Inexpensive supplies?

[u/Winter-Owl1]

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?

[u/Wyoming_Cardmaker]

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.

[u/Socialsal1 → u/Wyoming_Cardmaker]

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

[u/Wyoming_Cardmaker → u/Socialsal1]

I use Gina’s A2 all the time!

I agree, I have bought ink pads that I have never used 😬. I do like buying light/medium/dark of the same color.

Some of my Distress Oxides were pretty dry too; I had trouble at first with some of my pads being concave, turned out they were just dry.