I am all post prolo (if you have no idea what I am talking about you can read more about this fun and not-to-be-missed medical procedure here). Anyway, I was shot up yesterday and Doc hit my occipital area (AKA the back of the head) and while I don't actually feel that bad, those muscles are telling me that if I try to sit up and create today….well they will be PRETTY mad at me and take it out on me by giving me THE M.O.N.S.T.E.R headache that no amount of narcotics or migraine medication ever help. So I'm listening to said muscles and I shall lay low today. In the mean time, I thought I would share a couple of secrets for getting ahold of cheap-ish craft products.
Crafting is an expensive habit. Or it can be if you desire all the latest amazing products. CHA Winter opened this morning. All the manufacturers are showing off the products they will be releasing for the next 6 months. I mentioned that Tim Holtz had been running sneak peaks on his blog as have a lot of the different companies. If you want to see what is going on you can check your out your favorite companies' websites or you can hit the CHA pages of the bigger sites like Two Peas In a Bucket or Scrapbook.com's. So, how to keep from going bankrupt while enjoying all the latest craft products…ahhhh I have my secretes.
Secret #1 is Blitsy.com.
Blitsy is a members-only club that offers deals three days a week up to 60% off on craft products. It's free to join and become a member and they offer a reward program for referrals. What I love about the site is that they sell a ton of Tim Holtz products from all his lines- Alterations, Stampers Anonymous, Ranger, Core'dinations, and Idea-ology. All at terrific prices! Most items are at least 40-50% off and they run the most popular items- like Distress- often. Not a big fan of the Holtz? No worries, they sell much more than just Tim. This week they had Sizzix, Teresa Collins, Smooch, Making Memories, Golden and Colorbox to name a few. I love that they don't just sell the older products, but current lines as well. I ended up purchasing a bunch of Tim's bottle brush trees and all the new Distress Stains from Blitsy this Christmas. About that Reward Program: They offer a $10 Reward for inviting friends so if you are my friend you can click on this link and order $10 worth of product and I get a reward. But this isn't a commercial and I really don't care if I get the Reward- I will still sing their praises and I will still shop frequently. I really just wanted to spread the word about a company that I like, that I've ordered a lot of product from and that which I have nothing but good things to say.
Secret #2 is the national chain Tuesday Morning. I've taken to stopping in once a month or so to see what they have. On those occasions when they have Tim's products I grab what I can. Last month I grabbed every last package they had. I stopped in Tuesday and they had a ton so Idea-ology products so run out this weekend. I scored Trimmings, Adornments, Baubles, Grunge Blocks and Tissue Tape Holders. They also had Drill Presses (own one) and some older button packages (own too many buttons). Several months ago they had Configurations at rock bottom prices. I find most of the craft products are 50% off which who doesn't LOVE that kind of deal?
Secret #3 is For Sale or Trade Boards. I only have experience with the Sell or Trade Board at Two Peas in a Bucket, but I have had great success with getting Sizzix dies and several stamp sets that I want at great prices. Of course you are trusting the parties involved to do what they say they will but the Two Peas board has a running list of scammers and going through Paypal-which is really easy- does protect you a little more than just sending a check. This secret is especially great for those of you who want Cricut Cartridges or are trying to find those "Have-to-Have" items like Studio Calico's newest stamp. I find it hilarious to just read the board to see what the hot items are because it only takes a few minutes to see what items everything is asking for. While I have only used the Two Peas board, other sites have them as well so look around.
Secret #4 ZipperStop for Seam Binding. I've mentioned this before but I buy Snug Hug seam binding from Zipper Stop in 100 yard rolls for $10. I like to keep white on hand and then whatever color I might need for a big project. You can order from Zipper Stop's website or Etsy store, the prices are the same at each. I have yet to find a deal with good anywhere else and having 100 yards on hand is terrific because you don't feel the need to be stingy with the ribbon.
What are your favorite secretes for saving money?
Laters Baby….
This post has been linked to the following Linky Parties:
I Gotta Try That
Crafting is an expensive habit. Or it can be if you desire all the latest amazing products. CHA Winter opened this morning. All the manufacturers are showing off the products they will be releasing for the next 6 months. I mentioned that Tim Holtz had been running sneak peaks on his blog as have a lot of the different companies. If you want to see what is going on you can check your out your favorite companies' websites or you can hit the CHA pages of the bigger sites like Two Peas In a Bucket or Scrapbook.com's. So, how to keep from going bankrupt while enjoying all the latest craft products…ahhhh I have my secretes.
Secret #1 is Blitsy.com.Blitsy is a members-only club that offers deals three days a week up to 60% off on craft products. It's free to join and become a member and they offer a reward program for referrals. What I love about the site is that they sell a ton of Tim Holtz products from all his lines- Alterations, Stampers Anonymous, Ranger, Core'dinations, and Idea-ology. All at terrific prices! Most items are at least 40-50% off and they run the most popular items- like Distress- often. Not a big fan of the Holtz? No worries, they sell much more than just Tim. This week they had Sizzix, Teresa Collins, Smooch, Making Memories, Golden and Colorbox to name a few. I love that they don't just sell the older products, but current lines as well. I ended up purchasing a bunch of Tim's bottle brush trees and all the new Distress Stains from Blitsy this Christmas. About that Reward Program: They offer a $10 Reward for inviting friends so if you are my friend you can click on this link and order $10 worth of product and I get a reward. But this isn't a commercial and I really don't care if I get the Reward- I will still sing their praises and I will still shop frequently. I really just wanted to spread the word about a company that I like, that I've ordered a lot of product from and that which I have nothing but good things to say.
Secret #2 is the national chain Tuesday Morning. I've taken to stopping in once a month or so to see what they have. On those occasions when they have Tim's products I grab what I can. Last month I grabbed every last package they had. I stopped in Tuesday and they had a ton so Idea-ology products so run out this weekend. I scored Trimmings, Adornments, Baubles, Grunge Blocks and Tissue Tape Holders. They also had Drill Presses (own one) and some older button packages (own too many buttons). Several months ago they had Configurations at rock bottom prices. I find most of the craft products are 50% off which who doesn't LOVE that kind of deal? 
Secret #3 is For Sale or Trade Boards. I only have experience with the Sell or Trade Board at Two Peas in a Bucket, but I have had great success with getting Sizzix dies and several stamp sets that I want at great prices. Of course you are trusting the parties involved to do what they say they will but the Two Peas board has a running list of scammers and going through Paypal-which is really easy- does protect you a little more than just sending a check. This secret is especially great for those of you who want Cricut Cartridges or are trying to find those "Have-to-Have" items like Studio Calico's newest stamp. I find it hilarious to just read the board to see what the hot items are because it only takes a few minutes to see what items everything is asking for. While I have only used the Two Peas board, other sites have them as well so look around.
Secret #4 ZipperStop for Seam Binding. I've mentioned this before but I buy Snug Hug seam binding from Zipper Stop in 100 yard rolls for $10. I like to keep white on hand and then whatever color I might need for a big project. You can order from Zipper Stop's website or Etsy store, the prices are the same at each. I have yet to find a deal with good anywhere else and having 100 yards on hand is terrific because you don't feel the need to be stingy with the ribbon.What are your favorite secretes for saving money?
Laters Baby….
This post has been linked to the following Linky Parties:
I Gotta Try That
As a serious craft-a-holic, I appreciate these tips! I've never tried Two Peas' trade forum - I will look into that!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I'd never heard of Blitsy. I went and checked it out and low and behold they ship internationally! Craft supplies are so unbelievably expensive in France and Switzerland this is a good find for me (or maybe not good...depending on how my pocketbook looks at it).
ReplyDeletewe really enjoyed your article, thanks for sharing and more power!
ReplyDelete