Set Up A Craft Closet On A Budget

What's Up?

Enjoy doing crafts, and creating gifts for your friends, parents, and grandparents but don't have a lot of money? Try these tips below to help set up a beginners supply cabinet.

Idea

Home made cards, gifts, and projects can be fun to create.  However, it takes supplies and creativity to create the unique and fun. Use the tips below to help you gather the supplies you need to get started.

How Does It Help?

Environment

Many crafts and gifts can be made at least partially with reused products.  The EPA states that an average American creates 4.6 pounds of trash per day.  By focusing on reusing products you can reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills.

By reducing waste you also are conserving natural resources and reducing pollution that can be harmful to the environment.

Monetarily

If you make crafts with reused products many of them are free, or can be purchased at a minimal price.  This can help reduce the cost of crafting.

Basic Supplies

Here is a list of some basic supplies for a craft closet.

  • Scissors (All types and shapes.  The fun edge scissors can add a lot of pizazz for a little bit of money.)
  • Glue (All types: White, Wood, Household Cement, Glue Sticks, Glue Gun)
  • Paper (White, Colored, Card Stock, Envelopes, Cardboard)
  • Pens, Markers, Colored Pencils, Highlighters
  • Paint (Finger or Non-Toxic), Brushes
  • Containers (Cans, Boxes, Egg Cartons, Glass Bottles)
  • Fabric
  • Miscellaneous (Buttons, Ribbon, Yarn, Beads, Silk Flowers, Stickers, Wood Scraps)

Parent(s)

Your child will need help with this activity, depending on their age and skill level.

Safety Tips

Permission

Please get your parent(s) permission prior to starting this project.

Scissors

Scissors are sharp with cutting edges.  They should be used with care whenever touching or handling them.

Sewing Machines or Needles

Sewing machine needles or regular needles are sharp and should be used with care whenever touching or handling.

Shopping Tips

Reused Products

There are many options to finding reused product for the craft closet.  Go through your local yellow pages and see what possibilities there might be for you.

  • Garage Sales Garage sales can be a great source of almost anything.  Many of the items needed can be found over a period of time.  Be creative when you are looking at the items for sale.  Many times a 25 cent item can be made into something cool or just be fun to decorate for an hour.  Do not forget to look in the free boxes people put out.  Some real treasures might lurk in there like silk flowers, paint brushes, wood pieces, etc.
  • Thrift Stores Thrift stores carry unique things.  Peruse your local one to see what they might offer.  Also many thrift stores have bargain tables which can be a great source for silk scarves, fabric, or buttons.
  • Own Trash Look before you throw something out.  Egg cartons, boxes, bottles, cards, or envelopes can be cut up or used to make something.  Christmas cards are a great source for other projects.  Also use the buttons and the fabric from a torn piece of clothing you were going to throw away.
  • Lumber Yard or Wood Working Shop Lumber yards usually have wood scraps which they will give away for free.  They are unique shapes and sizes and make cool things.
  • Print Shop, Interior Design Store or Hand Craft Store Many of these stores might have paper, fabric scraps, flower pieces, etc..  They probably get thrown away, so stop by and reuse them.

New Products

  • Discount Stores Many discount stores like Walmart, Target, KMart carry a limited selection of craft supplies.  They can be a great source for scissors, glue, paper, etc.
  • Craft Stores They will have a wider selection of product.  Look for sales to get better pricing.
  • Fabric Stores or Outlet A great source for fabric ends, or bins of buttons.  Some fabric stores offer a set price for a container of buttons.