Something I have learned recently from watching on periscope, blogger friend Gina from Shabby creek cottage. She said something that really resonated with me on a personal level that is so darn simple… write and share what you know about! I don’t know a lot:) But what I have learned to do is craft over the years. And craft on a really low budget. And I want to clarify, it’s because I like to, not necessarily have to. I mean,I don’t have money to burn, but I can afford a new pillow or new picture on occasion. But honestly, I love to make them if I can. I can share with you some of my past disasters, but I really don’t wish to look back. It’s all about moving forward in 2016, growing, learning and sharing what I know and have grown a deep passion for. I certainly can’t write about how to build a trundle bed, or how to sew your own couch slip covers. There are many blogs out there that can though.
I have been blogging for 6+ years now. I wasn’t much of a crafter, and I have shared that fact with you all several times. It’s called practice. practice, practice, trial and error.
Please be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post, as I have an important announcement as well:)
What I will share with you today is 5 easy tips for the newbie crafter. Many of my readers tell me they wish they could do what I can do, or had my talent. TALENT ??? I sort of shake my head on that one. To me at this point it all seems so basic. But here’s the thing….. You probably do not do it as often as perhaps I do, but you want to learn as well. I have to keep that in mind.
Y’all don’t do what I do every single day. I will be more mindful of that even when sharing my tutorials. Which btw, if there is ever a tutorial you would like for me to share again, I certainly will in a more specific and thorough manner. I wish I was more comfortable in front of the camera. But for some reason, I get this horrible stage fright, which I do not have in any sort of social setting or gatherings. But put a camera in front of me, and OYE..it’s like over analyzing and finding fault in every thing about me..it’s weird!
Let’s start with the basics.
What inspires you? Whether it be people who decorate and change their decor often (which you need money for that..lots of money) Budget friendly seasonal crafts? How to sew? How to make yummy simple recipes? Recycling craft ideas? Figure out what inspires you first moving forward.
We are all different. Which is the beauty of all man kind. Just think how boring it would be if we all were the same..all our likes, all our decor, etc. We would be a bunch of drones in the world walking around all zombie like lol.
So here are my 5 basic tips for the newbie in you.
- Start simple. Don’t go for something you see on the internet. Let’s say for example, someone making a coffee table from a pallet. In time, you may be able to tackle that, but for now, start basic, like a no sew pillow, a table runner, a mantel banner, or a simple work of art using a stencil, or perhaps like I just shared a winter snowflake frame with old book pages, mod podge and dollar tree snowflakes.
- Start budget friendly- the last thing you want to do is spend more money than you have to!
- Choose crafts that fit into your decor. Just don’t make something because you like it so much. You then wind up not knowing where to put it in your home. I have done that before. It just wasn’t me:)
- Go to the Dollar stores. There are so many things there you can look at and change up. Just don’t look at it for what it is. Whether it be a holiday sign, a glass, baskets, vases, etc. Some of my most popular crafts are made from simple ordinary items found at the dollar tree.
- Invest in craft supplies. Craft paint, chalky paint, sponge brushes, small artist brushes mod podge, twine, burlap rolls, hot glue gun and sticks, buttons, ribbon, fabrics you like, drop cloths, and last but not least, some stencils. These are all my big go to’s and you see them time and time again used for my crafts. You are more likely to get in the mood to craft when you least expect it. Like for me, sometimes it is 8:00 at night. Surely, I am not running out to the stores to get what I need. I always have the supplies on hand. It’s an investment and a small one at that, that you will use time and time again and they go along way. Especially the chalky paints. I love that stuff! It is my favorite to paint on glass with. Oh and let’s not forget a little rit dye perhaps and gesso. That’s when you are getting advanced HA!!~I hope this inspires the inner crafter in you. Forget the therapist…take up crafting. Trust me, it will save your menopausal mind, hot flashes, and the highs and lows that sometimes life brings us.
- One last thing for good measure that I plan on doing a lot more of myself this year. SHOP your own house. Surely, you have table cloths, old curtains, picture frames, old pillows, etc. Think of ways you can repurpose them and bring them back to new life. Table cloths make great window treatments. Old curtains can make cute no sew pillows. Just don’t toss them away or give them to goodwill. Just when you think you will never be able to use them. Think outside the box. You can even make cute dinner napkins from old curtains, or pillows.
Love ya guys and I wish you all the very best in 2016..and thanks for being here today. If you are new here, Welcome!! Check out my galleries while you are here. They are all beginner friendly imo. You will find all my projects per category down below:
Please feel free to share your tips! I would love to hear them.
XO
Good tips, Debbie! I can totally relate to the “you never know when creativity may strike” because I know it has hit me late, late at night when I couldn’t sleep; evening; early morning, so I like you, I always keep certain things on hand because I know I will always use them (i.e. hot glue sticks, craft glue, fabric glue, neutral/basic craft paint colors).
I also do things that incorporate items I already have. I love to use my old calendars for different craft projects and sometimes just to frame and use in decorating. I am (today, actually) looking through my 2015 calendar to see what images I want to use on a project I’d like to get started on shortly. Saves a lot of money recycling or repurposing things you already have!
Happy New Year!
Brilliant! Simply brilliant on the calendar. I am so glad you shared your tips too Kathy! Happy New year my friend. xo
Great tips Debbie, I have almost everything on your list. I’m not good at using things already in my hope but that’s a great tip and money saver for sure. Thanks for sharing! -Bev
Great Bev! Best wishes to you in 2016.
Look at you Debbiedoo, on Amazon. I love Amazon and buy from them often. I have Amazon prime so I price check them on everything! Your line up of products are great choices, I already peeked! I love your tips, but I really love your gallery buttons. I will be back to check them out in more detail soon when I have more time. I love easy “organized” access like that to find pictures of things I am looking for. Happy New Year old friend!
Happy New year Mary. So glad you stopped by.
Love these hints! You have given me the courage and inspiration to try more and more crafts! Happy new year to you and your family. I’m off to check out your Amazon store.
Thank you Judy! That inspires me even more so. Happy New year to you too. xo
All great tips Debbie, my favorite is shop the house. I always do that first and sometimes I find things I didn’t even remember I had, lol.
I hear ya on that one Dawn! Oh boy, it’s like finding something new again lol. Happy New year. xo
Good Morning Debbie
Love your Tip List; it’s perfect for anyone just starting up or even wondering if crafting is for them; you really give all the help anyone needs. Also I enjoyed your Amazon Favorites; very nice to see all your favs in one place. Now that the holidays are over and I’m getting my house ‘back to normal’ I plan to make some ‘new’ items (out of old items ). It’s surprising what a difference just a bit of paint, a new ribbon, or touch of Mod Podge on an recyled piece can do!!! Just love every post you put out there Debbie, Thank You
Carol
Thank you Carol! I am so happy you enjoy my site. Happy New year to you. xo
Love your tips! I have one to add: stay organized. You can’t make it if you can’t find it. Keep the supplies together, and utilize those jars and boxes. Thanks for all you do for us “newbies”.
Great tip..yes indeed. I have all my supplies out in a tall steel cabinet in the garage. My husband bought it for me a few months ago, for just that reason. It was all over the place:) Happy New year Jane. xo
Happy New Year and happy crafting Debbie!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thank you Susan and Bentley! same to you. xo
Hi, Debbie: I just wanted to share something that came to mind when I had to find a place to put my Christmas table runner quickly one day during the holidays. I placed it across the foot of my bed. I have a neutral quilted bedspread (we live in SE Texas and it was a warm holiday season this year). My Christmas table runner was neutral with some gold stars and a gold Christmas tree on both ends. It looked great!!! It made my bed look like a fancy hotel bed with the “bed scarf” as I understand it is called.
LOVE IT!!~ What a clever idea Carolyn. Thanks for sharing. I will have to try that sometime:) Happy New year.
Wee little typo: resonated rather than resignated. I enjoyed reading your blog.
🙂 Thank you. I just type away sometimes and don’t look back lol! Happy new year.
Great post Debbie! I took up doing watercolor quilts when my son was in Highschool, to keep me from worrying. It really worked. Since then, I found that I love weilding a paint brush. I never did have to see a therapist! lol And my son turned out just fine.
LOL! Yep it’s great therapy to keep our minds and creative juices flowing.
Your list of five things new crafters need to know helped curb a growing anxiety in me. I have so many ideas now, and lots of furniture that need a redo. I am almost overwhelmed with choices. But this blog helped me see that I need to start small. I’ve been working on a toilet paper roll storage craft, but I figured I would be embarrassed to post it. No, I love it, so I ought to share it. I was so proud of my first fairy garden, and I posted it, even with the bare dirt. I can do this crafting thing. I will do it.
Good for you!! Yes, it’s so true, we need to learn from the bottom and work our way to the top. It is the small feats that get you to the larger ones. Plus, it builds up your confidence when you start small. I am glad it helped you. Thanks for letting me know!
Here are a few of my tips for starting out with not a lot of money to spend:
For paints, just buy blue, yellow, red, black and white. You can mix those colors to get any other color you need. Pick up more colors as you can afford them and when they are on sale. Also, after-Christmas sales are great for getting spools of ribbon and a lot of other things for half price or less.
Excellent ideas! Thanks for sharing Lori.
As a long time follower, I have one question that I’ve never seen (possibly I’ve missed seeing it) posted and answered. Recommendation on glue gun? I can not find one that hold up for any length of time, no matter how expensive and even cheap models. What brand/type do you use. Thanks for all your wonderful shsrings. You’re the best!
I have to be honest, either have I. They are pretty much a bust. I have one that gets way too hot and one that is cheap and crappy. I wish I had a better recommendation. My next one I am going to go on Amazon and do a little better research and see if I can find a just right one.
Thanks Debbie. If you do find a good one please do a post!