I've always been a crafty person. No, not in the scheming deceitful way, but in the creative make-something-out-of-whatever-I-can, collection-of-toilet-paper-rolls type of way.
Crafting can save you A LOT mulah, and if you get it right (which isn't as hard as you might think!) you will be a smiling loon at the end of the day when your masterpiece is ready for use. Depending on what you make, DIY doesn't have to take very long either, so if you use the excuse that you "don't have time," you are dead wrong! Nice try, slick.
And, to make things even more awesome, DIY is incredibly environmentally friendly if you do it in the right way. You can re-use almost anything and make it beautiful and use it yourself, gift it or even sell it and make money!
Craft can save you money in so many places! These include:
- Storage, you can make beautiful storage containers out of old jars, decorated boxes or containers and even old wood and furniture, if you are so bold as to attempt some woodworking.
- Gifts! Gifts are one of the best things to make yourself. The list is endless: jewellery, cookies, beanies, cushions, cake stands, skirts, make-up holders, and so on. The fact that you have put the time aside to make something for your friend makes it all the more special.
- Pretty much anywhere, really. Almost everything you use daily you can make yourself: clothes (which I really hope you use regularly..), jewellery, bedding, laptop sleeves, notebooks, shampoo and conditioner, candles, curtains, scarves and so on, and on and on and on. In most cases when you make something yourself, especially things like shampoo, they are better for your health.
And if you want to get really thrifty, pretty much any supplies you need for craft can be found at any op shop! Save your more typical supplies like glue. Some of the things I regularly buy myself from the thrift store are wool (at about 50 cents a ball!), fabric, buttons, vintage wrapping papers (as craft paper), jewellery to use for beads, jars, boxes, baskets, sewing patterns, ribbon, lace, the list goes on.
Your Kit:
If you want to get crafting, for simple projects such as clothes or perking up items, like this lamp that I did a few months back, you are going to need a simple kit. Most of these things you can pick up at either your local supermarket, op shop of craft store. So, you will need:- Two pairs of scissors. Fabric scissors and normal scissors. You do NOT want to use fabric scissors on paper, as you will blunt them and scream angrily every time you try to cut fabric with them for the rest of eternity.
- Glue. Depending on what you want to do you will want different types, but for starters all you will need is PVA, and an all purpose glue (Uhu all purpose glue is great, and affordable), and a basic glue stick.
- A needle
- Pins
- Cotton
- Measuring tape and a ruler
- A pen
- A collection of fabrics, beads, rhinestones, trimmings, and whatever else takes your fancy!
If you're a busy person, I would recommend craft books, I have a few, mostly given to me by my boyfriend of his lovely mother (thanks guys!). If you don't want to spend your money on those, just spend five minutes here and there looking at tutorials on the internet and saving the ones that you like to a file in your favourites or on your computer for you to check out later when you need to make a gift or something. YouTube is AH-MAZING for tutorials.
There are so many things out there you can craft up. If you find a cupboard you like at a thrift store but the colour doesn't suit your décor, grab some sandpaper and paint and do it up! Make some pretty labels for jars and spray paint the lids to keep your flour, herbs, and sugar in. Cut up the clothes you don't like anymore for fabric, or make a dress in to a skirt. Once you've got your basic crafty skills down-pat, start looking at more complex ones to learn and even specialise in! I've taught myself crochet, felting, drawing, painting, and sewing amongst other things, and I'm looking at learning cross stitch and embroidery when I'm well enough!
Just a few of the things I have made for gifts and for myself include a crochet blanket, crochet collars, pendants, beanies, doilies, high-waisted shorts and skirts, flowers and heaps more.
All you need is a few tools and an open mind.
One thing I really recommend is when you really want something, anything, first ask yourself how much you want it and how much you actually need it.
Then sit down and think. Is it possible for me to make this thing, so I don't have to buy it? Do I have anything I can use instead?
If it's possible for you to make it, do it! Because you can make it your own, and it will save you money. If there is something you have that you can use instead, then: You. Don't. Need. It.
However if you desperately want it, and don't need it, but can make it yourself, knock yourself out! I didn't need these high-waisted shorts, but I sure wanted them! Nothing could keep me from making them, not even this chronic fatigue. And they cost me under three dollars! Under two, even.
So you see, craft is fun, and it is money saving. So why not?
Happy crafting!
Email me at annabelle_1995@hotmail.com.au if ye want any advice, if you have questions, or if you just want to chat!
Also, check out our Facebook page and like it, if you like! It will keep you updated and smiling.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/TeaSymphony/413282935422189
Love love love love love!
Annabelle.
<3
xxx
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