Clearance Craft Supplies: Inspire Your Next DIY Project on a Budget

RED HEART Super Saver is the workhorse acrylic we reach for when budget and color variety matter—our experience shows it washes well and holds up to everyday use. During our review, we appreciated the huge palette, including ombrés and prints perfect for blankets and charity projects. Out of the skein it can feel scratchy or stiff; a quick wash or fabric softener soak helps, and some colorways were softer than others. Watch for occasional splitting or knots and join as needed.

Bernat Blanket is the plush, chenille-style yarn for instant gratification - big hooks, fast progress, super cozy results. In our testing, it worked up blankets and slippers quickly and survived delicate-cycle washes without drama. The tradeoff is weak stitch definition, so fancy textures get lost, and frogging can fray or shed if you're rough. We've also seen occasional quality inconsistencies like thinning or flat spots between skeins, so buy an extra ball and batch-match labels for the most uniform finish.

Homespun is the cozy, low-maintenance yarn we reach for when we want softness you can machine wash and dry. The silky hand feels great against skin, and the long, variegated color transitions create effortless striping without constant yarn changes - handy for blankets and scarves. During our review, we did notice the lightly textured strand can snag and make frogging tricky. It's a bulky weight too, so large projects get heavy faster and may require more skeins than a lighter alternative.

Liquitex Basics is our go-to student acrylic when we need dependable coverage without splurging - at $5.19, it's great for underpainting, blocking in color, and classroom use. During our review, we appreciated the high opacity and lightfast, AP non-toxic formula for safe, durable results. Just know the pigment load isn't on par with professional lines, so tinting strength is milder. We've also encountered the occasional thicker, slightly chunky squeeze and caps that stick, so keep a pin and a damp cloth handy.

If you’re stocking up, this Creative Inspirations 5-pack is one of the best bargains we found—double-primed 10 oz cotton duck that took acrylics and oils evenly in our testing. The back-stapled, paintable edges make edge-to-edge designs easy without needing a frame. Just note the slim 5/8-inch profile isn’t the deep gallery look, and the 8x10 size runs small for larger compositions. Since it’s only sold as a multipack, it’s ideal for practice, classes, or series work rather than one-off pieces.

Apple Barrel’s Misty White is our go-to budget base coat at just $0.79, and in our testing the matte finish leveled well on wood, paper, and primed surfaces. The non-toxic, water-based formula cleans up with soap and water, making it an easy choice for family craft nights. Expect to layer: some projects needed two to three coats for full coverage, and the 2 oz bottle runs out on larger pieces. Note it reads slightly off-white depending on the substrate and lighting.

These Vintaj lobster clasps are a budget-friendly way to finish bracelets or replace tired hardware, and you get two for $4.25. We like the multiple finishes - natural brass, rose gold, sterling antique - so it's easy to match existing metals, and the heavy plating is marketed as nickel- and lead-free for wider wearability. In our testing, the 12mm size worked best on delicate chains or charms; heavier necklaces felt under-scaled. Like most plated clasps, frequent exposure to moisture or chemicals can speed up finish wear and internal spring fatigue.

Beadalon's 7 Strand wire is a reliable pick when you want strength on a budget, and at $5.49 it's easy to stock up. The nylon coating held up to abrasion in our testing, and the seven-strand construction kept shapes intact for simple stringing and beadwork. Compared with higher-strand wires, it's noticeably stiffer and can hold a curve, so it won't drape as softly. We found it best for lightweight to medium beads and everyday projects, not ultra-heavy designs or fluid, couture-style necklaces.

If you need sturdy construction paper that won't crack at the fold, Tru-Ray's 76 lb sheets deliver, and at $4.69 for assorted colors it's a classroom-friendly buy. In our testing, the vat-dyed, fade-resistant hues stayed bright on bulletin boards and sunlit projects, and we like that it contains 50% recycled fiber. Keep in mind the 50-sheet pack goes fast with big classes or large builds. Also, colors are preselected, so you may still need a separate pack to chase specific shades.

Add bold, sparkly titles to journals and layouts with these Soho Garden Thickers - 147 glitter foam letters for $6.99 is plenty for multiple small projects. In our testing, the archival, acid-free adhesive gripped well on cardstock and photo paper, and the boho black finish adds eye-catching dimension. Plan ahead for vowels and common consonants, as longer titles can exhaust popular letters. Because the foam adds thickness and this listing is a single color, it's best for dimensional pages you won't mail flat.

For presentations and school projects, Elmer’s Sturdy-board delivers solid rigidity at a wallet-friendly price, and in our testing it took marker and acrylics without smearing. It’s sturdy once set up but still susceptible to dents if handled roughly, so transport with care or use a sleeve. We’ve seen occasional shipping scuffs or torn film, and multi-pack tape can peel the surface if yanked. Our tip: score and lift tape slowly, and reinforce edges with washi or painter’s tape for durability.

Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue is a reliable staple we keep on the craft table because it dries clear and bonds paper, fabric, wood, and mixed materials well. In our testing, cleanup was simple with soap and water before it set, which saved a few messy moments. It doesn’t always offer instant grab, so a clamp or painter’s tape helps while it cures, and the tip can clog if not wiped. Once cured, it stays slightly flexible—great for crafts, not structural fixes.

For a rainy-day craft that kids can finish in under an hour, this window art kit is a winner at $7.49. You get several pre-cut suncatcher shapes and a rainbow of paints that dry translucent, so the finished pieces glow beautifully on windows. In our experience, it's very beginner-friendly - just squeeze, fill, and let dry. Do note the kit may not include enough suction cups for every piece and the packaging can overstate the total projects, so plan to share or supplement hardware.

For $1.25, this Eco-Fi felt is a thrifty staple that still behaves well at the cutting mat. Made from recycled PET bottles, it cuts and sews cleanly, and the bright, fade-resistant colors hold up nicely for banners, appliques, and classroom crafts. Our experience shows it's thinner and a bit stiffer than wool felt, so it's not ideal for plush toys or heavy-duty projects. Also, expect slight color shifts versus your screen and order an extra sheet if an exact shade matters.

Kickstart mini-sculpting with Klutz Make Clay Charms, a beginner-friendly kit for ages 8+ that we found surprisingly thorough during our review. The 60-page step-by-step book and included accessories—nine clay colors, shaping tool, glaze, pins, jump rings, bracelet, and a display rack—make it easy to follow along and show off creations. In our testing, the clay felt a bit stiff at first; warming and conditioning helps, and the limited clay supply suits smaller projects. Finished charms can be fragile on bracelets, so we recommend displaying or sealing carefully.

This IRIS project case is a simple way to corral patterns, stickers, and 8.5 x 11 worksheets, and the clear plastic makes it easy to spot what's inside. We liked the snap-tight latches during our review, which helped keep contents contained in transit. That said, some users report latches that pop open and hinges that arrive cracked, so inspect on delivery. Also note the size is too small for 12 x 12 scrapbook paper and bulkier tools - step up if you need room.

For Cricut Maker and Explore owners, the StandardGrip Mat hits the sweet spot for cardstock and vinyl—our experience shows reliable hold without over-grabbing most materials. We like the reusable, multi-pack setup for swapping mats during batch projects to keep production moving. That said, some batches lost tack after only a few uses, and warped edges can cause feed issues. During our review, careful blade depth and regular cleaning extended life, but expect eventual cut marks to reduce usable area.

Gorilla’s Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun impressed us with its accurate, insulated precision nozzle and quick switch between low and high heat for delicate trims or heavier materials. In our testing, the compact size and built-in stand made it easy to park between tasks. Be prepared for some stringing and the occasional drip—keeping a silicone mat or drip tray nearby helps—and a few users report backflow or defective nozzles. Still, for detail work and small builds, control is excellent.