Here is how to destash craft supplies & and refresh your creativity! These are my practices that I do every spring and fall with my supplies, hope they help you too!
Spring and early fall are great times time to take stock of your craft supplies, clear out what no longer serves you, and organize the materials that inspire your creativity. If your workspace is cluttered with dried-up paint, tangled ribbon, or a pile of unsharpened pencils, it’s time to refresh your stash!
Trust me, it will give your creative spirit a much-needed lift!
A well-organized craft supply collection saves time, reduces frustration, and helps you make the most of your materials.
Clean and organize your paints
Acrylics, watercolors, fabric paints, and specialty paints can dry out over time.
Check each bottle or tube for separation or hardening. If a bottle no longer mixes properly or has dried, it’s time to toss it.
TIP: I often combine paints if they are the same color and brand. And REALITY CHECK – those paint colors that you’ve had forever but never used? Donate! Or find a project that will use them up. Otherwise they just take up space year after year. For me it is the color grey. I rarely use it, so now I just mix my own if I need it.
To keep your paints in good condition, store them upside down with tightly closed lids to prevent drying. A swatch chart on a piece of cardstock can help you track your colors.
For frequently used paints, keep them in a clear bin or on a turntable for easy access.
Refresh your brushes
Brushes can accumulate dried paint and lose their shape over time. To clean them, soak them in warm water with mild soap, then use a small comb to separate the bristles. If bristles remain stiff, soaking them in Murphy’s Oil Soap overnight can restore flexibility.
RELATED: The BEST way to clean paint brushes
Store brushes horizontally or upright (if they are dry) to keep them in good condition.
Check Glazes and Varnishes
Glazes, resins, and varnishes can thicken or separate. If a product smells off, has become chunky, or no longer applies smoothly, it may be expired.
RELATED: Types of varnish for acrylic paint – my faves!
To prolong their lifespan, store these materials in a temperature-stable area away from direct sunlight. Always ensure the lids are tightly sealed after each use.
Sharpen and Maintain Scissors
Dull scissors make crafting more difficult. Wipe the blades with a damp cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove residue, then sharpen them by cutting through a sheet of aluminum foil. If the blades feel stiff, apply a small drop of sewing machine oil to the hinge.
RELATED: 5 Best scissors for crafting
To prevent cross-contamination, label scissors for specific uses such as fabric, paper, or mixed media.
Test Glues and Adhesives
Old adhesives may lose their effectiveness. Check bottles of glue, hot glue sticks, and specialty adhesives to ensure they still work. If glue has thickened, dried, or separated beyond repair, it should be replaced.
To keep adhesives fresh, store them upside down if possible. A dedicated bin for glue, tape, and adhesives can help keep everything in one place.
Sort and Store Beads, Trinkets, and Embellishments
Small decorative elements can quickly create chaos in a crafting space. Use clear stackable containers, pill organizers, or divided storage boxes to separate beads and embellishments by color, shape, or material.
For metal findings such as jump rings and clasps, a magnetic parts tray can keep everything in place.
You can use these clear containers to organize.
Declutter Paper and Fabric Scraps
Paper and fabric scraps can pile up quickly. If a scrap is too small to be useful, recycle it. Organize larger pieces by pattern or color in labeled bins.
RELATED:
How to make new fabric from scraps
Super Cute Things to Make with Fabric Scraps
A scrapbook paper pad can keep coordinating sheets together, and a dedicated scrap bin allows you to challenge yourself to use leftover materials in creative ways.
Test markers, pens, and pencils
Dried-out markers and dull pencils can slow down your creative flow. Test all writing tools on a scrap sheet of paper. If a marker is dry but otherwise in good condition, adding a few drops of rubbing alcohol may revive it.
To keep markers from drying out, store them horizontally, especially if they have dual tips. Keep pencils sharpened and check that erasers have not hardened.
Tame ribbon, yarn, and thread
Ribbon and yarn can quickly become tangled if not stored properly. Wrap loose ribbon around wooden clothespins to prevent unraveling. Use clear bins or hanging organizers for yarn. A thread rack can keep spools visible and easy to access.
RELATED: 20 things to make with scrap yarn, fabric, and floss
If ribbon has wrinkles, a quick run with a warm flat iron can smooth it out.
Check and maintain craft tools
Miscellaneous tools such as hole punchers, heat guns, and cutting tools should be tested to ensure they still function properly. Replace dull craft blades, test battery-operated tools, and ensure that heat tools work safely.
Do you have two of the same tool? Donate it to a teacher! They will adore you…
Keeping an essentials bin with your go-to craft tools in one place can make crafting more efficient.
Maintain a clean and organized craft space
Spring cleaning your craft supplies is not just about decluttering—it’s about creating a space that supports your creativity. Once your supplies are refreshed and organized, commit to a simple maintenance routine. At the end of each crafting session, take a few minutes to put materials away and clean up.
An organized space allows for more inspired, stress-free crafting. By keeping your supplies in good condition, you set yourself up for a season of creative success.
