Get Crafty: Shopping for Crafts and Supplies

Crafting has become a popular hobby for many people and the availability of many retail and online crafts stores has made it much easier to find the supplies you need.  If you are able to shop online you will be able to take advantage of a larger inventory and usually much better prices, although you also need to factor in the cost of shipping and you will need to wait for your item to come in the mail.  Search for a retailer that will offer you free shipping if you are planning to spend $50-$100 or more, this will save you money in the long run.  Try to purchase many things from one online store as they will all combine shipping costs and this will also help you save money, more for your craft items.  If you are using eBay or a similar shopping site to look for a particular item, check what else the seller has to offer that you can use and order from them.  Most sellers will offer a discount on the shipping and handling charges for several items and it works out to be far less expensive for you.

Shopping in retail stores for craft supplies is definitely fun as well and of course, you get to take your crafty supplies home with you right away!  This is especially important if you are working on something with a deadline or trying to entertain kids at a moment’s notice.  When you visit a craft store it is usually divided into sections that will guide you to the area of crafting that you need.  There is usually a yarn section where you can also find knitting and crochet needles, a section with needlepoint and sewing items, a section for paints and paint brushes, an edible section with cake decorating supplies and candy making items, a scrapbooking or paper craft section and a floral section as well.  Generally there are signs hanging in the sections so you can get where you need to quickly.  As an avid crafter, always check the clearance section.  You never know when they will have just what you are looking for at a very good price or sometimes the price of something can help you think of a craft to make with the item.  A retail store is often a great place to start if you need inspiration as they will have craft experts in each section that will be able to guide you to essential tools and items of interest.  They often have free project sheets with a shopping list that make it really easy to create something, and you don’t even need to come up with an idea!

Weather online or in a retail store, shopping for crafty items is always fun!  Remember to keep household items to add to your craft tools, this will help you save some money!  Using egg cartons, empty margarine containers and wax paper to protect your working surface are all great ways to save money.  Even empty cereal boxes make great cardboard for kid crafts too.  So keep an open mind about what you can use to be crafty and you will have a great time.  Have fun being creative and crafty!