You don't have to go broke to fund your card making hobby

If you have been scrapbooking or card making for a while, you know that it is not an inexpensive hobby. Many people, including myself will designate an entire room for our "craft room". I have converted my closet so that it has shelving to hold all of my card stock, stickers, stamps, ink pads, ribbon, brads....the list goes on and on. I am fortunate enough that I live in a big city. I am near a Michaels, Hobby Lobby and a JoAnn's fabric. We have weekly coupons typically of 40% off. But these stores are limited, and even at 40% off, supplies can get expensive. But did you know that there are other outlets to find reasonably priced craft items. In Phoenix, there is a used bookstore called bookmans that has used rubber stamps. They accept trade-ins for credit and I have used my credits to buy several used stamps. I also recently found out that thrift stores carry used rubber stamps, buttons, raffia and lace. I bought a bag of 10 rubber stamps for $4.99. I only found 4 that I wanted, but I was able to trade the others at bookmans to get stamps that I did want. What is fun about these used stamps, is that they are typically older stamps that you cannot find anymore and some of them are very cute!  I also shop on line on Ebay, Etsy and Ecrater. I have purchased Tim Holt's products on line for more than 80% off of retail prices. The trick is to find someone that has many items that you want so you can combine shipping. I love those $0.99 deals. Craigs list is another place that I routinely check to find people looking to downsize as well. Many times these people are selling items for $1 - $2 that can typically sell for $15 - $20. I recently went to a garage sell and spent $25 and took home over $200 in supplies.  One other retail store that I check weekly is Tuesday Morning. These are typically stores that get overstock and can sell crafting items sometimes at 80% off retail prices. My hotel in Pittsburgh has a Tuesday Morning right across the street. Well, you guessed it, I checked it out and found severeral more "new" stamping items I will be able to use for my Christmas cards. If the product is one I know will be in demand, I will buy several, list on Ebay for retail, and use my profit to purchase other items on line at discounted prices. I have been able to stock up on so many items to support my hobby, and it really has not cost me a fortune. I wanted to share with you one of the cards I made with a stamp I got at Bookmans on a trade. I have made several card kits from this stamp on Grandparent's Day cards, which is Septermber 8th, by the way.