It wasn’t until I was doing projects eight days a week that I really started looking for project materials in unusual places. Here are my tips for finding cheap craft supplies (that don’t come from craft stores).
Clearance and As-is
Check the clearance or as-is sections of every store you go to. This has to be my best tip. I’m not just talking craft stores; I’m talking places like Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, hardware stores — anywhere! Discount stores like Home Goods or T.J. Maxx are especially good for this. Nicked, broken, re-packaged or in pieces, you can usually find something that needs a little love for a huge discount. For example, I have found big picture frames for less than a dollar and fabric (in the form of sets of sheets and duvet covers) for less than $2, which is way less than a dollar a yard.
Oops Paint
“Oops” paint, or paint that has been mis-tinted, is a great value. Sure, you can pick up quarts and gallons for just a few dollars, but now that small eight-ounce paint samples are available at most paint counters/stores, there are also mis-tinted samples usually available. You will find these sitting out at the paint counter, the price marked on the top of the can. At Lowe’s, I have found samples for 50 cents or $1 often.
In addition to using this paint for little projects, eight ounces is often enough to paint a small piece of furniture like a nightstand or an end table. You can even mix two together to create more of a single color. Mostly these samples are in non-glossy finishes, so if you are using them on furniture, you will have to clear coat with a spray or polyurethane.
Craft kits
If you happen to find craft kits marked down, don’t pass them by even if they are projects you would never dream of making. This may be obvious, but craft kits can be dismantled! You don’t have to make what the kit suggests; you can use the materials for other things.
Dollar store (or dollar sections)
The dollar store is a great place to find cheap items for crafting. They often have a stock of true craft supplies, but if you can also find a many items not necessarily intended for crafts that can be repurposed. (Dollar Store Crafts is a great blog with tons of ideas.)
Thrift stores / yard sales / flea markets
You can almost always find second-hand items that need refreshing. And making things from vintage items will ensure your end products are unique.
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For more tips, check out:
How to score a great deal on craft supplies (at craft stores)
