If you are anything like I used to be, then you probably have a whole cupboard full of craft items that you aren’t using because ‘they just don’t match anything you’re working on’.
- Buy for your current project
When I first started crafting, whether it was scrapbooking, mosaic’ing, painting, etc. I went mad when I bought crafting stuff. I just bought whatever I took a liking to. The problem with that is that you end up with a lot of stock that you don’t use. I still have stuff from years ago.
My advice? Work out what you want to do with your project and how you want it to turn out and purchase only for the project you are working on. If you don’t know what you want to do, then make sure to stand in the shop and choose some elements and make sure they go together before buying.
- Look for the best prices
As a creative person, you tend to be in a hurry to start a project and end up buying from anywhere, even if the place is horribly expensive. This will then mean that your hobby is going to be an expensive one, but it doesn’t have to be. There are places out there that are cheaper than others, you just need to shop around.
Let me give you an example, but I won’t mention shop names…I wanted to buy Modge Podge for Glass and I had a look at one shop where I knew I would find it. This shop wanted R180 per bottle. I then went to a stationery shop that also had craft items and they were selling it for R280 per bottle. I then went to look at an Art shop and they were selling it for R80 per bottle. All three were the same products. The price differences are quite shocking.
- Make sure you have the right equipment before you start
The most frustrating thing in the world is if you start your project and can’t continue because you don’t have the right equipment. You then want to throw a tantrum. So, my advice would be that you make sure you have all your equipment ready beforehand.
If you are just starting with a craft and you are not sure what equipment you need, then you should do your research online or in craft books and see what you need to start off with.
The same concept goes for the products that you using, but sometimes, something will finish and you can’t really help that all the time because you might use more than what you thought you would.
- Plan your project up front
This is especially for newbies. You need to plan what you want to do, maybe draw some pictures and write down what you are aiming for. This will help you stay focused on your end product and not be swayed and then end up with a half-finished product because you are now lost and not sure where to go from there.
Remember, this will not mess with your creative vibe because you have to be creative to do your planning as well.
- Don’t be scared to try something
This is probably the best advice I can give you…don’t be scared to try something that you haven’t done before. You may think that it’s not going to look the way you want it to or you don’t have the talent, but how would you know that, if you haven’t even tried yet?
In all honestly, it probably won’t even turn out a disaster even if it didn’t go as planned because sometimes those projects look even better. So, don’t be scared to step out and try because it may cost money and yes, you may lose that money…but what if you don’t? What if it’s stunning? If you don’t start, you’ll never know.
Well, I hope these tips have helped you a little. That’s it from me today.
As usual, if you’d like to place your order for anything, please complete the form on my ‘Contact me’ page. I would also love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below.
Keep your crystal on and your sparkle strong
Ondeane Lourens 