Bulk Craft Supplies

Bulk Craft Supplies: How I Saved $3,000 Last Year (And Wound Up With 500 Pom Poms)

Remember that moment when you realize you've spent $28 on three sheets of specialty paper at the craft store? Yeah, that was me before discovering the magic of bulk craft supplies. After transforming my chaotic craft closet into an organized warehouse (with some hilarious missteps along the way), here's everything I learned about buying smart, storing smarter, and resisting the siren call of 1,000 googly eyes.

What Counts As Bulk Craft Supplies?

Here's what surprised me: Bulk isn't just for schools and businesses. For crafters, it means buying materials in larger quantities at lower unit prices. My personal game-changers:

• Basic consumables (glue sticks, pipe cleaners, beads)
• Frequently-used items (cardstock in your signature colors)
• Non-perishable favorites (that perfect washi tape)

My wake-up call? Realizing I'd bought the same shade of blue glitter three times at markups that would make a car dealer blush.

Why Bulk Buying Changed My Craft Game

Beyond the obvious savings, here's what convinced me:

1. Cost: My Cricut vinyl now costs 70% less per sheet
2. Creative freedom: No more "saving" good materials for "someday"
3. Always ready: 2am crafting urge? I've got supplies

Funny story: My first bulk order included 200 wooden dowels. My husband asked if I was building a birdhouse city. (Spoiler: I wasn't.)

5 Best Places to Buy Bulk Craft Supplies

After testing 12 suppliers (and some questionable eBay listings), these delivered:

Supplier	Best For	My Savings
AliExpress	Cheap basics (buttons, beads)	82% on charms
Paper Mart	Paper/cardstock	$120/year on cardstock
Wholesale Party Supplies	Ribbon, glitter	1lb glitter for $8
Nature's Workshop	Natural materials	Pinecones by the pound
Local teacher supply	Immediate needs	No shipping costs

Pro tip: That "amazing deal" on 10,000 sequins? Check shipping costs first. My "bargain" turned into $38 shipping for 2lbs of plastic.

Storage Solutions That Actually Work

Because 500 pom poms won't organize themselves:

• Clear plastic bins (Stackable with labels)
• Over-door shoe organizers (Perfect for ribbons)
• Glass jars (Pretty + keeps bugs out)
• Fishing tackle boxes (For tiny items)

My proudest moment? Converting a vintage card catalog into bulk bead storage. My most shameful? The "miscellaneous" bin that became a black hole.

What NOT to Buy in Bulk

Learn from my mistakes:

1. Trendy items (That llama pattern will date)
2. Perishable goods (Dried flowers attract bugs)
3. Specialty glues (They dry out)
4. Anything you haven't tested (50 yards of scratchy ribbon hurts)

RIP to my 100-pack of "quick-drying" glue sticks that never dried at all.

Bulk Buying for Different Craft Types

Tailored recommendations:

• Paper crafters: Cardstock packs, adhesive sheets
• Jewelry makers: Beads by the hank, headpins
• Textile artists: Fabric remnants by weight
• Kid crafters: Washable markers, construction paper

My best find? A 50lb box of fabric scraps for $15 that kept my quilting group busy for months.

The Math That Convinced Me to Go Bulk

Real-world cost comparison:

• Single glue stick: $1.25 vs. 50-pack: $18 (64% savings)
• One sheet cardstock: $0.89 vs. 250-sheet pack: $42 (81% savings)
• Individual beads: $0.10 vs. 1000-count: $18 (82% savings)

Now I calculate cost-per-project instead of just grabbing supplies. Game changer.

Creative Ways to Split Bulk Orders

Because maybe you don't need 10,000 sequins:

1. Crafting friends: Split costs and supplies
2. Local buy-nothing groups: Share the wealth
3. Etsy sellers: Resell smaller quantities

My craft circle now does quarterly bulk buys. Last month's haul included enough felt to blanket a kindergarten.

Your First Bulk Buy Action Plan

Start smart with:

1. Track what you use most for 2 weeks
2. Compare unit prices across 3 suppliers
3. Start with one or two items
4. Invest in storage first

Remember: Bulk buying is a marathon, not a sprint. Unless it's that 75% off warehouse sale. Then run.

Now go forth and conquer those craft supply costs - but maybe set a pom pom limit first.