Hey, needlework is a luxury. Food and house payments (and taxes) are not. We need to pay those bills, but how can we also fill our need for needlework supplies without breaking the bank?

Shop in chunks. While I don't mind at all filling small orders (I get panic-ridden calls for one skein of this, or a piece of that...) try to buy all materials for a project at one time. It will save you money (shipping and effort) in the long run. Pay attention to the instructions -- most good designers will now tell you if you need multiple skeins of a floss, or if you need more than one packet of beads.

If you really need a needlework fix, but don't have a lot of extra cash on hand, buy a kit (they're often more reasonably priced than buying separate chart, fabric, beads, embellishments, etc...) or buy a few small things. Treat yourself to a cheaper chart or something that's on sale. Every once in a while, I get an e-mail: "I saw on your site that such-and-such chart is $2. That can't be right? Am I dreaming?" Noooo....a lot of the charts I have are at their original prices, which means there are many charts on my site at the $2, $3 and $4 range, a rarity now with increasing prices. Treat yourself to a few $3 charts, and you'll really feel smart.

Re-organize your stash at home. Sometimes just going through what you already have will satisfy your craving. "Oh, I forgot I had this." "I should just sit down and finish this -- there's hardly any stitching left." "This is a pretty design! I should do this one next; I've been meaning to get to it." I did this myself on my birthday. I had intended to buy myself a new chart, but decided to be frugal. I went through my magazines and found a lovely apple tree branch bellpull design, had some fabric in my stash, and started it. It called for DMC (heavens knows I have a lot of that!)

Browse your local shop (or your favorite needlework web site!) Sometimes an hour or two of looking (and feeling, and smelling) will satisfy your craving. Limit yourself to a budget, if you need to, and try to stick to it. You'll feel so proud of yourself.

Make a pledge: I'm not going to start a new project until I finish two old ones. I'm kind of doing this now, and have my UFO pile down to about five or so.... Yea for me!

Do not, I repeat, do not look on my web site. Few people can resist the temptation of designs (and I can't tell you how many times a week I hear the words "addiction" and "drool"! Ha! Really!)

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com