I've been thinking all weekend. I know what I need to do. I need to ask hard questions: Do I love this? What will I do with this? How long have I stored this without using it? Do I have a project or a plan to use this? Where will I continue to store this?
If the answer is affirmative, then by all means I want to store the yarn or fabric or beads or paper, but I will try to make a plan for how I plan to use it. I could find a pattern and add it to my upcoming project pile. I could at least write a note on an index card and tuck it into the fold of the fabric, or attach it to the label on the yarn with a safety pin. If I have a specific project in mind, I need to set aside the yarn, thread or fabric together in a project bin or in my workbasket so that it doesn't get buried too deep in the stash. When I'm ready for a new project I will try to go to the project bin or workbasket rather than plan something entirely new, which usually requires new supplies.
If the answer to the hard question is negative, I think I know already what I have to do. Here are my best suggestions for excess craft supplies. In case you have the same problem I do.
- ask crafty or teacher friends if they have a need
- make a giveaway basket to take to the next fiber swap or club meeting
- sell those items in a yard sale
- make a donation to a school or a charity thrift shop
Do you have a good idea for dealing with excess craft supplies?
This project may take some time, but I've begun the initial sorting. I've emptied one large RubberMaid tote, freeing it up for items that I want to keep. Thanks for the earlier suggestions about the room and I hope you'll continue to contribute your ideas. I'll post my progress as it happens. If you happen to follow me on Pinterest, please hit the "send" button with pins of ideas you think might help me. I can use your help.
If I lived close to you I'd ask you to let me dig through your get rid of stash.....
ReplyDeleteThen maybe in person sewing lessons, or something like that :)
DeleteCarolyn, I'll make a box to send home with Diedre and you all can go through it! Good suggestion!
DeleteSince we are replacing the floor in our craft room, I am sorting also ~ got rid of a huge stack of magazines that I was saving for the smocking plate patterms ~ turns out the magazines I was saving each had 2 or 3 patterns each. I had a whole file cabinet drawer of these. Pulled out the patterns and put them in plastic page protectors and the magazines got tossed into the recycle bins. Should have thought of this before we moved them last year! Can't wait to see your pictures! donna
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Donna! I have a similar stack of crochet magazines that I've saved for patterns!
DeleteI wish I could make a plan for the supplies I have -- mostly fabric -- but it wouldn't take me long to feel like I would never have enough time on this earth to put the plans forward motion. But the one thing I can, and have begun doing, is making a pile of the fabric that I know I will not want to use in the future.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're making good progress. How fun to have your son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren visit.
--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)