My Crafty Stash - A Collection of Beautiful Things

 1. Don't be afraid to hoard

 

In this blog post, I want to share with you my latest crafty stash! I’ve been on a bit of a crafting binge lately, and I’ve managed to amass a pretty impressive collection of lovely things. If you’re a crafter, I’m sure you can relate to the feeling of never having enough ‘stuff’ – no matter how much you have, you always feel like you need more.

But, as I was looking through my stash the other day, I realized that I actually have quite a lot of ‘stuff’ – and much of it is really lovely. So, I thought I’d share it with you in case you’re in need of a bit of inspiration.

 

2. The more, the merrier

 

The more the merrier is a mantra I live by when it comes to my crafty stash. I'm always on the lookout for fresh new materials to jazz up my existing collection. I'm always seeking out creative and unique items that will inspire my next crafting adventure.

 

Colorful ribbons, interesting buttons, oodles of fabric, you name it! I'm also a big fan of using recycled items around my home to give them a new purpose. Items like tea tins, mason jars,coffee mugs, and much more can be used in craft projects. Not to mention all of the odds and ends that can be used for the ever popular upcycling projects.

 

One book I turn to for crafting inspiration is 'The Happy Crafter'. This book is full of brilliant ideas and tutorials for refashioning vintage clothes and turning old books, jars, paper, and so much more into stylish projects.

 

Having a crafty stash on hand is like having a magical bag of tricks as a crafter. Whether you're into sewing, painting, papercraft, jewelry making, or any other type of craft, taking some time to gather affordable materials and supplies will definitely help you get your creative juices flowing.

3. Quality over quantity

Quality over quantity is another mantra I live by when it comes to my crafty stash. Sure, it's great to have lots of supplies, but not if the supplies are of low quality. Buying high-quality materials, tools and supplies pays off in the long run because the quality of your projects won’t suffer and you won’t have to repair or replace them over time.

 

I try to invest in my crafty stash and look for good-quality materials rather than the cheapest versions. Quality piece of fabric and yarn, as well as good quality tools, will stand up to wear and tear much better and help me create better projects. Quality materials also mean that the end product of my projects looks top-notch, which is always a plus.

 

When possible, I also try to shop local crafts stores, as they are typically better quality than the material I find at large craft stores and the experience of shopping in your local store adds a nice touch of fun. From time to time, I also visit second hand and thrift stores, for buying vintage pieces that I can use for my projects. Finding vintage finds can be a treasure hunt, and it’s also a great way to help the environment by not buying something new

 

4. Shop local

 

Part of shopping for quality items for your crafty stash is shopping local. It is a great way to support local businesses who may be struggling due to the current pandemic. It also allows you the opportunity to shop in stores that may have materials, tools, and supplies that large craft stores don’t carry. It is also a great way to get to know the owners of the stores and to get good advice.

Whenever possible, I try to shop at locally-owned businesses first. It’s amazing the connections you can make when shopping at a local shop, and even if the owner doesn’t have the exact supplies I need, they are often able to order it in. Shopping local also gives me the opportunity to find one-of-a-kind pieces or unique items such as limited edition prints or fabrics, things I probably wouldn’t find in a large Craft store.

 

Whenever possible, I highly encourage others to shop local and support local businesses. Not only will you get unique pieces, beautiful fabrics, and high-quality tools and supplies, you can also have the experience of getting to know the owners of the store and talking to them about your projects

 

5. Give your collection a home

 

Sourcing unique items to add to your crafty stash is great, but how do you store and organize your collection? This is a key factor in keeping your projects separate and easy to access when you’re ready to work on them again.

 

First, it is important to choose a good storage container. If you’re working on a small-scale project, make sure you keep boxes together on a shelf, or in a small container you can carry around with you.

 

If you’re working on a larger project or several small projects at once, a bigger container is the way to go. A combination of plastic drawers and bins are most helpful. Keep your items well sorted, with separate drawers or bins for fabric, paper, tools, etc. Label each drawer to help you keep track of where everything is.

 

Keep your storage container in a designated space that is easy to maintain and use. It also helps to keep your projects separate, so when you are ready to work on one of them, you can quickly find what you need without disrupting your stash. This will help you keep your creativity flowing, with easy access to all your favourite items.