Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Cards = Expensive

I have recently been studying on how to make prettier handmade cards (mine are just awful :-( and upon "researching" I noticed how expensive it was!!!  All the tools they use would really start to add up. 

Block Stamp from Hero Arts
$13.00

Cling Stamps

$15.00

Blue Stamp Pad

$6.00

Scrapbook.com Corner Chomper
$24.99

Glue Dots
$4.00

Permanent Tape Adhesive

$6.49

Border Punch

$14.99

Ribbon Kit

$35.94 On Sale $15.99

Cardstock Pack

$20.00 On Sale $18.99

Monster Embellishments

$4.99

White Pen

$3.70

These are just some of the basics I noticed.  Bottom line- Actually Making cards is not cheap!  But it looks so fun, that I really want to continue on!  In a practical, budgeted manner, of course :-).  I can't go crazy and buy everything I want impulsively.  We would starve!  (Not really, I would not allow that to happen).  I think part of the reason my cards are no good(besides the part where I'm just not good at it) is because I can't afford all the nice things to make a pretty card.  Oh, well, I won't get discouraged.  I'll keep on trying!


I've also decided I'm going to talk to my husband about letting me take a little class at Joann's Crafts and Fabric Store.  Its a basic class about Jewelry Making 101.  Its very affordable.  If I sign up at the open house event, I'll get 50% off the class ($17.50 instead of $35.00).  Its a one day class for 2 and 1/2 hours and it sounds like fun.  Having a teacher quite often makes all the difference between success and not for me.  I think I would really like this!

7 bloggy friends commented:

~Kristen~ said...

paper crafting is definitely not cheap, but a good thing to keep in mind is a lot of those things you posted are non-consumable, meaning they are a one time purchase. Stamps, punches, etc get used over and over. If you can make a small investment in some good tools to start, then over time add new ones when you can you will have a good supply kit for card making. Ink pads, though consumbale, last a long time. Adhesive can be used quite sparingly. And good neutral cardstock can be bought in bulk. And save all your patterned paper scraps. One piece of 12 x 12 patterned paper can go a long way in cardmaking! Have fun!!! :-)

Heidi said...

That's why I never got into card-making/rubber-stamping. I love the products I see others make, but I just can't justify the cost to get started. I think it would be neat if you had a lot of local friends who were interested and you could all go together and purchase different items - then get together for card-making & swapping parties.

As for the jewelry, I'd love that class! Wonder if my local JoAnn's is offering that? We've made some earrings in the past, and I'd love to get into making more jewelry.

Julie said...

I agree it can be very expensive. I do like to make my own cards though. I just stock up on supplies slowly. Joann's, Michaels and walmart are always having sales on embellishments. For the more expensive items I use the 40% off coupons.

Sarah said...

Those are all great ideas! And that's a good point, Kristen. Hopefully I would only need to buy one corner chomper and just keep it out of reach the little destroyer in the house. He won't be allowed to touch it anyway, so he doesn't get hurt.

Hannah Gold said...

I have a friend who sends me a handmade card for all holidays-and I love it! So nice to get something handmade-and made with love!

Rachel Cotterill said...

I love making cards, but I don't really think about the cost... I only send cards to people if I care enough to put in the time and money! And if I would be sending them a card anyway, I'd want to buy a handmade one, which is definitely expensive. I do hoard little crafty 'bits' whenever I come across something pretty which might be useful :)

Kristi said...

Stopping by from Follow Friday! I love making cards! It is expensive in the front end, but will save you a ton in the long run. Cards are so outrageously priced these days ~ most are $4! If you buy 20 a year, that is $80! And people love home made cards! Here is a tip. Keep the cards that others give you & you can reuse the covers to make new cards!

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