Embellishments: How Much Sparkle Is Too Much?

It’s weird what a bit of string or sequins can do to a shoebox or wall. The real question is when “just enough” turns into a craft nightmare, or when “tasteful” is just code for “boring.” Never obvious.

When Ribbon, Twine, or Jute Wins

I keep wanting to stick glitter on everything that doesn’t run away—ceramic pots, lamp cords, the dog’s leash. But what actually looks decent? Ribbon. Not the shiny stuff, just plain grosgrain. Makes my kid’s projects look almost intentional.

Twine always smells odd, but I wrap it on jars, frames, gift tags. If I’m pretending to care about “rustic,” I grab jute. It frays, snags, but at least it doesn’t fight with the wallpaper. Some influencer called twine “elevated minimalism”—I just use it because it’s cheap and nobody questions it when I glue it to the wall. Ribbon, twine, jute—never turned the living room into a disco ball. That’s enough for me.

Stamps & Washi Tape: Cute or Clutter?

Why do I have twenty-six rolls of washi tape? I only remember buying one, maybe two. I keep telling myself, “Ooh, so versatile! Cheap thrill!” Then I just slap the same boring grid on an envelope, promise I’ll get creative next time, and…nope. Same thing again. It’s like a weird tape time loop.

Washi tape—if you manage not to lose your mind with it—can rescue a sad notebook or, I dunno, a candle jar. But let’s be real, it gets out of hand fast. Suddenly my desk looks like a kid’s birthday party exploded. And stamps? Don’t get me started on the seasonal ones. I see “Yay!” in bubble letters and fall leaves on sale, and next thing I know, my stamp drawer’s overflowing. I’m not even sure where half of them came from. Craft supply creep, it’s real. Sometimes, sure, washi and stamps beat those overpriced embellishments, but when I catch myself rolling my eyes at my own “handmade touch,” that’s when I know I’ve crossed some invisible glitter line.

Wondering how much sparkle is too much? When my journal looks like it’s been attacked by rhinestone embellishments and my wallet’s empty, I guess that’s my answer.

Storage Solutions for the Organized (or Not)

What’s still making me nuts in my so-called craft room? Not the glue sticks. Not the mountain of tangled yarn. It’s the storage. The endless, pointless quest to make everything look Instagram-perfect—what am I even doing? Some of those bins cost more than the stuff I’m actually storing.

Hidden Costs of Fancy Storage

Does anyone else notice how fast “just one organizer” turns into a hundred bucks gone? I buy a box, then a shelf, then another bin, and suddenly I’ve spent more on storage than on crafts. Those labeled bins look smart, but if you keep swapping them out, your budget hates you. Glass jars, stacking cubes, rolling carts that don’t even fit under the desk—at some point, I just want to make something, not rearrange boxes.

Nobody warns you about the “just one more bin” spiral. Google craft storage and it’s all “must-have” solutions that cost more than a month’s supply of paint. Read the blogs and you’ll see crafters quietly admit they’re struggling with storage costs. Organizing burns through cash faster than crafting ever does.

DIY Storage: Worth It or Waste?

Tried making my own stuff—shoeboxes, jars, pegboard (which crashed, twice, so that was fun). It’s cheap, kind of satisfying, until I’m sanding a plank at 1am and realize a plastic bin would’ve saved my sanity. Sometimes it works, sometimes I end up with splinters and a lopsided shelf. Who saves money on crafts and then blows it on a staple gun? DIY storage can be a miracle if your supplies keep multiplying, but honestly, reusing clear tubs or detergent boxes is about as fancy as I get now. There are clubs swapping DIY storage hacks, but unless you’re Martha Stewart with a label maker, the results are…eh. I’ve got a pile of “future storage” in my closet that never fit anywhere. At least I’m honest about it.