Luckily for me, the cost of my supplies aren't TOO expensive.  But still, I find myself buying cool stuff but not selling, so I'm just in debt.  We're supposed to have 100+ items?  YIKES!  I don't necessarily think that's true.  More than 3 pages or so of items and I sort of stop looking at a shop.  Maybe I'm ADD or something, but it's a little overwhelming, and boring, to click through all the pages.  I think if your items are awesome, which yours are, then you don't need a huge inventory.  It's the whole less is more idea, at least in my opinion.

But, if you're looking for cheap ways to get more supplies, have you looked online for buying wholesale?  I've spent hours online finding the best prices for my materials.  Or try Goodwill or Salvation Army.  They probably have a ton of jewelry you can tear apart.

Christi, are you able to use old sweaters for their yarn?  If so, maybe you could try a thrift store to find them?!  I have no idea about felting, so this may be a totally useless answer, but thought I'd throw it out there.

I feel you guys, Honestly i'm a huge cheap-o when it comes to buying anything. If i can save money, great! Now, when it comes to specialized yarns geeeesh, I couldn't tell you on that one since I just use regular old red heart yarn lol

Beads, well like others said going to thrift shops and picking stuff up to dissect is a good idea. One place that people usually discount is dollar stores or discount stores. I found some super cute buttons there the other day a whole bag full prob like 15 or so for a dollar! When generally i'm paying close to that for 3-4 buttons. ugh.

Monkeeta, your stuff is rather inexpensive, trust me i've checked LOL When I first got into Etsy I tried my hand at making the baby bows and headbands, yeaaaaaaaah that didn't do so well for me but I also didn't know near what I do now, not to mention it was before I bought my sellers guide. I know of a gal that sells nylon headbands for a buck a piece or less on her website, let me track that info down for you.

Kangarooknits,  I tried looking at red hearts website and of course they're charging more than what i'm paying per skein at walmart or michaels, but it's always worth a shot to look at ebay or something like that as well I know what you mean about seeing and feeling the yarn, especially when you're doing things like clothing or blankets.

As far as i'm concerned, my supplies are fairly inexpensive so I just buy a little bit here and there. I shop at discount stores, which helps a ton, but my items aren't as specialized as some of yours. I don't put stuff on plastic, I don't believe in it, in fact I don't have even one credit card! Thank god! Money has been sort of tight lately but i've managed to find some good bargains lately.

KangarooKnits wrote:

I can only purchase knitting supplies at Walmart because I live 60 miles from a large city.  There is only a small selection of yarn, no wool, and sometimes the quality isn't very good.  I considered ordering online but I like to see and feel the yarn, plus some companies don't guarantee matching dye lots.  I would love to try felting and have considered using old sweaters.    ~~Margie

I have found that JoAnn's is an excellent resource for yarn.  They sell brands I already know and trust and they offer a free shipping code quite often.

I hear ya TwoCats,   I only have 17 items.  But I'm working on a few more and will crank it up this weekend with getting them on.  It's tough.  I just wish I could sell a few to keep the momentum going.

mimisbabies wrote:

KangarooKnits wrote:

I can only purchase knitting supplies at Walmart because I live 60 miles from a large city.  There is only a small selection of yarn, no wool, and sometimes the quality isn't very good.  I considered ordering online but I like to see and feel the yarn, plus some companies don't guarantee matching dye lots.  I would love to try felting and have considered using old sweaters.    ~~Margie

I have found that JoAnn's is an excellent resource for yarn.  They sell brands I already know and trust and they offer a free shipping code quite often.

I checked out Joann's online store for yarn and they cannot guarantee the same dye lot.  Since most of my items require more than 1 skein, I can't afford to take a chance of mismatched colors.  In fact, Walmart will have matching dye lot numbers, but I have noticed that sometimes the yarn will be a shade different from skein to skein.  I've been waiting for over a month for Walmart to restock one color because the current lot they have is awful.  I think it's time for me to drive to Reno or Carson City & stock up on yarn!

HippieChickBoutique wrote:

Margie- I just now realized you live in Fallon! HOLY CRAP is that out in the sticks. I'm in Vegas...so there's like 3 walmarts within 20 min of my house, not to mention michaels and the hugest joann fabrics i've ever been to.

Yep, not much around here--although there are some inconveniences, I would never live in a large city again.  I was raised in Sacramento, got tired of the rat race & traffic, and moved here 4 yrs ago.  I dread going to Reno to shop.  Thank goodness for online shopping! 

dobatseatcats,

I'm currently having a similar issue.  I actually have quite a bit of plated silver findings and a nice amount of beads, but i really need to start selling sterling silver items to get some sales in, si i'm currently shopping around for the best prices.  I dont have many bead stores around me, 1 that i'm aware of, others tend to be craft stores which dont focus on beading supplies, so i do buy msot of my stuff online on a trial and error basis.  theres a few i know and trust their quality so i stick to them really.  But i tend to buy quite a lot of beads and findings while i'm abroad as it's much cheaper than the Uk.

If you use plated silver/plated gold theres an ebay seller called kiky supplies http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Kiky-Supplies__W0QQ_armrsZ1 Always has loads of things on offer.  if like me you cant be doing with the whole bidding thing, all i did was go through his shop, put down the names and details of the items i wanted, and sent him an e-mail and asked him for his best price for each item.  He was really great, tried to reduce things as much as possible, plus i was getting like four times what i would elsewhere for the same price, and if you buy more than 20 items all postage and packaging is free. 

I bought all my basics when i first started jewellery making from him, and still have some of the charms i bought from his shop still in stock!!

i made myself a budger that i wasnt going to spend more than £50 and when he gave me prices for items, like 250 spacer beads for £4 i would think, do i really need that many...soi'd half the amount and the price and send it back to him and see if he was fine with it, and he was fantastic.  i kept irritating him until i got what i wanted for the amount i was willing to spend:D

For all you guys who work with yarn.  Check out  http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/knitting_yarns.html  They are their own supplier so the yarn is pretty affordable.  They have a 30 day guarantee so the only thing to lose is the cost of shipping which shouldn't be too much for yarn.  They also have undyed wool that you could dye yourself.  (I'm lusting after that option but my husband would kill me if I start yet another expensive and messy hobby)  I'm thinking of buying some of their stuff for the next re-supply.


Christl

Monkeeta wrote:

Christi, are you able to use old sweaters for their yarn?  If so, maybe you could try a thrift store to find them?!  I have no idea about felting, so this may be a totally useless answer, but thought I'd throw it out there.

Monkeeta,  You totally inspired me.  I've been wanting to upcycle (or whatever it's called).  I went to the local thrift store and found some great sweaters to felt.  Can you say Pendleton and Benneton.  I spent maybe $9 for 4 sweaters.  I'm shrinking them right now and will probably needlefelt them onto existing work as I hate to sew.

THANKS!!! for the inspiration.

I love how everyone is coming together and helping each other out! This is great! I feel like this isn't in vain LOL I can't thank everyone enough for everything they've posted!

Well, I only crochet for myself so It really isn't an issue for me, I have such a time getting material for my shop with the wood!!!  Last week we got a call about a tree that had fallen in the rain.  It's about 40" around and we've worked at cutting it up into a size we can haul for three days now!!!  LOL.  Then it has to dry out for 3 months before we can use it!!!  But most of my other supplies, tools, and finishes I buy online.  We're in the woods here also and its just easier for us.  Good luck to all of you .