For any kind of
art geek or
crafter,
art supplies that are
on sale are a
dangerously euphoric lure. Like other
geeks to a
used book sale or
hardware clearance (or, indeed, a
used record store), we can't help but go over "just to see what they have." The problem with arts/crafts geeks is that they/we will
buy things we don't need and will
never use, because they're
cheap,
cool or (momentarily)
inspiring. At best the art supply sale can be a sort of
muse--"hey! metallic paint pens! I have an IDEA!"--but at worse we just end up spending lots of
money that was earmarked for
food on things that will wind up in the
supply bin,
closet,
garage, and
attic. Don't believe me? When I moved I gave away a $50, 100-ft roll of
acetate that I got 75% off AND NEVER USED. And a steel ruler (because I had two others), and a dozen
brushes (leaving me with a couple dozen) and a bunch of
acrylic paints in
strange colors, and ... and ... well, trust me, if your SO is an art geek you may want to steer him or her away when you see that
sale sign.
On the other hand, it makes us pathetically,
tail-waggingly
happy to get New Stuff, even if it only lasts a little while. Buy it
for us, and we're REALLY happy. *beam*