What do you do when you have a craft supply thief?

[darkladymajesta]

Soon I will be moving in with another person who makes very little money (less than me) and is into crafts? The girl in question frequently asks me for stuff and I usually give her supplies if I do not need it or have extras. But she is also known for going through my things and taking stuff without my permission (stuff that is valuable to me and I have plans for). I want to know what would you do in this situation? I have put a lock on my door but that may have to come off since the owners of the home do not want locks placed on any interior doors that can be locked from the outside (does that make sense?). And since they live with us I can't exactly hide the lock 

I should mention that this person is also very unstable at times and will do mean things and take things from me just to get back at me. I would live on my own if I could but am financially unable. I am going to try to keep my lock for as long as possible but I doubt I will keep it for long I hope that giving them a key so they have access (why they want into my room I don't know) but so the thief wont. Any ideas on how I can keep my stuff from being stolen or at least being able to prove it was her? I only have two proven incidents that she takes my stuff but the owners are still not convinced it is her  Plenty of my things will disappear if I don't do something, I move in less than three weeks!

[sweets4ever]

I'm not sure there is really crafty solution to this other than locking your supplies in a closet in your room.

[smittenheart]

tell her to stop doing it..if she continues write down the date and the supply that was stolen to keep a trail..

I dont think its a money issue as much as a compulsion issue..regardless of how much or little money people have a thief is a thief..

since you are moving I am guessing she will still keep at it before you go..the landlords probably dont want to do anything about it since you are leaving and I am guessing the other girl is staying..either way you'd think they wouldnt want a thief living in their house..

if you can move it into a storage unit that isnt located in the house a public storage type place..a few bucks a month for a little piece of mind..

good luck..

[jshires]

I agree...I would lock my stuff in a closet or a lockbox of some sort...heck I would probably get a safe because my crafting supplies are that important to me...anyhow, good luck!

[SpottedFrog]

My first question is: why are you moving in with this person? You know they are dishonest & unstable.
My second question is: Why the rules about locked doors? That gives me the willies in a bad way.


If you have no choice but to walk into this sticky situation, I'd get a large trunk and store everything of value in it & keep a big heavy duty lock on it.

[sweets4ever]

Get some of the big Rubbermaid totes with lockable edges.  You could even decorate them, so they're crafty!

[jessvict]

get a foot locker, it has a lock and plenty of room, or if you have a car put them in a tote and then in your trunk.

[Aislynn]

I have to agree with Penlowe on this one...don't settle for this situation.  Deal with it for as long as you have to, but please, please keep looking for alternatives.  It just doesn't sound like a good thing all around.

That being said, be careful if you decide to keep supplies in your car.  On a hot day, aerosol cans will expand and distort, and may explode (yup...thank you, static guard--thankfully I caught it before it actually exploded), and glues can get yucky.  Your best bet would be lockable storage, which is rather cheap.  Also, though, stand up to the girl.  Have an honest, non-confrontational discussion with her about supplies, and perhaps set up a "shared" bin, where you can both put extras and leftovers that are up for grabs.

[darkladymajesta]

Oh wow this is the most replies I have had in such a short amount of time! I wanted to keep the identities realitively secret but since it seems like I am going into a really creepy situation Ill have to give an update 

I am moving back in with my parents. I lived with my boyfriend who is now joining the army reserves and will be gone seven long months for training. The supply thief is my sister, and my parents have agreed to let me keep the lock on my door  so all is well and good except that I can not ever leave it unlocked or leave anything outside of my room since my sister is now very angry with me.

[jloveg]

locking file cabinet would work also.  and only leave  out the  stuff you dig out adn don't  want so she thinks shes getting your good stuff but really isn't.

But most importnatnly why live with those in particular people is there no other choice?