Decoupage Supplies: How to Save Money?

In this article, I want to share my tips for saving money on decoupage with beginners. If experienced crafters find this useful too, I'm all for it. Feel free to leave your own tips in the comments.

Your first trip to the store is guaranteed to be a waste of money if you don't know exactly what you need. Beginners (myself included back in the day) tend to buy a ton of stuff. But "Stop!". You only need a small portion, and most of what stores offer can be purchased much cheaper.

## Where to start?

Shopping list. This makes things much easier; read online about what you need to get started and buy strictly according to the list.

Paints. No need to obsess over super high-quality and expensive ones. Ordinary ones will do. The main thing to remember is that white paint is always used the most. You don't need to buy a full spectrum of colors either. A standard set is enough, and you can get the desired color and shade by mixing paints. Plastic plates work perfectly as a palette.

Brushes: under no circumstances should you use natural ones. In decoupage, they don't perform very well, and the price is high. It is better to use synthetic tools.

Primer. There is not much difference between expensive and cheap primer. Therefore, I recommend buying this material at a hardware store. Pay attention to brands like "Sonnet" or "Tair". Their price is low and the quality is consistent.

> Important!

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> Buying a large package is much more cost-effective, but only if you plan to do decoupage for a long time.

Decoupage motifs. Many beginners immediately rush to buy various backgrounds, cardstock, and patterns on thick paper. I recommend starting with ordinary decorative napkins:

• First, it is much cheaper;
• second, there is a large selection;
• third, it is a chance to practice and see if this hobby is right for you.

Blanks. Every craft store offers not only various hardware and materials but also blanks. Before buying that huge board or this lamp, remember what you already have that can be decorated with decoupage. For example, small saucers, a simple piece of cardboard that can be cut into an unusual shape, or any other object. Assess your skills and desire—will you be able to finish a large project? Perhaps it is better to start with something small?

Wood stain, topcoats, and other "specialized products" are sold in regular hardware stores and are much cheaper than in craft stores.