Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Eco-minimalist crafting ideas on a budget

I love crafts. My favorites are crochet, painting, and sewing. But sometimes, I worry about buying supplies new and how that affects the environment. This article discusses all the ways I've found to enjoy doing crafts in an eco-minimalist and budget-friendly way.

  1. Resources that offer pre-owned crafting supplies
  2. Ask around
  3. Don't throw anything away
  4. Have patience 
  5. My eco-minimalist budget crafting

1. Resources that offer pre-owned crafting supplies


There's going to be some overlap here with the resources in my beginner's eco-minimalist tips article. I'll leave a few here, but I recommend referring back to that list for more options. 

I'm sure there are many places local to larger metropolitan areas as well. I saw a bunch of them while I was searching, but they didn't ship orders so I didn't include them. 

A lot of these places don't just offer partially-used supplies, either. People donate brand-new items that they bought and didn't end up using as well. For example, I've gotten unused skeins of yarn still in their wrapper and unopened bottles of paint. I would rather buy these from places that support the ideals I believe in than get them from a chain store where their money goes to create more waste and profit. 

2. Ask around


I bet you that you know at least one person who has some craft supplies that they're not using. From what I've heard, there are also networks of artists or crafters who offer up things they don't want to others.

Sometimes, people have stuff laying around that they forgot about, and they don't think to give it away until someone asks for it. I saw that all the time in my local Buy Nothing group.

I looked it up, and here are a few sites I found:

3. Don't throw anything away


What might be useless to you could be valuable to another maker, and vice-versa. I found so many upcycled products on Etsy from things I never would have thought of myself.



Here's this website with amazing pieces of art made from reclaimed and salvaged material. Here are some of my favorites:

Nelson Mandela in plastic and broken necklaces

Plastic, metal, and wood

From cars, motorcycles, and planes

I also found this great website called causeartist where artists raise awareness about pollution through their artwork. They use trash and found items as their media.

If you don't consider yourself an artist, there are still lots of options using recycled materials. I think Pinterest is kinda famous for this, but there are plenty of other places you can find ideas. Here's one website that has some simple beginner crafts that should be accessible to most people: https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/crafts-made-from-recycled-materials/.

However, if you still end up with items that you don't know what to do with, here are a few more articles with resources you can donate to.

https://www.creativelive.com/blog/where-to-donate-craft-supplies/

4. Have patience


Just like with buying anything else used, you're not likely to have immediate access to whatever you want. But isn't that part of the fun of being creative? I love being innovative with what I have access to, and designing projects based on what I'm able to find.

When I first started doing crafts that involved patterns, I would pick out a pattern and then buy the materials (all new) to create the project. Now, I do one of 3 things.

  1. I only do projects that will work with supplies I already have
  2. I pick the pattern based on the materials I have or am able to find
  3. I don't use a pattern at all, or improvise on a template to make it work with what's on hand
The tricky thing is when you're not sure how much you have of something and if it will be enough to do what you want. That's where extra patience comes in. I have some projects that are partially finished because I didn't have enough. I keep samples of what I'm using anytime I make a trip to a local store that might have craft supplies. That way I can check it against whatever they have and see if it will work.


5. My eco-minimalist budget crafting


I'll talk about crochet first because that's what I do the most. A lot of my crochet hooks used to belong to my grandmother, so I didn't even have an initial investment of tools! As mentioned, I get most of my yarn second-hand. New yarn has gotten SO expensive! I recently needed to replenish my stash and got about $400-500 worth of yarn (retail value) for $60, plus the large basket the previous owner was keeping it in. That yarn will probably last me for the next few years with little to no supplementation.

I sometimes design things myself. Other times, I use free patterns. I get them from yarn manufacturer websites, but my favorite place is called Ravelry. You have to sign up, but it's free and then you have access to an unlimited amount of crafting genius! 

Patterns are available for crochet, knitting, machine knitting, and loom knitting. There are paid patterns as well, and you can search and sort using all kinds of parameters.



For sewing, as I mentioned previously, I found a sewing machine at a thrift store for only $25. I looked around for a while, and it was the only one that included a power cord (and the foot pedal). I plugged it in at the store to make sure it worked.

I can't speak for the newer machines, because I've never used one. I learned to sew on my mom's old Singer, and the one I have now is from Sears and was probably made in the 70s or 80s. But that's a good thing, because the machines are entirely mechanical, and their simplicity makes them easy to maintain and fix. When I got it home, it needed some oiling, cleaning, and tuning. But since I did that, it's been working great!

I have worked with brand-new fabric and brand-new patterns before, but that's neither cost-effective nor eco-minimalist. These days, I have a few things I do regularly with sewing.

  • If I have a pattern that I like, I'll trace it onto scratch paper so that the original can be used over and over without damage. Pattern paper is very fragile.
  • If I'm trying to build/alter a piece of clothing based on something I already own, I use that clothing as a pattern. No paper is needed.
  • I alter clothing by pinning it to size while I'm wearing it inside out. I did this recently with a man's shirt I thrifted and converted into a tunic for myself.

If you only get thrifted (or gifted) clothes, then experimenting with altering them to fit your body and style is a lot less expensive. It's also better for the environment. 

As clothing wears out for me, I see if I can upcycle it into other garments, bags, or whatever. I have 2 t-shirts that are about to be on their 3rd iteration since I got them--I'm going to weave them into reusable grocery bags. I also have a sleeveless top with a hole in it. I plan on replacing the damaged area with some crochet embellishments.

Also, I've seen some really cool things being made out of thrifted blankets, quilts, and bedsheets. When my area started having a mask mandate, there were no masks to be found anywhere, in local stores (which I couldn't visit anyway) or online. I ended up looking up a mask pattern online and used some elastic hair ties and an old, ripped pillowcase to make a few masks. I have some other old sheets that have been hanging around for years. When I next need some new pajamas, those sheets are in for a transformation.

As for painting, there are some simple options that some people might find controversial. Someone came across some used canvases and gave them to me. Some were partially finished, and 1 was just plain ugly. I plan to paint over them. 

You could also do this with thrifted canvases. You can also paint on rocks, scrap wood, used furniture, clothing, ceramic, old glass items, walls...the options are endless. 

So far, I haven't found any thrifted paint brushes by themselves. But I've seen painting kits (the ones that come with paints, brushes, and a book or pad) in thrift stores, and definitely paints by themselves. I already have enough brushes, though. When the glue separates from the handle, I just re-glue it.

This could be a much longer article. I love finding inspiration for creativity and finding ways to enjoy my hobbies that aren't wasteful or expensive. I hope you can do the same!





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Saturday, September 11, 2021

My unpopular minimalist opinions

I've seen lots of videos and blog posts where people talk about their unpopular opinions, so I thought it would be fun if I gave it a try. So here are my unpopular minimalist opinions that will probably cause some backlash.

Before I get started, though, I want to add in a disclaimer, since cancel culture is such a big thing. I'm not writing this to attack anyone or change anyone's mind. I'm doing it because I'm lucky enough to live in a country that allows freedom of speech, so I'm going to exercise that right.

If you feel attacked by what I say, consider why that might be. I don't know you, so there's no way that I could know your opinions and try to attack them or change them. Therefore, this is likely an internal battle you're having, and you'll have to decide how to work that out within yourself. Also, my opinions are based on some minimalists. Not most or all of them; I did say they are unpopular. So if this opinion doesn't apply to you, then great! And if you don't agree with it, fine! You're entitled to an opinion just as much as I am.

If you have any unpopular minimalist opinions of your own to share, feel free! And now for a sneak peek into what this article holds.



1. It's un-minimalist to promote a minimalist brand on social media
2. Celebrating religious or cultural holidays in a typically commercial way isn't minimalist
3. All eco-minimalists should practice a plant-based diet
4. The average non-minimalist is addicted to consuming
5. Minimalism practiced by low-income people can still be a choice

Are you still there? LOL. If you've made it this far, thank you for your interest. Now, I'll go into more detail.

1. It's un-minimalist to promote a minimalist brand on social media


Shortly before I decided to shut down all my social media accounts (yes, I did that!), I was looking at the accounts of other minimalists that I follow. Social media has become such a competitive place, and from what I understand, the internet algorithms tend to work in conjunction with social media presence. So to keep up with their peers, minimalists resort to frequent, if not daily posts, spending tons of time responding to comments, and even paying for advertising to get their brand noticed.

I'm sure some of them have volunteers or paid social media experts to handle their accounts, so maybe they're not doing participating themselves. But does that really matter, when they're still using a place FILLED with consumerist ads and time-wasting, brain-numbing propaganda to promote their brand?

How can people focus on what's most important when they're spending so much time on social? Maybe minimalists think that they have to be on there to get recognition and promote their lifestyles. But just by using those platforms, they are not leading by example.

You may have also noticed that I didn't put a Pinterest picture at the beginning of this post and ask you to pin it. That's because even though Pinterest claims to *not* be a social media platform, they are starting to behave like one more and more. I decided that using them is no longer in line with my minimalist lifestyle, and takes up time that I'd rather spend enjoying my life.

Buh-bye, Pinterest.

If someone's non-minimalist work or personal life makes social media easier or more enjoyable, then I don't take issue with that. I just don't think it's a minimalist endeavor, regardless of whatever reasons excuses people give.

2. Celebrating religious or cultural holidays in a typically commercial way isn't minimalist


So much spending and waste are created by many of the American holidays. There are flimsy decorations, buying presents, special dishes, uneaten food, and special clothing, and going into debt. I'm not trying to knock religious tradition here, but from what I can see, many of the previously designated religious holidays have turned into opportunities for marketing agencies and retail companies to rake in the cash from the average person. 




A few examples come to mind of the trash generated and money spent in large amounts when Americans celebrate common holidays: 

  • fireworks on New Year's Eve and Independence Day/Fourth of July
  • throw-away decorations specific to a holiday that have to be re-purchased every year
  • new "Easter baskets" and plastic eggs filled with candy for Easter egg hunts, some of which never get found and are left to litter the environment
  • buying special decorative dishes, napkins, paper plates, etc. for a single use or for an event that only happens once or a few times per year
  • buying too much food and letting it sit out too long during a party, then having to throw it away
  • tossing out leftovers because people are sick of eating the same turkey/ham/whatever dish for days in a row
  • carving pumpkins or keeping them whole and/or buying hay bales for Thanksgiving/fall and then throwing them away
  • Halloween costumes that are only worn once as well as other holiday outfits that are only worn once per year
  • going into debt to buy presents that people don't necessarily need or want
  • skyrocketing electricity bills from lights and other plug-in decorations
  • Christmas trees--grown on land that could be used to grow food, cut down to use for decoration, and then thrown away after the season is over

I'm sure there are still many people who honor these holidays in traditional ways, like prayer/going to their places of worship or gathering for a simple meal. But a lot of people don't anymore, or they do that plus add on a bunch of extravagance. It seems like everyone wants to do things in bigger, flashier, and more expensive ways. There are even articles about how to deal with holiday stress. Do you know how you can experience less stress during the holidays? Change how you celebrate them. I wonder if people from 100 or 200 years ago felt stressed out by holidays?


3. All eco-minimalists should practice a plant-based diet


There is overwhelming evidence that the way that we eat affects the environment. I've been reading The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall, which was first published in 2009 (I'm reading the 2012 version), and back then he was talking about the environmental effects of eating animal products. 

I also found this article in The Guardian from back in 2018 that reviews a study published in a journal called Science. At the time, it was the largest study to date and stated that "More than 80% of farmland is used for livestock but it produces just 18% of food calories and 37% of protein." It also results in more than half of the global water and air pollution.

Simply shifting toward a more plant-based diet by switching out beef for beans could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 46-74%, according to a quote from this article. Since eating animal products accounts for so much of the environmental issues we're facing, I don't see how people can truly be eco-minimalist without cutting back on them and focusing on plant foods instead.



Eating beef also creates more pollution than driving a car. So if owning a car is someone's only option for transportation, they can still help the environment by making this switch to their diet.

Lastly, beans cost way less than beef and are more easily attainable for many people than beef is, which means less pollution caused by transportation. So there are 2 more ways that changing one's diet can up their eco-minimalist game.


4. The average non-minimalist is addicted to consuming


Shopping causes a dopamine rush, which is why so many people are addicted to it. Plus, did you know that grocery stores are designed like casinos? Speaking of gambling...

Have you ever heard stories about what people do with lottery winnings? According to this article, most people waste the money, and some end up worse than before. A lot of people seem to say they wish they'd never won the money in the first place!

The issues caused by shopping, gambling, and food addictions cause just as many problems in people's lives as addictions to drugs or alcohol. It's just that Westernized society encourages this type of splurging and even falsely state that any spending of money is good for the economy. The truth is that most of our shopping dollars go to enormous corporations, and they already have enough money. They're also less likely to put that money back into the communities they serve through donations, community service, or even increasing wages or other benefits for the average employee. Instead, we hear over and over again about how the CEOs and board members of these groups give themselves raises, stock options, and bonuses, while the majority of the workforce struggles to get by. Shopping locally is helpful to the economy, but going to your local Walmart to buy what you need is not likely to change your community's well-being very much.

In the U.S. (and I'm assuming many other countries with similar socio-economic structures), we're encouraged to spend. Don't have the money? Get a credit card, a payday loan, or a personal loan with astronomical interest rates.




And it isn't just about buying too many clothes, vehicles, vacays, or electronics we can't afford. We also consume food, drinks, pills, and supplements that cause harm. It may feel good in the moment, but we'll likely pay for it later.

The marketing we are constantly faced with definitely has some responsibility for this behavior, but individual consumers must also be held accountable for their actions. In the end, we all do have a choice on how and when we spend our money. Especially if money is in short supply, people need to find ways to be more realistic about what they buy and not fall into the consumer addiction traps being thrown at us. 


5. Minimalism practiced by low-income people can still be a choice


I've heard a lot lately about how minimalism is the glamorization of poverty and that people don't see minimalism as a good option because of this stigma they've put on it.

I just looked it up, and I'm considered "poor" for my area. My income is less than 50% of the median income for where I live. If I applied, I could probably be granted some social services, like food benefits or housing subsidies.

My family didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up, either. Or I should say, there should have been enough money, but it was spent in the wrong places. So I grew up in a house that was falling apart with half-finished repair projects and broken-down cars. I had clothes to wear (sometimes they were my sibling's) and food to eat, but I thought we were poor.

Nevertheless, my life was not minimalist. My parents were both hoarders. My own room was filled with things I didn't use or need. It was only as I got older that I started to purge these items from my life during my teen years because it felt better to not have them. Then as an adult on my own, I was always conscious of my budget and not wanting to exceed it. But thanks to a complete lack of debt of any sort, I still had some discretionary funds that I chose not to "invest" into pieces that I would see as clutter.

I loved an article from the Black Minimalists website on this subject. Here's what one of the writers, Yolanda, said on the topic:

Personally, I find it a bit perplexing to say poor people lack choice and thus agency. Can you choose to be a minimalist and lack certain resources, i.e. be poor? From what I’ve read on the subject, it would seem not, but here I am, living proof.

I grew up poor and by current U.S. societal standards, I’m still poor. I’ve lived in some type of low-income housing, including a trailer park, for most of my life and have received government assistance in various forms. I also have a college degree which ironically has both elevated and further impoverished me at the same damn time.

I flirted with a middle class lifestyle while working my last full-time job five years ago. I chose to return to poverty and pursue a minimalist lifestyle after becoming disillusioned with the emotional, spiritual, and mental labor required to ascend to and maintain an average middle class life. Part of that labor also stemmed from an inability to reconcile a poverty mindset with a newly (physically) abundant one.

Additionally, I know many people in the larger minimalist movement and within the black minimalist community who have chose [sic] minimalism as a way to skirt poverty or at least maintain what they have while living the most healthy, sustainable lifestyle they can manage. 

I think she mirrored my feelings on the topic very well. 😀

One last thought I have about minimalism in general is its relationship to debt. Are you truly minimalist if regularly generate debt for items you can't afford? What about someone who can pay all their debts, but have more than they need? I'd love to know your thoughts on the subject.

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