Reduce Reuse Recycle

Good Morning,

Do you ever find yourself staring at your crafting supplies and wondering where that pendant, string of beads or clasp went?  You know its in there somewhere, but where?  

Are you an impulse buyer?  Do you suffer from Shiny Syndrome?  "Ooh shiny, I will make this something with this."  Into the shopping cart it goes with no rhyme or reason, just a vague idea of "using it for something" and then placed with your crafting supplies, never to be seem again.

Do you have a love / hate relationship with your projects?  You love the materials, but attempt after attempt at creating a piece just doesn't seem to work?

Do you have items that haven't sold, and are sitting around collecting dust?  Today the blog shares some fun and simple ideas to get the juices flowing or at least the inventory pared down.  We won't talk about Cash Flow and inventory at the moment, that's for another post, but here are a couple of ideas for you.

Get Organized.  A couple of Plastic Containers, Tupperware, or old shipping boxes can make excellent compartments for your crafting supplies.  Findings, beads, clay, tools or what have you can be tucked in a box and returned to your closet or shelf readily available, and everything will be right where you left it.  Convenient and saves hunting for things you know you have around there somewhere.

Think / Plan.  Oh yes, that is very pretty, but what I am going to do with it?  Before your next crafting purchase take a moment to think about how you will incorporate the item into a project.  Do you have a project for the piece? Will you require more items to complete the project.  When do you intend to use the supply to make something?  These check list questions may help you decide whether or not you need a new supply, have a specific use or project for it.  Your crafting supplies and your wallet will thank you later.

Destash.  This is tough I know, you have spent money on the items, you intended to do something with them, but there they sit unused.  What to do with them?
Trade with another craftperson.
Compile Kits for making an item and sell them at an "at cost" price.
Create Sample Packs and pass them out the potential business contacts.
Offer a FREE GIFT with purchase.
* Check your local school or other programs that may be in need of supplies, and donate them.  In some cases the donation may be tax deductible.  Keep your receipts and ask the donation recipient for one, too. 
Host a Craft Afternoon.  Get your unused supplies together, invite your friends over and get to creating and having fun.  Of course your pals get to keep the stuff they make.

Art In The Yard.  Hold a Garage / Yard Sale, but instead of your typical garage sale items or finds, put your items out on display and see what happens.  Invite a fellow crafts person and have a little show all your own.

Flash Sales.  Hold a flash sale on your site or through a Flash Sales site like Hautelook.  What is a Flash Sale?  It is a sale of items that takes place for a limited time with limited selections, and item prices reduced up to 75%.  You don't have to cut your prices that much, but offering a sale is bound to get folks interested.  Try selling the earrings, or something else you have an over abundance of with a Flash Sale.

We hope you have found some of these suggestions useful or at least entertaining.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.