Guest Post: Isabelle from www.outfitvandedag.be

Hey loves :3

Today I'm introducing you something different on my blog - guest posts. I decided I want to help fellow bloggers as well, so if you want to write a guest post for my blog, don't hesitate and contact me ;) Today I'm presenting you the first guest blogger ever, Isabelle. Her blog is definitely worth checking out and she's amazing, so genuine and lovely! :) Thank you Isabelle for writing this <3

Revealing your true artist doesn't have to be expensive these days. As for makeup, so do art supplies have their own cheap shops, you just need to know where to find them. This post will have its focus on painting and jewelry making, because those are the two hobbies I do in my free time, but I'm sure that you can find other creative hobby materials in the shops I mention here as well.

Being creative means having an open mind. It won't come as a big surprise that creative people are also very intelligent people, mostly because they see the possibilities in things. So working with a limited budget sure is a great way to train your creativity skills.

Let's start with checking these 7 ways to do your creative hobby on a low budget.

1.    Visit pop-up shops to get great deals

Pop-up shops are very much in trend right now. Investments these days are unreliable so entrepreneurs intend to invest little money in small, temporary enterprises. Customers can take much profit out of this kind of shops because the prices are often low. The goal of these entrepreneurs is to make as much money in a short time as they possibly can, that’s why they sell great deals – deals you should definitely check out. Pop-up shops are great to get some stash, but remember that you need to have a back-up plan.

2.   Look for big discount stores like Action, Flying Tiger, Zeeman and Wibra

Of course, this tip you probably already figured out when looking for cheap materials. The one thing you have to keep in mind is that, when searching for budget friendly supplies, you’re not going to find everything you need in 1 store. That’s probably the biggest disadvantage of shopping this way. When I need supplies for my jewelry making, I can find beads in Action but no ear hooks. Therefore I’ve got to go to Flying Tiger or a pop-up shop. Some people may find the detour a bit bothersome. A good solution you can keep in mind is that you can buy larger amounts in each store. That way you don’t have to run to every single store every week.

Also, the store examples here are for people who are located in Belgium. Every country has its famous discount stores, so you can replace the ones in the title by the ones you’re familiar with.

3.   Find recyclable products in second hand stores

You would be amazed what treasures you can find in second hand stores. It’s unique and it already has a story that you can rewrite. Anyway, in a society with the focus on consumerism it’s a good thing that valuable stuff can get a new destination in a second life. Show your charity spirit and recycle!

Examples of second hand stores: Think Twice, Oxfam, Opnieuw & Co, …

4. Ask your family for old jewelry

How many women buy jewelry, wear it one time for some special occasion, and then put it away in a box for years? Your mom, grandma, sister, aunt, or anyone in your family would probably be very happy to see that those pieces don’t end up in the trash. Don’t be afraid to ask, you can always give them a gift afterwards. It’s a great feeling to make someone you love happy with your handmade jewelry.

5. Make a list of things you can save money with and things that require high quality 

You can’t expect yourself to buy everything on low cost, some items do demand a higher level of quality and so a higher price as well. Like for instance paintbrushes, you just have to buy them at a specialized hobby shop because it’s crucial for your artwork that the bristles of the brushes won’t come off. It can be useful for yourself to make up a list of things you can save money with and things that require high quality.

Examples of specialized hobby shops in Belgium: Pipoos, De Banier, Veritas & Kreamax.

6. Get a customer card of your hobby shop

However, when you visit your favorite specialized hobby shop, it’s interesting to ask if they have a customer card. So when you buy your high quality items, you can get a discount when you show them your loyalty. Some shops work with a points system, others with the number of visits.

7. Buy huge amounts when there's sale and save money during the year

Last but not least: sales! The ideal moment to go shopping. Again it’s up to you: the longer you wait, the less choice but the cheaper the product will be. The earlier, the bigger the choice but the higher the price.

You see that there are a lot of options when saving money on hobby materials. It’s best to discover your own preferences by exploring every technique. What’s your best strategy and which shop has the most to offer at a reasonable price? It’s a journey you have to make on your own to find what suits you best. I hope you enjoyed reading my post, because I certainly enjoyed writing it.

For more creativity, don’t hesitate to visit my blog: http://www.outfitvandedag.be

Also a big thank you to Katja, who gave me the chance to write on her amazing blog.

Credit to Google Image Search, in specific Funnymeme for the last meme.

Xxx,

Isabelle