Tried-and-True Tips for Crafting on a Budget: Part 3
Wrapping up this series with a few more ideas for spending wisely and stretching your budget no matter what you're making.
This article was originally published on a WordPress blog that I’ve retired in favor of Substack. Thanks for reading!
We’ve made it to the final installment of this 3-part series! I’ve been sharing a dozen tips and tricks for how to start crafting on a shoestring budget, and I have four more for you today, plus a look at my all-time favorite budget craft. In this series, I’ve rounded up my favorite free ideas that you can try right now, including advice for spending wisely and stretching your budget. These handy tips will help you get the most bang for your crafty buck.
If you missed it, check out Tried-and-True Tips for Crafting on a Budget: Part 1 and Part 2 for more great money-saving tips and a little introduction to the series.
Off we go into the final installment of this series...
Tried-and-True Tips for Crafting on a Budget: Part 3
↠ Cost out each project before you get started
This is a tip I’ve had to figure out the hard way. Here’s what I’ve learned: If you’re excited about the process of making something, and you have the funds to support the project, then by all means, go for it! But if you think making something will be cheaper than buying a ready-made version, think again.
A while ago, I had my eye on a large adjustable tapestry weaving loom. But instead of buying one, I purchased the instructions so that I could make my own. I figured that this would be a more cost-effective way to get a loom. Turns out I was wrong.
I’m no expert in lumber prices... but the total cost of the wood was pretty surprising to me. And since I haven’t done any woodworking projects before, I had to spring for a hand saw, sanding blocks, clamps, and glue. My husband (who helped me make the loom) already had a nice drill set, which was a good start. But we ended up buying a new set of brad point drill bits to make some of the larger holes that the design called for.
In the end, I was really happy with the finished product but so disappointed at how expensive it turned out to be. For the amount of money I spent, I could have just bought one of the ready-made looms instead!
Yesterday, my husband showed me this goofy comedy bit about how expensive and absurd crafting can be. Although I'm not really a huge fan of comedy, this completely hit home and had me in (guilty) fits of giggles.
Now I see the importance of estimating the total cost of a project. Write a quick list of all of the materials you think you’ll need, then assign a dollar amount to each one. All it takes is a few Google searches and some quick calculations. Once you’ve added up the total, you’ll be able to decide whether or not your project is feasible. Maybe everything fits nicely within your budget! Or maybe it’ll just take a few modifications to your plan to make it work.
And, if you’re a Renaissance Gal like me who enjoys trying out ALL the crafts, I have another tip! For a one-off project, consider purchasing a craft kit instead of getting the supplies separately. Chances are, you’ll save some money this way. Plus you’ll have just the right amount of each supply to complete the project.
↠ Save your pennies for big projects
This might sound too obvious, of course you should save up for a big purchase! But when was the last time you planned ahead before hitting Joann's or going wild on Amazon?
I really like this simple money-saving trick: Set up an auto-transfer to your savings account each week, even if it's just $5 or $10. Let this piggy bank build up over time in between projects and eventually, you'll have a lot of cash to play with.
My husband and I have a whole automatic savings transfer dedicated to home decor. As soon as it gets full enough, we can buy the next piece of furniture on our list. In just the past few months we've already used this strategy to buy a patio set, an air conditioning unit, and two bookcases. Plus, we’re expecting a delivery of our new accent table any day now… Still saving up for the velvet Louis chairs, though. 😊
The trusty 1960s-era sewing machine that I’ve used for years and that I wrote about in Part 2 actually just broke not long after I published that post (SOBBING!!!). To make matters worse, the repairman refused to fix it! So I now have a new machine on my wish list. Instead of setting up a sad, panicked GoFundMe campaign, I’m setting aside my pennies.
↠ Splurge on a few high-quality tools & skimp on the rest
This certainly relates to the previous tip, since high-quality tools tend to be more expensive and are worth saving up for. But what’s the difference between the types of items that are worth splurging on and the ones that are worth skimping on?
I think it simply comes down to understanding how the tools and materials work together and what their purpose is in the overall project or art form you’re exploring.
In the world of fashion sewing, a top-notch pair of shears and fabric made from natural fibers are often worth the extra expense. The fabric shears will ensure that your projects go smoothly for years to come. (Can you imagine trying to hack through your fabric with a dull, wonky pair of scissors every time you want to make something? No thank you!) And, in the near term, a higher-quality textile will result in a much nicer finished product, especially when you’re making clothing that you’ll want to wear on repeat.
But it’s not really necessary to buy fancy pins, cutesy pincushions, or designer buttons. You’ll easily get by with just the basics.
For some types of painting, the materials often dictate how well your artwork turns out. With watercolors, for instance, paper and brushes can make or break your project. This is because watercolor painting relies on materials that can successfully hold a ton of liquid. Cheap paper will get all pilly and horrible if you saturate it too much, while bad brushes won’t pick up or deliver the pigment very well. But a really good brush and high-quality paper will allow you to paint whatever your heart desires.
When I’m painting with pen and ink, though, I usually use the cheapest brushes. The ink is super densely pigmented, so I’m not worried about the brushes letting me down. Plus, it can be pretty rough on the bristles. I would hate to spend too much money on a nice brush only to stain it black. With my cheap-and-cheerful brushes, I'm always happy with the results.
If you’re not sure where to begin, I’d encourage you to buy the least expensive materials when you’re just starting out. Once you gain more experience and see what they’re lacking, you’ll be able to upgrade to higher-quality materials later on. You might find that you don’t need to invest in the fancy tools you thought you’d need after all!
↠ Make crafts that double as gifts
You might already do this from time to time, but have you considered being strategic about it? For example, if you have a bunch of burning ideas waiting to be realized, why not commit to creating all of them as gifts for family and friends this holiday season?
When you make crafts that double as gifts, you get to have all the fun and satisfaction of making something and all the joy in bringing a smile to someone’s face for half the cost!
If you're planning to spend $50 on a craft project and $50 on a nice gift, that'll add up pretty quickly. Plus, there’s a chance that your project might only end up half-finished. Or worse, it could be buried in a stash of completed projects that serve no purpose.
Instead, combine your two goals of “I want to make something” and “I want to give so-and-so a thoughtful gift.” You’d spend half the money and your gift will be twice as thoughtful. And, with an approaching holiday or birthday as a deadline, you’re guaranteed to finish what you started. Even better, you'll send it off to a good home!
After I attended a tapestry weaving workshop, I wanted to keep trying out my new skills. But I didn’t necessarily have an excuse to buy a bunch of yarn. Luckily, a coworker’s baby shower was coming up so I designed a new weaving project with her nursery in mind.
And yes, I know the holiday season gets pretty busy. But it's totally ok to make something in April and hide it away until your family Christmas party in December! Why not?
BONUS: My all-time favorite budget craft
My hope with this series of Tried-and-True Tips for Crafting on a Budget is that you feel more empowered to follow your creative instincts and make new things without feeling pressured to break the bank.
From Part 1, Part 2, and this final installment, I hope you’ve been inspired to create something from nothing and discover the real magic of making.
At the beginning of this series, I promised to share my all-time favorite budget craft, and here it is:
I used 7 of my 12 budget-friendly tips to make this project. And I actually only needed to buy one item, the frame, which isn’t even pictured here. So, every element you see here came from a previous project or an old supply stash. As a wedding gift to a friend, it served the double-duty purpose I just mentioned.
Beyond being a favorite budget-friendly craft, this is certainly one of my favorite projects of all time. I’ll certainly be telling you more about it in a future post. (Update: Read all about it here!)
But until then, stay tuned, stay thrifty, and have fun!