How to Get Your Supplies Ready for an Online Craft Workshop
The workshop starts in twenty minutes, you're finally sitting down to make along, and you realize you don't have the right glue. Or the paint you thought you had dried up a year ago. Or the instructor is already on step three and you're still looking for scissors.
A little prep ahead of time makes an online workshop a lot more fun. At HobbyScool, every summit comes with a free supply list for everyone who registers, broken out by workshop with shopping tips, because getting ready is half the battle. Here's how to use a supply list and set up your space so you can actually enjoy the class.
Step 1: Pick your workshops before you shop
A summit with around 30 instructors can have a lot of projects, and you don't need to buy supplies for all of them. Look at the schedule first and pick the workshops you're most excited about. Then only shop for those.
If you're torn, pick two or three to make along with and plan to just watch the rest. You can always come back and make a project later.
Step 2: Read the supply list the right way
Our supply lists are set up in three parts, and each part helps in a different way.
- The master list by category shows everything for the whole summit grouped together, like paper, paint, fiber and tools. It's handy if you want to do one big shopping trip.
- The list by workshop shows exactly what each project needs, so you can shop only for the workshops you picked.
- The shopping tips point out where to save money, what you can swap and what's worth buying.
Read the list for each workshop you picked, and highlight anything you don't already have. That's your shopping list.
Step 3: Shop your house first
Before you buy anything, look around. A lot of supplies have easy swaps you probably already own.
- Printer paper or the back of old cards for practice paper
- An old plate or a piece of wax paper as a paint palette
- Mason jars or old mugs for water and brushes
- Old t-shirts and fabric scraps for sewing and rag projects
- Kitchen tools like a rolling pin or cookie cutters for clay
- A ruler, pencil and eraser from the junk drawer
If you can't find a specific color or brand, use what you have. Instructors almost always say the exact supplies are a suggestion, and your project will still turn out.
Step 4: Give yourself time to get what's missing
If you're ordering online, give yourself at least a week before the workshop so shipping isn't a worry. If you're going to a craft store, try to go a few days ahead so you have time for a second stop if they're out of something.
Step 5: Set up your space the night before
Where you sit matters just as much as what you have. Here's what helps.
- Good light. Sit facing a window or put a lamp in front of you so you can see colors and small details.
- Your screen where you can see it. Put your laptop or tablet at eye level and off to the side so it's out of the way of your work.
- A covered table. An old tablecloth, newspaper or a cutting mat saves your table from paint and glue.
- Clean-up supplies. Keep paper towels, a small trash bowl and wipes within reach.
- A charger. Plug in your device so it doesn't die halfway through.
Quick prep tips by craft
Painting and watercolor
Fill two water jars, one for rinsing and one for clean water. Tape your paper down at the edges so it doesn't curl, and test your colors on a scrap first.
Sewing, knitting and fiber crafts
Wind your yarn into a ball ahead of time, pre-wash fabric if the project calls for it, and thread your needle or machine before class starts.
Paper crafts and cardmaking
Sharpen your scissors or swap the blade in your craft knife, and pre-cut any card bases so you can jump straight into the fun part.
Clay and sculpting
Condition a little clay before class so it's soft and ready, and keep a damp cloth nearby to keep your hands clean.
Mixed media and collage
Gather your scraps, magazines and papers into one box before class, and set out a glue stick and a craft knife or scissors so you're not digging for them mid-project.
Home and organizing projects
Measure the drawer, shelf or space you're working on before the workshop, and take a quick before photo so you can see the difference when you're done.
Build a basic kit you can grab every time
After a few workshops you'll notice the same supplies showing up again and again. Keep those together in one box or caddy so you can grab it for any class: sharp scissors, a glue stick and liquid glue, a pencil and eraser, a ruler, a few brushes, painter's tape, a cutting mat and some paper towels. With a basic kit ready to go, you'll only have to shop for the few things that are special to each project.
Your workshop day checklist
- Supplies for the workshop laid out on your table
- Space covered, light set up and device charged
- The day's workshop email open so the link is ready
- Water, a snack and something to drink nearby
- A notebook for any tips you want to remember
What if you're not ready in time?
It happens. If you don't have everything, watch the workshop anyway and take notes. You'll learn the steps, see where the tricky parts are and know exactly what to buy before you make it. Each day's workshops at a HobbyScool summit are free to watch for 24 hours, and the optional All-Access Pass gives you lifetime access if you'd rather make the project later.
After the workshop
Put leftover supplies in a labeled bin or bag so they're ready for the next one. A lot of supplies, like brushes, scissors, glue and basic paper, show up again and again in different projects, so your stash grows a little with every workshop.
It also helps to jot down which supplies you actually used and which ones you didn't need. The next time you look at a supply list, you'll know what's worth buying and what you can skip, and you'll spend a lot less getting ready.
Your next chance to practice
We run a new free summit every month, and each one comes with its own supply list. When you sign up to get an email the minute each new event opens, you'll see the workshops and the supply list early, so you have plenty of time to get ready. You can also see what HobbyScool is all about here.
Never miss the next free summit
Sign up and we'll email you the minute each new HobbyScool event opens, so you can see the workshops and get your supplies ready early.
Tell me when the next event opens See what HobbyScool is all aboutFrequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I get supplies for an online craft workshop?
If you're ordering supplies online, give yourself at least a week before the workshop so shipping isn't a worry. If you're shopping at a craft store, go a few days ahead so you have time for a second stop if something is out of stock.
Do I need the exact supplies the instructor lists?
Usually not. Most instructors treat the supply list as a suggestion, and you can swap in what you already have, like printer paper for practice paper or an old plate as a paint palette. Your project will still turn out.
Does HobbyScool give you a supply list before each summit?
Yes. Everyone who registers for a HobbyScool summit gets a free supply list with a master list by category, the supplies broken out by workshop and shopping tips.
How should I set up my space for an online craft class?
Sit with your light in front of you, put your screen at eye level off to the side of your work, cover your table, keep paper towels and a trash bowl nearby, and plug in your device so it doesn't die during the class.
What if I don't have my supplies ready for a HobbyScool workshop?
Watch the workshop anyway and take notes so you know the steps and what to buy. Each day's HobbyScool workshops are free to watch for 24 hours, and the optional All-Access Pass gives you lifetime access if you want to make the project later.
