Note: If you click on the images in this post, they will take you to the full DIY before/after or how-to.
I think we’re the DIY generation. We want to do everything ourselves. Not only that, we want to be good at it too!
Dare I say, pinnable.
Every time I’m up to my elbows in glitter and I have paint in my hair, this is the conversation I have with myself in my head.
What? Tell me you don’t self-talk from time to time!
I hate DIY. Glue is stupid. Glitter is from the devil. I never do projects the right way. I never have all the supplies I need. Now what can I use? I’m never doing a craft, art, DIY project again for as long as I live. I’m selling my glue gun and throwing out the glitter. Pinterest causes normal women like me to turn into puke-worthy craft fairies of the worst kind. Where ARE the Scissors???
Five minutes later…
I love this! Why didn’t I do this sooner? I need to go on a shopping spree at Hobby Lobby. I wish they made a heavier duty glue gun. Do they sell red glitter paint? I have to check and see if Pinterest has any new projects. DIY changed my life! Wanna make something with me?
I am the Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde of the crap craft-tastic world.
I have a love-hate relationship with DIY. The truth is, I’m much more creative in my mind than I am in real life. Can you identify? I get some great ideas, but most of the time, I never follow through, or when I do, my ideas were waaaay better in my head.
Then I pull an old teacher’s desk out of the trash and turn it into a one-of-a-kind hand-painted desk and suddenly I think I’m Picasso. Doing “it” yourself, whether that’s making some new wall art or a birthday balloon wreath, can save some big money.
Then there are all those times when we should hire our very own DIY guy and let him do the work.
Know when DIY doesn’t PAY.
Reasons to DIY
- You’re feeling creative.
- You can save money.
- You want to pour yourself and your love into your creation.
- You’re bored and don’t have cable TV.
- You’re good at what you do.
- You need a hobby.
There are tons of reasons to do things yourself. I’m huge fan of being creative and getting in-touch with your inner Martha.
Then there are times when DIY doesn’t PAY.
Reasons NOT to DIY
- Support artists and crafters. Some people DIY for a living and they’re masters of their craft. Support them by buying their art. We don’t have to recreate everything we see. Sometimes, it’s good to buy the original. It helps support the artist and lets them know you value their work. When you buy something that’s been hand-made, you’re being a blessing to the maker.
- It’s out of your realm of knowledge/experience. I especially think of this on some big home projects. Maybe hiring that electrician or plumber is a really good idea. You know? We hired someone to install our chimney and woodstove, because we didn’t want to burn down our house. Could we have DIY’d? Probably. In fact, we tried it and screwed it up first. Then we hired the expert. It’s good to know our limitations. Sometimes hiring out work will save us money in the long-run.
- DIY takes a lot of time. Decide, do you have more time or money to spend on a project?
- It’s not always cheaper. I can cite countless times when DIY has saved us money, but not all the time. Sometimes it’s cheaper to just go buy the item you like.
- DIY stresses you out. If you’re one of those people who breaks out in a cold sweat when someone takes out a pair of craft scissors, cut yourself some slack. DIY isn’t for everyone. Find a different way to be creative.
- Count the cost. Supplies aren’t cheap. Count the cost before you begin the project, so you and your wallet aren’t surprised half-way through.
Like I said, I have a love/hate relationship with DIY. I think I’ll always tackle a few projects a year, because sometimes I need to burn my fingertips off with a glue gun be creative, but I’ve learned the hard way, DIY doesn’t always PAY.
Do you DIY?
Are you a bit of a craft store junkie or do you run for the mall when someone suggests you make it yourself?
Has there been a time when DIY didn’t PAY?
If you’d like to Live for Less, please click the image below for more Cheap Tricks.
Whenever possible, I try NOT to DIY so I don’t DIE.
I sew and quilt. And think about other things and buy things to do and make other things, but then when I realize that how much easier it is to just go buy the thing, the savings in time and frustration are well worth a trip to the “mall”, and sometimes realizing that I don’t really need a thing is priceless!
Wait wait wait. Your kitchen cabinets match your blog theme. Color. Me. Impressed. Yes, I went there. 😛 My DIY’s involve my computer. I’ll leave the paint swatches and glue guns to those who actually know how to use them. Super cool!
Glenn
It doesn’t come naturally to me, so I’m very selective about what I DIY personally…but when I do try it, it’s always fun!
I hear ya Tricia! Sometimes when you add up all the supply cost it might have been cheaper to buy it in the first place. But other times you can save – it makes sense to think it out first!!