As I write this, the crafting world seems to be panic buying the entire stock of soon-to-be closed Joann stores. I’ve seen posts from people filling carts (all the while complaining the discounts aren’t that good) or saying their stores have already been cleaned out of the good stuff.
I do have a local store that’s closing, and I do plan to shop there (at least) one more time before it’s gone, but I don’t intend to panic buy.
Because you know what? Yarn and fabric will still exist when these stores close.
Craft Hoarding vs. Mindful Shopping
The thing that gets me about all these panic buyers is that I’ll bet they don’t have a place for all those craft supplies they’re buying. Which automatically turns them into clutter.
Even people who make things to sell, who know they’ll use that yarn or fabric or whatever eventually, are probably buying more than they’ll need for a long time to come.
When you let “I might need it some day” cloud your judgement, either about the things you already own or buying new things, that’s a big problem. Because it doesn’t let you see what you actually need, what you’ll actually use in the short term.
And a lot of those great buys will just get shoved to the back of the closet, never to be used.
Instead, as always, we need to be mindful shoppers.
Think about the projects you might like to make in the next year or so. What supplies would you reasonably need for them? Also consider what you already have in your house when making those determinations.
In other words, don’t submit to panic buying, just buy what you might have bought anyway if the store still existed.
A Thoughtful Stockpile
One of the things to remember when stores close is that, unless you’re shopping a private label brand, those products are still going to exist when the store closes. You might have to buy direct from the manufacturer or from another outlet, but they aren’t going away.
If you’re a huge fan of something you can truly only get at Joann or another store that’s closing, and you know you’ll use it, I think it’s OK to buy a little extra to have on hand. Emphasis on a little. And on having a place to store it in the meantime. We do not want to turn into craft hoarders with yarn or fabric or notions in every spare space in our households.
Mindfulness is really the word I keep coming back to. If you can choose your purchases thoughtfully and limit them to things you really want and know you will use, you’ll be much better off in the long run. Don’t fall for the allure of cheap stuff that you ultimately won’t end up using.
Example: I’m thinking about buying a little big of yarn (probably some Big Twist in basic colors since it’s private label) if they still have some when I go shopping. I’d like to get some fabric for some summer sewing projects I’m planning since I don’t have a local fabric store.
I’ll look at some things I would like to try but have never bought because they seem too expensive. If the sale price is good, I might buy some of those things (like ephemera for art journaling or jewelry findings). Otherwise I’m totally fine not buying them.
Using What You Have
Another key component of this is actually using the things you buy, especially if you buy more than you normally would or more than you have space for. Make a project plan and try to stick to it. Start a project using some of your new stuff right away to inspire you and build momentum.
Do not stuff your purchases in the back of the closet and forget about them. Don’t let them turn into clutter. (And if you already need help with decluttering craft supplies, I’m here to help!)
And if you find that you have too much after panic buying from a closing sale or any other time, maybe it’s time to host a craft swap or do a decluttering sweep to make more space and get you excited about the stuff you have.
Where to Go from Here
I know a lot of people are upset about their “local” craft stores closing, but plenty of towns didn’t have these stores to begin with and their crafters managed just fine.
Maybe this is a good time to start a no buy experiment and really focus on using what you have.
It’s a great time to think about ways to get craft supplies that don’t involve big box stores or huge online outlets (and maybe don’t involve buying at all).
And it’s a wonderful time (as it always is) to use every last bit of your stash, whether that’s yarn, fabric or other supplies.
I’m here to help! Whether you’re suffering from a spell of panic buying or just have more supplies than you can handle, I’m always sharing projects and ideas to help you use your stash, whether here or over at Our Daily Craft. If you’ve got a particular crafty problem you need help with, I’d love to hear about it.
