Crafting--A Frugal Pastime

Article by: Cyndi Roberts

Crafting is a part of most frugal people's lives. In today's busy world, crafting not only offers a way to exercise our creativity, it is a constructive way to wind down--a way to use leisure time to its greatest advantage.

If we're not careful, though, any hobby can become a drain on finances, instead of a boon!

The best way to keep this from happening, is to find a craft , Start Your Plants From Seeds that is frugal by nature. , Start Your Plants From Seeds One that uses up what you already have or recycles things you would otherwise throw away. For example, making a quilt from scraps of your old jeans or your husband's shirts.

Any craft , Easter Lilies, and the Number One Gardening Question Right Now can be made more frugal by learning to modify projects to fit supplies you have on hand. For example, if your project says to use "wiggly eyes" and it's a painting , Winter Gardening Tips project, learn to paint , How to Grow Snow Peas eyes on instead. If it's a sewing project, French knots can be substituted for eyes sometimes, or use buttons.

Always be on the lookout for supplies, even in unusual places. , A guide to popular bulbs Train yourself , Housing preservation grants to look at an object and see what it could be used for that might not be its original purpose.

Look closely at garage , Home Inspection or Home Warranty? and yard , Japanese Garden Design: The Practical Use of Stones and Boulders sales for crafting supplies. Some things I have found are lots of yarn for crocheting and plastic , A Beginners Guide To Garden Bridges canvas, plastic , Easter Lilies, and the Number One Gardening Question Right Now canvas kits, acrylic paint, , Something old, something new felt pieces, polyester fiberfill, quilting pieces. Even crafting magazines can often be bought for pennies apiece. Watch for old clothing that can be salvaged for the fabric or fancy buttons.

If you are a decorative painter and love to paint , Introduction to bonsai tree growing: an overview on wood, , Decorating Color Schemes check with your local , Growing White Pine Trees In The Yardley Pa. Area lumberyard for scraps of wood. , A Beginners Guide To Garden Bridges They might could put you in touch with area carpenters who would have scraps they would be willing to part with for next to nothing.

Learn to mix your own paint , Winter Gardening Tips colors. Old 35mm film containers are great for mixing small amounts of paint. , How to Control Deer in Your Garden

Share or swap supplies with a friend.

Be sure to be organized. All the bargains in the world are worth nothing if you can't find what you need when you need it! Find a place , Tips For Growing Acid Loving Plants in North East Pa. to keep all your supplies. Creatively use baskets, tins and plastic , Kitchen Design ï¿½ Understanding the Work Triangle and Kitch bins--all of which you can find at garage , Small Leaks Can Become a Big Drain on Your Wallet sales for pennies!

Hobbies can be lots of fun, and even more so when you know you haven't "busted the budget" buying supplies!

About the Author: Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, , How A Light Bulb Works and Other Interesting Tidbits articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill". Source: www.isnare.com

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