Check-In Post December 6th 2020

[badly_knitted]

Hello to all members, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


Today's Question: Where do you get your crafting supplies?


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[badly_knitted]

There used to be two craft shops in my nearest town but now there's only one, and even that one might not have survived. I used to buy most of of my crafting supplies there but these days I mostly shop on ebay. I stocked up on cross stitch fabric for great prices.

I used to get a lot of my yarn by mail order but I bought my last lot online.

One pale blue arm warmer is knitted and I'm 38 rows into the second.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Primarily at Michaels, a chain of craft stores. The one in San Luis Obispo has a larger selection. But the Templeton location is more accessible.

We also have a neighbor on the next road up who knows I make jewelry (this is the same woman who still hasn't gotten around to having me make those windchimes she commissioned me to make). And she finds beads and other supplies, and leaves them in our mailbox for me. The last set was something I knew I couldn't use, which occasionally happens. But I've gotten some cool stuff that way.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

I hate to think how many businesses, especially niche ones like craft stores, must have shut down due to the pandemic. :( It's really a shame. The last bookstore left in Atascadero, and a thrift shop next door to it, shut down back in the summer. And I'm sure it's because people needed to keep away. We're starting a new shut-down/stay-at-home order today. I'm sure more businesses will feel the pinch.

[babs_bee]

For yarn, I use a local yarn shop or buy online from mostly independent yarnies or small companies. I also buy yarn at fiber festivals--and then once I see it in person, I will support that person in the future.

For diamond painting, I mainly buy from Diamond Art Club but have some from Craftibly and Everyday E Deals and Diamond Painting Bliss. But the DAC ones are the best quality ones by far.

Fiber for spinning I also buy from independent fiber suppliers and small farms. I have a couple of fleeces from Shepherds Hey farm.

[badly_knitted]

So cool that your neighbour finds stuff for you!

Hopefully she'll get around to to delivering the bits she wants you to turn into windchimes before too long. Maybe it's just that Christmas is coming up fast and it's slipped her mind.

[badly_knitted]

One of the craft stores went a few years back because the council's rates kept going up and the people who ran the place couldn't afford the overheads. The other is in a different part of town and has ben there for as long as I can remember so I hope it survives. I haven't been past it since Feb though so I don't know. A lot of shops in town closed way before the pandemic because the stupid council kept raising rates and rents. Now there are even more empty premises.

We're just coming out of lockdown. Hoping infection numbers keep going down. There are too many idiots who won't wear masks. I've found some pretty ones recently. Not sure the yellow smiley face will suit me, but I got it anyway. It was buy one get one free, so I got 4 for less than £8. I already got two when it was buy one get one half price.

[badly_knitted]

Most of my local yarn shops closed years ago sadly. I think there might still be one newer one.

Diamond painting seems to have taken off in the last few years. Quite a few places to get the kits from.

I can't imagine buying a fleece!

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Just what all those people need for Christmas. :-/

I see a lot of people around here who either won't wear the masks, or else don't cover their noses when wearing them. And Mom has a friend whose sister-in-law has pretty much caused most of their immediate family to come down with the coronavirus. I think some have even been hospitalized. That's what they get for gathering despite our fun little modern-age plague. At least all the idiots who said that it'd go away after the election aren't denying its existence--but they still won't take it seriously.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

You could be right; this time of year can be very distracting, lol!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I'm also a Michael's craft store person. That's where I buy my cross stitch thread and when I see craft kits for the kids that I like, I get them. Here are two that me and my sons (ages 5 & 9) did this week. Both Creaotology brand.

[nagi_schwarz]

I managed about 9 rows of knitting today! D&D is good for knitting lol.

I have zero brand loyalty. Joann’s, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, online. I’ll buy wherever.

[badly_knitted]

It's the same here, people not covering their noses, or not wearing masks at all, gathering together... I just don't understand them.

[badly_knitted]

People are so busy it's easy to forget stuff. Remind her after New Year when things calm down a bit.

[badly_knitted]

What fun! I'm sure sure sons must have enjoyed making those, they're very festive!

[badly_knitted]

Woohoo! That's great progress!

You sound like me, I get things anywhere I find them.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thanks! Their school is 100 % virtual so we're home together all the time. Helps keep them occupied.

[badly_knitted]

Anything that keeps kids occupied has to be a good thing.

[badly_knitted]

Your card arrived! Thank you so much, it's beautiful! I've put it in pride of place =D