Creative Permission Slip: Using 'Saved' Art Supplies Without Guilt
The Perfect Cup (And Other Creative Revelations)
Sometimes the simplest lessons come from unexpected places. Like my recent adventure with an espresso machine…
When the Search for "Perfect" Gets Complicated...
I recently added an espresso machine to my creative fuel station (because what artist doesn't need good coffee?). And oh friends, did I dive deep into my usual research spiral. You know the one - where suddenly you're watching every video, reading every review, determined to master this new thing.
There I was, comparing shot glasses on Amazon like it was my new part-time job. Too small. Too drippy. Not quite right. I was convinced the perfect glass would somehow transform my whole coffee experience.
Then I remembered - that simple plastic cup from my kitchen cabinet. The one I'd been using all along. Three dollars from the Marshalls clearance aisle, and it was exactly what I needed.
Sound familiar?
What You Shared (and Oh, Did it Sound Familiar!)
Because we do the same thing with our art supplies, don't we? That little voice that whispers if we just had that ONE more brush, that NEW stencil, that PERFECT tool... maybe we'd finally feel like a "real" artist.
As I read your responses, I found myself saying 'yes, exactly!' - because we've all been there, haven't we? Let's share some of these familiar stories together...
Creative Confessions
(supplies going unused in our studios, shopping sprees we regret, and how we save up supplies for that “perfect moment”)
“I bought a box of beautiful Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils a long time ago… I am still admiringly looking at them but have yet to use them 😆 any day now hopefully!” ~ @liesjelovesmaking
“The project was so intriguing when I heard about it! I was really excited so went out to buy the canvases/panels in the different sizes and all the full bodied acrylics in all the colors. What happened? Didn’t get past lesson 1 and never used the paints or panels!” ~@doris.rankins_58
“Wax seal supplies- colorful wax pellets, lovely seals, molds…this summer for sure!” ~@jfinchlevy
“Just before Christmas last year I had an urge to try spray painting for the first time. I could see various art already made in my mind. I meticulously chose about 10 colours, different nozzles, goggles, etc and ordered all of it as a Christmas present to myself. It’s now May and it’s all collecting dust on myself because I lost both the urge and the vision. 😢😂 I see them out of the corner of my eye every day and wonder if/when I’ll actually give them a try. 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️” ~@rebeccalowrie.soulalchemy
“Seems like a general problem.😂😂 Too many supplies. Too many possibilities. Too many ideas, inspirations, Instagram...😂 Often it's tested and then waiting to be used again. The curiosity to get to know more is HUGE.😂 I must say my Stabilo All is well loved. Didn't expect it to shrink that fast. Thanks for putting a magnifying glass on one of our weak spots.😉” ~@ulrikejackson_kreativ
“I realised this a while ago (my buying spree) and decided to stop purchasing new items. A few suggestions that works for me: For colors I buy only acrylics and then convert them into inks and sprays and it works great, well may be not same as if u buy them as it is but it works for me.” ~@debasreedeyart
“Oh yes—- I took a class 5 years ago where we made a couple of Linocuts. I had gotten by with a few bare minimum tools. I ended up liking block printing- so I went out and bought a whole new set of carving tools and a big package of linoleum and thought I was going to carve all of these blocks. Nope. Didn’t touch it again. They are currently side-eying me, untouched on the shelf. 🫠” ~@bethchienart
"I think a common issue is that buying supplies and using supplies are two different hobbies! 😄” ~@janewestonart
“Oh many regrets! I took a class using oil pigment sticks. Each tube was $$! I bought about a dozen only to discover I am seriously affected by the odor! I was about ready to donate them to art students when an artist friend offered to buy them. Yes!” ~@bjcohen_art
“That glue gun that I knew I had. I recently cleaned and reorganized my art space. Could I find my glue gun? Nope. After weeks of searching I bought a new one. 24 hours later I found the old one , on a shelf…in plain sight.” ~@j2brenn
“I sometimes use buying supplies as an excuse not to start something I’m intimidated by. I’ll watch a video and get inspired, see that I don’t have something being used, order it and then when it arrives I’ve moved onto something else 😅 it really is a problem haha I am trying really hard to challenge myself to just use what I have as I do have a wonderful collection of things to use 💗” ~@thelayeredpage
“When starting a project stresses me out, everyday I tell myself that I don't have the tools to do it and instead of starting, I'll start researching where I'll be able to get such materials... This is very frustrating.” ~@maud_fabriquesonmonde
“I get really excited when I buy new things. I realised it's because I feel like I'm buying possibilities and potential. I love that feeling, it's pure excitement and contentment. I almost always use what I've bought, not always immediately ❤️” ~@caloncolourstudio
Simple Ways You're Making it Work
(use what you’ve got, creative organization tips, and rotating art supplies)
“For me, it’s keeping everything organized and within view, as much as possible. I keep like items together. I know some people organize by color and I do keep my papers and scraps sorted like that. But it is easier for me to keep similar items together. For example, I divide brands of pens and markers but keep them near each other on a shelf. I keep my mediums together, the washi tape together, etc. I also need to be able to see what I have- out of sight, out of mind! I mostly organize in clear drawers and bins to hold various categories of stash. I also have most-used items available on my work table in small pretty buckets and containers so I can easily reach for them. I have containers that hold paintbrushes; one that holds scissors; one that includes small bottles of glues, water sprayers, rubbing alcohol and stamp cleaner; a divided one that holds most-used pens, x-acto knife, sm ruler, tweezers, bone folder and other small tools. I also have two round three-tiered spinning shelf units that sit on the back two corners of my table that hold lots of miscellaneous items I use fairly regularly. Having everything close at hand makes it easier to create and stay in the flow.” ~Julie Miller
"I've actually been going through an art supply purge this year. I am a hoarder of things I "might" eventually use. But I live in a single room studio, mostly taken up by art supplies, work surfaces and storage for said supplies. I discarded a LOT already and am still not done.” ~@twinandarts
"This is difficult, in that I don’t do just one type of creating - who does? Sometimes I’m stamping which requires stamps, pads (or markers or paints) and paper, sometimes I’m Bible journaling which includes a Bible, waterproof pens, watercolors, acrylics, stickers, ephemera and adhesive (these are the bare minimum - you can use so much more) and my newest endeavor, art journaling which includes all of the above plus stencils, sprays, stabillo all, texture paste, gesso, mod podge, and paper fodder. So to downsize would be to determine which stamps and stencils no longer spark joy and I mean you really don’t like them, because I am regular pulling out stamps and stencils I haven’t used in ages or maybe never used. Maybe the key is to treat supplies like kids toys and put them in a rotation bin 😂” ~@elisalovescolor
“I have a lot of supplies that I continue to organize and I love it!” ~@willoughbyhouse
“I often start making art I don't like very much. The class looked fun or I lover the artist's things but there aren't that many things I like MAKING. So I keep an small journal and a vision board with the things I really love to remind myself what it is I love to do. ❤️” ~@annerehorns_kreative_seite
“I have trouble putting all the bits & pieces away after a project. So that pile just sits out. Then I start another project and pretty soon it’s a big flipping mess!!! And I don’t want to work on ANYTHING! I have been working hard on not buying NEW supplies unless I really REALLY like them. So that’s a small win😉” ~@trishocz17
“Going through this, now. I just bought some canvas that I'm going to attempt to use up my acrylic paints on, (as I favor @diypaintbydebisdesigndiary ) I bought several sizes to practice on. (Everything is practice.) 😊 I've divided scrapbook paper into two crates: 1: pieces I really like 2: the rest - to share (or eventually donate). I cut that into smaller sizes, as I don't use large pieces in my mixed media stuff. 🙂 I'm keeping project materials I'd still like to try, and donating or giving away those I've tried and don't love. YET...the "potential" of things trips me up. 😏 Meanwhile, when ephemera grows out of the small box containing it, I glue it all on journal pages to contain it. I can always paint over it, or cut it out if I "need" it. 🤣 Stash-riddance is psychological warfare against oneself, isn't it? 🤷🏻♀️😆” ~@soulitude_u
“Just grab something and give it a try. Watch a YouTube video for inspiration. Don't focus on making anything in particular. Just make something. “ ~Adrienne W
“If I want to use some supplies that I already have...I go revisit a class that I have taken in the past. A year or so ago. I always have new take aways because my art has evolved since then. And I remember why I bought all of this stuff. It works!” ~@boringbunnyart
“I’m mostly going for second hand and reuse as much as i can. To use things in “wrong way”, get me more creative. I’m using a silicone mat as a gelli plate, pieces of wood as stamps, painting colorful patterns, on old white bedsheets…. I of course have a real gelli plate, using it often as a palette, and makes prints with the leftover paints….🤣😵💫” ~@annelisjournaling
And for fun… Close your eyes and imagine You can only keep what fits in a single drawer of art supplies.
Here are some of the desert-island supplies that you all shared that you MUST have when creating:
"Wonderful prompt to ponder… I have been participating in 100 day challenge so all my art supplies are spread out on counter and if I had to stuff some in a drawer, I would store watercolor paper🎨 watercolor paint set 🎨 water brush 🖌️ cardstock paper 📄 Micron pens 🖊️ pencil ✏️ eraser ✏️ graphite sticks 🖊️ clipboard 📋 Distress Ink Stamps 🖍️ gel plate 🖼️ clear stamps 💮 journal 📓 and metallic acrylic markers” ~@chaotic_sanity_blog
"All kind of papers ❤️” ~@karenskunst
“Drawer: assorted papers, vintage book covers, fabrics, floss, paints, matte medium, gesso, some fine wire and some beads. 🥰” ~@tracy_dihle
“My must have when we travel would be my fav watercolors a couple brushes, my Artistro white paint pens, geli plate, gesso, watercolor paper , scissors, steel ruler, some colorful acrylics, Micron Pigma .005 pens. It’s definitely hard to narrow it down, oh I might need a few rubber stamps and stencils🤣🤣” ~@paperpaintcreatejsamson
“Oh I love using limited art supplies. When we travel I enjoy having just a few of them and see what comes out. Here are my really necessary supplies: 🖌️ pencil, 🖌️ Stabilo all pen in black, 🖌️ a tiny watercolor set with about 8 or 9 tins of color, 🖌️ a clue stick, 🖌️ small scissors, 🖌️ a few sheets of mixed media paper. I guess that's what I need on a lonely island. Sketching, some color swaps and using what's around me…” ~@annerehorns_kreative_seite
Moving Forward (With What We Have)
What I've learned from my humble espresso cup (and your wonderful wisdom) is this:
- The perfect tool might already be in your possession
- Limitations often spark creativity
- Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one
- We create best when we're not overwhelmed by choices
You know, this reminds me of something called Occam’s Razor - the idea that the simplest solution is usually the right one. (Who knew philosophy would show up in a conversation about art supplies? 😊) But it’s true, isn’t it? We don’t need complicated solutions or endless supplies when we have simple, effective tools right in front of us.
A Gentle Nudge...
So here's a gentle invitation: Before adding something new to your creative space, take a moment to look at what's already there. Maybe it's a set of watercolors waiting to be opened again. Or that beautiful journal you set aside. Or those markers you were excited to try.
Then make something. Anything.
No rules. No pressure. No purchases needed.
Just you and that one overlooked supply, ready to surprise you with its possibilities.
Because maybe - just like my clearance-aisle measuring cup - you already have everything you need to create something amazing.
*Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and wisdom.
