Not having resources makes you resourceful

Let's be honest. Currently, I don't earn a lot of money. I got a job as a babysitter, paid by hour. I'm lucky I live with my parents and don't need to paid for rent, food, internet and other expenses. So, when I get paid, I usually buy presents, things for myself, go out to eat... When making my projects, I can't afford fancy equipment, furthermore, I have limited space to stockpile my materials. My parents were super sportive and allowed my to work in the living room, but I've to keep things nice and tidy. For these reasons, I started becoming creative when it comes to materials I use, recycle, search for and, less frequently, buy.

I created a list with the basics for me, why I like them and how I use them. Mostly, cheap and useful, available in convenience stores. I hope it comes handy if you are on a budget or want to create from scratch easily.

Clear shiny and mate nail polish

Nail polish in general comes handy in many occasions. When a material doesn't have the finish I want, I coat it with nail polish. It's also useful as finish touch to materials that in other way, will be more vulnerable, such as plasticine.

I buy the cheapest I can find, since I won't be putting them in my nails and I'm not afraid if they aren't super high end.

Sand and rocks

Sand and small rocks are perfect for giving texture. Mixed with acrylics or plasticine you can achieve realistic look of various types of walls or similar. Gluing them with care is another option, or even tearing the rocks in pieces.

Please, be sure not to take them from an endangered area or damaging wildlife.

Varnish glue

Glue and varnish two in one. Works as nice as paper glue, at it works wonders when gluing other materials, furthermore, it can be applied as light shiny overcoat if needed. Careful thou, because it's slightly shine can ruin a piece if that was not the effect you were looking for. For an almost imperceptible glue, use paper specific glue, which drys completely mate and leaves almost no trace.

Personally, I use the Apli varnish glue that comes in a bottle of 750 ml. I like this format because it lasts a lot, I've had mine forever. I bought it so time ago at my local craft store. I could't find the exact bottle on the Internet, but there are other brands selling the same product.

Water colors or acrylics

Acrylics can paint over everything, and stay there. The only throwback is that they dry with a shine, so you'll have to think about finishing them with something if you are not looking for that. For watercolors, they don't need to be very high quality, just very pigmented.

Mine are second handed, from my grandpa. I own other set bought at a convenient store, that I often mix with the very pigmented one, to create depth.

Plasticine or clay

You can create anything from scratch with those. Along with cardboard, hey can be the base foe anything. In he case of plasticine, be careful with heat, as well as having in mind that it can easily change it's form by slightly touching it, so a finish piece will be vulnerable. That can be easily fixed with coating it with glue or nail polish.

You don't really need a lot of colors, just primary ones, black and white. Clay usually comes in white, so be prepare to have something to paint over it. I bought these supplies at a convenience store.

Recycle

- Cardboard

Do you eat cookies? Cereals?

- Toothpicks

Not used!

- Old cutlery

Useful for creating determined shapes or textures. A little thootbursh and sponge make wonders when creating concrete.

- Other everyday things

Broken glass, unused plastic containers....

Material I've bought

The only material I've bought specifically for this. Two great things I find pretty useful.

Rust and corrosion pigment set by Vallejo

Mix it with just water and... voila! Rust and corrosion. Easy to use and nice results.If needed, you can fixate them with their brand glue, I just use mine and works well. Mate nail polish also does the job.

I bought it on Amazon.

Stone effect by Crea Box

Really nice for creating stone effects. It can be used by itself or with paint, in order to give the color a texture.

I bought it on Lidl chain store.

All in all, I think that with a little of imagination and open mind, you can create almost anything from scratch. You just have to look around and give things another use.