How Many Craft Supplies is Too Many?
The Top Reasons We Hoard Craft Supplies
Hi there crafters, so if you’re like me, you do like the latest & greatest when it comes to supplies and one of the questions we tend to ask ourselves is do we really need It?) This is one I ponder and especially hard for me as I am always shopping for new products for the shop and its just so flippin tempting to snaffle a cute little something something from the shop.
1. The "Just in Case" Mentality
Crafters are planners. We like to be prepared for every possible creative situation. That’s why we hold onto that one pack of vintage buttons, that specific shade of cardstock, or those chipboard elements we bought in 2018. What if one day, the perfect project comes along, and we need it? We simply cannot risk it!
2. The Bargain Hunter’s High
There is no greater thrill than spotting a “50% Off” sign in the craft store. It doesn’t even matter if we already own a lifetime supply of stickers—this is on sale, and we’d be losing money if we didn’t buy it, right?
3. The "Too Pretty to Use" Problem
Some craft supplies are simply too beautiful to touch. We buy that stunning scrapbook paper, admire it, hold it up to the light, and then… place it safely in a drawer where it shall remain untouched for eternity. Cutting it feels like a crime. Using it? Unthinkable.
4. The Fear of Running Out
Ever used the last sheet of a favorite patterned paper and felt like you were losing a piece of your soul? Some of us buy multiples just to avoid that heartbreak. After all, what if they stop making it?! We must stockpile! Yeah. Same.
It’s not just paper. It’s the perfect blend of colors, the just-right florals, or that one design that fit so many layouts. What if you want to use it on a future project but it’s... gone?
🎯 So we stockpile. We hoard. We tuck those pretties away in the “too good to use” bin like we’re guarding treasures.
But here’s the - it was made to create memories, not just sit in a drawer with a sticky note that says “DO NOT TOUCH.”
So let’s flip the script:
- Use the good paper.
- Make the thing.
- Capture the memory.
So tell me - What’s the one paper or collection you’ve been “saving” for years?
Let’s confess our hoards together. Comment on this post and tell me all about it.🤭
5. The "One Day I’ll Use This" Dream
We've all bought craft supplies for future projects that exist only in our imaginations. Quilting fabric for that someday-quilt. A calligraphy set for the fancy wedding invitations we might make. A die-cut machine that we swore we’d use every day.
But instead, these treasures sit in a drawer, waiting for their moment to shine… someday.
We’ve all been there.
We buy these supplies with the purest of intentions — visions of dreamy projects, peaceful crafting days, and magical “me time.”
But life happens. Projects pile up. Time gets short. And before we know it, those beautiful supplies are sitting quietly in drawers, baskets, and closets… just waiting for their moment to shine.
And here’s the thing: it’s okay. Buying those things wasn’t a mistake — it was a tiny act of hope. A little spark of creativity saying, “You’re still a maker. You’ve still got ideas. You just need the right moment.”
💡But maybe that moment doesn’t need to be “someday.”
Maybe it’s… this weekend.. Maybe it’s just 20 minutes after dinner, or one little square of time during your next crop day. Dust off that calligraphy pen. Pull out that fabric. Plug in that die-cut machine. Even if the project isn’t perfect, even if it’s just a warm-up — give your “someday” supply its shot at being loved and used.
🧡 THE SOMEDAY SUPPLIES CHALLENGE 🧡
1. Pick one item from your stash that you’ve been saving for a “someday” project.
It can be anything — paper, fabric, tools, kits, embellishments, you name it.
2. Use it. That’s it. Make something with that exact item. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece — just start. Play. Experiment. Use it with love. It can be a layout, a card, a journal page, or even just testing it out in your sketchbook.
3. Share it! Post a pic of your project (or even just your supply in action!) and tell me:
✨ What supply did you use?
✨ How long have you been “saving” it?
✨ How did it feel to finally create with it?
6. Craft Shopping is Therapy
Some people do yoga. Some meditate. We buy craft supplies. There is nothing more comforting than strolling through a craft store, breathing in the scent of fresh paper and new markers. It’s not just shopping—it’s self-care.
How to Know When You Have Too Many Supplies
Let’s do a quick self-check. If you:
- Have more craft supplies than actual storage space
- Own items you forgot you had
- Have supplies still in their original packaging from five years ago
- Feel overwhelmed by the idea of organizing your craft room
- Have to hide your new purchases from family members (no judgment!)
…then maybe it’s time to consider decluttering. (Just a little.)
Turning Your Craft Hoard Into a Creative Haven
So what do we do when our stash starts overflowing? Instead of feeling guilty about our collections, let’s turn that crafty energy into something productive:
1. Start a Creative Planning System
If you’re drowning in supplies, why not organise them into a creative planning system? This helps you actually use what you have instead of letting it gather dust. A simple rotation—choosing a “supply of the month” to focus on—can work wonders!
Here’s one super simple trick that works wonders:
🌀 Create a “Supply of the Month” rotation!
Each month, pick one type of supply — like washi tape, stamps, chipboard, rub-ons, die cuts, or that mountain of patterned paper you “accidentally” bought 3 times — and challenge yourself to make that your star player for the month.
👉 Put it in a basket or on your desk so it’s front and center.
👉 Let it guide your project choices — whether that’s scrapbooking, card making, journaling, or even just playing in your art journal.
👉 Mix it with older projects, newer kits, or leftover scraps. You’ll be surprised how fresh your stash can feel when you actually use it.
This little rotation helps you stay inspired and keeps your supplies from sitting around collecting dust (and guilt). It’s like giving your stash a moment to shine — one piece at a time.
2. Join a Destash Challenge
We actually do this at my retreats, and let me tell you — it’s always a blast! Everyone brings their “not-sparking-joy” stash and drops it off at the big ol’ Destash Table.
And guess what? Someone’s crafty trash almost always becomes someone else's next treasure!
It’s all about letting go of what’s not inspiring you anymore — and making room for what does!
(Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to shop the destash table... just sayin’. 😉)
3. Make "Use It or Lose It" Projects
Challenge yourself to create a project using only supplies you already own. No new purchases allowed! Alright, crafty friend… it’s time to shop your stash!
This week, I challenge you - to create a project using only supplies you already own.
Yep. That’s right. No new paper pads. No sneaky sticker runs. No “I’ll just browse the craft aisle real quick” moments. 😅
(Okay… unless you need glue. We always need more glue. That’s just a basic craft survival need.)
- Use those patterned papers you’ve been “saving for something special.”
- Grab the washi tape you bought in 2019 and still haven’t opened.
- Dig deep into those drawers, bins, baskets, and that one random tote bag you totally forgot about.
Let’s turn what we already have into something beautiful, fun, and maybe even a little unexpected.
And here's the twist — let it be messy, imperfect, and 100% you.
💬 When you’re done, share your project in the Facebook Community and tell us:
- What stash item did you finally use?
- Did you surprise yourself?
- What felt good about crafting from what you already had?
4. Tie It Into a Crafty Membership Community
If you love being surrounded by like-minded crafters, consider joining a craft membership that helps keep you accountable for using what you have. A community that shares tips on creative planning and destashing can make the whole process way more fun!
The Final Verdict: Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Supplies?
At some point, we have to ask ourselves: Are we collecting supplies, or are we actually creating?
Crafting should bring us joy, not stress. If our supplies are inspiring us—fantastic! If they’re overwhelming us—maybe it’s time for a refresh. Either way, let's embrace the stash we have, make space for creativity, and maybe leave that extra roll of washi tape on the shelf next time. (Or not. No judgment.)
Til next time, happy crafting and gardening,
Julie
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