CRAFTING ON A BUDGET
Hey everyone this is Andrea, tonight's post is a very special post brought to you by my sister Connie. It is my very first Guest posting brought to you by my favorite crocheter and crafter over at www.facebook.com/Mychanniebug. I asked Connie to share with us her wisdom on budget crafting. I think what Connie creates and how she does it on a budget could really benefit a lot of you. Connie has perfected crafting on a budget over the years in a lot of ways. She is always finding various ways to save money on crafting supplies. Connie will always get great quality supplies to make her wonderful creations at great prices. So without any further comments from me, I hope you enjoy tonight's guest posting...
I was asked by a fellow blogger to come up with a posting on crafting and hand-making on a budget!
Oh my goodness! I am so excited! This is really something I am passionate about, as my business was completely started by myself, and funded by me and my family, so I am always looking for ways to cut cost in the supplies and shipping areas!I will introduce myself first!
My name is Connie, and I am a crafter of all sorts, but I focus mainly on crocheting, and small sewing projects, and blogging. I am the owner and designer of a very small home/family business, which was named for my son. It is called Channiebug Crochet, although we are transitioning a little towards Channiebug "Sew-chet"! I am a wife and mom and work a part-time job in the medical field to help support my family, since (unfortunately) the money I make in crafting is not enough yet! However, it is my dream someday for my husband and I to be able to focus full-time energy on our own business!
I am turning 40 this year, have been married for almost 14 years to the love of my life. He really is one of my favorite people to be with, and I would choose him over anyone else I’ve ever met. I have a 6-year-old son we struggled for a long time to have. We tried for 6 years, and had many fertility interventions before we were able to have him. Our son makes our family and life complete. I could never imagine that I would love someone so much as I do him.
I’ve worked in the medical field for more than 20 years now. I started out as a nursing assistant. I worked in a nursing home for a few years and gradually transitioned to the hospital setting and became a unit clerk, and then on to registration and now a medical secretary in a Dr's office setting. I do really like what I do, but even more, I love making things.
So on to the subject I was asked to blog about. Crafting, and hand-making on a budget. Even if you aren’t strapped for cash, money savings opportunities are always a smart idea. Save money now, and have more money for the things you truly want to spend that hard-earned cash on!
1) First of all, I shop around online! I always check my favorite websites online to see if a price is lower than in the store, especially if I am willing to wait for it to be shipped. If it is not an item I have purchased before, I always look to see if there are reviews or a return policy that will not cost me extra to return something if I find it defective, or unable to be used for whatever project I am making. I also check around online before purchasing, to make sure that if there are promo codes for a certain website, that I am able to make use of them. I usually buy in increments that allow for free shipping if I can, to help lower costs too! I have the Amazon prime option on our amazon account as well, the shipping is fast, they have so many things available, and prices are generally lower than in store.
2) In store, I always look for loyalty programs that may offer money off, or a reward later on. Mperks through Meijer has provided me with some “free” yarn over time, among other crafting supplies. I also always look through the stores app to see if there are any digital coupons to be loaded to my card, or loyalty number before purchasing. Recently I had a mperks coupon for $2 off any yarn, and the yarn I chose was on sale, so it ended up costing me pennies for a skein that is normally around $4. I like Wal-Mart as well for yarn, and usually buy the red heart brand. Walmart recently started carrying a generic brand called mainstays that is about $1 cheaper per skein. This seems like it would be a huge savings, though upon trying it, I really do feel the red heart brand is a much better product. Walmart sells very cute and pretty fat quarters in their sewing section, and I have found many cute patterns to make bags and other sewn projects. They are also cheaper on sewing notions than many other places, but I always check online too, unless it is for a project I need very quickly. Joann Fabrics and Crafts also offers many coupons which you can access online and even use in store on your phone. If you prefer regular mail and a paper coupon, you can also sign up for their mailers, and they have some really great deals in store with coupons as well!
3) Re-purposing! I always look at an article of clothing before I throw or give away. Can I reuse the buttons? The material even? I also save the ribbons from gifts and other packaging, and reuse. It’s a way of recycling and saving money at the same time. I've also tried, and not been very successful, but I have also seen people online who make reusable shopping bags out of crocheting strips of the plastic shopping bags from the store together. Cost is pretty much nothing, and a great way to re-purpose them if you want to be environmentally friendly, and or cut costs! These bags pictured below were made and lined with foam I was able to re-purpose!
4) I make my own dish scrubbies and Swiffer covers! Both are expensive to buy at the store in comparison to making your own! If you know even the basics of crocheting, you can find all kinds of you tube videos and free patterns online to make them! If not, you could save money in the long run by buying mine. I have 3 dish scrubbies I have been using on my dishes and then washing in the washer with my towels over and over for about a year. Over time, the scrubbies fray a little, but are still usable and save money, especially if you buy those little green things to wash. I make the Swiffer covers with cotton yarn, and it is washable as well. I haven't used the one I have for as long as the scrubbies, but it is going on a month and is still in good shape! Using these will save money, and are good for the environment, since there are less to throw away! I use the sugar and cream cotton yarn for the Swiffer covers, and red heart scrubby yarn for my dish scrubbies. Both are washable and re-usable over and over again. I wash them with towels and line or air dry.
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These are a few of the ways I save money and make some along the way!
I want to sincerely thank
for this opportunity to share on her website as well as mine! My hope is that I have been able to offer some real money-saving ideas for others!
I would love for anyone who is interested to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, as well as check out my etsy shop if you would like!
My contact links are:
Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/Mychanniebug/
Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/channiebug_crochet/
Twitter -
https://twitter.com/Channiebug
Pinterest -
https://www.pinterest.com/mychanniebug/pins/
and my etsy shop: