As you know, I use a massive amount of craft supplies and although I do buy a lot of them in large quantities through my trade contacts, I am also constantly picking up all sorts of materials and supplies from retail shops on a weekly basis.

I am constantly asked where I purchase my craft supplies from and if I can remember…… Hmmm…., I will always share, as I want the shops I frequent, to carry on stocking all these wonderful materials. The more that we all buy from them, the more they will stock, and the better the prices will be – it’s a win, win!

To this end, I am going to do a regular feature, showcasing the supplies I have bought in the last week or two.  Wherever possible I will do a link to that product to make your life even easier – do you need to traipse around the shops in all weathers – No, you don’t!  I will have done that for you, gosh what a chore!  Obviously, there will be a lot of products that are not available online or are ‘one-off’ items, or possibly even sale but I will still let you know where they are from and how much they were.

I do love a button (or 60 pack) and ribbons are a bit irresistible to me, especially velvets (can cause palpitations), fabric is a weakness obvs – check out this fabric storage post – little wooden pieces and rubber stamps jump off the shelf into my basket (that so happens!).  As for Trimmings, actually, let’s stop now and not even go there.  Who am I kidding, I adore all Haberdashery (my love – no not obsession – started age 6), always have and always will.

Ok, where shall I begin…..Hmmm…

Let’s start with The Range.  I just ‘popped in’ to see if I could pick up some art books for the teens schoolwork (yes really!).  I ‘bumped’ into a tub of ribbons which were ALL priced  at £1.00 per roll.  I think I have approx  350-400 reels of ribbon and thousands of ribbon pieces so I didn’t think I would find anything but I had to have a little rummage and……  No – OMG – 12.5m  of Duck-egg velvet ribbon for £1.00  Nooooo…. My heart seriously started beating faster and I actually started furtively looking around to make sure no-one else was near me, that might see my unbelievable bargain ribbon and run over! (I know, I do actually think I have a problem too).  Well, here’s what I found; 2 reels of duck-egg velvet (I did actually leave a few reels behind) and 1 reel of brown velvet.  1 pretty gathered lilac ribbon reel – I could see this on dolls clothes and lots of my customers love lilac, 1 reel of simple ribbed lilac and lastly 1 fabulous reel of white ribbon with a silver glitter edge which, ‘I absolutely had to have’ for all the fairies and angels I make.  I know you won’t believe me but I really was being ‘restrained’!!!

 

Then, whilst looking at the oilcloths I saw this gorgeous duck-egg fabric which was a perfect match for the ribbon.

I rarely know what I am going to use my materials for but I just ‘see’ things in my head and I could ‘see’ Easter bows.  I don’t know why these things just ‘pop’ into my head but they just do and look, how gorgeous is that bow – it’s almost edible.

It was £3.20 per metre and I just bought 1/2 metre.

 

 

 

 

 

Can you see how wispy it is, like hessian?  Duck-egg hessian, love it.  They call it Slub Linen Voile.  Do you think they might have some in pink next time I go?

 

I probably should have left at this point as I hadn’t picked up a basket and actually couldn’t carry any more but no, I was in a wonderful trance of prettiness and sparkle, my imagination was in overload and I was having far too much fun.

Then, I spotted some roses trimming strips in 3 different colour ways.  I actually made a gift for a friends daughter with the multicoloured one and used up my stock, so was pleased to find it as I have been on the look out for about absolutely ages for some more – yes I really have.

 

 

Again, just £1.00 per pack, fabulous and soooo pretty.

Finally, whilst trying to pick up all the things I kept dropping on my way to the tills, I saw these buttons which for just, you guessed it, £1.00 would simply have to come home with me  – I ‘needed’ them, no question, none whatsoever!

 

 

I also visited The Works this week and purchased some more brilliant inexpensive craft supplies, some more buttons – well I do use a lot and some of them are very sparkly, which you just don’t see……anywhere…….ever…… and again just £1.00!  Mr Chandelier raised his eyebrows too…….Hmmm…..!

 

 

 

I also purchased these pretty little flower petals to add to my faux flower department – I felt sure they would be used very soon!

At present they only have them in pink but I will keep my eyes peeled in case other colours come in as my flower department will need them.

 

 

 

It is all business you understand, poor me, all that visual stimulation is exhausting, really! I don’t know why Mr Chandelier has no sympathy for my exhaustion!

Where do you buy your craft supplies from, can they compete with these prices?

Happy shopping!

Much Love,

Sarah xx