The Ultimate Guide to Cost-Effective Crafting

by Irick Arbuso - 5 minute read

Last Updated: November 7, 2024

Are you interested in getting started with cardmaking but feel overwhelmed by the idea of needing the right supplies? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many beginners often feel like they need a huge collection of crafting supplies to get started, but the truth is that you can create beautiful and meaningful cards with just a few basic supplies.

How to spend less time shopping and more time crafting - video

Top Crafting Tips for Beginners

In this blog, we'll bust the myth that you need a ton of supplies to get started and share some tips and ideas for beginner cardmakers.

DIY shaker thank you card with cute pumpkins and gold sequins

Busting the Myth: How to Start Crafting Without Breaking the Bank

Waterfall Scene

Start with the Basics

When it comes to cardmaking, you really don't need a lot of supplies to get started. In fact, you can create stunning cards with just a few key items. Here are some basic supplies to consider investing in:

Handmade "hugs" card with 3D embossed leaves and foliage on an orange cardstock

Cardstock: This is the foundation of your card. Look for good quality cardstock in various colors to use as your card base and for layering.

Altenew adhesives for card making and crafting

Adhesives: You'll need a good adhesive to hold your card together. Consider investing in a tape runner or liquid glue for a stronghold.

Staged photo of a handmade thank you card with a few Altenew round ink pads, scissors, paintbrushes, and metallic thread in the background

Scissors: A pair of sharp scissors is essential for cutting paper and trimming embellishments.

Cute gender-neutral greeting card with a 3D embossed geometric background, flowers and a cup of tea in the foreground.

Stamps and Inks: Start with a few versatile stamp sets and coordinating ink pads. This will allow you to create different designs and sentiments for your cards.

Invest in Multi-Purpose and Versatile Products

When it comes to building your collection of cardmaking supplies, it's important to invest in products that are multi-purpose and versatile. This will not only save you money but also give you more flexibility in your cardmaking projects. Need recommendations? We’ve got you!

4 handmade greeting cards created with just ONE cardmaking kit - Altenew's Craft Your Life Project Kit: Chocolate Flowers

Handmade greeting card with 3D embossed tropical leaves and foliage, flowers, and a bird - made with Altenew's Craft Your Life Project Kit: Tropical Vibes

Craft Your Life Project Kits: Nothing screams “versatile” than our good ol’ project kits! If you are in dire need of a multi-purpose cardmaking kit that won’t break the bank, this is the way to go. You have a stamp set, a die set, a stencil set, and an embossing folder - all you need is cardstock and ink! Here are our current fave kits!
Craft Your Life Project Kit: Tropical Vibes
Craft Your Life Project Kit: Mixed Blooms
Craft Your Life Project Kit: Chocolate Flowers

Staged photo of Altenew's Zero Waste dies, stencils, embossing folders, and more

Zero Waste Dies: These innovative dies are designed to minimize waste and maximize every piece of die-cut. These are perfect for creating intricate designs and adding beautiful details to your handmade cards without worrying about leftover paper scraps. Check out our top 3 Zero Waste products!
Mini Delight: Zero Waste Leaf Potpourri Stamp and Die Set
Zero Waste 3D Floral Cover Die
Zero-Waste Field of Flowers

Layering Stencils: Stencils are a great way to add texture and dimension to your cards. Look for layering stencils that allow you to easily create multi-colored and multi-layered designs without breaking a sweat. Here are some of our recommendations:

One-Go Stamps and Dies: These products are designed to make die-cutting quick and easy. If you are a beginner who want to add depth and detail to your handmade cards without a lot of effort, this is for you. We’ve handpicked a few One-Go products you might like:

Woven Basket Layering Die Set

Keep an Eye Out for Sales and Promotions

Building your collection of cardmaking supplies can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Keep an eye out for daily and weekly crafting sales and promotions to get the best deals on supplies. Many craft stores and online retailers offer discounts regularly, so take advantage of these opportunities to stock up on essential supplies and expand your collection.

DIY greeting card with flowers and butterflies, colored in with Altenew water-based brush pens

Artists’ Watercolor 24 Pan Set

Slowly Build Your Collection of Coloring Mediums

Coloring mediums such as alcohol markers, colored pencils, water-based markers, and watercolors are essential for adding color and personality to your cards. Instead of feeling like you need to buy every color available, start with a small collection of basic colors and gradually build your collection over time. This will not only save you money but also allow you to experiment with different mediums and techniques as you grow as a cardmaker.

Altenew's Deep Blue Seas Fresh Dye Inks and a mini blending brush

DIY gender-neutral birthday card with autumn vibes, with a few Altenew fresh dye inks in the background

Deep Blue Seas Fresh Dye Ink, Warm & Cozy Fresh Dye Ink

Get Color Coordinating Inks

Investing in a few color-coordinating ink pads is a great way to add depth and dimension to your cards. Look for ink pads that complement your cardstock colors and coordinate with your coloring mediums. This will allow you to create cohesive and polished designs without having to invest in a large collection of individual ink colors.

Invest in Products for Masculine or Gender-Neutral Projects

Friendship greeting card made by Jennifer McGuire using Altenew crafting supplies DIY greeting card with a whimsical floral vase background and the sentiment "hello"

While it's fun to create feminine cards, it's also important to have supplies that can be used for “masculine” or gender-neutral projects. Look for patterned papers, stamps, and embellishments that have more neutral or masculine designs. This will give you more versatility in your cardmaking projects and allow you to create cards for a wider range of recipients. Here are some of our top picks!

masculine handmade card with a chess set and chess pieces in the foreground and the sentiment "just checking in on you, mate"

Masculine handmade greeting card with a geometric background and a few crystal images Gender-neutral thank you card with a weaved basket background, made by Jennifer McGuire

Get a Few Evergreen Sentiment Stamps and Dies

Sentiment stamps and dies are essential for adding meaningful messages to your cards. Look for sentiment sets that include versatile phrases such as "thank you," "happy birthday," "thinking of you," “just because”, and "congratulations." These evergreen sentiments can be used for a wide variety of occasions, making them a valuable addition to your collection. We’ve picked out a few we think you should add to your collection:

Staged photo of Altenew's Versatile Greetings Die and Hot Foil Plate Bundle A closeup photo of a sweet and heartfelt sentiment on a handmade card, made with Altenew's Sentiments & Quotes Stamp Set

Simple handmade greeting card for friends, featuring a basket of crochet materials, made with Altenew's Craft Crochet Bundle Craft Crochet Bundle

Craft Without Breaking the Bank with These Tips!

Getting started with cardmaking doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive. By starting with the basic supplies, investing in multi-purpose and versatile products, keeping an eye out for sales and promotions, slowly building your collection of coloring mediums, getting color coordinating inks, investing in products that can be used for masculine or gender-neutral projects, and getting a few evergreen sentiment stamps and dies, you can create beautiful and meaningful cards without breaking the bank. So don't let the myth of not having the right supplies hold you back – dive in, get creative, and enjoy the process of making handmade cards!

Need free inspiration and ideas to kickstart your cardmaking journey? Drop by In the Craft Room!

The Ultimate Guide to Cost-Effective Crafting