Combining minimalism with being a crafter

I would love to be a minimalist. There are many different definitions of minimalism, and mine is to only own the things that I really love and need. I'm not there yet although I try my best. The main thing standing in my way is that I do like to have things around me, and I wrote about this when I discussed hankering after minimalism but being a sentimental hoarder. I also love tidying and organising - I don't know what I'd do if there was nothing left to declutter!

I have quite a few hobbies - I craft, I read, I toy with baking, I exercise - and all this means that I end up with a lot of stuff. Crafting in particular generates a lot of things, both related to current projects that those that I've got in mind for the future. So I thought I'd write a few tips for combining a love for crafting with a minimalist home and lifestyle, in the hope that I can start to take my own advice!

So here goes:

• If you want to try a new craft, buy a kit that contains everything you need and won't leave you with leftovers, in case you decide it's not for you.

• If you can, borrow equipment from others, like different sizes of needles or hooks.

• When you have finished a project, give away any leftovers that you won't use. I've given odd balls of yarn to family that do charity knitting, at our summer garage sale I had a free box, and I've also given away excess craft materials on our local Facebook free group, where they were snapped up.

• Keep a list of your works in progress, go through the list regularly and be realistic about which ones you are going to complete. I do this in my smash book and also with regular updates on my blog which helps me to focus on the projects that I really want to work on.

• Don't have too many projects on the go, and finish one type of craft project e.g. cross stitch before you start the next. 

• Challenge yourself to get projects finished in a reasonable time - I set myself crafting goals to keep myself motivated.

• Keep your current projects organised so that they are all contained and can be kept tidy. I use a box for my yarn projects and large ziplock bags for my cross stitch. 

• Don't buy supplies without a project in mind to use them for. 

• Don't hide your stash away where it is out of sight, store things where you can easily get to them and be reminded of what you have.

• Have a purpose in mind for finished projects, whether that's somewhere in your home that they can be displayed, or as a gift.

Of course it's all much easier said than done, now I just need to start taking my own advice!