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This past weekend I decided to take the plunge into one of my first wedding-related craft projects, Mr. and Mrs. chair signs.
I found a great, easy-looking tutorial online and set off to the local craft store to get supplies. Here is a list of my loot along with prices:
OK, chair signs are cute and would make for a fun project (and a good blog post). But $45 for a very obviously “one time use only” type of project made me feel not so super excited.
I decided to turn to Etsy to see how much those signs would cost if I just ordered a set. Here’s what I found:
From Etsy seller tcart2010 ($25.00 + $5.00 shipping)
From Etsy seller ShandrusCreations ($30.00 + $6.00 shipping)
From Etsy seller tcart2010 $25.00 + $5.00 shipping
From Etsy seller 2chicsthatbelieve ($27.95 + $8.00 shipping)
Hmm…noticing anything? After finding endless examples of these for much less than $45, I think I can trust a craftier crafter than me to execute it perfectly.
I know they’ll be lots more wedding craft projects in my future, but this was a great lesson in confirming that yes, in fact, some DIY projects are more expensive than simply buying one off the shelf (or from an Etsy seller).
There’s also something to be said for my mistake of showing up to the craft store without a coupon. (What was I thinking? I get those in the mail, like, daily.) And perhaps I could have done a little more research on scoring those craft items on a discount craft-supply website.
Do you ever compare craft supply costs to ready-made similar items? If you are a heavy crafter, how do you save money on your supplies?
I got someone to make me some signs for the table. I had her mad an ampersand also. When the wedding was over she attached them all together and I put them on our bedroom door. I have a pic, if you ‘d like to see it.
I save money by the fact that I have a lot of the stuff already! OR, I use coupons. I also will find the stuff I need on sale or, if possible, in bulk. (Bulk will REALLY save you $$).
It’s the basics that really cost you. Like the sewing machine, cricut, scissors, etc.
Also, I know how to look at the expensive requirements and find the “cheaper” alternatives.
It also doesn’t hurt to have a brother who’s a carpenter and can make stuff SOOO much cheaper than you ever could, lol. 
You bring up a good point, sometimes DIY isn’t the best option. Beyond the money for the supplies, you also have to consider how much your time is worth. I guess the thing to come away with is do your research first.
I was tempted to make wooden chair signs, but decided the cost was too much so I just made some from paper I had left over from other projects. For all of the projects that we did I made use of numerous coupons and sales, as well as Vista Print.
It’s always hard to cough up the dough for supplies, especially in the beginning, but that means it’s less you’ll have to buy in the future. I made a Christmas ornament — a clay miniature of our wedding cake — for our first Christmas as newlyweds, and with supplies and all, it ended up being around $30. More than I really wanted to spend, but, 1) it’s probably what I would have paid for someone else’s artwork on Etsy, 2) it’s cute and distinctly “us,” and 3) I now have a nice collection of paintbrushes and polyurethane for future projects!
You also have to remember that many of those supplies you’ll be able to use several more times.
$45 for the supplies - $30 for the first sign = $15. Will you be able to get $15 worth of use out of the paintbrushes and remaining supplies in the future? It may be worth it in the long run after all.
As people above me have said, the Etsy signs can be cheaper because they’re not paying the start-up for supplies. They can buy paint by the gallon knowing they’ll get a lot of use out of it and so the price-per-sign is less.
Whenever I decide if I want to do a project, I try to think about how I’ll use the supplies again. When I wanted to upholster some used furniture, the staple gun was a high start up cost, but I’ve used it several times since. Whereas I want to a Cricut or Sillhoute, but I can’t think of more than 2-3 projects I could immediately use it for so it’s harder to justify a high price tag.
I think it’s a total myth that DIY is always cheaper - even when you can save a lot of money, you’re usually investing time. However, it’s nice when the final product and the pleasure of crafting justifies the expense.
So when are you going to show off your chair signs??
I think it’s a case by case situation and like mariewest said you have to do your research. Research, research and research. I have done a lot of DIY projects but I am also purchasing certain things b/c the time/effort/cost were not worth the DIY route. Also all my DIY projects are done using coupons so that also helps control the costs.
You make a VERY good point. I have a craft addiction, I can’t tell you what I’ve spent on supplies, because I’d probably vomit if I ever looked at the $$$ number. If it’s a craft you’ll do again, maybe it all works out in the end. But if you never feel the need to paint again, then it’s cheaper (and less time and mess!) to purchase them.
I craft things more because I like it and enjoy it than because I want to save money. Think of that price list, then factor in even minimum wage per hour for the project! I think a lot of people on Etsy are under-selling themselves.
That said, out of the list you posted, you can re-use everything but the plaques!
Im doing the same but I was able to find some wooden plaques at the dollar store as well as some paint brushes… I think Im only spending maybe 10.00 and I will do a Mr. & Mrs sign and in the back I will put Thank You… .. and I’ll still have supplies to make various signs for my wedding
I just bought my supplies last night to make my chair signs and I spent less than $10 but I’m not doing the antique look with the cracking paint… Just plain and simple… Like some mentioned though you’ll have supplies for the next go around 
And by looking at the prices you paid a coupon definitely would have come in handy… I found the wooden plaques at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 each
If you live near Michaels and can make a million trips so that you buy everything w/ a 40%-50% off coupon, it definitely helps. DH made a lot of trips with me so that he could use a coupon too. Still some of my DIY’s cost a silly amount ($20 for glitter and glue to cover a card box?!) The effort and care that went into my DIY’s was obvious to everyone. When people tell you that it was the most thoughtful or meaningful wedding that they’ve seen, it’s totally worth it. Plus, I figured that any night that I sat home DIYing instead of going out spending money some other way was a wash.
Oooh…wait you can make those signs for SO much cheaper! I bought 2 pieces of beveled wood at Michaels in their craft section (I think they were $2-$3) and painted them brown first with paint we had used for our house. Then after it dried I painted it white (again with house paint). While still wet I dabbed it with paper towels to take some white off. Then I traced the “Bride” and “Groom” on by printing it on paper and using a pencil to cover the back of the page in graphite. Then I just painted the traced letters with black acrylic paint I had in my art supplies and drilled 2 holes on each to run ribbon through. Total cost for both=about $6
I started off planning to do EVERYTHING DIY but now as I am 94 days out, I’m realizing that it’s not always cheaper AND if the materials are cheaper, it’s not worth the time I’d spend trying to perfect it.
One of the things I always factored into my DIY-or-not decisions during planning was whether it was really worth my time to make something vs. buy it as well. I found that there were some things I wanted to invest that time in because they were important to me/us, bt there were other things that really weren’t important to make myself.
Such a great point!!! I do the same thing, only with food. Like, I’ll spend $40 on groceries for a steak dinner at home, and qualify it since it’ll be easily double that price at a restaurant.
Or I’ll spend $20 to make quesadillas and kick myself as I could’ve spent way less on that at a local burrito place.
With DIY crafts, since I’m so klutzy I also factor in the time spent crying over whatever I’ll be trying to make, and end up buying it from someone else instead. I HEART Etsy for that!
I think its a project by project basis… some DIY projests are cheaper while others just arent worth it. I think the best solution is to have a game plan… meaning get a general idea of what it would cost to: 1. just flat out buy the item or have it made by someone else (etsy) Versus 2. buy all the supplies yourself and then 3. weigh your options… sometimes its worth it and sometimes it not
LOL right after I got engaged I went to Hobby Lobby, JoAnn’s and Michaels just to see whose craft stuff was cheaper. Hint: Hobby Lobby with 50% off coupons!
I found that DIY can be more expensive in MOST cases, unless you are repurposing item that you already have…for my Wedding sign, I used a picture that I had that I never used, spray painted the glass with chalkboard paint, spray painted the frame, and used chalk to write my sign.
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Mrs. High Wire, Dallas Age and Occupation: 23, Legal Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Director of Communications Engagement Date: October 9, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Clark Gardens About Me: My loves include yoga, anything spicy, our eccentric cat, our rambunctious dog, and Mr. High Wire, of course! Like the steadiness act of the tightrope walker, this gal is busy balancing life while planning a wedding to the man of her dreams. We’re hosting a laid-back, vintage-inspired, bird themed wedding with heavy doses of love, good eats (did someone say tacos and margaritas?), and endless Texas charm. Mr. High Wire and I are so happy to have you along for the walk across the tight rope.
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