How to Save Money on Rubber Stamping Supplies
Some rubber stamps can be expensive so we like to save wherever we can. We want pizzazz without a lot of expense. There ARE ways to accomplish this!
You can buy 5" x 8" unlined index cards and fold them in half for an inexpensive card. Invitation envelopes are the right size for the folded card.
Another way to get more for your money is to buy card-stock by the ream. Bristol 67, Wausau brand is a good weight. Along the paper line, you can make your envelopes from wrapping paper, wallpaper, magazine pages, or old maps. Write the address on an address label and stick it on.
Paper bags, wallpaper, scrap paper, parts of old greeting cards and computer paper can also be used for making cards. Sometimes a print shop will give you scraps. Collages are nice!
Do your backgrounds with makeup sponges, cotton balls, oranges, packing materials (peanut shapes) etc., instead of buying a background stamp. The holes in computer paper for a dot matrix printer can be used as a template to do a dot border.
Use clear glitter glue for stars and squiggles instead of buying a star and squiggle stamp.
Old eye makeup can be used instead of chalk. Apply with sponges or a Q-tip. Along the same lines, you can use very cheap chalk and spray it with the cheapest hair spray you can find to protect it.
Shop elsewhere! Hardware stores have glitter sticker paper for making fishing lures. Canvas painting drop cloths are good for making stampable aprons and tote bags. Mini sponge paint rollers can be used to roll on a card background.
Toy stores have art sets that might be cheaper to buy than the components. Inexpensive pens can be used in small areas. Coloring larger areas usually looks streaky.
Use ribbons, raffia, and buttons from your craft box to embellish your art work. Take a good look at your supplies for other crafts and see if there isn't something that can cross over.
You might cut images from magazines, wallpaper, or even fabric to enhance your stamping. You can even emboss on a magazine page, cut it out, and glue it to another card. Interesting effect.
Store your ink pads upside down to keep the ink near the surface and re-ink them instead of buying new. You can also color directly onto the rubber stamp with your water-based markers. Saves buying a lot of ink pads!
Look around you and see what you can find that will work for you. There is no reason to spend a lot of money to enjoy your hobby. It simply gives you another way to show your creativity.
What have you found that saves money? E-mail Claire with suggestions!