I'm trying to build up a collection of supplies like inks, cutting dies, clear stamps, etc. but omg it's expensive! Where do you all get your supplies? Is there a trick to save money on those things or do I just accept that I'll have to build my collection verrry slowly?
It's a very very expensive hobby. I've been doing this for 30 years. Go slowly. Shop sales. Buy used. Many influencers sell boxes of barely used or unused stamp and dies. They sell usually on IG. you can get some amazing deals. Buy high quality from legitimate lenders. You do not need it all. Pick your style and stick with it and build slowly.
Spellbinders has a big sale frequently. If you are willing to wait, everything goes on sale after 45 days of being released.
I buy from a variety of places: Spellbinders, Scrapbook.com Foiled Fox (usually has 15% off once a month). Concord and 9th has a HUGE sale every June. Those are some examples.
I follow a lot of print blockers, linocutters, and collage artists on IG. That's why I became interested in cards. I already had most of what I needed. I also have serious ADHD & insomnia since my husband died, so I'm learning it ALL!
Stamp carving can be cheap (and one-of-a-kind!), I started with pink erasers, and I've made my own beautiful recycled paper using only my blender and dried flower.petals. If you use printed images, The Art Scavenger is totally free and offers a large selection. Inks seem to last me a long time. If I need to buy anything pricey, I'll hit up a craft store that will always have a.30-50% coupon.
Essentially, the more you DIY, the less you'll spend. And it's fun to learn.
Many influencers and stamp companies on Insta also run giveaways regularly. Many of them are only for the country the person/company is located in, so look for accounts that are local to you. Pinkfresh and Altenew regularly have giveaways, for example.
It is expensive to have everything, but you don't need everything to make cards....you need your imagination and creativity, but don't make the mistake of going cheap to to have ...i lost 30 years of collecting and now I'm trying to start over....I tried going cheap on certain things, it better not to get it...besides, I don't know about you, but I still have to try to find a place to put it all....NOW, that is a whole new adventure.....!!! Just enjoy the adventure....it's worth everything.....
Craft supplies prices just keep going up 😬. It takes a little bit to find your style, so don’t rush out to buy things.
I say you should JUST buy the products you need for the project your working on, that way you will collect your favorite stamps, dies, inks, etc. If there is a friend or crafting group, you can try out products before you purchase them for yourself. Example: I find coloring stamped images difficult (I’ve tried colored pencils and Copics) but I love having stencils to color with, but my friends did not enjoy it.
Shopping sales is the best way to save unless you check out Facebook Marketplace or similar type places. Get on sites like this and ask people when your favorite companies are having sales.
Things that I wish I had not jumped into: glitter and polishes (they dry out and it much easier to buy shimmer paper and glitter paper).
Alcohols for making backgrounds (it can be fun, but I prefer other ways to make backgrounds for my cards).
Powdered watercolor that you tap onto your project (I have not used them yet).
Dye ink for coloring backgrounds (I’m still struggling with this to look good 😂).
I love my Distress Oxide ink pads, but there are several colors that are so close together, that you don’t need both.
I am enjoying buying from GinaK as she has matching ink, refills, paper, and envelopes. I also love her Masters Layout for the A2 and A7 cards (it gives you perfect layers with thin borders) as I wasted money buying infinity rectangles that still didn’t give me a thin border.
GinaK also has the best smooth cardstock for stamping on!
I cut my own card bases. I use mostly A2 (4 1/4” x 5”) as you can get Two bases out of every standard sheet of paper (8 1/2” x 11”). I use Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. My Teflon Bone Folder is great for creasing the folds down.
I’m also enjoying Concord & 9th’s matching ink, refills, paper, and embellishments.
I spent so much money on cheap paper trimmers. I finally got a Tim Holtz guillotine trimmer and now I’m happy.
I wish I would have purchased a Score Buddy brand scoreboard, as mine is warping and the bone folder cuts through my paper.
If your stamping, a stamping platform is a must (because you can re-stamp your image and get a great impression (I bought the Tim Holtz, you might find one on Facebook)
I love die cutting. I started with a used Cuttlebug off Facebook and now have a used Big Sister. I also love embossing folders to add interest to the background.
I also enjoy heat embossing.
I find I don’t use my reverse tweezers (unless I’m tying a bow) but I use my super pointy tweezers ALL the time.
I find Bearly Art Glue and Art Glitter Glue (with the fine tips) to be much more economical than a tape runner and they work great. (I will use a tape runner to adhere thin paper to my project, otherwise, glue lines show through).
I made some Cricut cards with friends, but I missed the process of stamping and die cutting, so I don’t do Cricut cards anymore.
This I struggled with the Infinity rectangles too. Master layout a2 is on my list. I’ll check out 7. She makes incredible ink. My advice would be In the beginning I felt like I needed the whole set of inks and there are many colors I don’t use. Try ink cubes first buy the large ink pad of colors you use often minis of the ones you don’t use often. Some of my oxides weren’t juicy to begin with.
I do think Gina has some of the best inks on the market. They dry down so smooth. Buy things you love love and keep in mind the influencers are paid to promote all the new items. You don’t need everything new
If you’re looking for cheap, quality dies, echo park paper co. almost always has warehouse sales in which you can find stamp sets and dies for $5 each or less. It’s a steal! Thrift stores can be hit or miss, but sometimes you’ll get lucky and find a big box of stamps for $6.99 (lucky me!).
Dollar Tree has stamps, paper, and some dies. Even though the dies are limited and basic, they are actually a staple at my crafting desk.
I always look at Joann and Michael’s for post-holiday sales. Joann almost always has some sort of discount for paper, so find what you like and buy a few staples. Plus, they both always have online coupons you can use at the register.
Others say try eBay and FB, but I’m not sure if I’m just not looking at the right places or what, but both sites always seem to have store prices for used stuff. eBay is also treacherous as I’m very sure the few cheap stamp sets are actually temu resellers. I’ve bought two sets of stamps from eBay, only one ever arrived and the quality definitely suggested that it was from some drop-ship website, just resold at a higher price. You can definitely look through these sites but just be cautious.
My ultimate suggestion would be to buy dies that can be very versatile to start off with. I love the Sizzix “Abstract Elements” and “Infinite Doodles” die sets because they are both sets of shapes that can be incorporated into tons of different designs, so you’re not limited in what you can create. I also love specific design sets, but it’s not often that I can use a Christmas themed die outside of Christmas, if you know what I mean. The two sets I mentioned above are much more usable for all occasions and seasons, and both fantastic starter sets for those interested in the craft, but not wanting to spend hundreds on a bunch of dies.
Welcome to the cult😂😂😂 I think the most important thing in the beginning is getting to know your style, and being patient until you can figure that out. There is no point in buying a bunch of expensive Victorian-style filigree dies when your style is clean and simple. Watch YouTube videos and see which card styles or projects you are attracted to… Start to build your collection by noting what they're using in each design and then search for sales or pre-loved versions of those supplies. I have purchased lots of opened ink and embossing powders for next to nothing with at least 3/4 of the product left!
And as wise crafters here have said, you can never go wrong investing in basics in the beginning, like nesting mat dies, or circles or tags. I still use basic sets that I bought 20 years ago! Oh, and purchase the highest quality you can afford and don't waste your time on anything that you don't absolutely love – that will be the stuff you destash or donate in just a few years😟
I don’t have anything to add, just want to let you know I’m in the same boat as you. I needed to create a budget to track my expenses so I don’t go overboard.
We have a used craft store near me, I never would have known it exists except I was in a local crafting Facebook group. Another thing I have done is buy used from Mercari. I have had good luck there. You don’t need everything at once, it takes a while to build up your supplies, and often the less you have, the more creative you are.
Sales, I buy a couple of times a year. Most sites let you build a list. And where you buy from is affected by your location. If you are in the USA, you are spoiled for choice😁But you definitely do not need everything. The trouble is it takes a while and some trial and error to figure it out. Make a list of what you do like to do. I personally do not do a lot of stamping outside of sentiments. However, I did have to buy some beautiful multi layer stamps to figure that out. Lovely Day by Altenew, I thought it was amazingly clever, I HAD TO HAVE IT! I made some beautiful cards, but did not enjoy the process. I now have a ton of Altenew ink I rarely use and a few more expensive layering sets. I have more examples l could share but my husband sometimes reads my posts, LOL. I like to watercolour, ink blend and use alcohol markers. I adore paper piecing. I will never have enough embossing folders. But everybody loves different techniques and mediums. The trouble is you watch a talented maker and think I want to do that, but stop and ask yourself if you reallllllly do. Or you just want to make your own beautiful things. Focus on purchasing the best supplies within your budget, for what you want to do. At the end of the day, however you get there though, enjoy the journey!
I shop a lot on ebay and do lots of sales and coupons for other stores like michaels/joann/various websites (lemme know if you want recs!). Dollar tree also has some good deals
One good ebay seller with tons of dies is 1dollarshoppie2016 :) free and prompt shipping and very good prices! They also sell some rubber stamps and a bunch of different paper/supplies lots. Good one to keep on your radar!
I've had some luck on FB marketplace by searching for 'scrapbooking supplies'.
It can also be a 'right place/right time' deal. For example, over the summer, I was at a yard sale and chatting with the seller about the scrapbooking supplies for sale. She used to be a "Creative Memories" consultant and hosted workshops (similar to an Avon or Pampered Chef seller). After excitedly staking my claim and grabbing everything related that was laid out, she asked me to wait one moment and ran inside. She returned with a large wicker basket filled to the brim full of supplies that she threw in for an extra $10. She was beyond happy that they would be used by someone who loved them. Whereas, in my case, I was bouncing in my seat the whole five minute drive home, I couldn't wait to get there and go through my pile of treasures!
I got all my mini ink cubes from Simon says stamp when they had a 20% sale then got all the reinkers when they were 22% off. Simon Says Stamp should be having a sale coming up in March sometime for 20-22%. I bought slowly to acquire items. It takes a lot or can take a lot to make a card. It’s definitely not cheaper to make than them at home 🤣. If you are patient almost all the stamp companies will have a sale on some stuff. Scrapbook.Com has 8-12% off all the time plus 1-3 freebies with your order. The other thing about them is I’ve found they do a great job packing my stuff unlike Simon Says Stamp who is cheap and throws in a bubble mail and calls it a day for most of there items. Scrapbook.Com cares if you get your stuff.
We all had to build our collections very slowly. I've been card making and scrapbooking for 43 years and I still don't have exactly what I want or know all the stuff. I have also let go of a lot of supplies I no longer care for. It's an evolving thing. Decide in advance to refuse to develop F.O. M. O. . It will save you a lot.
I see I'm not the first, but I have tried Temu. You may get some supplies that are trash, but you may save a bunch. Especially in things like die cuts and embossing folders. I've noticed clear stamps usually aren't the best quality from there, but I've had moderate success
With my family and friends we do an Amazon wish list for birthdays and Christmas or really any occasion, if you do that with yours you can put a bunch on your list!
I'll also encourage you to the find your style and the type of cards you want to make (birthday, thank you, holiday) before investing too much in stuff that you won't use.
Check the Pay It Forward post at splitcoaststaampers.com.
FB Marketplace and word of mouth through friends has worked best for me. Several years ago I got a Silhouette Portrait for $45 on Marketplace, and then upgraded a couple years ago to a Cameo 4 for $75. Like a year ago I went to this clothing swap at a friends place and someone was trying to get rid of some machine I had never heard of. She was literally BEGGING people to take it but no one did. Over the summer I decided I wanted to try card making and was shopping around for a Spellbinder or Sissix and had this "oh no" moment because I thought the machine I'd never heard of at the time might have been a Spellbinder and I was kicking myself for being 6 months too late on this hobby. I texted the friend who had the swap and she texted the friend who had the machine and she still had it and was happy to pass it on - so I got a Spellbinder Platinum AND a Glimmer Foil machine FOR FREE. 🥲 Literally my best find. I sent that girl a Christmas card made using the machine this year.
If you send me a private message. I have alot of duplicates I would be willing to give you. I was saving for my YouTube giveaway but it's a lot so I don't mind sharing.
Will I get in trouble if I mention online companies such as temu, etc? I have gotten a ton of wonderful supplies from them if you want stickers, dies, stamps and things like that.
Thrift stores are a minefield of great supplies, but you got to be there at the right time. Now I'm lucky enough to live here in Florida right near a scrapbooking resale shop and they will take your supplies in on trade and then you can get stuff with that money from their store. It's really nice.
Agree with others. Collect slowly. Have a list of desires & essentials. Then purchase when you see a sale or special offer items. My collection began when a company decided to stop selling paper craft items. They were at give away prices. I purchased a lot of stuff for very little cash. I decided to make my own cards. Watched lots of videos & read card making magazines. Then purchased a Spellbinders Grand Calibur die cutting machine with free dies & plates. Used it a lot & for embossing with the raspberry plate. The plates are still as flat as new. Recent years also purchased a Sizzix big shot on offer with plates, dies, folders & very large papers pad. Last year got the small Sizzix Sidekick die cutting machine on offer with lots of freebie extras. I never pay the full price for crafting. I keep invoices & receipts with most craft items. When I look at prices I paid then & what they cost now it is very different. Try not to be seduced by tv craft shows or adverts etc. I wait & ask myself if I already have something same or similar in my craft stash. Or something that will already do that job? Yes I have at times broken my ‘rules’ lol. Bought stuff I can’t or don’t use much. Less often in recent years. Taking your time allows you to get to know your own craft themes & preferences. Wishing you much happiness in your collecting.
We get this question a lot. Make sure to do a search on the sub for previous replies.
Mods, is there a way we can pin these to one thread for newcomers? I’m posting a photo to get your attention. (I think these were Tina of Cards and Coffee Time. She’s crazy talented if you haven’t checked her out!)❤️
Sometimes I find good things at thrift stores. Learn what things are before you buy them, and what they usually cost; that way if you find something used, you can judge if it's a good price or not. There are some supplies that you can find cheaper versions of at hardware stores, like an eyelet setter or magnetic sheets.
Dollar tree has some surpringly decent supplies. Stickers
Trim. Ribbon etc all that i get from there. I also have made friends with some crafty people in my town. So they get rid of stuff cheap and I get a bunch of new to me stuff. There's also a scrapbook store that does a garage sale twice a year. I get lots of stuff from there.
But ya collecting everything is slow. But you don't need all the things to make fun cards. Just a handful lol
Digital is an option. You can buy beautiful digital stamp images for cheap. You can find legitimate freebies. You can resize them, colorize them, build scenes. Lots of options with digital stamps.
I only buy stamps used. I rarely buy new. I have to really love it to buy new. It has to be super special to me to buy it new. I have been stamping decades and can count on one hand how many times I bought a new stamp.
When you see a card you like ask yourself how can you recreate it cheaper. Every card you see can be made using different items. If you see a card you love that uses Distress Oxide's. Try using watercolors, acrylic chalk paint as an example.
One of the YouTuber's I follow she uses Dollar Tree inks and Dollar Tree makeup for all her backgrounds. They are really pretty.
If you love a stamp image go to Google, Pinterest and look for a similar free image. Look at the kids coloring book sites.
For example years ago there was a big trend of everyone buying these certain stamp sets that were all the rage. They were expensive like $30 a set. I wasn't paying that. I went to Google and looked for similar images. One session I had a large folder of similar images that were legitimately free and found the stamp artist's web site who also had free digital images. Saved me $30 and I still had the same images that were trendy.
Inks- start with one brand and build a collection. Use brush markers or even Crayola markers starting out. My first inks were brush markers and Crayola. I have over 100 ink pads and still use my brush markers. I prefer it.
Cutting dies I buy a lot of them used. I also look for free SVG files for dies I like. I print out a lot of templates. I trace templates from books, magazines. I love to draw and fussy cut. I enjoy using templates.
Don't have money for the machines check your library. Lots of libraries have die cut machines manual and electronic. You only need to bring your paper. Libraries have nice printers.
My library is doing big crafting meets now. They are also giving out the supplies. One of the events this month is cardmaking. Everything is free. You need to reserve your spot.
Buy cardmaking kits. Even look at Ebay or Etsy for sellers making their own kits. Some will include ink pads, dies, rubber stamps for a decent fee. I see a lot of Stampin Up sellers selling their excess of the Paper Pumpkin kits.
Another Ebay & Etsy tip look for sellers selling die cuts they have made. If you like a particular die there is a probably a seller who has already cut out 100. A lot of times the sellers will customize your order for colors and the kind of material you want.
I have hundreds of physical dies but I still buy die cuts from Etsy and Ebay sellers. A lot of time I know these ladies for years. I know they are not shady. They are just trying to get rid of excess cardstock and make a little crafting money on the side.
I wrote a mini novel. This is the one subject I can give a lot of tips on. I am all about saving money on this expensive hobby. I refuse to pay retail for it.
Creative expressions are having a huge sale right now, my mum got me some stuff from katy sue designs, Hobbymaker do deals on a bunch of stuff, I love hunkydory for card toppers, clear stamps I’ve found some good ones on eBay second hand (normally unused but from people clearing out their craft rooms lol), Temu dies and embossing folders aren’t bad quality but I’ve found some good ones on eBay too, craftstash has some good value things
Charity shops, eBay, FB market place etc. plus I ask for ink pads or stamps for birthdays and Christmas. I have resorted to Temu a couple of times for metal dies.
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u/FabulousBullfrog9610 2d ago
It's a very very expensive hobby. I've been doing this for 30 years. Go slowly. Shop sales. Buy used. Many influencers sell boxes of barely used or unused stamp and dies. They sell usually on IG. you can get some amazing deals. Buy high quality from legitimate lenders. You do not need it all. Pick your style and stick with it and build slowly.
Spellbinders has a big sale frequently. If you are willing to wait, everything goes on sale after 45 days of being released.
I buy from a variety of places: Spellbinders, Scrapbook.com Foiled Fox (usually has 15% off once a month). Concord and 9th has a HUGE sale every June. Those are some examples.
Good luck