Top 10 Items to Buy with a Craft Store Coupon
Between Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, and Michaels, I pretty much always have a 40% or 50% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket. If you’re lucky enough to live close to one or more of these stores, get on the mailing list. It’s worth it! I’ve honed my couponing skills and have determined the absolute best items to buy (nursery-related, of course!). The criteria that I use in determining when to break out the coupon is a) will it likely not be on sale already, b) does it cost enough to make it worth it because you don’t want to blow a 50% off coupon on a 99 cent bottle of craft paint, and c) can I make something totally awesome with it?
These are my top 10 picks. Be sure to let me know what you think, what I may have left out, and what your picks are in the comments section!
1. Fabric
This is a great item to use a coupon for, especially if you’re buying a lot of yardage. I once bought 12 yards to make a sofa slipcover and used a 50% off coupon. That’s a huge discount!
2. Curtain rods
Even if you want to keep costs down by making your own curtains, the hardware can get expensive. The drapery hardware selection at craft and fabric stores is pretty good, so use a coupon on this item for sure.
3. Upholstery foam
My local fabric store regularly puts out a 50% off coupon, and they also sell soy based foam. Perfect! They even sell a cylinder shaped hunk of foam to make round ottomans.
4. Globes
By now you’re well aware of our globe and map obsession. Check out the education related aisle at the craft store to score big savings with your coupon.
5. Cake pans
Maybe not something you’ll use in the actual nursery, but surely for a birthday party! Check the baking supply aisle for bakeware like cake and cupcake pans and cookie sheets.
6. Glass dome
Over at Design Sponge, Grace recently showed a sneak peek project from her upcoming book using one of these glass domes, and I instantly thought, “Oooh, I can use a Hobby Lobby coupon for that!”
7. Rug backing
I brush this stuff onto the back of upholstery fabric to make very durable (and machine washable!) rugs.
8. Spray paint
I always have something on my “to spray paint” list, so why not buy it with a coupon?
9. Iron-on transfers
I love these things. You can basically create your own fabric with them. Think of all the pillows you could create! But they can be expensive considering I usually screw up 2 or 3 at first.
10. Toys
When my kids are invited to birthday parties, I can always find something at the craft store. Wooden toys, model car kits, friendship bracelet kits. You can find a pretty big selection and that coupon makes it so much cheaper.
(Re-edited from a post originally published 8.10.2011 – JEL)
(Images: As credited above.)