Over the years I’ve decluttered my supplies many times. My interests have changed, projects have come and gone. However, I don’t think I have been quite honest with myself when buying and storing supplies. Today I’ll be sharing what tips helped me declutter, minimize, and better enjoy my time spent crafting.
If I have limited time to create, why waste time and space on things I don’t need?
For sources and more details on this room: home office crafting space
Similar cart available here (affiliate): http://amzn.to/2kMeulJ
When I recently created my office space/craft room, I wanted a fresh slate. If I liked a hobby or found it useful, it stayed.
Most unfinished projects were donated or completed, but mostly donated.
I was able to sell and return some items, then replace supplies for the activities I do enjoy (watercolors, painting). I have less, and as a result, it was easier to organize. I decorated the room with items I had fun making. And the best part? I have a fresh, blank slate for new projects!
Here are seven tips which helped me:
1) Creating should be enjoyable, relaxing, and fun.
Does creating with this make me happy? Do I have fun while doing this activity? Do I even use it? Be honest with yourself. If you don’t want to spend your free time using it, you might not need it.
2) Don’t feel guilt over unfinished or not-yet-started projects.
Make plans to finish them, or let them go! This is something I struggle with at times. Creating is supposed to be enjoyable, relaxing, and fun. It should not be a guilt trip or a chore.
Ask yourself, “if I had an extra minute today, would I want to start this project?” If the answer is no, it might be time to move on.
3) Re-evaluate whether you enjoy the activity.
I had more knitting supplies than I realized! I can knit but don’t really enjoy it. Out the supplies went.
4) Go through all supplies at once.
If you’re taking the time to go through your supplies, do it all now and get it out of the way. This way you can see how much you actually have and know what to keep, what to get rid of.
If you have a lot of supplies and this seems overwhelming, break your items down into sections and work on it a bit at a time until it’s done. Once you stop, it might be hard to start back up!
5) Declutter before re-organizing.
You might be surprised how many empty storage containers and space you end up with! Don’t re-organize everything until you know what you have and what you are keeping.
6) Display your creations!
If you enjoy painting, hang your artwork! If you like bright, fun colors, make something to bring those colors into your decor. Use clipboards to hang your childrens artwork or your favorite pieces. Let your home be a reflection of you and your family. Artwork can easily help you infuse personality.
7) What to do with unwanted craft items?
Return them. If you purchased the supplies recently and have a receipt, return them. Don’t get sucked into making unneeded purchases while there!
Sell them. If you have a lot of supplies, you may want to try this. Bag up items and sell in sets on local selling sites. Price them low to move them quickly.
Donate them. This is my preferred method! Supplies in good condition can be donated to preschools, art teachers, scout troops, park districts, libraries, Sunday school teachers, and many more. Call or ask first before donating!
Old Projects. If you no longer want it, sell or donate.
Reader Suggested Tips:
I will update these over time, thanks for contributing!
- “”Be honest with yourself about what you really will use.”
- “If you haven’t used it in the past 6 months then you probably won’t use it.”
- “Don’t even bring it in the house without having a plan for said item. And toss paper at the door! Don’t let it rest somewhere!”
- “Put together a kit for new knitters. Brand new knitters will be thrilled to get some yarn and a pattern book that no longer brings you joy.”
- “Many knitters are working on ‘stash reduction’ or ‘cold sheep challenges’ (no purchasing new yarn). Finding other knitters will help support your yarn decluttering efforts. You can take part in stash swap meets (to swap yarn you no longer love for yarn you do love).”
- “You can list yarn for sale on Ravelry (online knitting/crocheting community) to an interested audience and sell it that way as opposed to Craigslist/kijiji.”
- “A jewelry making hobby doesn’t take a lot of space. I think it is my favorite now, and maybe I can get rid of some of my other hobby stuff. Making a bracelet can take ten minutes, so I am never without a gift.”
- “I like to organize everything by color.”
- “If you don’t know which project you’re ging to use something for, think very hard about why you’re keeping it.”
What would you add to these tips?
For sources and more details: home office crafting space.
Similar cart available here (affiliate): http://amzn.to/2kMeulJ
Moira McArthur says
Donated yarn and knitting pins to a friend who runs a craft club. Ribbons and cardboard boxes to granddaughter’s nursery. Half-finished cross stitch kits with all their threads and a needle or two, handed in to charity/thrift shop.
Jan Burrell says
I now organise by function, not by craft. So previously I would have had ‘sewing’ or ‘papercraft’ storage.
I now have ‘cutting’ – eg sewing scissors paper scissors craft knives etc.
Then ‘joining’ – eg string glue ribbon brads tacking gun
This has cut out a lot of duplication
Trina says
Love the rolling cart, where is it from?
Ann Marie Heasley says
It was from Michaels, but I haven’t seen it in their stores since. :-/ Sometimes they have similar rolling carts near their organization stuff!
Laura Jones says
Michael’s cart is based on the Raskog cart by IKEA. If you need inexpensive storage, IKEA is a great place to start.
Gladys Drew says
Great article with a lot of good tips. I can’t wait to apply them to my situation!
Donna McBroom-Theriot says
When I first began going through all of my craft/art/etc. supplies, I asked myself – (and the number has changed through the years, but the concept still works) “I am 57 years old. Am I really going to finish this (start this, work on this)?” I am done with clothes making. I don’t do cross-stitch any longer (arthritis), I am no longer able to paint, etc. Asking myself this question over and over along with does this stuff make me happy, it was really easy to clean out and give away. I was surprised at how many people were happy to be on the receiving end. I’ve used the same concept with baking supplies and cookbooks.
Mur says
Love your philosophy
Jaime Ross says
I would love to know how you made those beautiful tissue paper type flowers hanging up in your craft room? Can you send an link ? Thanks!
Anne says
In another post she commented that they were a kit from Michael’s
Jennifer says
Me too!!!!
Madison Musson says
Excellent article!
Another place that would LOVE to receive these donations are local non-profits! I work as an art therapist in community-based agencies and we are always in need of certain supplies! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Eva Holsinger says
Our friends do outreach to women’s prisons and they really appreciated donated partly-completed projects. I happily passed on some cross stitching I never got into.