Get Craft Supplies Free or Nearly Free

If you love making things but your budget is tight, you are not alone. I have been in that same spot, wanting fresh paper, pretty fabric, or new paint, but not wanting to spend much. The good news is that there are many ways to get free craft supplies or pay very little. In this guide, I will show you simple steps that anyone can follow. You will learn how to use a craft supply swap, join a local “Buy Nothing” group, hunt at thrift stores, and time your trips for seasonal clearance and coupons. By the end, you will know exactly where to find discount art supplies without stress.

Start With Your Community: Host or Join a Craft Supply Swap

A craft supply swap is a friendly event where people bring supplies they no longer need and trade for things they will use. It works great for fabric, yarn, paper, beads, stamps, and tools that still have life in them.

How to set one up

Pick a simple place like a library room, church hall, or community center.
Ask guests to sort items by type in labeled bins.
Set a basic rule. For every bag you bring, you can take a bag.
Add a “free table” for small leftovers that anyone can grab at the end.
At the end, donate what remains to a local charity shop.

If you want help planning the layout and labels, use our easy printable kit inside the Free Templates Library on our site: Trusti ASG Free Templates. It will save you time and keep the event neat.

Tips for success

Invite both crafters and sewists so there is a wide mix.
Keep the event short, like 90 minutes, so energy stays high.
Ask a friend to greet people and keep the tables tidy.

A swap can refill your stash fast and often feels like a treasure hunt. Many people go home with free craft supplies they are excited to use that same week.

Join a “Buy Nothing” Group For Surprise Finds

“Buy Nothing” communities are local groups where neighbors give and get items at no cost. Craft tools and materials pop up often, especially when someone is cleaning a closet or moving.

Learn about the movement and how to find your local group here: Buy Nothing Project.
When you join, introduce yourself and share what you like to make.
Make a short “wish post” listing the supplies you could use.
Always say thank you and offer porch pickup times to make it easy.

I have seen full boxes of paper, scrap fabric bundles, embroidery hoops, paint, and even sewing machines given away. A single week in a group can lead to a nice box of cheap craft materials at zero cost to you.

Thrift Stores: What To Look For And When To Go

Thrift stores can be gold mines for craft goods. You will often find bins of yarn, quilting fabric, frames, storage bins, cutting mats, knitting needles, crochet hooks, kids craft kits, stamps, and even brand new canvases still wrapped.

Smart shopping tips

Check for color-tag discount days. Many stores run a weekly color rotation.
Inspect fabric for stains or odors. A quick wash usually fixes most issues.
Look inside pattern envelopes for all pieces.
Scan book sections for sewing guides and pattern books.
Pick up storage first. Baskets, jars, and drawer units help you sort your new wins at home.

Best times to visit

Mornings after weekend donation days.
Right after holidays, when people declutter.
End of month, when stores reset floors and mark down old stock.

If you are building a simple, small-space setup for your finds, try our easy room ideas here: Sewing Room Setup Ideas. It shows how to place a machine, cutting area, and pressing spot in a tiny space.

Seasonal Clearance And Coupon Stacking

Big craft chains run strong clearance cycles. You can combine sale prices with coupons in many cases.

Check weekly coupons and promos here: Michaels Coupons.
Look for end-of-season markdowns and red tags here: JOANN Clearance.
Sign up for store emails and apps to get extra percent off or a single-use coupon.

Timing that works

After major holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. You will find deep markdowns on seasonal fabric, ribbon, florals, and paper.
Back-to-school season ends with art supply markdowns, especially paint sets, sketchbooks, glue, and markers.
Late January and late July are common reset times for many chains.

When you combine a markdown with a store coupon, the price can be very low. If you go early on the first day of a new markdown, selection will be best. This is one of the most reliable ways for where to find discount art supplies all year.

A Simple 3-Step Plan To Refill Your Stash

Here is a fast plan you can follow this month.

Step 1: Join and Ask
Join your local Buy Nothing group and make a wish list post. List 3 to 5 items you will use right away. Be clear and kind. Offer pickup windows to make it easy for givers.

Step 2: Swap and Share
Host or attend a craft supply swap in the next two weeks. Use bins and clear signs so items do not mix. Bring your extras, go home with fresh finds, and donate the leftovers.

Step 3: Time Your Store Trips
Check the two links above for weekly offers and plan one store visit on a known markdown day. Stick to a short list so you buy what you will use this month.

If clutter has been holding you back, this quick guide will help you clear space first so the new items fit: Declutter Craft Supplies Fast.

What To Grab First

When you find free craft supplies or low-cost deals, it is easy to take too much. Start with items that match projects you can finish in the next two weeks.

Neutral fabrics you can mix with many prints.
Basic threads in black, white, and gray.
Blank cards, kraft paper, and multi-size envelopes.
Acrylic paint basics and a pack of brushes.
Storage pieces that help you sort by type or color.

Keep a small list in your phone so you stay focused.

Simple Storage So You Can Use What You Get

New-to-you materials are only helpful if you can find them later. Try this quick setup.

One clear bin for fabric by size.
One small drawer for thread and needles.
One jar for buttons and one for zippers.
A folder for patterns, with sticky notes that list size and view.
A shallow box for “current project” parts so they do not get lost.

If you want printable labels and a one-page map for your space, grab them inside the Free Templates Library here: Trusti ASG Free Templates. Labels will save you time every week.

Put It All Together This Week

Here is a tiny action list you can do in the next 7 days.

Join a local Buy Nothing group and post your wishes.
Invite two friends to plan a mini swap for next weekend.
Check the store links once and pick a single day to visit.
Print labels from our library and set up three small bins.
Start one project right away with what you found.

Free Get Craft Supplies Free Interactive Planner

Download the free, easy-to-use template in the link below ‌to make life a little easier for you as you start your fast crafting journey:

⬇️ Download Template

You do not need a big budget to create. With community help, smart timing, and simple storage, you can keep making beautiful things without stress. Use a craft supply swap, join a giving group, and plan store trips around markdowns and coupons. These small steps will keep your stash fresh and affordable. If you want more starter guides and project checklists, browse our beginner hub here: Trusti ASG C raft Guides.

By following this plan, you will know exactly where to find discount art supplies, how to ask for help in your neighborhood, and how to turn random finds into finished projects you are proud of. And yes, you can build a steady flow of free craft supplies all year.