I need to see things in person or I start making bad decisions. That’s just who I am. I don’t want to come off as impulsive, but there’s something about craft supplies that’s just fun to be around. It’s easy to buy one more container of glitter because it’s a color I don’t have, or tiny bows just because they’re cute.
As a result of those small impulse purchases and buying too much of the wrong supplies, I have a lot in my craft stash that I haven’t used. As I prepare for the first series I’ve decided to document on this blog, this felt like a good time to share how I actually source now.
How I Start: Making a Supply List
The first thing I do is make a list. Any list. For this upcoming series, I listed out everything I wanted to DIY, which ended up being about five things. I’m treating them as five separate projects.
From there, it naturally turns into a list of supplies. This also helps me see where materials can overlap so I’m not buying the same thing multiple times.
Checking What I Already Have
Then I take inventory of what I already have. This step would probably be faster if I were actually organized, which I’m hoping to fix once I move into my late mother’s house and set up a proper crafting space.
For this series, I realized I already had more than I thought, so I know I’ll be able to save some money.
Going to the Store (Why I Shop In Person)
After that, I go to a craft store. Any craft store. Even if I’m in a bind, I’ll go to Target or Walmart and just stand in the craft aisle.
This helps me visualize things better. I’m not great with sizes, and sometimes texture can make or break what I’m trying to do. Even though I’ve already made a list and checked my inventory, I don’t just buy everything. I usually don’t.
Why I Go to the Hardware Store for Craft Supplies
After the craft store, my next stop is usually the hardware store. When I make decoden whip, I prefer using 100% silicone instead of paper clay or anything premade. The hardware store is a great place to get silicone caulk, spray paint, and other random things I end up needing.
When I Buy Craft Supplies Online
After all of that, I’ll shop online. If something isn’t available locally, or doesn’t really exist in the exact way I want it, I’ll just order it.
For example, sometimes I can’t find the right rhinestone color locally from the supplier I prefer. I’ll use Planet Rhinestone to fill in the gaps. They carry the sizes I use and the pricing is decent.
How I Figure It Out as I Go
I don’t always find what I’m looking for, but I figure it out as I go. I tend to follow what’s available and let that shape the project a little, but there’s still some structure in the background. Without that, it would be really hard to finish anything.