Last week I came across a comment on an online artist's site: "I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies."
It made me laugh, and I suppose any crafter/artist/hobbyist would find it to be very true. Search on Youtube for "craft room makeover" -- and you will find multiple video tours of amazing craft rooms or art studios. I love watching them, and I am generally amazed at the sheer number of supplies that people have, especially people who are into card-making or paper crafts. The numbers of pens, markers, inks and ink pads, stamps and embellishments -- and all the perfect containers needed to hold them -- can make your eyes spin in black and white spirals like the Grinch at Christmas!
I admit I have been a willing victim, falling as I have into the trap of supplies. First it was beads, wire, chain and findings, then I needed ways to organize the beads, then I needed ways to transport some of my beads back and forth between Spokane and California each winter, then I settled on a system of trays, then I needed little cubes to hold the trays.... Then it was polymer clay, cutters, paints and textures. And now it's papers, resin and more paints....
The more I have explored different media, the more new supplies have been needed to do them well.
And my studio is about to explode....
I don't know if there is a solution. I suppose one solution would be to pick only one craft/hobby/art medium and just stick with it over the years. But that seems deadly dull to me! For me there is great joy to be found in exploring as much as possible. And I think the lure of supplies is always that THIS new one will make what I do better, easier, more enjoyable! (I remember a friend telling me that with each new book he bought, he had the hope that that would be the one that would finally make his life fall beautifully into place!) Perhaps it is the same with art supplies....
And while each season my studio descends into chaos, at least I am forced to organize everything twice a year as I move back and forth between Greensboro and South Burlington. Someday it might look good enough for a Youtube video!
Elizabeth