How do you save money when you craft? That was the question we Killer Hobbies blog sisters posed to each other last week. We intended to bring you a week’s worth of thrifty tips. That quickly changed, as we admitted to each other what we do WITHOUT to spend $$ on our hobbies and pets!
For example, years ago when I first started scrapbooking, there were no LSS’s here. LSS is scrap-speak for Local Scrapbook Store. So as I traveled around the country in my work as a motivational speaker, I’d look up the LSS’s (okay, maybe that should be LSSs without the apostrophe, but it sure looks weird that way!) in whatever area I was scheduled to visit, and I’d plot out how to make it happen. That led to some pretty weird situations. In Las Vegas, I took a taxi to a rubber stamping/papercrafting store. I spent a lovely couple of hours wandering around, buying stuff, and learning new techniques. But…I couldn’t get a taxi to take me BACK to my hotel. Seems they all wanted to stay in the strip. Finally, a customer took pity on me and gave me a ride!
In the Kansas City area, I actually hired a town car to drive me to a suburb so I could shop. Worried by what happened in Las Vegas, I asked in advance how to get back to town. The driver was a sweet older man. He shook his head at my dilemma, told me I might as well plan on walking, and then, he decided to wait for me while I did my shopping! He took his lunch break, loaded me and my purchases up like a dutiful “husband” and drove me back into town. I spent $70 on the ride, an amount I still recall because it was about equal to my purchases. I loaded up on punches, because they had a great selection. At the airport, security demanded to see all the metal I was carrying in my backpack. They'd never seen punches, so I wound up punching little baseball players out of my ticket to prove none of my stuff was dangerous! One security guard called over the other, and before I knew it, I was punching out all sorts of shapes for everyone in the airport!
I’ve decided to go without outfits in order to pack craft supplies on vacation. I’ve carried backpacks filled with heavy supplies rather than do without. Last week at the Great American Scrapbook Convention, I bought two absolutely charming rubber stamps from my dear friend Judith. Check her stuff out at www.stampsbyjudith.com The last thing I need as we pare down to move to Washington D.C. is more stamps, but I couldn’t resist. I bought her lovely rendition of a coffee mug and a water bucket. She specializes in stamps that work together so you can create your own charming scenes.
Yesterday, while at For Keepssake Scrapbook Super Store, I bought a canister of antique-looking Prima flowers. Like I need that! But I do want to work on my heritage albums and they were too cute to pass up. I did take a pass on the die cut chipboard album in the shape of the state of Missouri. Luckily, I need to make another trip to For Keepssake, so I have a grand excuse to buy the album.
No doubt about it, this is an addiction, this crafting bug. But in a world of really bad habits that are life-threatening or annoying to others, this is an addiction I whole-heartedly endorse!
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10 comments:
The idea that I might actually SAVE money as I knit, needlepoint, cross-stitch and crochet made me laugh. A lot. I will buy coned yarn sometimes, which is pretty economical, but I'll also buy the gorgeous handspun that I have to save up for. And I'm a total sucker for cross-stitch charts or needlepoint canvases. Not much economy there. As someone, possibly Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, pointed out, hour for hour, it's cheaper than movie tickets. You seldom stash movie tickets, though, do you?
Julie with a big stash. I love that. You and me both, girlfriend. Crafting is also cheaper than therapy!
I'm so relieved to hear Joanna's cab stories -- I thought I was the only one :=)) I'll save mine for tomorrow's blog.
Are Camille and I the only folks who'd go this far for a craft fix? Hmmm?
you are so funny....when on vacation I don't buy anything except for scrap goodies..besides I tell my hubby that I don't smoke or do drugs so look at all the money I am saving in the long run!!!!that's my story and I am sticking to it.
Okay, so yesterday at the scrapbook store where I did a booksigning there were all these bags behind the counter. They all belonged to one woman. She didn't want her husband to know what all she bought so she's planning to bring them home one bag at a time. How funny is THAT?
At our local crafts store there's a sign that says: Your husband called. He says to spend as much as you want!
And Bettyann I use that same line -- all the money I save on cosmetics and liquor, let alone drugs and smokes, gives me a lot of discretionary spending. Or so I claim!
I'm with Camille. I picked up on the town car ride. It's so nice to know I'm not the only one to do something like that.
Okay, look, if we're ever in the same town, how about we split the fare, ladies? In fact, how'd we manage to make it through Malice without a craft store visit?
And Camille, I saw this bumpersticker on my way back from dropping my husband off at the airport: "Still ticked off at Yoko."
Anybody who's gonna be in Indy, let me know! We can do the craft tour of Indy and environs! Let me know if you'll be here, and I'll email you. (PS: I have a BIG SUV; we can pack a ton of stuff in there!)
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