Raise your hand if you're an art supply hoarder.
I hope you find this post from November 21, 2018 useful.
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I took a class this past weekend. The instructor had us do an exercise that focused on speed. When we were done she said, "Even if you don't like it, what have you lost? 5 minutes?!" The woman in front of me turned to her friend and said, "And wasted your fabric."
That comment hit me like a silver bullet.
I am an unabashed hoarder. I get how hard it is to let go of supplies you paid lots of money for…
…or love dearly…
…or are one-of-a-kind…
…or you don't feel you're "good enough" to use yet.
But what good are they doing you on a shelf? In a drawer? Safely tucked away?
In fact, they may be doing you a disservice. Supplies may be filling your art space, expanding beyond your organizational system, or even overwhelming you to the point of stopping you from creating.
It's time to use what you've got and winnow down that stash!
Remember, the only time that paint is wasted is when it's in the tube. The only time that fabric is wasted is when it's shoved in a drawer. I would argue that most of us are wasting our expensive supplies every single day by not using them. Not to be macabre, but my quilt guild has recently accepted several donations of supplies from members who have passed away. I don't want to die with a room full of unused supplies.
I put together a list of five things you can do to use your supplies.
Five Solutions for Using Your Supplies:
- Make art. Don't wait for the right time. Grab ten minutes and play!
- Create art kits. Include the items you've been hoarding. Force yourself to use the art kits to create.
- Donate or sell what you're not going to use. There's no use in hanging on to things you rarely use. Pass them on to someone who will use them right away!
- Develop a 1-in/2-out rule. For every one new art item you bring into your home, two items have to be disposed of — either because they're used up or because you're sending them off to a happy new home. You'll be amazed at how willing you are to use things up when you know it means new things can come into your home!
- Change your mindset. This is probably the most difficult thing to do. But you can do it. Start looking at shelves packed with unused supplies as a waste. Focus on how wasteful it is to not use the things you own.
If you'd like, you can print out this little reminder I made for you and post it in your art space:
Click this link for the printable file.
I'd love to know your thoughts on wasting supplies! Thanks for stopping by!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
Julie, spot on! My first love is sewing, second love is painting…probably don’t need to tell you the supplies I have in my 24x 18 ft room. And you made a strong statement…NOT using is WASTING!. So, so true. My Sewing group ladies all feel the same, haven’t been to quilt/sewing stores since pandemic. Use up what we have. I think on the other side of this now is what we have got, to replace if we do need will cost a bundle. That enters the picture more today. Bottom line….use it! Get sewing/painting….and items not being used for your craft…move to someone who can use and will use! Cut the strings, it will free us to soar to new projects of our own. Thanks for reminder!
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
I went through a spell of feeling bad for having so many paints set aside, and tried to make myself use them up before I was “allowed” to get any new ones. Then I realized: they were set aside because I didn’t like the colors, and in making myself use them I was making art I didn’t like! Not an answer. Now I give them to a local “upcycle” center and move on to colors I can love.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
Hi, Julie, I so agree with your thoughts in this post. I am purging and donating but still have too many supplies. I paint, journal, scrapbook, sew a little, and experiment in a bunch of other crafts. Your point about making kits interests me but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you explore this in a post? What do you put in your kits? I am sure others would be interested.
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
When I stopped doing fiber arts, I donated all my yarn to a local library for their fund-raising auction. On the other hand, having now returned to the paper crafts I was doing before the fiber arts phase, I’m very glad I didn’t get rid of my stamp pads and stencils and other paper-related tools and supplies that I’ve been keeping for many years! Sometimes there’s a reason for keeping “stuff,” a reason that might not become clear immediately…
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
I am so guilty of this!!!! Can’t tell you how many times I have thrown out stickers because the adhesive didn’t stick or paints/ ink pads/pens, etc. were dry.
Thank you Julie!
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
yes, Julie, we need your guidance please.
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!
hoarder, hoarder, hoarder here.
you are so right, Julie, we waste it if we don’t use it!!!