I was on a really well run forum once, the owner did ask for donations, he was going through a really bad patch at the time.
I donated a few quid and bought something off him too...figured I used the forum as a hobby, and hobbies can often cost money, he was asking for very little.
I thought I would save money by buying cross stitch thread by the bundle off Amazon.
DMC thread can cost £2.30 a go and sometimes you need fifteen threads or more for a project it quickly mounts up.
People sell off bundles of thread on Ebay. Pretty cheap too.
I'll have to have a look Digs, I've got some bargains in the past on there for my card making stuff.
I love scouring round eBay and Amazon for unusual craft making materials.
Some of the most unusual lace and embroidery comes from China, impossible to buy over here.