Saturday, May 26, 2007

Buy nothing new

Just another idea I had for my bead journal - buy nothing new for these monthly projects. This will be a challenge for me, but I have a little bit of everything, and a gracious plenty of some of it! Since we are moving (this weekend!!) I have been unable to do creative work for these last several months of transition, but I have been collecting lots of bits and pieces. So.... this is my long-winded way of saying, it's time to use what I have, appreciate all that I have without seeking more, more, more. If I need a different color of fabric, for example, I have several fabric paints and dyes I haven't tried - I'll make do with the abundance I already have. Anyone else want to join me in this challenge within a challenge?

17 comments:

artandtea said...

Hi JenniBoBenni, I like your idea of not buying anything new for our journal pages. Besides using the stuff you already have, working with your existing supplies can get you to try something that you might not normally do. It's fun to "think outside the box" to keep your ideas fresh. While I do need to get some acid free interleaving paper, I will try to use what I have already. Thanks for suggesting this!

Caroll L. said...

Great idea !
Like you I have a bit of everything and plenty of some !! In fact I have enough to work for, at least, 10 years !!!!!!!!!!
So, count me in this challenge in the challenge :-))
Hugs
Caroll

Theresa said...

I love this idea I could open a bead store with all that I have.

I will join in this challenge and buy nothing new .

I have started a new blog (never used the old one anyway) to journal my adventure with my bead journal.

Theresa
http://theresajoines.blogspot.com/

Robin said...

Count me in... a challenge within a challenge... I love the idea!

Anonymous said...

I was looking at all of my favorite things that I was saving for something special and I believe this is the time to put them to use. So I am not buying anything (else). Making due with what I have.

MoonRae said...

Wow, so many like minds.....this is exactly what I am doing.........I too am very blessed and have more than enough.....I have been gifted with some very special beads and trinkets and have been saving them for a time I would use them for something for me......BJP is that something...........smile

M.J. Mullins said...

I just acquired another beader's stash - adding that to my own considerable stores, the fact that I live in a 300 sq ft apartment, and - yeah! I'm all for using what's on hand!!

Vicki said...

Me eight!! I love this idea of using what's on hand. And like most of you have said, that's not really a great hardship, when I look at the volume of my stash. Thanks Jenni, for a great challenge!

madchiwawa said...

Me nine!!! I have so much in my stash and so many special beads that I have been saving for something special and this is it. So count me in.

ACey said...

I also planned to work only with my exisiting abundance. BUT ... I might want to buy a few beads now and then for other beading projects. Is this acceptable or does it leave too much grey area to be considered part of this challenge within itself?

I am definitely changing-around my blog posting to include more bead-releated content on my blog. Last night I took apart a necklace with the BJP project in mind - something I've been meaning to do for a dozen years!

ACey said...

I also planned to work only with my exisiting abundance. BUT ... I might want to buy a few beads now and then for other beading projects. Is this acceptable or does it leave too much grey area to be considered part of this challenge within itself?

I am definitely changing-around my blog posting to include more bead-releated content on my blog. Last night I took apart a necklace with the BJP project in mind - something I've been meaning to do for a dozen years!

Aurora said...

Hi--I took a pledge at the New Year to buy nothing new for 6 monts (with the obvious exceptions of food & medicines)--so this fits well with me--of course, I have still been buying some things used--even some beads (at our local antique flea market), but mostly I have been using up my stash--still along way to go on it,tho...

Cherie said...

JenniBoBenni that's a brilliant idea - count me in - My stash and I say a HUGE Thank You!!

pam T said...

I'm in on this one too....... time to dig out those beads that have been laying about for the "special project" that never gets done... or actually, maybe this IS the special project???

KM said...

I've been desperately trying to use up the main part of my bead stash--as it is literally overflowing out of it's storage area. (a six- drawer now collapsing roll cart.) I'll definitely join in on this challenge!!!

ct said...

Hi
I LOVE your idea - I will try this too - I have a huge stash like everyone else, always waiting for the perfect thing to use them in!
thanks for the idea....just think of all the money I will save!

JenniBoBenni said...

Hello all! So glad you are joining me for the buy nothing new challenge. I must confess I bought some Timtex, as I am a fairly new beader and didn't realize that ordinary interfacing won't hold that kind of weight. But I will using up my stash, and happy to be doing so.

For those of you asking about buying new beads for other projects, that sounds fine to me. I just need the challenge to use the "much" that I already have more creatively instead of using this an excuse to buy more.

aurora, I am impressed with your pledge to buy nothing new for 6 months, other than absolute necessities. How hard was that, and what have you learned along the way?

Sorry to be so slow in getting back to you all. Between moving and having internet access only at work for now, and being new to blogging, it's taken me this long to figure it out.

I am happily beading a bit most days, it's a great way to avoid unpacking! My piece is about 1/2 done, and it's changing a bit as I work, and it's just a lot of fun.