How to Start Building a Craft Inventory from Scratch

The reason why you are reading this article is because you LOVE a DIY project. Not just love. You are passionate and completely obsessed with the idea of getting your hands dirty and working on creating something new that you will enjoy for years to come. A craft inventory would be your dream.

Believe me. I know the feeling. 

DIY projects truly bring me joy. There is nothing like the happiness of working on something new and creating it with your own two hands. I am always coming up with new ideas or finding something that I must immediately try or I feel as if I will bust. I truly become restless, and the idea overtakes my mind until I am able to start it. Whether it’s an art project, decor, home renovation, holiday craft, whatever, I always look at that object with admiration afterwards. 

Of course, you always need different materials, no matter the DIY project. Without the materials needed to complete it…there simply is no DIY project. It can be daunting to gather the necessary products for a DIY. Most of the time, the idea that DIY projects are meant to save you money can be true. However, sometimes it might feel as if you are spending more money than just buying the same thing brand new. If it’s home renovation related, maybe you just want someone else to do it so you don’t have to mess with it. Let me tell you something: neither one is wrong!

You don’t always have to DIY everything just because you love to DIY. I’m here to tell you that I have spent so much time on some projects that I become so frustrated that I just toss it all out and buy something brand new. No shame there! It can be exhausting!

Don’t be afraid to start building your craft inventory!

What can be daunting is the gathering of materials and products you need for your craft inventory. It was daunting for me at first. And I mean really daunting. When I started, I was at a time in my life where I was almost completely broke. Funds were horrifically tight, and if I bought craft supplies, it was only the minimal amount possible. I’m talking, one set of glue sticks from Dollar Tree, a quarter of a yard of clearance fabric, paint brushes and clay tools from the thrift store, etc. However, I am still using those products today. 

The point is, you do not have to hit the ground running with the best products out there. There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting small, and most of the time, the cheaper products tend to work just as well as more expensive ones.

Remember, no matter how you start or acquire materials, all of it matters. All of it counts, because you don’t know when you might need what. If you’re like me, you never know what you’ll be doing next and when inspiration will strike.

There are some steps that I took when starting my DIY inventory, and I wanted to share those with you today. I have continued to implement these tips as my inventory grows. That is the convenient aspect of these suggestions that I’m about to give you. All of them can continuously be implemented throughout your DIY career! 

Here are five tips on beginning to build your craft Inventory!

1. Start Small with your Craft Inventory

You do not have to spend a fortune on craft supplies. Big name crafts stores are great, and you will go to them in time, but remember that there are cheaper alternatives out there, especially when you are just getting started.

Dollar stores are the perfect place to start. Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Family Dollar all have supplies that work perfectly in your DIY inventory. Personally, I find that Dollar Tree has the most options, and the beautiful part is, the items only cost $1.25 each. There’s foam boards, terrarium jars, faux plants, faux moss, hot glue sticks, hot glue guns, glitter, stickers, glass jars, acrylic paint, etc! And they are quality items that usually get the job done! Great craft supplies for cheap? YES.

2. Start with the Basics

There are many tools that can be used for multiple DIY projects. For instance, paint brushes. Paint brushes can be used for almost anything. Now, I don’t mean super expensive, professional paint brushes used for acrylic and watercolor art commissions. I’m talking about the dollar store brands or ones that are in the specified “crafting” areas of hobby and crafts stores. Two or three dollars and they come in bulk. Actually, I suggest grabbing a few groups of brushes, so you have multiple options and in case they get ruined in a project. The fact that they would be cheap would take the pressure off. 

Foam brushes are a great option as well. These can especially be used for larger projects involving paint and adhesive, such as Mod Podge, which is also an excellent basic. Mod Podge can be used for almost anything: gluing fabric, sealing paint, giving an object a satin finish, making a printed picture look like an oil painting, etc. The possibilities are endless.

What kind of projects do you enjoy doing the most? When you answer this question, you have the answer as to what kind of “basic supplies” you should start with.

3. Thrift it

Never forget that you can actually thrift craft supplies! This requires a little bit of digging of course, but if you like thrifting anyways, then no problem! It’s amazing what people will donate, and a lot of it can be crafting supplies or products. I have seen my share of sewing machines, paint brushes, acrylic paints, scissors, even fabric. I once bought a full bag of fabric and fabric scraps at a yard sale…for five dollars. You can’t even get a full yard of brand new fabric for that, and this was a full bag of so many different types of fabrics! You never know what you will find. The next time you are in a thrift store or at a yard sale or an estate sale, keep a sharp eye out!

4. Rewards and Promotional Emails

Signing up for rewards at any craft store that you frequent or plan on frequenting is a great idea. It’s a great idea at any store, but if you’re trying to grow your DIY materials inventory, then craft stores are going to be high on the rewards list for you. Those rewards will eventually add up, giving you the option of using them for discounts and free items that will work in your inventory perfectly. 

If you sign up for rewards, you most likely signed up for promotional emails as well. Having promotional emails sent to you sounds annoying, I get it. However, once again, these are the emails you are going to want to sign up for. They are the promotions that you will want to see whenever sales are happening or offers are being put on the table for arts and crafts supplies. I completely understand that it might seem hard to keep up with sometimes due to how many are sent. However, you never know what you might see whenever you’re just scrolling on your phone and checking notifications. The amount of sales and offers that I have seen just because I happen to be on my phone when I receive an email is astounding and certainly has been rewarding.

5. Gift Cards

This one probably seems like a given, but go with it. For birthdays, special occasions, and holidays, I often ask for gift cards to my favorite crafting stores. Honestly, I love gift cards. Giving them isn’t my favorite because I love giving actual gifts, but receiving them is the best! (Those whom you are giving the gift cards to probably feel the same way!) There is nothing like going into your favorite arts and crafts store and being able to whip out a gift card to either pay for your entire purchase or a portion of it. Any little bit helps! Whether it’s twenty-five dollars, ten dollars, or even five dollars, it all counts and assists you in building that inventory. 

6. It’s Okay to Invest

If you are serious about DIY projects, there will be times where you will most likely want, or have to, invest in a product that can be pricey. For instance, if you redo furniture, you might be looking at paint sprayers. If you like sewing, you’re going to need a sewing machine, and perhaps the one you thrifted isn’t working quite the same anymore. If you like graphic design and enjoy making products with logos and illustrations, then a Cricket machine is likely going to be your best friend.

These purchases may seem scary, I know. However, think about it in the context of how much you will be using it. If you’re serious about the projects you are doing and find that you are doing them often, then it’s a great investment. You will be using the product constantly. Also think about the fact that you will be paying for it one time, and then you will have it for years to come. Sometimes, it can be more efficient to pay for the best once and then never again or not for a long time after the purchase.

In conclusion, these tips are meant to help you get started on building your craft and DIY inventory. Remember, everyone has to start somewhere, and all projects start from scratch. It is only fitting that gathering these supplies you will be using for years to come must start from scratch too!

Have you recently started a craft inventory or perhaps have added a new item to your current one that you are excited about? Let me know down in the comments!

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