Handmade Christmas 2012 {being frugal - not cheap}

 

 

I'm so excited to start the Handmade Christmas 2012 Link Up party tomorrow.  Are you getting your posts picked out and and ready to link up?  I hope so!

 

I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some ideas of being frugal (not cheap) when making these handmade items. 

 

If you don't already have a craft stuff stash it can become really expensive to accumulate crafting supplies.  But it doesn't have to.  Here's some ideas. 

 

{Freecycle}

I love Frecycle.  For those who don't know Freecycle is a yahoo group where people can ask for things they need for free and people who have stuff they want to get rid of can offer it for free.  Most communities have a local group.  What I have seen offered and asked for...

...fabric

...sewing machines

...yarn, knitting and crochet needles

...wood scraps (like from a barn)

...tools (both power and hand tools)

...jars (canning jars are the best - I recently got some vintage blue colored Ball jars)

...furniture

...scrapbook paper

...paint

 

If you know you're going to do a certain craft go ahead and list the supplies you need and see what happens.  You might not get exactly what you want, you might get something better (like my blue canning jars).

 

{thrift stores & garage sales}

Thrift stores and garage sales are great places to find crafting stuff.  In fact, most of our crafting stuff comes from second hand sources.  All of our thrift stores have 1/2 price days at some point in the month.  I can get sheets to use for fabric for about $2 a sheet.  I can get mugs to monogram for under $1 a piece.  If you're not much of a thrift store person become one.  It's a great way to keep things out of our landfills and give items a second chance.

 

{coupons and sales}

Craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michael's have rotating sales on their items and usually a 40% off coupon.   Get to know that cycle.  For instance, I know that Hobby Lobby has their rolls of ribbon and tulle on sale for half price about every other week.  So if I were going to make a tutu for someone I would just wait until the tulle went on sale since I know if it's not on sale this week it most like will be next week. 

 

{get the word out}

Let people know you're interested in a certain craft.  Not in the way of saying "Hey, I want to sew can I have your sewing machine."  But just talking with people who do that craft or used to do the craft will help you gain invaluable knowledge.  A lot of time older people who loved the craft they used to do and are no physically unable to do will hang on to their tools and supplies waiting for the right person to give it to.  My granny did this.  She was an amazing seamstress and when she was no longer able to sew she gave me quite a bit of her sewing patterns and other stuff.  She wanted to make sure the person who got them would use them.

 

{difference between frugal and cheap}

Want to know the difference between being frugal and being cheap?  Attitude. 

 

Frugal says, "I'm wanting this Christmas to be handmade in order to give of myself to those around me.  Handmade is beautiful and a good use of my resources.  When I give handmade it enables me to bless more people" 

 

Cheap say, "I'm wanting this Christmas to be handmade in order to not spend money on people I really don't care about but feel obligated to give them a gift.  So I'm going to find the cheapest craft I can and then brag about how little I spent.  I don't really care if they are diabetic they're getting cookies just like everyone else."

 

{on a personal note}

Carl and I have spent 3 of our last 10 Christmases with him being unemployed.  We spent the first 10 Christmases with Carl in school and we lived below the national poverty line.  I know what it means to not have money to spend on people you love during the holidays.  It is tough. 

 

But I learned something wonderful, I can still give gifts to those I love.  I just have to be a little more creative.  And I have to not feel bad about it. 

 

We live in a culture that consumes, and consumes a lot.  But I'm not sure that's really a good thing.  I want our family to give gifts that are meaningful and that people will enjoy.  So whether it's a jar of homemade jam or jelly  for all of my children's AWANA workers (or the garbage pickup guys) or pajamas for my niece and nephews I can feel good about giving them something that no one else can. 

 

A handmade item from our family. 

 

How do you craft on a budget?  Leave your ideas in the comments.