We’re almost at the end of our decluttering journey together, and I’ve saved one of the trickiest topics for last—what on earth do you do with all the stuff you’ve decided doesn’t spark joy, inspire creativity, or fit into your craft space anymore?
Sorting through what to keep is one thing, but figuring out what to do with the “no thanks” box can be a whole different challenge. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some options that are practical, kind, and maybe even fun!
Let’s dive into gifting, or as I like to call it…
Responsible gifting
Story Time With Chrissy
When I moved out of home at 18, my mum showed up with a big box of old kitchen items. Some of them I remembered from my entire childhood—she had upgraded years earlier but tucked the old things away.
I was grateful cause I was broke and needed the essentials , and we used them for several years. But eventually, I found things that suited my home, tastes, and style, so I upgraded too. I carefully packaged up the old things to return to her. The next time she visited, before I could even explain, she noticed the new items in my kitchen. Her feelings were very hurt.
Here’s the thing: I had lived with those things for decades. She had replaced them when she was tired of them, but there seemed to be an unspoken expectation that because she gifted them to me, I should keep them forever. That was hard—for both of us.
Gifting With No Strings Attached
Picking gifts is tricky. Unless someone tells you exactly what they want (and where to buy it), it takes effort. The same applies when “gifting” craft supplies.
Now that you’ve sorted your boxes, you may feel compelled to gift them. And your friends might genuinely love receiving them! But here’s the key word: responsibly.
Think of it this way: a brochure is often translated as “Here, you throw this away.” If you hand out things, you need to be prepared for the person to discard them—and be completely okay with it.
When we gift with strings attached, guilt and frustration creep in. I was resentful my mum couldn’t see my excitement about my new purchases, and she was resentful I didn’t keep what she had given me. Not fun for either side.
So if you’re gifting craft supplies, be clear. Make sure the person truly wants them, understands how much you’re giving, and knows they’re free to keep, donate, or toss whatever doesn’t suit them. Don’t create a problem for someone else.
Fun Ways to Gift
Gifting can be joyful and creative!
- “Buy Nothing” groups – I love mine on Facebook. You give, you receive, and everyone’s happy.
- Handmade extras – I make little patterned paper gift bags and give them to friends. Some love them, some don’t, and that’s fine. The ones who do always ask for more around holidays and birthdays.
- Card bundles – I gift stacks of handmade cards with envelopes and a book of stamps. Friends with busy lives absolutely love this. It’s practical, thoughtful, and uses what I already make.
The key? Ask first, and don’t be attached to the outcome
Donating
If you don’t have a specific person in mind, donating is a fabulous option. Many schools, community centres, libraries, and retirement villages are always looking for craft supplies. Charities like women’s shelters or hospital wards often welcome donations too.
The key is to check first—different organisations have different needs, and it saves everyone trouble if you know what’s useful before dropping off a box. When you donate, you’re not just clearing your space—you’re supporting creativity, learning, and sometimes even healing in your community. That’s pretty powerful.
When donating, make sure the receiver knows they can do whatever they want with the items. Donating is “bless and release”— it is not transferring guilt.
Handmade cards are also wonderful donations. Some of my favourite places are:
- Homemade Cards for Seniors
- Qld Cancer Council
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Residential care homes
- QEII Hospital Auxiliary
- our local churches
- Farm Angels (previously known as Drought Angels.)
I make way more cards than I’ll ever use, so donating them just makes sense.
Selling
Selling supplies can be rewarding, especially if you’d like to fund new ones. Here are some ideas:
My Favourites
- Mystery Boxes – I create boxes of great supplies and sell them in my Facebook group. This only works if you already have an audience, but it’s my favourite.
- Garage sales or craft sales – Advertise clearly (stamps, dies, punches, etc.). Craft sales with other crafters can be especially fun.
- Facebook Marketplace – Sell in bulk or individually. Always meet at a police station or somewhere neutral like McDonald’s for safety.
- Facebook Groups – Many allow buying/selling of stamps and supplies. Check the rules.
- eBay – Great for higher returns, but takes effort. Good photos, honest descriptions, and fair pricing are essential. Always disclose missing pieces.
Other Options
- Gumtree – Not my favourite, but still an option. Same safety rules apply.
- Consignment shops – Some smaller shops accept handmade cards.
- Fundraisers – I bundle and sell cards each year for charity. People love supporting a cause and getting beautiful cards at the same time.
Keep in mind that selling does take effort—you’ll need to photograph, list, and possibly post items—but if you’ve got higher-value tools, bundles of stamps, or unopened products, it can definitely be worth your while.
Pro tip: make bundles instead of selling piece by piece—it saves you time, and buyers love getting a good deal.
⚠️ Counterfeit Warning: Unfortunately, there are a lot of fake craft supplies being sold online. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always check seller ratings, and be careful where you spend your crafting budget.
Tossing Items (Yes sometimes we have to)
Sometimes the best solution is simply throwing things away. This is often the hardest for crafters, but it can also be the most freeing.
Dried-up glue, blunt scissors, or paper that’s so bent it won’t lie flat, or knock-off (counterfeit) bargain products? Those belong in the bin.
Be realistic: if it’s broken, useless, or unsanitary (I see you, glitter-infested glue bottles), it’s okay to let it go. You don’t need to feel guilty about throwing away things that simply can’t be used. A tidy craft space is about keeping what’s useful, not hoarding what’s beyond saving.
A friend of mine was moving and agonising over what to do with unused supplies. With the movers arriving in days, I suggested she toss them. She finally did—dropping a whole box of supplies straight into the bin as the garbage truck came by.She said it felt amazing. The guilt and indecision were gone, and she was free.
If it’s yours, it’s okay to throw it away. Truly. Trust me on this!
Be Mindful of Your Time
Remember, you’ve already spent time sorting these items. Don’t undo your hard work by second-guessing or pulling things back out.
Selling can take a huge amount of time. For me, I do a mix of selling, gifting, and discarding. I know I’ll always have more supplies, so I don’t feel the need to cling to old ones.
Yes, selling can bring in money—but remember: you bought these supplies in the first place without selling anything else. That’s how you ended up with so much to begin with.
Any Way Works
There’s no “right” way. Gifting, donating, selling, trashing—it all works.
What doesn’t work is stacking boxes in a corner to “deal with later.” That just moves the clutter problem into another room and keeps the weight on your mind.
Be bold. Be ruthless. Be smart. And most of all—don’t lose sight of why you’re decluttering.
Think of Your Happy Space
When we picture our dream craft rooms, we don’t imagine overflowing cupboards of half-used supplies. We imagine fresh, clean, open spaces that inspire us.
For a while I avoided my own craft room because it overwhelmed me. I had kept every stamp set I’d ever owned, and the guilt of unused supplies was crushing. I even dreamed of sweeping it all into a giant bin bag just to start over.If you’ve ever felt like that, you’re not alone. Many crafters have, and many are now smiling in their craft spaces again after letting go.
So picture your ideal space. Fight for that feeling. You deserve a happy, inspiring place to create.
You’ve got this.
Mindset Matters
Here’s the big picture: letting go of supplies does NOT mean you’ve failed, wasted money, or lost your creativity.
It means you’re making space—for inspiration, for the tools you actually love, and for the joy that comes from crafting without the overwhelm. Each item that leaves your space is one less thing weighing you down, and one more opportunity for someone else to enjoy creating. Whether you gift, donate, sell, or toss, remember that decluttering isn’t just about stuff—it’s about freeing yourself to enjoy the creative journey.
So take a deep breath, grab that “no thanks” pile, and choose the option that feels right. Your future self will thank you when you sit down at your craft table and feel calm, inspired, and ready to play.
What now
And next up in this series? The fun part—what to do going forward. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Until next time… Happy Creating
Chrissy xo
