Managing Your Craft Supplies

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One of the best things about fall is that I love to craft. Something about the cooler weather and the holiday festivities just gets me in the mood to make more things. Over the years I have accumulated lots of craft supplies. I have been through periods of rubber stamping, jewelry making, scrapbooking, crocheting, ceramics, embossing and more.

I used to spend as much time collecting supplies that I spent actually doing the crafts. Isn’t it ironic that the items one purchases in a creative move can actually inhibit the creative skills needed to use them?

Several years (0k quite a few years) back I made some changes so that I would not feel so overwhelmed with all of the supplies.

I want to share these tips that helped me spend more time crafting and less time collecting:

Designate a space for supplies

If you are not lucky enough to have a craft room like me, designate a desk or cupboard or closet for craft items. Having a space that you can get to will make it easier to access. If they are stored deep in a closet or garage, they are more likely to stay there unused.

Store like crafts together

Store the supplies in containers by type of craft. By keeping like items together, you can pull out one box/basket with all your materials instead of digging through drawers and closets gathering stuff in preparation. Keep items you use often (like scissors, glue, etc…) in a basket or in a bucket for easy access and transport.

Limit the number of projects

More boxes just means more stuff beckoning at you so keep them at a manageable number. The number will vary depending on space, time, money and craft type. When we go on sites like Pinterest, we want to do all of the projects, but it is not realistic.

Craft supplies are like clothes. We tend to hold on the them thinking we are going to use them one day, but after a year or two, it is not likely. Pick the ones you really want to do and focus on those.

Donate or sell supplies you are not going to use. Schools, daycares and retirement homes will often be glad to take art materials off of your hands.

Schedule crafting time

KIds are not the only people over-scheduled. Parents are too! Schedule time to work on your projects. Call a friend and make a craft date. Or call several friends and make a recurring date and rotate the location. These sessions can be so much fun!

How do you store your craft supplies? What crafts do you love?