It is so tempting when you are starting a craft to rush out and buy everything you might possibly need all at once. While this is the easy way, sometimes you need to save money on craft supplies. There are 5 ways to find cheap craft supplies.  You just have to be patient and thorough.
- Thrift stores
Thrift stores often have used pattern books and other how to books. I have bought  basic how to books for knitting, crochet, sewing and other crafts from thrift stores over the years. While 20 year old pattern books might not be what you are looking for if you want to crochet a trendy sweater. They will have basic books with stitches and techniques in them that will help you improve your craft.
This lovely red and white cotton yarn I reclaimed from a sweater from a local thrift store.
2. Friends and Family
Sometimes just putting the word out among friends and relations can help you get some needed supplies. Family and friends are often glad to share craft supplies that they are not going to use as it cleans out their house. The problem can be that it might not be just exactly what you were asking for. The secret is to always accept what they offer with grace and gratitude, even if you don’t like it. People often get buyers remorse and you are helping them out by taking the items off their hands. You don’t have to keep it at your house and they never need to know if you have used it or not. Â If you do use what they donate to you it is always good to show them or tell them what you have made when you finish. Everything from glitter glue, and yarn to canning jars are often sitting around in your friends’ homes. Most of the time hey would love to clean out that craft closet and share the supplies with you.
These hearts were made from some old felt from years ago.
3. Estate Sales
Estate Sales are wonderful places to find older sewing essentials such as buttons, embroidery, knitting and crochet supplies. I am now even seeing scrapbook supplies at Estate Sales but these are still rather rare. The problem with Estate sales is the colors can be old and dated. The threads can be rotten and old. I have found lovely knitting  needles, embroidery kits, crochet hooks, snaps, and sewing notions. Once, I even found some lovely mohair yarn that I used to trim some mittens when the children were young.
4. Garage Sales
You can find anything at a garage sale if you are patient enough. Patience is the key. Garage sale finds often have trendy craft items that were popular 2-3 years ago but the seller decided that the craft was not for them. People often clean out crafting supplies they don’t use when they move or their life changes drastically. I have found everything from vintage knitting needles, new in the box prismacolor pencils to a yard full of 50 gallon storage tubs full of yarn. Books and patterns can also be found.
5. Antique/flea market malls
There  is also 1 other venue that  has craft supplies from time to time. It is our local antique craft mall. The mall is made up of stalls that people can rent and then sell whatever antique/flea market finds they have. One of these stores near my house has someone both selling fabric and yarn. They also have craft books scattered around the different stalls but you do have to hunt for them.
I I found all of my yarn storage baskets from a flea market/ antique mall near my home.
5. Used book stores and the library
Used book stores and the library are overlooked as a source of craft supplies. They often have pattern books and basic crafting books that can help you get started.
You need to keep three things in mind before you buy from these places and I will talk about that in the next blog post.
Talk to you later,
Karen