Sometimes, buying craft supplies can seem like a daunting task. As the list grows, the prices add up and pretty soon, you’ve spent a small fortune in supplies! I’m not saying I HAVEN’T spent a small fortune on my supplies, but I’ve figured out how to get the most bang for my buck and I’m going to share some ideas with you today!
Craft Supplies at Thrift Stores
Thrift stores are one of the BEST ways to get craft supplies for super cheap! I can usually find yarn, beads, fabric and other random supplies there. Once, I picked up a large container of glitter that probably would have been $5 in the store. It was marked at $.50. Since that was the only thing I had, the cashier just let me have it for free! If you’re not picky about having specific supplies, thrift stores are a great place to go.
Garage Sales have Craft Supplies Too!
Like thrift stores, garage sales are great for getting random craft supplies. You probably won’t be able to find specific items, but crafters often end up with too much in their supply stash and need to purge. I’ve bought embroidery hoops, fabric, paints, and more at garage sales.
Finding Amazing Craft Supply Deals at Estate Sales
I never would have thought to shop estate sales for craft supplies, but I was looking on Craigslist for yarn and I saw an ad for yarn at an estate sale. Walking into that basement was like walking into a craft store, only each skein of high-quality yarn was $2 instead of $5-$15. It was amazing!
Buying Craft Supplies on Craigslist
Speaking of Craigslist, that’s another great place to look for craft supplies! Right now on Craigslist, there are needlework kits, snow in a can, vintage patterns, tiles for mosaics, and stencil brushes, just to name a few things. And all of it is far less than what you’d pay in the store. (Warning: Be careful with Craigslist. Never give anyone your address, meet in a public location with a friend. Don’t be stupid.)
Using Coupons to get Craft Supplies for CHEAP!
I wouldn’t normally think to buy kid’s craft supplies at a place like Hobby Lobby, Michael’s or JoAnn, but with a 40% off coupon (which you can get online, in the mail, in your email, or via the app), a box of markers, paints, crayons, or glue would probably be cheaper there than at Walmart.
Shopping Back-to-School Sales for Craft Supplies
I’ve gotten glue for $0.25 each and crayons for the same! The key is to go at the END of back to school shopping time, but not wait too long. I’m not gonna lie…during back to school season, I hit up Walmart about once a week to check on the school supplies. When they go on clearance, I buy them out!
Where have you found good deals on craft supplies? Any tips on places to shop?
If you decide to do any of the 31 Days of Easy Crafts for Kids projects with your child, be sure to come back and tell me about it! Take pictures and share them on my Facebook sharing post! I’d love to see what you and your little ones are making together!
This post is part of my 31 Days of Easy Crafts for Kids series. Be sure to check out the rest of the crafts I’m doing this month!
Hit up your Mom’s house and your Grandma’s house before spending any more anywhere !! 🙂 We are dieing to clean out craft supplies! And never buy any crayons — I have HUNDREDS — you know — those you borrowed for birthday party decor! 🙂
Hey — this COULD apply to some of your followers as well! In fact, maybe I’ll give them my address… LOL!
I have found good prices on pipe cleaners, pom poms, and ribbon at Dollar Tree and other dollar/discount stores. The stock isn’t necessarily consistent, so I am not always able to find something specific, but it works well for stocking up on basics. Plus, you can often get a smaller quantity to prevent having too much left over! Thank you for these ideas!
Thank you for sharing all of these great tips because craft supplies can be really, really expensive!
-Lara