As an artist, we find many ways to spend our hard earned cash, but what can we do to save money? We are intelligent and inventive individuals, so let's post some of our ideas. What do you do to save money? What are some of your favorite ways to keep costs down? I have always been frugal, (maybe too much, sometimes I'm just plain cheap) so I have several ideas that I will share over the next few days. I love to shop at thrift stores, especially Goodwill. If I need a specific piece of material, I would just as soon buy a garment or two, in the colors that I need and cut my pattern out of it, as go to the Fabric Store. This way the fabric has already been laundered and wont shrink, and I get buttons and sometimes trim in the process. It also helps create employment for the great folks that work in that store. I made a cape for one of our local public access daredevils out of ready made garments from the thrift shop. I bought a white satin dress from the children's department and an American flag patterned shirt from the men's department and cut them apart to create a super- hero type cape for him to use in his show. It was quite a hit.
Let us know what you have done or what you think would be a good idea. Save money or make money? Which is better? Come on folks, let us know.
Well, that's all for now. Keep us posted on all your ideas. We'll talk soon.
8 comments:
I shop at yard sales and thrift shops for things that I can use in my own art or in my art classes with the students. I always buy groceries that are on sale and in season. I don't clip coupons (too much trouble and organizing for me) but I know you can save $ this way.
Hmmm, those were some pretty lame ideas. I hope you get some better responses!
I was thinking about that just yesterday, why do i try so hard to make more money when I could save more money by trying to be a little more frugal. I have to admit I'm better at spending than being frugal but I want to learn more about it. I have recently re-discovered yard sales as a means for many wonderful art supplies and things that can be repurposed.
OH, and I love rebates! If there is a rebate offer on something I was already going to buy, I take the time to fill out all the requirements and send receipts because I love to get little checks in the mail. I'm currently expecting an 8.00 check from the science diet dog food!
LOVE to hit the yard sales and I'm always checking for the Michaels 40% off coupon to buy my clay with!! Dick Blick is a great place to save money on canvases too:)
xoxox...jenn
I save money by recycling and by using what I have. At times, when a project must be precisely what I envision, it's difficult to curb that impulse to run out and get the EXACT RIGHT PRODUCT (whether a paint color, button, glue, or random whatchamajigger). In the long run though, if I settle for one of the 40,000 buttons already in my possession, I discover I didn't need that "perfect" match after all.
I also shop at the Goodwill store. I buy jeans and make purses from them. I also recycle. I use the foam egg cartons for paint palette's and plastic pudding cups for paint cups or water for painting. I use Kleenex cloths for clean up and they are usually covered with inks so I hang them to dry and make journal pages from them using Mod Podge. And I also use them to back up my embroidery on the sewing machine. And I staple paper scraps together and use them as note pads. I could go on &on & on........hey, maybe I should write a book.
Hi! Thanks for commenting on my blog and inviting me to to yours! I am definitely bookmarking it so I can check back often. :-)
I am also an avid bargain hunter, a major refurbisher/refashioner, and also a huge packrat. I never seem to throw anything away because I might be able to use it to make something else later on down the road. Which is why my studio (and kitchen... and living room...) look like a tornado went through it!
I especially like to hit yard sales right before they close. Last summer, I got a bin that was approx. 2' x 2' x 3' full of crafting goodness for $1. Yep, one single dollar! And my friends and family are always giving me broken jewelry and other things they may have normally thrown away but figure I can give it it a second life.
I am not offended when people say they saw a piece of trash and thought of me. ;)
Sashi
Saving $$$ is easier now for me than it used to be. Now I have more that I can put back. I usually put it away in my savings account & forget that it's there. I also put 12 percent of my income into 403-B account & watch it grow!And I have changed alot of old bad habits like shopping, I only shop now if I really need something, not just because I want to go shopping.
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