Do you use every bit?

[denisemcguire]

I hate to waste bits of craft materials, and thus, I end up spending extra time using the leftovers. For example, most of my items are cut, and in the process, there are leftover 'edges'. So, I cut smaller tags or punch out smaller shapes that are usable from mat board scraps. I've been doing my best to use up the extra, and am starting to find it a little time consuming.

How do you balance what you use and what you discard?

[FarmGirlDesign]

I am a big saver, I get a lot of scrap fabric leftover from projects. I have a "scrap box" that I put my scrap fabric into. I basically put any fabric in there that I can cut out a 2.5 inch square (the smallest sized blocks I could use) after I get enough I use them to make scrappy quilts or sometimes use them for pockets on aprons, etc. I figure that I don't really have much $ invested in them, just time, so if I may some $ of them it's just a bonus :)

[Former_Member]

I use it all. My partner tie-dyes garments, mostly t-shirts that we've picked up at rummage sales, etc. I cut them up into dresses. Then I take those scraps and put them into jewelry, wall hangings, purses, and belts. Like these:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/111249540/upcycled-tie-dyed-womens-white-stag
https://www.etsy.com/listing/119096969/upcycled-recycled-repurposed-tie-dye-t
https://www.etsy.com/listing/119597123/storytelling-with-quilted-wall-hanging
The wall hanging here isn't the best example of the tie-dyed scraps, but there are a few in there.

[Former_Member]

I have learned as my shop has had more & more sales that the more I conserve my supplies the more money goes into my pocket. So, I have a large tag punch that I use to make tags out of greeting cards we receive, I save the little balls of leftover yarn and throw them in a basket by my shipping supplies, I wrap each order in tissue paper then tie a yarn bow around the package and add a handpunched tag. Few pennies are spent but boy does it look pretty. :)
I buy my buttons in bulk then seperate them by color. Just this afternoon I had a customer ask for a clear plum/purple button and sure enough I had one in my stash. More money saved. :)

[Former_Member]

I mainly make log and concrete items. When I cut off the end of a log, I usually same it and then try to make something out of the ends. Or, if a log splits, I sand it down and make a new tea light holder out of it, or maybe a pen holder.

I hate to waste. :)

[Former_Member]

It depends on what materials I'm using.

Most of the time, I'm able to guess at about how much wire I will need for a certain project and cut accordingly. I'll usually toss the leftover wire if there isn't much left.

If I'm using sterling silver I keep all the scraps and make chain with the pieces that are long enough. I have a little bag where I save the scraps that are too small to do anything with in the hopes that one day I can sell/give it to someone or melt it down or something - it can really add up and silver isn't cheap.

[ComfortAndGrins]

Great ideas ladies. I love how you are conserving supplies. I keep my scraps but seldom get around to using them but if I have bags when I go to a quilt retreat then I take them for give aways.

[NakedRatDestash]

I use a lot of paper in my crafts. When cutting out larger items there's a lot
of extra paper left over. I then cut the tinier items from the remaining paper. It is time consuming but worth it.

[Former_Member]

If there is any paper or small off cuts of wood, I use them to make gift tags for my packaging.

[Former_Member]

I think it's a great idea to save scraps. I have a large bin that I throw my craft bits into, and at least once or twice a year I go through it (whatever I haven't used when I get free time). I try to be realistic-is it enough to make something? What exactly? If I'm not inspired, and I've been holding it for 6 months, then I get rid of it. If I am inspired, I put it into my craft project portfolio and work on it when I get the time.

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

I save my paper scraps. They really add up, so I started offering die cuts to get rid of some of the scraps...

[Former_Member]

I save everything, some really cool pieces have been created from the leftover beads box :)

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I save what I can but what's too small goes in the paper recycling box. I found I was weeding through too many scraps to find what I needed and it was slowing down my production. I love the idea of making small tags out of scraps for my own shop. Lord knows I have enough paper punches to do that. ;-)

[EmeraldWellspring]

i've been trying to think of something to do with the cut off yarn ends... i hate throwing away even the smallest scraps!

[denisemcguire]

OH, I feel so much better about sitting there with my sizzix cutting those little strips of mat board into usable tags! That whole 'time is money' thing always sticks in my head, but I truly don't like to waste anything.

My kraft bird cutouts are going to be sold in quantities of 50 or 100 or something...yes, I've saved them all! They would be beautiful on a table at a wedding or shower I think.

[Former_Member]

Try to. Got a bucket of true glass scraps...i intend upon doing some fusion with some day. (soon as i get some molds) Thinking some funky dessert plates of just about every color out there might be cool lol.

Most i dont like how its turning out while torching gets squished and turned into guitar picks lol.

Last few bits of color on a rod...I'll shape into a baby charm heart.

[Former_Member]

I'm a huge saver. I come from a long line of pack rats. My great aunt would save wrapping paper and sew gift bags out of it. I save thread scraps to put out in the spring for the birds to use as nesting material.

[Former_Member]

I usually have scraps of yarn left after making a dress or whatever it is I'm making so I tape a long strand of it to the back of my thank you note to the customer in case it get's snagged or something and they need to repair it they have some of the matching material. Just like when you buy a nice jacket and they send some extra buttons with you... You know, just in case. I do make baby clothes after all ;)

[theDelhiStore]

I send my leftover fabrics as free gifts with orders!

[LeadOnDogs]

There are always ends of leather thonging left which are not long enough to make a lead or even a collar. I'm using those to make Keychains with and the really short bits go on my swing tags.

[Former_Member]

I pass all my fabric leftover bits to my mum, who's started making patchwork cushions out of tie silks. Haven't figured out what to do with the scraps of the wool interlining, though. If anyone can find a use, I'm happy to pass them on for cost of shipping.

[Former_Member]

i keep the leftovers from my bracelets because sometimes when i make bracelets for the first time i miscalculate the amount of pearl cotton i need but the leftovers are not long enough to make another full bracelet. but i use them to make small and shorter samples when i want to try something new

[Former_Member]

I also try to use as much as possible. I hate waste.
It bugs me to eveb throw away "unusable scraps" so I found someone who makes paper and when I get a pile I send it their way.

[Former_Member]

I keep all my scraps of fabric and hate to throw anything i might use away..(im not a hoarder) but even if someone ties ribbon to a parcel i have ordered i keep in and low an behold i will use in something somewhere.

[Former_Member]

I can't bear to throw away scraps:) The smallest piece of paper can be made into a star or heart for a card, fabric scraps can become black birds or flowers....yup, definitely a scrap saver here!