Decluttering arts/crafts/hobbies

[justmeandmybrood]

Here is my next challenge for myself, and anyone else to join with me (misery loves company, right?!)

Here is what I have:
-scrapbook suitcase on wheels plus drawers filled with papers, embellishments, tools, etc. - I will have to make one more baby book, but after that everything will be done digitally
-jewelry making supplies - DD is only 4, but I can foresee doing this with her when she gets a little older, so not sure about selling it
-plenty of art supplies, craft sticks, hot glue gun, etc.
-coloring books, play-doh, markers, paints, easel, paper
-plastic beads, pop beads
-and more!

How do you decide what to keep vs what you *might* need and save?

Thanks!
Tina

[RollerCoasterMama]

Me too. I have a TON. Once I get rid of the outgrown baby clothes and hand-me-downs...most of my excess stuff is crafting/sewing. It's not really that MUCH...but it is the one place I haven't been very good about decluttering.

I did do a bit though. And I managed to empty out 2 little bins of soap-making supplies by putting together a nice basket to put in a fundraising auction. Make-your-own soap kit + the book I used. Off to a home excited to use it.

Now I have several bins of fabric. Lots and lots. I do historic costuming so in the past I was constantly sewing new costumes for my family. I've really stopped since DS was born. I go to something now and then, but just wear what I've got. Time to donate. I'm sure there's someone that would like to go through my stash!

And then there's the etsy leftovers for my shop I haven't touched since last summer.

Oops, forgot, my glass bead making stuff. (That I never use!!!!)

And wool. I love my wool--it makes me happy! What I'd like is to get those bins cut down by half. And have somewhere nice to set up my sewing things. If I got rid of the extra bins, I'd have room for a sewing table!

Anyway, I feel your pain! It's so hard to get rid of those things!! But I think it's time for me to just start donating to fellow crafting-junkies.

ps. As for decision making criteria:
*When was the last time I used it? More than a year or two - it's out.
*Is it possibly going bad just sitting here? (like my soap stuff--it was from 7 years ago...some of the items were degrading. So I found the things that were still good and made the kit for the raffle.)
*When I get a new project, do I use what I have or come back to the stash? I haven't used my stash fabric except for a few things. Most of it, I ignore.
*Would someone else get enjoyment out of it? (makes it easier to part with)
*Easy to replace if I decide I want it again?
*If I can't quite decide, do I have room to store for now?

[justmeandmybrood]

RollercoasterMama, I am so happy to know I am not the only one! And THANK YOU for the qonderful postscript - those questions are super and are actually helping me (SO MUCH) in deciding what we really need to keep around. I know the kids' schools will be very happy to be able to use much of the goodies, and the goodies should be used, not stored in my pretty cabinet. Besides, once I empty out the 2 cabinets filled with this stuff, baby #3 will have his own set when he arrives in September

Thank you - SUPER info in there!!
Tina

[clutterwarrior]

Oh I can definitely join in this one!

I have a mega stash of scrapbooking stuff for starters...but I do not want to change to digital, because for me the pleasure is handling the materials and using paper/paint/ real embellishments; to be honest I don't really love the look of digi scrapping, so that is one thing I won't be doing.

However I do need to get rid of a lot of old scrapping stash that sits sadly unused...thinking of giving it to the local preschool?

Then I have a cupboard full of art supplies from my art school days...I need to start going through it and culling.

I also have lots of wool, and cross stitch supplies that I don't think I will ever use now my eyesight is not the same anymore....such close work needs sharp young eyes.

[CeciMami]

Oh my...I fit right in here! Our studio is the next (and somewhat final) part of our whole house de-clutter that we've been working on all year and I've been finding it hard to get motivated because I can't see myself getting rid of ANY of the scrapbooking/stamping/paper arts/ paint/fabric/blah blah blah that I have going on in here! I'm SURE that there is something extra in each category that either doesn't really belong or is broken or I know I'll never use...it's just a daunting task...looking foward to working on it with support from y'all!

[Ruthiegirl]

Oh dear, I have a mess of wool that I think I am ready to let go of. I love to knit, love, love, love it. But my time is so crazy right now that I have not knit in ages. I am looking at bins of yarn that really should move on to someone who could use them.

It is so hard to let go. I think of all of those wonderful projects that I could be doing.

[justmeandmybrood]

RuthieGirl, with the wool, could you maybe save half of it, or even enough for one project that you will try to work on in the coming months? Maybe it will not seem so daunting to have enough for one fun project, and it could be a treat to work on each week/month after you have decluttered

I have about 4-5 Creative Memories paper punches - each punch is in its own little box and they fit neatly into a small drawer, but I do not use them. However, I have the feeling this summer, and especially coming years since DD is almost 5 and more into the artsy stuff, that they will be used. How do you manage to get rid of the things that you honestly anticipate your kids using in the coming years? Egads!

[CeciMami]

Here's the truth...if I think I WILL use it, I won't get rid of it. I know that might go against the rules but if it has future value I'll hold on to it (like if my kids might use it). The one rule that I've been a stickler for though is that NOTHING NEW is allowed into my already overflowing studio. Seriously. Nothing. I have enough in supplies to last me for a couple years so I have no excuse. My plans are basically to become super organized about what I DO have...so that it's easy to find and therefore easy to use up. I'm sure that I'll find some things to let go of but I forsee holding on to the majority...

[justmeandmybrood]

CeciMami, you sound like me! I have decluttered so much in the past few years that I feel like most of what I have left are usable items, if not now, then in the next couple of years. Glad I am not out of the norm...I still need to weed out some (did that today for part of my stash), but it is so hard to let go of other pieces that will come in handy!

[bluebirdiemama]

ladies!

there is a crafting supply swap going on in the trading post!

there is still about 2 weeks to claim a spot and list your packages! get rid your the stuff you dont need, know it's going to someone who will use it, and get new stuff according to your new crafting intrests..... yay!!!

[bluebirdiemama]

Originally Posted by bluebirdiemama

ladies!

there is a crafting supply swap going on in the trading post!

there is still about 2 weeks to claim a spot and list your packages! get rid your the stuff you dont need, know it's going to someone who will use it, and get new stuff according to your new crafting intrests..... yay!!!

ok.... sorry! failed to properly remember the info. sign ups close in 2 days. then 2 weeks to finalize packages

[justmeandmybrood]

Thanks for the info!! I may need to check that out

[bluebirdiemama]

Originally Posted by justmeandmybrood

Thanks for the info!! I may need to check that out

You may need to have a certain amount of posts to have acess to the tp, and membership for a certain amount of time. used to be 150 posts and 6 months

[sunnysandiegan]

No way, Jose, am I joining this challenge!

I do however, have a policy (self-imposed) whereby I only purchase craft items that are absolutely essential in order to complete the project I am currently working on. Adhesive for scrapbooking actually came up recently. SHOCKED ME!!! I thought I had enough adhesive to last me a lifetime. Turns out, when you are actually scrappin', you use it up faster than any other item.

[mkksmom]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

No way, Jose, am I joining this challenge!

I do however, have a policy (self-imposed) whereby I only purchase craft items that are absolutely essential in order to complete the project I am currently working on. Adhesive for scrapbooking actually came up recently. SHOCKED ME!!! I thought I had enough adhesive to last me a lifetime. Turns out, when you are actually scrappin', you use it up faster than any other item.

including the rule about only buying absolute essentials for current projects... well, I guess I kind of broke that rule a little because I did just get some lightweight soft yarn to crochet a few light-weight lovies for my girls when I do have other heavier yarn. But for the most part, I only look in my current stash for project ideas.

[Juvysen]

oooh, i needed this thread. I have piles of scrapbooking stuff... and I haven't done any scrapbooking since DD was a baby. i expected i would again, eventually, but now I'm feeling like I'd prefer to just do it digitally - less mess and I can "save" in the middle if I have to, say, have dinner instead of having to clear everything off the table so we can eat and then trying to set everything back up. That is, if I do it at all...

But, I expect to homeschool, and I feel like a bunch of the punches and such could be useful for that...

I already decluttered and gave away a lot of yarn that I no longer want, but I still have piles of yarn that I'm only half convinced I'll ever use since I've become something of a yarn snob lately.

[justmeandmybrood]

Juvysen, I bagged up all my yarn (keeping 2 smaller rolls of thinner colored yarn-y stuff for projects with the kids)...and I am going to find a new home for it. And nope, I do not knit, crochet, or have any real reason to have all the yarn that I have, lol!

Okay everyone, what have you all gotten rid of in the arts/crafts sector this week?

I have one plastic grocery bag filled with popsicle sticks, yarn, etc. that have not been used in over a year, woo hoo! Now to tackle the scrapping supplies!