Fingers crossed that you’ve not only read through this decluttering series but that you’ve taken bold—BOLD—action!
You DESERVE a craft space that is exactly how you picture it: a space where you don’t feel overwhelmed, where you’re excited to create, and where everything in that room is something you will actually use.
Ponder that for a second. “Everything in that room is something you will use.”
WOW—that’s exciting, fun, and inspiring concept ! And because you’re a crafter, you and I both know that you’ll still want new stuff. And that’s perfectly okay. New supplies are fun, new colours are exhilarating, and new stamps spark creativity.
So today we’re talking about what happens when new things enter your space. We’re going to do a bit of math, revisit Principle #1 – Craft Supplies are meant to be used, and dive into a lot of practical strategies.
Know Why You Purchased
When you buy something, know why you’re buying it. If the answer is simply “because I want to”—fantastic!
There’s no shame in wanting things. I wanted a Banh Mi roll today, so I bought one. This week I wanted a Halloween ornament (or two) for the dining table, so I grabbed them. Both brought me joy—and I’m on a budget! Budgets, I’ve found, can actually feel freeing rather than restrictive.
But when it comes to craft purchases, especially sets, think about what you really love.
Stamp Sets
If you only want part of a set, keep that and let the rest go. If you only like part of a stamp, cut the rest away. (Yes, I know that makes some stampers faint, but once you try it, you’ll be hooked.) My classic example: the “Gee, Thanks” stamp. It is not a statement I’d say as it sounds like a sarcastic thanks. I’d never use “Gee,” but I love font of the “Thanks,” so I cut it and only use that. Simple.
Crafty-versary
To stay on top of what you actually use, create a “Craftyversary.” Stick a note on a stamp set with the last date you used it, and then, once a year, review what’s been loved and what hasn’t. Move on the things that haven’t been used. This gets faster and easier each time you do it.
What’s missing
By now you’ll also know what’s missing from your collection. If your birthday sets are tired, replace them.
If you’re uninspired by holiday supplies, refresh them. Right now, I’m hunting for a masculine set that doesn’t involve clichés like tools, golf, or beer. I don’t know what it looks like yet, but I’ll know it when I see it.
Fill your gaps and mix the old with the new—that’s where creativity thrives. Seasonal purchases deserve special attention.
Take Halloween, for example. I only make a handful of Halloween cards each year, and I never want to use last year’s supplies again. That feels boring, so I buy new, create with it, and move it along when the season ends.
Same with Valentine’s and Christmas—especially Christmas, when I make the most cards.
For me, stamps and paper for specific holidays are like themed paper plates: designed to be used and then let go.
When the season is over, pull those supplies from your main stash. Have a “give” box and a “sell” box, and toss what’s truly unusable. Move them out quickly and make space for the next creative wave.
Some people subscribe to the one stamp set in, get rid of one stamp set rule. Let me assure that I am not that mean or strict! BUT if this rule is something that you want to do and you believe you can be disciplined to do without guilt,, by all means embrace it wholeheartedly. (I’m not that disciplined!)
Colour Coordination
Now, let’s talk colour coordination. Matching colours across different companies can be a nightmare—navy vs navy, red vs red, nothing aligns. That’s why I stick to Stampin’ Up! for colour. I’ve tried a lot of companies, and while others do many things well, no one beats Stampin’ Up! for coordinated colour. They’ve absolutely nailed it! If colour matching is important to you, simplify your life and stick to one system.
Ink pads and re-inkers follow the same logic. If it’s a colour you’ll use often, buy the re-inker upfront. Different pad types hold different amounts of ink, so some need frequent topping up while others last longer.
Personally, I always buy the re-inker with the pad because I’m impatient—I don’t want to wait for a refill to arrive when inspiration strikes. Midnight crafting with a dry pad is one of the most frustrating experiences you can have. Especially when you are sneaking in some middle of the night crafting (those of you going through menopause or with insomnia will know exactly why I’m crafting at some ungodly hour) – it’s not like you can phone a friend at 2am because you have a dry ink pad emergency.
Patterned Paper Buying/Sorting
This one always sparks debate, so let’s do the sums. (That’s enough groaning – trust me doing the maths helps alleviate guilt.) I’ll even do the sums for you.
As I said above, buying things that colour coordinate is my hard line in the sand. It just has to coordinate or else I won’t use it. It’s as simple as that.
As we’ve discovered that buying patterned paper that is meant to coordinate comes in sets. AND there is some ugly paper in those packs. Let’s just own it and say it out loud!
I can hear you saying… “But Chrissy, it’s expensive so I have to keep it!” or “It’s cheap, even with the ugly paper!“
Please park those statements and follow along with me as we do the maths…
A pack of 12″x12″ paper with 12 double-sided sheets costs around $21.75. That’s $1.81 a sheet if you use them ALL. Simple enough… That’s what you’ve been told in the past but it’s not that simple. So I’m going my best to explain it the way I explain it to my team, The FlamInks.
Let’s be honest (we’ve talked about this before)—there are always a few “ugly ducklings” in the mix. And there are some great ones in those packs too! But, inevitably what happens is that you have some double sided ugly ones and some double sided cute ones, it’s not always cute on one side and ugly on the other. Sometimes that utopia happens, but it’s rare.
So let’s say from that package of 12, there are 4 sheets you won’t use. Not even for envelopes or crinkle shred that we talked about here. BUT If you only love 8 sheets, the real cost is $2.71 a sheet. And that’s still great value.
And you might be thinking, wait, hold on a second, that’s expensive! I can get it cheaper at my local craft store. No, you really can’t. Why not? At your local craft store you can’t get paper that coordinates, so it sits there and you wasted money on a “bargain”.
It’s affordable at $2.71/sheet because one sheet makes six card fronts (10cmx14.5cm) at about $0.45 each. Which means for $0.45, you will have the coordinating colours in the largest size for your card front. AND that’s with getting rid of your ugly 4 sheets of paper from that pack.
The same size piece of solid colour card stock (10cm x 14.5cm/4″x 5¾”) is $0.26. We are talking about a $.19 difference WITH getting rid of 4 sheets of patterned paper.
If find a “unicorn pack” where you adore all 12 sheets, even better—it drops to $0.30 a card front.
So to get rid of your ugly sheets only changes your price by $0.15 a panel.
I don’t know about you but I will JOYFULLY discard $0.15 worth of ugly paper to not experience patterned paper guilt or have ugly paper taking up valuable real estate in my craft space.
Either way, good quality coordinated patterned paper is worth it. Don’t let guilt sheets take up space. Sort immediately: love it, envelope it, or trash it. Keep only what excites you.
And if you struggle with commitment, start with paper shares. I adore them because I get half the ugly sheets and double the variety!
Mystery Boxes
When it comes to buying mystery boxes (yes, I sell them), here’s the truth: you won’t love everything in them, and that’s intentional. Mystery boxes are priced knowing you’ll pass some items along. Think of them like an advent calendar without waiting to Christmas—you’ll find treasures, surprises, and a few “not for me” items. That’s part of the fun. Just don’t feel obligated to keep it all.
Responsible Receiving
In my previous post I talked about responsible gifting. Responsible receiving is the flip side of this. When someone offers you a box of supplies, ask how much there is and what the expectation is.
My favourite approach is to say, “I’d love a few pieces as keepsakes. When can I come and choose?” That way, you honour the gesture without overwhelming your space.
Principle #1: Craft supplies are meant to be used
And finally, Principle #1: Craft supplies are meant to be used. Unloved supplies don’t inspire—they suffocate. This whole series has shown that too much unused stuff can block your creativity.
None of us are in this hobby because it’s cheap. We’re here because it brings joy, expression, and connection.
Buy with purpose, use with joy, and pass things along without guilt.
Crafting is good for the soul. It’s even therapist-recommended! I started with Stampin’ Up! in 2009 as a way to unwind from my high pressure job, and I’ve kept going because it lets me brighten someone else’s day. A handmade card never fails to make someone smile. That’s why I do this—as a crafter, as a demonstrator, and as a creative coach.
So enjoy your space. Enjoy your time. Enjoy your hobby. And most of all, make something that means something.
That’s a wrap
That brings us to the end of this declutter series. Boy we have certainly covered a lot in the past 10 weeks! Who would have thought that decluttering a craft room was so involved? Here’s a list of the declutter series posts so you can go back and check out what is important to you:
- Decluttering Patterned Paper:
- Scraps: Declutter and Organise Without Guilt
- The Honest Truth About Stamps (and why it’s okay to let some go)
- “Bargain” Craft Supplies Cost More Than You Think
- Tool Clean Out
- Decluttering Ink Pads
- Declutter Accessories!
- Gift, Donate, Sell, or Toss
- Close the Loop on Gifting, Selling, and Trash
It is my hope that among those posts there is just one thing that resonated with you and by breaking it into sections to give you a logical starting point, my posts has helped you move towards your dream craft space. Please pop a comment below to let me know which post helped the most.
Until next time… Happy Creating.
Chrissy xo
