Little Ways to Support Your Favourite Craft Shop
When things become a little uncertain in the craft industry, it can feel as though there isn’t much we can do about it. Most of us can’t fix an international supply chain or magically reopen a warehouse—although I’m sure many of us could organise the contents beautifully if given enough storage tubs and labels!
The good news is that there are lots of small and simple ways you can support your favourite independent craft shops, and they don’t always involve spending money.
Shop small when you can
Before ordering from one of the big international marketplaces, take a moment to see whether your local or favourite online craft shop has what you need.
Even a small order for adhesive, cardstock or a few sheets of patterned paper helps. Those everyday purchases add up and allow small shops to continue bringing in new products, preparing kits and organising creative events.
We know that price matters, particularly when household costs are rising. No one expects you to shop beyond your budget. Choosing a small business when it suits you is always appreciated.
Be patient when an order takes an unexpected detour
Small craft businesses are often waiting on manufacturers, distributors, freight companies and customs. Sometimes a delivery that was expected in two weeks takes four. Occasionally, something arrives incomplete—or doesn’t arrive at all.
It can be just as disappointing for the shop owner as it is for the customer, especially when we were excited about that new collection too!
A friendly message gives the retailer an opportunity to check what has happened and offer an alternative, refund or updated delivery estimate.
Gather your crafty friends for a shared order
If several friends want products from the same brand, consider combining your wish lists.
A shared order can help everyone save on postage and may allow the retailer to reach a manufacturer’s minimum wholesale amount. Naturally, this requires the very difficult task of discussing craft supplies with friends. I’m sure we’ll cope.
Leave a lovely review
Reviews make an enormous difference to a small business. A few genuine words about your order, an event you attended or the service you received can help someone new feel confident about shopping with that business.
Reviews are particularly helpful when they mention how a problem was handled. Orders occasionally go sideways in every business, but knowing that the shop owner communicated and made things right can be very reassuring.
Leave a Review or read what happy customers are saying!
Give social-media posts a little love
Liking, commenting, saving or sharing a post helps it reach more people—and it doesn’t cost anything.
Social-media algorithms don’t always show posts to everyone who follows a page. Sometimes a simple comment such as “Love this collection” or tagging a crafty friend can give a small business a very welcome boost.
Scrap of Your Life Facebook Page
Scrap of Your Life Facebook Community
Tell a friend
Good old-fashioned word of mouth is still one of the best ways to support a small business.
If you have found a lovely shop, enjoyed a class or attended a fabulous creative day, tell your crafting friends. A personal recommendation means so much more than an advertisement.
Join in with events and workshops
Small craft businesses often create much more than an online shop. They organise classes, crop days, retreats, demonstrations and communities where creative people can meet and share ideas.
Attending an event helps support the business, but it also keeps those wonderful creative gatherings going. You may even make a new friend—or discover another craft product you apparently cannot live without.
Visit the Scrap of Your Life Event Page.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Newsletters are one of the best ways to hear about new products, restocks, events, classes and special offers.
Unlike social media, an email is less likely to disappear before you have a chance to see it. Opening the newsletter and clicking through to something that interests you also helps the business understand what its customers would like to see more of.
Subscribe to receive Email Updates and the Craft Chat Newsletter
Share what you create
We absolutely love seeing what customers make!
If you create a layout, card, journal or mini album using products from a small craft shop, share it and tag the business. It helps other people discover the shop and gives fellow crafters some lovely inspiration.
It also makes the shop owner do a little happy dance—and yes, sometimes we really do!
Consider a gift voucher
If you need a present for a crafty friend but aren’t sure which paper collection, colour or adhesive they prefer, a gift voucher can save the day.
It gives your friend the fun of choosing their own goodies while providing immediate support to the business. It is also much safer than trying to guess whether someone needs another paper trimmer.
Remember there is a real person behind the shop
Most small craft businesses are run by one person or a very small team.
Behind the website is someone answering emails, updating stock, comparing freight quotes, placing orders, packing parcels, preparing classes and trying to track down the product that was definitely available yesterday but has somehow disappeared today.
We won’t always get everything perfect, but we genuinely care about our customers and want every order to be a happy one.
Supporting a small craft shop doesn’t need to mean placing a large order. A small purchase, a kind review, a shared post or a recommendation to a friend can all make a meaningful difference.
Most of all, your support helps keep creativity, connection and community alive—and that is something worth holding on to.
