As a recent student, and now substitute teacher, my craft budget is fairly small. Thus, I’ve resorted to many ways to get my supply fix. I particularly like going to a large craft store like Michaels (I’m in Canada) every few weeks and checking out what they’ve got on clearance (and use my 40% off coupon!). This takes some time, but I can usually score a few bargains. Last week, I got some gorgeous bead kits for $5 CDN (regularly $13) and a bunch of glass beads for $3 per set (shown left). Disadvantages: I usually walk out with a lot more stuff than I was expecting to buy, including stuff that wasn't on clearance.
I also went to a “dollar” store. This particular store has things for more than one dollar, but usually things are pretty reasonable. I managed to get acid free stamp pads, bottles of Modge Podge type sealer, coloured crafting wire and a selection of craft knives for $2. Those will make some great pendants. In non-jewellery news, I also found a 10 pack of round magnets for $1. Disadvantages: One problem with these kinds of stores is that you may not be getting a great quality product, which is why I don’t tend to buy pre-made jewellery to take apart. Another problem is that the next time you come back there, that terrific find that you debated getting may be gone with no chance of it ever coming back.
I’m also in love with secondhand stores. It’s so great going to the jewellery section and finding chunky jewellery that screams 1980s at me (in a bad way), taking it apart and using the components for a totally different project. This is also a fantastic place to find cheap knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, fabric and clothes to be remade in my own vision. Disadvantages: Again, the quality may not be there and there’s never a guarantee that what you want will be available, but I think that makes the occasional treasure that much more special.
Hardware stores are another fantastic place to shop, as Marianne showed us in her recent article on industrial bracelets. So far, I’ve found copper and steel wire (including black), interesting looking bits of metal (washers, nuts, bolts), spray paint and sealer, soldering irons, nuts and bolts containers (fabulous for storing beads), fishing line (fine and strong enough for beads), some light chain, pliers and much more. Most of this can be found for significantly less money than the typical craft store, and can supply inspiration as well. Disadvantages: Shopping this way is very DIY. You don’t get a kit with everything included, there aren’t instructions and a lot of things are very basic steel or dull colours. Hardware stores are utilitarian, and this shows in the product, but I consider it to be more like a blank canvas.
Happy hunting!
