Saving on Hobbies

Today is Frugal Friday over at Life as a Mom (http://www.lifeasmom.com/), and I thought I'd write about how to save a little on hobby expenses. I love to cross-stitch and embroider. It is a huge stress reliever for me, and after just a few minutes with needle and thread, I feel much calmer and less stressed out. Unfortunately it can become an expensive hobby. While floss can be found for less than 30-cents a skein on sale at Joann Fabrics and fabric can be as inexpensive as $2 depending on size and type, the last few years I have found myself gravitating towards what is called overdyed threads (threads that are not one solid shade but have variations throughout) and linen. The overdyed threads can run anywhere from $1.95 to $3 a skein, and linen generally is anywhere from $3 for a small piece to $25 and up for larger pieces. Once in a great rare while, these will be on sale as part of a "everying 25% off" sale at a needlework shop, but this does not happen often. So how do I afford supplies? Here are a few ideas:

I haven't done this recently because at the present time, my closest needlework shop is about an hour away, but in the past I have done model stitching for a shop, trading my stitching time for store credit. The owner would give me the pattern and all the supplies, I would stitch the project and then upon its return, the owner would give me store credit. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, I would earn from $10-$30 in credit, and I never accepted any project that I couldn't complete in a month (usually smaller than 8x10 inches). Larger, more time consuming projects would have resulted in even more store credit. I would use the credit mainly to purchase linen for the large (18 x 24-inch) projects that I wanted to do for myself or for the more expensive overdyed threads. When you walk into a quilt shopt or knitting shop, look around at the models hanging up. More than likely, the owner doesn't have time to whip up samples year-round. Ask, and you may find yourself stitching/knitting/sewing for her and earning for your own hobby needs at the same time.

Another idea is to offer finishing services. Framing isn't difficult to learn, and turning needlework into pillows and wallhangings is quite simple. Ask your shop owner if you can post a notice advertising your abilities (be sure to have a few samples available for display or pictures to post), and you might find this opportunity leading to an at-home business that you can run at your leisure. You may also want to approach the owner with a proposition of finishing her samples in return for store credit. It never hurts to ask.

Lastly, keep an eye (and ear!) out for possible part-time work at your favorite shop. Sometimes owners need people who can work just in the evenings or maybe a couple Saturdays a month. Maybe they need someone who can cover staff illness, vacations or sales and inventory times. This would not only bring in a small income and/or possibly employee discounts or store credit, but would allow you to be around other people with similar interests. If your favorite shop has a yearly Super Bowl sale or an after-market sale, ask the owner if she needs extra hands that day. Of course, it will help if you are already a regular customer!

There are ways to indulge in your hobbies frugally. It just takes a little creativity and the ability to speak up and ask.