and you’ll be ready to go!
Cheri writes: “I always try to buy out of season!”
#5: Stock Up on Clearance Fabric Remnants for Smaller Projects
When it comes to smaller sewing projects… things like hand embroidery hoops, DIY scrunchies, baby bibs or doggie bandanas, head straight for the fabric remnants bin of your local craft store for the best deals. I’ve been able to snatch up so many clearance fabric scraps for so cheap with this one little trick!
#6: Scour Your Local Thrift Stores & Garage Sales
Candice writes: “If you make earrings, bracelets or necklaces, go to thrift stores for beads and buy necklaces and bracelets. For the beads and findings sometimes you can get really old stuff for cheap. Or check flea markets, garage sales, yard sales, and Estate Sales.”
Becky writes: “Garage sales and thrift stores for certain!”
Lupe writes: “I go to garage sales quite a bit in the summer. I’ve gotten some great deals on fabric and papercrafting supplies. I also buy scrap jewelry and then clean it and take it apart to make new handcrafted pieces.”
June writes: “Garage sales can have some treasures!”
#7: Help Others Clean Out to Score Free Materials
Liz writes: “I also keep an eye out for people giving away craft supplies they no longer want or need.”
Angela writes: “Check Community Buy Nothing groups”
Elexa writes: “Try freecycle.org in your city, it’s a free exchange program for people who are regularly going to throw out stuff.”
Justin writes: “Start a scrap exchange at your school, daycare, or other communities that have a lot of children or other crafters. People can donate things like scrap fabrics or leftover products they are unlikely to use (e.g. a special glue you bought for one project but won’t use up) or that you have extras of.”
#8: Collect Free Supplies for Kids Crafts!
{thanks to Jessica for sharing the fun crafting photo above}
Jessica writes: “I Use recyclables for kid’s crafts! We were inspired after a trip to the Children’s museum. Buying paint/glue/paper and especially pre-packaged activities can get so pricey! My kids spent more time and had more fun playing with different containers and “trash” than any other activity. 🙂 ”
Items you already have laying around the house can make great craft supplies for kids! Before you recycle them… think cracker boxes, cereal boxes, empty plastic containers, etc. You won’t believe how creative your kids will get when they’ve got all sorts of supplies in front of them… and the best part is they were FREE!
Chris writes: “Save your egg cartons”
#9: Take Advantage of Craft Store Teacher Discounts
Liz writes: “At Michaels I use the Michaels Teacher Discount as I am a girl guide leader.”
Related:
#10: Or Cash In on Employee Discounts and Free Samples!
You could consider getting a job at your favorite craft store or supply company. Many of the larger craft stores offer generous employee discounts.
Tracy writes: “I got a job at a craft supply company and raid the samples room 🙂 ”
#11: Split the Cost with a Friend
Another simple trick is to simply split the cost with a crafting friend. I’ve done this so many times… buying things in bulk to save BIG, then splitting the supplies and cost with a friend to save even more!
Kim writes: “I like to split supplies with friends. You each buy one of the giant stacks of papers and then divide it in half.”
#12: Think Outside The Box!
One girl’s junk is another girl’s treasure, right? So don’t forget to check out secondhand sale sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. You just may be able to score some sweet deals!
Related:
Also, I’ve scored so many great deals on craft supplies at Target and fabric at Walmart over the years too! Check out these tips to save even more
22 Ways to Save Money at Target
You’re friends will be envious of all your cool new Target hacks for saving money on crafting supplies and more!
Free Walmart Gift Cards +15 Money Saving Tips
Save money on your craft supplies with my favorite shopping hacks and tricks that include a tip for how to get Free Walmart Gift Cards!
So now that you know how to save money on craft supplies, let’s get crafting! Check out these fun project ideas below to get started…
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Feeling crafty?? It’s time to get your Craft on and get inspired to do some fun crafts!
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Make your next trip to Jo-Ann Stores extra frugal when you shop prepared with the latest Joann Fabrics Coupons, discounts, and shopping hacks.
So… what are your favorite tricks for How to Save Money on Craft Supplies?
Leave a comment & share!
B says
Check places like Big Lots and Dollar Tree.
Don’t be afraid to take hand-me-downs. Once people learn that you’ll use things they give you, you just might get a bunch of free crafting supplies that the prior owner didn’t want!
Donna says
For acid free 8 x 11 paper, I use for backgrounds and borders. I go to Staples, I buy it only when it is on sale and I have a business rewards so I get rebate for paper. They have mixed colored reams of paper. I bought several different mixed ream (500) sheets packs. I have a rainbow of colors to use and trade. They are cheap and I have a great selection to match what ever I need.
corinna says
There are alot of craft sites that send free craft samples. Just typr in free craft samples and get hundreds to choose from. It may not be what you need at the moment, but if you love to craft then you will use them over time….
Carolyn Buckhorn says
I scan the material in an outfit I buy for my grandkids and use that somewhere on my page .It could be corners , flowers ,butterflies or cut out letters or the background for letters . With gifts I take a picture of it and cut around it and use that too . Take a picture of their favorite toy and use that .
Janice Crowell says
Yes, I do that too. I save it as a JPEG and sometimes use it as the mat for a photo or the background for an entire page of my digital album.The books I order are reaally unique. When my daughter had a bridal shower, I scanned a couple of the pretty patterned gift bags and used that as a page background. I’m really loving my Creative Memories storybook scrapbook program.
Janice Crowell says
Another thing I sometimes do is look at a website about the place being visited. Sometimes I’ll print part of the info and include it in my scrapbook.
Joyce Elaine White says
I use the paper paint chip samples from Lowes or Home
Depot for tags or to mount letters on. Some are even sand paint samples thus adding some texture to the scrapbook page.
nathalie says
sandpaper.. i never thought of that. wonderful idea.
Chel says
I love crafting so much that I became a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator!! I get 20% off (minimum) and I only have to have one workshop or class every 3 months to make my minimum sales of $300 every quarter. I have NOT spend a DIME out of my own pocket on stamping supplies for over 5 years – I EARN my supplies my selling them through Stampin’ Up with minimal effort on my part! And I get so many free items (stamps, cardstock, rub-ons, etc) – I AM ALL ABOUT THE FREE!!!!
Valentine2 says
Also, forgot to add, that material will copy and scan. you can get neat prints and copy/scan them also
Valentine2 says
I find the neatest prints in magizines and on labels. I have a color copier/scanner that can print on regular or photo paper. I copy/scan, edit the print to the size I want and print it out. There’s lots of free art out there you can copy, paste in Word and manipulate in photo software. That’s how I save $$$ and make my own cards too.
Jamie C Haas says
I love to watch Michael’s at the end of a “holiday” season… they always have great deals on supplies specific to the holiday, usually 50% off or more. Also, I buy things like paint, gluesticks/glue, scissors, etc. in bulk at the beginning of the school year. That’s the cheapest time to get them and it never hurts to have extras on hand when you have kids in the house.
Donna says
I too go to flea market. I used to buy 50 sheets of 12 x 12 paper for $ 1.00. I loaded up and traded them.
I always go to clearance areas. I find it a challange to use clearance items. I have taken a dmall piece of bumpy cardboard, inked it up light rubbed paper in cross directions for a linen look.
I took metal paper, stamped on the back, used a pen and traced the lines for embossed metal accents on scrapebook pages.
Also companies like Oriental Trading have a clearance section. I just bought 100 sheets for $9.99 or .09 each, but had a coupon so they wound up at .04 each. This is for 12 x 12 paper. and free shipping.
for Crafts try about.com/familycrafts, there are a lot of ideas.
Also when I travel I collect anything with pictures or words. And cut them out as additons to my pages. Especially pictures of characters like Elmo from a Sesame Place map.
Demi says
Here is my three cents: I cut out images, designs, and words from my “postcard junk mail” from local and national businesses. The postcard junkmail is on a heavy card stock and has more times than not a glossy coating on one side. These postcards from insurance companies, banks and credit unions, grocery stores, and so on often have cute borders, hearts, trees, food, bows, stars and so on that I use to add “punch” to my scrapbook pages. To keep my cut-out images organized, I store them in two sets of 4 plastic small drawers (5″ x 7″) that I bought from a thrift store for $0.99 a piece. Each drawer is labeled with a broad topic like “people,” “nature,” “borders,” “words,” and so on. Note: I do not cut out or use the companies’ names or their logos on my scrapbook pages. Hope this information has been helpful. Wishing you happy frugal scrapping.
Natalie says
Brochures, tickets, etc. make the best additions to scrapbooks (and they are free), especially if you grab them each time you are going to be anywhere where you will be taking lots of pictures. This could even include old movie tickets. Also, mix and match different pictures (i.e. taking one picture and adding it to another picture to make a scene. You can do this from scenery in the pics that you are not using. I did this on a couple of different pages and it made it look very realistic.
Anne Loyd says
I save tags from clothes, paper bags, store bags, magazines, wine bottle labels, beer bottle caps, old cards, neat stamps, ribbons from gifts and items that I buy. I also use paint sample cards, glitter and craft paint. Starbucks’ coffee cup holders and pastry boxes are also good materials. I basically save anything that looks like I can repurpose it.
You can get ideas from crafting blogs too! I’d rather look at “real” people’s pages rather than a professional scrappers. I think the average Joe has more creative ideas than the books and magazines!
I have also used old soda cans by cutting then, washing them and then use the silver side. I write backwards on the other side and it looks kinda cool. I have also seen scrappers use a crimped on them.
New To Mom says
I have found some really good deals on eBay. I’ve bought lots of pre-cut letters there bc I don’t have a cricut. This also might be common sense, but I buy individual papers. I seem to always find out that when I buy the paper packs that are super cute, I don’t use half the papers. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.
Pam R says
If just trying to build up stock and not looking for a specific design, I use the Freecycle site. Otherwise, Big Lots, Grocery Outlet (sounds weird, but they lots of non-grocery items), Walmart.
Korinne Wiese says
Of course Michaels and JoAnn coupons and their wonderful pattern sales are the best! My other hot spot is second hand stores, estate sales, and yard sales and the key word: re-purpose! Unravel the yarn for homemade items like sweaters and afghans. Also for fabric, tear the stitches out of garments to make pillows, doll clothes, accessories and such. I love bagged yarn, but you have to make a small hole in the bag to make sure it doesn’t stink. Last summer I completed my knitting needle collection and found a Singer sewing book for less than $10.
in2motion says
My scrapbooking store rents out cricut cartridges by the day. You can also use the machine in their store if you need it at an hourly cost. I have the most luck with current supplies using my coupons. Something else I love? The scrapbooking store has a quarterly “yard sale”! They offer a store credit instead of cash for your items sold. They accept 75+ sellers, we all bring our items pre-priced & with our code and set it in the designated area. The sale runs 12-4 on a sunday & then we retrieve our unsold items at the end or the next day. I’m sure I spend more than I make, but I go home with such a great variety of items!
Barbara May says
What a great idea, what store is this that does this?
Dena says
Scrappy Chic Livonia. The Scrapbook Zone in Farmington might also rent them out, but I’m not sure. Were you talking about the yard sale or the cricut rentals? Scrappy Chic charges a small fee of $3 to sell. So totally worth it!!!
Lupe says
I go to garage sales quite a bit in the summer. I’ve gotten some great deals on fabric and papercrafting supplies. I also buy scrap jewelry and then clean it and take it apart to make new handcrafted pieces.
Elexa says
Wow how many times are frugal girls going to say that Michaels, Joanns and Archivers have coupons. I think that is something we all have figured out by now.
I go to thrift stores and find even CHEAPER products. I take wooden pieces that have patterns that are super tacky holiday themes on them and spray paint them and craft around it.
I buy foreign language books and sheet music for backgrounds, my best score was Alice in Wonderland because it has lots of illustrations in it.
Lastly, try freecycle.org in your city, it’s a free exchange program for people who are regularly going to throw out stuff.
Make sure you look out for conventions in your area and go to their website for coupons to the show and search through all of their bargain bins. 50 cent stamps are my favorite find at stamping shows.
Find great graphics for free to print for projects on graphicfairy.com they are mostly vintage.
Comment on crafter’s blogs when they have freebie competitions too.
Hope this is a little more original and informative than the other posts.
denise says
I like to knit and I ended up going to the hardware store for some round flat washers to use as stitch markers, these are more durable than the plastic kind.
June Sroufe says
I use coupons, sales, and clearance whenever possible. Garage sales can have some treasures! But my biggest fav on saving on scrapbooking supplies, I use gift bags given at birthdays, christmas, whatever occasion, as embelishments, or the whole page. I keep the cardboard from a 12 by 12 fat pack and use it as a template for cutting my page out. Make it easy to do a layout of the special gift, 2 sides of the bag, plus the bag matches in the picture.
Lisa Kaye says
I can’t disagree with anything already mentioned. For paper crafts, Archivers is a wonderful place because they have a huge workroom that you can use along with things like die cutting machines. No investing in big ticket items. Also check out thrift stores, clearance aisles of places like Wal-Mart and yard sales. A few years ago I sold a lot of yardn that was cluttering up my closet. And don’t forget to check out eBay and Craigslist.
Denise says
Oriental Trading!!
They have a great scrapbooking section
Michaels, AC Moore & JoAnn Fabric coupons are great too!
nathalie says
i love that website
Meredith Tilley says
As they say, one frugal girl’s trash is another one’s treasure. Every crafter has supplies they’ll never use–organize a swap party with other crafters to trade your unused supplies. Or if you don’t have local crafting friends maybe you can get involved with (or organize) a travelling box. I belong to a jewelry making forum where we have a travelling bead box that makes the rounds to those members who are interested. When it reaches you, you take out the stuff you want, add in your unwanted stuff of an approximate equal value and send it on. We track it on the forum and everyone has a blast seeing where their unwanted pieces found a new happy home. When the box comes around to you a second time if there is anything left that you put in the last time you remove it so it always stays fresh.
Allishia says
Thats such a cool idea! I need some crafting friends!
Joanne says
Me Too!
Darlene says
I like scrap booking with my girls, we buy things we can all use, for example I may be scrapbooking a book of my cat, dog or birds, my daughter may be scrapbooking her vacation, so we are buying different things but if one has what I want or I have what they want we share it, then we all have what we want… and none of our purchase sits unused I keep eyes open on free-cycle, I also shop big lots, wal-mart, micheals and joAnns with coupons of course… Also my daughter and I made our own christmas tags from old christmas cards, we just cut out the part of the picture we liked and use a hole punch and ribbon, simple and pretty, can also make birthday tags etc…I love crafting and my girls keep me involved by just doing things like this together over tea or lunch..girl time…YAY…
Laura says
I often find cute stuff at Big Lots and Target! Always use coupons for Michaels, Archivers, Hobby Lobby and JoAnns. And definitely check out the clearance sections! Sharing supplies with others is a good way to get a variety and save money too!
Heather Siani says
Target has many scrapbooking supplies for $.99. I also scores great deals online. Fabrics.com is a good website.
Jennifer says
Target also has a lot of scrapbook paper and other stuff on their dollar section!
Crystal Henry says
I was just looking at my friends scrapbook the other day and noticed the cutest little stickers… You know when you go to the zoo…aquarium and so on and have all these random pics that you wonder what your gonna do with? Well for example she cuts out the animals and applies them to the page to go with the theme! She just tapes/glues them on! I thought it was nifty!
Michele says
I signed up to Archiver’s email and mailing list so I use their coupons along with Michael’s and Joanne’s coupons that are usually 40% off. When it’s something that I can’t use a coupon on say my Circut cartridges, I will go on ebay and buy them at a much cheaper price or when my friend and I get together to scrapbook, we will trade cartridges and use each others. We also bring and share stuff that we no longer need—it helps tame the clutter and it helps us save money! Also, sometimes I will buy on clearence if there’s something that I know I will use.
Laura says
I save all our gift bags, gift tags and cards and upcycle them! I cut out what we can use from them and recycle the rest. Cards are the best because they have great pictures and designs and are all ready on a thicker paper. They work great in scrapbooks and on home made cards. We also use gift bags that have been ripped to make decorations to use on brown bags to make a new gift bags. Shaped hole punches or shaped scissors make them fun!
Becky Browning says
Old Christmas cards make great gift tags. I haven’t bought any in years. I try to recycle itmes as well. For example, I use the cardboard inserts that come in the packaging of panty hose, tablecloths and sheet sets to make homemade greeting cards instead of using card stock.
Mrs H says
Re-purpose, re-purpose, re-purpose…. Fun when someone gets a special pillow or quilt and they have a vague recollection of having seen the fabric before… Even more fun when the materials have some sentimental value.
Our depression-era Grandmas had great re-purposing craft ideas!(I remember cleaning out Grandma’s attic and all the coolwhip tubs and rolls of used and washed aluminum foil)
Valerie says
I am saving my children’s clothes to use to make quilts they can have as adults. I think it’s a great idea for there first outfits ( first Christmas, Thanksgiving…ect) It’s better then them sitting in a box forever! You can also add photo quilt squares of them (maybe even wearing that outfit)
J-9 says
Lately The Dollar Tree has had rolls of crafting ribbon like sheer, satin, and grosgrain in tons of colors, some with patterns/prints. most are 5yd rolls so for a $1 that’s a good deal. I make my daughter, niece, and some friends girls hair bows. I’m also interested in how others save on their crafting supplies.
Bonnie Martin says
I have really good luck at Big Lots, Tuesday Morning, Dollar Stores and other overstock stores. They have some Brand Name things greatly reduced that are still being sold at the Craft Stores!
Becky Browning says
Same with me. I LOVE Dollar Tree & Big Lots!
Joanne says
Ditto! I loves me the discount stores! Woo-hoo~!
Mindy Culver says
I use Michael’s 40% off coupon and get one small thing a week. There are a ton of online scrapbook places that have some good deals also.
Janice Crowell says
Michael’s also accepts Hobby Lobby coupons. Usually every other week (more often before Christmas) Hobby Lobby has a 40% coupon. You can get on their e-mail list for the weekly coupon or just go to the website. So this way you can use a Michael’s coupon on one item and a Hobby Lobby coupon on another! And if you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can use a coupon once a day for the entire week! (Print enough and keep them with you.)
janice says
Joann’s also takes competitor’s coupons. When I go, I use joann’s, michael’s, and hobby lobby’s. give me all the discounts as possible!
Kim says
Besides using coupons from Michael’s and Joann Fabrics, I like to split supplies with friends. You each buy one of the giant stacks of papers and then divide it in half.
Heidi says
Great tip, Kim! I’ve split the ‘Stacks’ with friends before, too! 😉
~ Heidi