Frugal Craft Tip

[Sweetpea]

This has got to be the most versatile work surface! And CHEAP!

I rescued the glass from an old picture frame from the garbage. The glass is 11" x 14". I folded duct tape over the edges to protect my fingers.

I can cut with my exacto knife on it. I use a lot of rubber cement and it just rubs right off. Inks just wipe right off. The only thing I have to be careful of is remembering to move it when I'm setting eyelets with a hammer!

Any other frugal ideas?

[tartan]

Hi sweetpea

A great idea for a work surface using rubber cement. Using an exacto knife on glass is dangerous is it not?

[Joanne]

Hi Sweetpea,

I have a good idea for you . I use a self-healing mat for any projects that require using a cutting tool of any kind. You do have to pay out the initial amount for it which varies, depending on where you buy your mat as well as the size of mat you purchase. They last a long time and they are worth every penny ! They can be used for a variety of crafting projects including quilting and sewing. The bonus is there is usually a ruler printed on the surface of the self-healing mat to aid you in the cutting of the material you are preparing for your project.

Hope this helps!

[Joanne]

Try to plan out in advance what kind of crafts or decorations you would like to make throughout the year to reuse supplies when possible.

An example:
You are thinking of making a pinecone wreath for Christmas. When you glue your pinecones onto the grapevine wreath, the grapevine wreath will be useless for anything else after that.

Make projects throughout the the year using the grapevine wreath for spring, summer, and fall decorations before turning it into a pinecone wreath for Christmas. Usually by Christmas, the wreath will show some wear and tear from being used in various crafts, so gluing pinecones on will cover up the imperfections.

Spring:

http://www.mycraftbook.com/CraftIdea.asp?CraftID=185

Summer:

http://www.mycraftbook.com/CraftIdea.asp?CraftID=111

Fall:

http://www.mycraftbook.com/CraftIdea.asp?CraftID=13

Winter:

http://www.mycraftbook.com/CraftIdea.asp?CraftID=56

[Sweetpea]

Tartan, I haven't had any problems with the exacto knife. I bought a Blade Runner and didn't want to buy the Blade Runner cutting surface (which is glass, I believe).

Since I have such a limited amout of workspace, Joanne, if I moved the self-healing mat to the side to work with the ink or rubber cement I might not find it again! Things get covered up pretty quick!

[Craftybear]

I have a tip for everyone. I love to paint (acrylic) and I use my wood cutting board that has plastic side legs on it to fit over the sink to have more work space (I have an extra sink in old garage that converted to a craft shop, so I need to make every inch count) also extra wood cutting boards or trays works well to lay items to dry (also old cookie sheets) can find them at flea markets dirt cheap.

[Sweetpea]

Great idea about the trays, Craftybear! I'll have to dig out the baking cooling racks. They'll see more use for crafts than cooking around here!

[Craftybear]

Hi Sweetpea,

I tried to PM you but computer said was disabled. So I'm going to reply to you this way. I am also from Indiana, where are you from?

I love to use things that I already have in house to make use of them for crafting ideas.

Talk to you soon and please send me a private message.

Karen (Craftybear)

[Tim]

Hi all,

Just thought I would drop in to comment on the private messaging. We do have this feature available on this forum but disabled it during the launch. We were concerned about spammers, and wanted to limit any hassles they could present to the community.

If the community wants it we would be happy to enable it. We have started a voting poll here:

http://www.mycraftbook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65

so the community can let us know what it wants.

Tim

[Sweetpea]

Craftybear, I'm in NW Indiana about 1/2 from Lake Michigan.

I just got a shadowbox shelf at work from a "silent auction"! The girls asked if I had a lot of knick knacks for it. I said heck NO! I'm using this for my embossing powders and glitters!

[Craftybear]

Also another tip I have extra teddy bear coffee cups so I am using them to keep my ink pens in by my computer, in the sewing room to keep scissors and stuff in. I try to make use of every space in my house to store things, but still to look nice and very convenient. I have extra serving trays so now I am using them to dry painted acrylic pieces, working out great! Also I love the plastic slide out drawers to store items in. I have tin cans so I'm storing craft supplies in them. Thanks again for this neat site! Also I have a clip on light by my computer, works out great and when I'm cold just turn the light on!!!!

Craftybear

[tartan]

Be good to the environment and attract winter birds at the same time. Save your bleach bottles and turn them into birdfeeders. (great to do with the kids)

Really simple. Wash out your bleach bottles really well with soap and water, and then leave them to soak in clean water for a little bit. Next, cut a square hole in the bleach bottle, about 4 inches from the bottom. Get some twine, hook it through the bottle handle and tie it off onto a sturdy branch. Fill with feed. During the winter I save my bacon fat and mix it with seeds. It gets a bit messy, but attracts lots of birds.

p.s. make sure to put out the feeders after migrating birds have left.

[Craftybear]

Another idea be sure to put a pan of water outside during the winter so the animals and birds will have some water, locate in a sunny area in case temperature drops so the sun can help melt the ice or you can put out fresh water twice a day or so.

[tartan]

here is a list of links at about.com

http://frugalliving.about.com/cs/craftshobbies/index.htm?terms=crafts

[alpaige]

Tartan
I loved that link for the frugal living site. I love sites like that.
Thanks a bunch
Aleigh