Do you spend a lot on craft materials?

[Miss Information]

I just spent $36 (including shipping) on some wool felt and wool blend felt (because my local Joann's didn't have pink or purple felt), $18 on a japanese felt craft book, $13 on some natural beeswax (luckily was able to use the coupon code here to save on shipping) to cover some unfinished wood toys for Christmas. Last month I spend $25 on wool stuffing.

Every time I go to the craft store, I can easily drop $40. I have some Christmas things I want to make for the kids, and I still have more supplies to get.

Someone remind me that it's much better to invest the money (and time and effort) in homemade things I make myself, than to buy the store bought plastic crap I'm trying to avoid purchasing because it's "cheaper".

I feel sooo guilty to be spending money on crafts, even though I guess it could be worse, I could be spending money on clothes and shoes and re-decorating every few months.

Do you spend a lot on your crafting? Do you feel guilty about it? Does your dh or dp raise a few eyebrows on your expenditures? Mine doesn't - yet, but I'm waiting for it to happen.

I *can* afford to, I just feel so guilty for doing it anyway. I'm not re-selling my crafts, so I can't even claim it's going to pay for itself... and I used to WOHM, but I'm a SAHM now, so I'm even not contributing really to these purchases, unless I take it from my savings (which I do) ...

Can anyone make me feel better about this?

[Miss Information]

Eh, no responses? It's okay. I just got validation last night when I watched the news about another recall - of those plastic-y balls in some toy product that if got swallowed, metabolizes into the GHB (the date rape drug)! And another story about how they did some studies on how much chemicals were in our bodies from all the plastic we come in contact with (from the lining of canned foods, to vinyl shower curtains, to waterproof mattress liners, to my children's cherished My little Ponies - have to toss those out today).

[MommaGreenBean]

We get 'blow' money and every month 90% of the time it all goes to the craft store or online craft stores... I'm getting better at focusing my time on one or two projects, completing them, and then shopping... but for a while I had a trillion half finished projects and would still be picking things up to start more

[amhancock]

I sometimes go on fabric buying binges. I work FT and crafting is something I really enjoy, so I justify it in that I don't buy liquor, don't smoke, don't go clubbing, don't go out to eat at expensive places, etc, etc. The only problem I find I sometimes get into is that I buy TOO much or I get overwhelmed by all the projects I have planned. I just wish I could buy more time, but alas, that is not possible.

Honestly, if you can afford it and you use it and it makes you happy, then whatever- there are worse things you can get wrapped up in.

[granola_mom]

Don't feel guilty. Or, try not to feel AS guilty if you still have enough money to pay the rent and buy food etc.

I do it too, and sometimes I do feel guilty even though I can afford it. I justify it by reminding myself that I haven't crafted a single thing for myself yet... everything has been for gifts or for DD. I don't feel so bad spending the extra money on needles and nice yarn if it's going toward a present that I'd have to spend money on anyway... for example if I have to spend $10 on some new needles for a project, and $15 on yarn, to make a scarf, that's only $25 and they get an awesome scarf, meanwhile I would have spent that much money anyway, if not more, on something mass produced and not get anything out of it myself I kinda feel selfish almost, because I get some new needles and get to knit with really nice yarn... it's almost like a present to myself! lol.

And yeah, it's an investment!!! I keep reminding myself that next year I wont have to invest that extra $10 in things like needles, so I'll only be paying for materials, and I can make something really great cheaper than I could find it in a store... for example, I saw this hot water bottle cozy in a store that was going for $60, and I could knit that for much less. And if you do ever need to bring in some extra cash, its nice to have that skill and investment ready to work for you.

Of course, one day soon I'll make something for myself (I've only started knitting this summer) but I won't feel guilty then because everyone deserves a little treat!

[iowaorganic]

Um- I recently switched all of our finances to a new farm program and boy let me tell you- it was a wake up call to how much I really do spend on crafts. Between the knitting shop, the quilting shops, and general fabric and crafts and the kits that I am addicted to- it all added up to quite a bit of $. I don't feel guilty though and DH doesn't make me feel guilty. We never go out, we don't really drink (occasional glass of wine- never at a bar), we don't smoke, go to concerts, athletic events, or watch cable/dish/movies. I don't spend a lot of clothes or home stuff. I shop yard sales and consignment. If I want awesome craft supplies I should be able to have them. I make all my dresses, knit our stuff, and make DD and DS toys. Plus it is just pretty freakin cool to 'build' your own clothes and sweaters and toys! For us it isn't really about the $- more about the quality!

[MommaGreenBean]

Originally Posted by iowaorganic

For us it isn't really about the $- more about the quality!

I agree. Yeah, I could go pick up something cheaper at the thrift store that fits and works... but when I do it myself I get exactly what I want- for relatively low prices. Or sometimes I re-make stuff from the thrift store (longies out of recycled sweaters) and that totally rocks!

[Miss Information]

Thanks for the replies. I know in my heart it's all for a good thing. I know that I do get enjoyment of it, and I know that I want to teach my dds how to do what I'm doing so they know how to sew and craft - to keep their hands and minds busy creating something beautiful and fun. Do they even have home ec in grade school anymore?

Yeah, my biggest thing is buying supplies for projects and not quite finishing them. But I do have things I'm working on for Christmas, so it will get used, sooner than later, I hope...

[rachiem]

We try to do simple living, which is hard when you like to craft! I look for sales at places such as JoAnns....so if they had a certain material on sale when I know I'll need in the near future, I'll get it then.

Also, search through remnants and the clearance. AWESOME deals. (Though I doubt they'll have the wool felt in there.)

I have to suggest heading to the local resale shop. I go all the time and FINALLY just found The Most Perfect Vintage Fabric Ever. I think I screamed something like 'OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODNEEEESSSS!" when I found it, which I realize makes me sound like Polyanna.

Sometimes I justify it as it is something creative, it makes you happy and you're not having to go to a store to buy, so it is okay

[jerri]

I love to craft- it makes me happy. I spent more money long ago, once you have your closet built up, you only need to spend a little to complete a project. It is my gift to myself to produce, then the product is the gift to someone else. I love that my daughter sees a toy somewhere and says, "mommy can we make one of those?" No matter how complex, she thinks we can do it. That makes me proud. The kids have access to crafts whenever they want also. I like them to create independently too.

[Miss Information]

Originally Posted by jerri

I love to craft- it makes me happy. I spent more money long ago, once you have your closet built up, you only need to spend a little to complete a project. It is my gift to myself to produce, then the product is the gift to someone else. I love that my daughter sees a toy somewhere and says, "mommy can we make one of those?" No matter how complex, she thinks we can do it. That makes me proud. The kids have access to crafts whenever they want also. I like them to create independently too.

Yeah, I want to pass down my love of crafting to my kids too. BTW - I checked out your craft blog and I love the fabric memory match game. So cool....

[kmeyrick]

Boy do I spend money! I go into the store with decent intentions of buying ONE crochet hook and then I buy paper, yarn, embroidery thread, fabric, water color paper, a book............ I feel your pain and shame.