6 Easy Ways to to $ave Money at Craft Stores

Do you remember Rag Shop? Oh How I loved it until it closed and then I started paying attention to all the other craft stores. If you have kids or have a hobby or craft business, you will probably often be at the craft stores more often than you can count. Sometimes planned or sometimes for an emergency project. One year, as a hobby, I spent thousands of dollars at Craft Stores without thinking about saving money but as I realized that if I spend a little time thinking about this and planning for it, maybe I could have at least 50% of the cost. So how do I go about this?

1. Sign up for the email list: Sign up for all the Email/Internet Mailing list for all the stores - Micheals, Joann Stores, AC Moore, etc. I wish this was available years ago. There are  sales and coupons not available to the general public that are sent on emails. Also you will find out all the special store sales.

2. Plan your or your kids project according to sales: I am a yarn lover, sometimes I want to crochet a particular project but I can do another project depending on what yarn is on sale.  If you are planning a children project, try to plan a project based on what is on sale.

3. Keep a list of Future Projects: Remember I mentioned I had a project in mind but then did another project?  I will keep an eye out until I see the yarn on sale then I can work on a project that is on the Future project list.

4. Use Competitor Coupons: This for me is a mega money saver! You can use competitor coupons at your favorite coupon stores. Cut all the coupons of all the craft stores and save them and use according to your need. It comes in really handy when I run out of supplies suddenly and have to head to the store.

5. Check and Compare Prices Online: Check Prices online first for the supplies that you are looking for before heading to the store. Make sure you are getting the best price for your supply.

6. Clip, Clip, Clip coupons - Go through the weekly ads and clip the coupons. Use the same type of storage booklet that you will use for your grocery coupons.


I love craft stores and my favorite is Micheals. I can close my eyes and see all the different sections of the stores. Other stores include Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, etc.



Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Favorite Discount Stores to buy Yarn

As I indicated in my last blog, I am a yarn lover and even though half of the time, I am emergency yarn shopper, there are few online stores that I have used that provide good discount and sales on yarn.
Here is my list:

• Smileys Yarns
• CreateforLess.Com
• KnittingWarehouse
• Yarn.Com

One other store that provides discount but you have to catch the sale is :

• JoAnn.Com

Enjoy!

Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Am I Hoarding or Saving Yarn ?

I always have tons of projects in my head and sometimes on paper or saw in a magazine and head straight out to go buy yarn for the projects. Now my basement book shelf no longer have books but shelves and shelves of yarn.  I can't resist buying yarn.

So, I have made up my mind that for my craft show on May 1st, I am not buying any yarn, Not one single yarn! I need to use what I have in stock. This will help me to reduce my inventory, learn to be more creative with what I have and save money.  You see, I can save money with my personal expenses but when it comes to business, I still have a lot to learn.  I still treat like an expensive hobby most of the time. So Rule #1 for me  is to use what I have on my basement shelf unless it is a customized request.

I will let you know how I am doing.

Enjoy!




Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

What is Beauty?

What is Beauty?

Every woman tries as much as possible to be prettier and healthier. We spend enormous amount of time and money devoted to be prettier.  This pursuit is as old as the world.  I have come to realize that as much as we strive for the next level of prettiness and youthfulness, true beauty comes from within. With a combination of inner beauty and a woman taking good care of herself and self confidence, her aura radiates more than just physical beauty.

So what am I saying? Work on your Inner Beauty; work on your Outer Beauty by taking good care of your skin not through chemicals but through natural products that will protect and help revive your skin tissue. And most important, be confident in who you are!

What is your definition of beauty? Please share your thoughts.

Enjoy!

Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

How to Crochet a Spiral Motif

How To - Spiral Crochet Motifs

Directions:
1. Work a foundation chain and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring


2. If using a double crochet, chain 3 then work one double crochet into each chain stitch around


3. At the end of the round, continue to work in rounds without slip stitch to join rounds. You will need a marker at the end of each round to keep track of the rounds completed.






Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals