How to Save Money on Craft Supplies

Sharing is caring!

Today I’m letting you in on a little secret by sharing my tried and true ways to save money on craft supplies.  If you know me, you know I love a good deal. I really love a good deal.  Like, I rarely pay full price for anything.

 This post contains some affiliate links.  Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

4 Places you Need to be Shopping if you Want to Save Money on Craft Supplies

1. The Dollar Store

I love the dollar store.  We have one near our home that has a fantastic selection of craft supplies, seasonal items, and crafts and activities for the kids.  I shop there about once a month to stock up on or pick up new items for seasonal crafts.

Here’s the Key to Successful Dollar Store Craft Supply Shopping

First shop at the dollar store.  Then shop at the craft store.  The order here is important.

I’m lucky.  The dollar store near me is located right next to the craft store.  If I have a shopping list for an upcoming project (or five!) I will swing by the dollar store first.  Anything that I can’t buy at the dollar store then gets purchased at the craft store (or online).

2. Walmart

I only recently started shopping at Walmart for craft supplies, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite stores. I am especially love their line of chalk paint for crafts!

Here are my favorite items to buy from Walmart’s craft section (and other shopping tips):

3. The Craft Store – With a Coupon

Did you read the second part there?  With a Coupon.  Don’t forget that part!

I am a social shopper.  If I see someone looking puzzled in an aisle at the craft store, I will offer to help answer a question.  When standing in line, I like to make small talk with the person in front of me about what project they are working on. I can’t help it.  I am a social shopper.

During my social shopping adventures, I have conducted some informal polling.  I have been shocked by the number of people who don’t know about the weekly coupons.

Stop throwing away your money, people!  Use the coupon!  That’s why it’s there!

Where do I get these all-important coupons, and how do I use them?

That’s a great question.  I’m glad you asked!

I shop mainly at JoAnn Fabrics and Michael’s.  They list their coupons on their website.  Here are the links so you can get an idea of what I’m talking about:

There are a couple of options for using your craft store coupons:

1. Sign up for text message coupon alerts.  Follow the instructions in the text message and present the bar code on the screen at checkout.
2. Use a smart phone to pull up the coupons on the website.  Present the bar code on the screen at checkout.
3. Print the coupons straight from the website at home on your printer.  Present the coupon printout at checkout.
4. Use the App.  Some craft stores have an app (JoAnn and Michaels definitely do) that allows you to access coupons, tutorials, and so much more.

Also, many craft supply stores price match.  Don’t be afraid to bring a flyer from a competitor store with you when shopping!

4. Amazon

If you read my craft tutorials, you will see that I often link to Amazon in my supplies lists.  This is because I order so many things for our home on Amazon.  As a busy mom, I just don’t have much free time to go shopping.  Amazon saves me time and money, and many trips to the store.  My Amazon Prime account more than pays for itself each year.

Have you heard of Amazon’s Gold Box Deals?  Amazon is continuously running lightning deals and flash sales on all sorts of products, including craft supplies.  Check back occasionally in their arts, crafts, and sewing supplies deal category.  This is a great way to stock up on essentials like markers, paint, thread, adhesives, dye, etc.  They even do flash deals on bigger items like sewing machines and Cricut or Silhouette machines.  I also find this to be a great resource for craft supplies for my kids as well.

Other Online Options

Here are other online stores where you can order supplies and save!

Create for Less

CreateForLess.com sells every craft supply imaginable, and they offer FREE shipping on orders over $50!

SaveOnCrafts

This website has fewer craft supplies, but is a great resource for inexpensive and bulk home decor and party supplies.