Decluttering Arts & Craft Supplies

February 24, 2024

My undergraduate degree was a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Crafts, and I worked at Pearl Arts and Crafts on South Street in Philadelphia when I was in college. I still love crafting, and have a good variety of craft supplies at my disposal. Over the years, as my tastes and interests have changed and evolved, I’ve had to declutter quite a bit of my own supplies so that I have the physical space and mental flexibility to allow my work to progress. I love helping other people declutter their craft supplies as well, since I know it can be so beneficial to the creative process. Having too much stuff to choose from can really hinder creativity. In this post, I’ll talk about why decluttering craft supplies can be so hard, and what to do about it.

Craft supplies can accumulate quite quickly, whether you are buying things on impulse, you’ve been gifted supplies, or you’ve purchased them mindfully. An overabundance of supplies can be really overwhelming. It’s important to sort through your supplies on a regular basis not only so you tidy up and have a clean space to work, but so that you remember what you have, and you let go of things that are stifling your desire to make new things. Decluttering your supplies can help you gain a lot of clarity about how you want to express yourself through your creations.

Why it’s so hard

You may need the materials “just in case”, or because you’re planning on using them “someday”

All the possibilities things can become! You may have a fear of running out of materials or needing them for a potential project. It’s always nice to have some extra materials on hand, but as you clarify what’s important to you, it will be easier to trust yourself to make decisions about what you need and don’t need. You can also calculate how much you are paying for the square footage that the materials take up versus how much it would cost to get these supplies again in the future.

Shame about abandoned hobbies

Creativity inherently will require some waste. You’re not going to like everything you try. You may outgrow some hobbies, or you may not be able to do them anymore for a variety of reasons. Imagine if you were still friends with everyone you ever met. That would be completely overwhelming, and you wouldn’t be able to be present with anyone to really share quality time with them. If there is a hobby that you have supplies for that you know you’re not going to return to, pass it on to someone who will love it.

Art supplies can be expensive

You don’t want to feel like you’re wasting money, so you keep good quality supplies even though you don’t think you’ll ever use them again. It’s not worth it. The shame and guilt you have for storing these nice supplies that you’re not using will prevent you from continuing to create new things with other supplies.

You have an emotional attachment to the supplies

Art supplies can be sentimental. Maybe someone special gave you the materials or equipment. Or maybe you were planning to do something with the supplies that has a sentimental meaning or memory for you. Perhaps you had a family member who used to be a craftsperson, and you want to follow in their footsteps. If you’re really getting hung up on your emotional attachment to certain items, isolate the difficult decisions together, and store them in a way that isn’t taking up valuable real estate in your studio (and in your mind).

Indecision about unfinished projects

There is definitely something to say about working on projects all the way until completion. Developing the work ethic to follow through can feel like a major accomplishment that will help you increase your self-confidence. But sometimes it’s better let projects go before they’re done. Or sometimes you want to keep unfinished projects around for inspiration, and that’s ok too. What’s going to hold you back from feeling creative and inspired in your studio is a bunch of unfinished work that you think you “need” to finish. Isolate these projects together, and see how many projects you think you need to finish. Seeing all the “to-dos” in one place will help you realize that you’re overcommitted. Edit your “to finish” projects down to something manageable, and then follow through with getting them done.

What to do with finished work?

This can be really hard! Do you give it away? Sell it? How do you store it and inventory it? Over the years, I have given away so many of my practice pieces to friends, family, thrift stores, and sold things at yard sales. I’ve also sold things at art shows and through my website. If you made something that you think is interesting or inspiring to you, document it! Take photos/videos and store these in a way where you can find them later.

There are plenty of places to sell your work, but it does take time and effort to apply for shows or to market your work, and then to take it to where it needs to go, and either do the selling yourself or work with a gallery to sell it for you. CaFÉ (Call for Entry) is a great website where you can look for opportunities to show your work. Artist Trust is another organization that lists opportunities for artists. You can also create your own website and/or Etsy account and market your work on your own. Showing your work at local stores, coffee shops, salons, or other venues is another way to get your work out there.

Another option would be to donate your finished work to a charity that can resell it and keep the earnings to use for a good cause. Churches and schools often have bazaars that sell crafts to raise money.

What to do with supplies you no longer need?

Once you’ve sorted like items together, and taken stock of your supplies, it’s time to decided what you no longer need. You have several options about what to do with the stuff you don’t want anymore.

Donate them! Schools are a great place to donate art supplies. Call your local school to see if they are accepting donations, and then bring them by during school hours. I’ve donated supplies to my local elementary school a couple times, and they are always very happy to receive them! Local Buy Nothing groups are another way to make sure your supplies are getting into the hands of people who really want them. Seattle’s ReCreative is a store that accepts donations of art supplies, but just make sure to make an appointment first. Thrift stores often don’t take craft supplies (depending on what they are), so check first so they don’t get rejected when you bring them by (or thrown out). You can also check with friends, relatives, and neighbors to see if they want anything.
Sell them (depending on how much they’re worth).

Do your research to see if there is any current market value for what you have to sell. Just because you paid good money for it doesn’t mean someone else will. Depending on what you have to sell, you may need to find a group that specializes in the particular craft you’re trying to unload supplies for. You can also sell things locally on places like OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and Craigslist. Just beware of scammers because you will probably be contacted by some. Look up safety tips for selling things online prior to posting. You can also give things away for free on OfferUp, NextDoor, and Craigslist. eBay is another place to sell used supplies and equipment, but make sure to take shipping fees and eBay fees into account when pricing your items.

Use them for fundraising purposes

If you’ve got lots of supplies to make a particular item, consider holding a class at a local venue to raise money for a good cause. Teach participants how to make cards, wreaths, coin purses, or whatever you want to get rid of. Or if you’ve got a nice piece of equipment or a good grouping of supplies, you could donate them to a local auction.

Recycle/trash them

Sadly, not everything can be passed on. It may be time to just let things go. Recycle what you can, and trash the rest. Make sure to dispose of hazardous materials properly.

The Benefits

Too much stagnant energy in your studio will pull you down, make you feel stuck, and you won’t want to make anything. Decluttering your old supplies and equipment will breathe new life into your studio! You will feel reenergized, inspired, and free to create new things. If you’re someone who likes to craft/make artwork, when you’re not doing it on a regular basis, you will feel like a piece of yourself is missing. You may not even realize it until you start making things again. By spending time making things, you are connecting your head and your heart together, and your whole life will improve!