Professional crafters and home hobbyists share many things, but their love for a great deal on supplies supersedes them all. With specialty craft stores getting harder and harder to find and prices steadily climbing, you might be feeling priced out of your hobby. Never fear, thrifting is here! I love to shop second-hand for crafting supplies, and I’ve got some insider tips that’ll help you get the greatest deal on whatever you need.
Sort & Catalog Your Stash Before Buying Anything
Before you even think about stepping foot in a thrift store, you need to sort and catalog your stash — especially if you enjoy many creative outlets. Chances are high that you have way more in your stash than you think.
Thrift stores can get overwhelming, especially if there are a lot of tempting supplies to catch your eye. Knowing what you do and don’t have keeps you from loading up on too much of one thing. Keep your eye on the target, and you’re bound to find it.
Thrift at the Start of the Week
Thrifting has exploded in popularity over the past few years. From people wanting to find more sustainable clothing options to rebuking creeping price tags, thrift stores are more crowded than ever.
If you shop when it’s busy, you’re less likely to have the time or space to sift through everything available. And there’s a higher chance that someone will come and snatch the best options first.
Avoid weekend shopping whenever possible — stick with early in the week. You’ll have first dibs on the latest stuff when you do.
Can’t make it on a weekday? Try shopping when everyone else is eating lunch and/or dinner. If they’re busy chowing down, they won’t be at the shop!
Search for Arts/Crafts Reuse Centers in Your Area
Regular thrift stores usually have some selection of crafting and art supplies, but creative reuse centers are dedicated to the arts. You can think of creative reuse centers like used bookstores. People donate and/or sell the supplies they don’t want/need anymore, and the store puts them up for sale.
If you struggle with stash hoarding, creative reuse centers can be a lifesaver. You can basically exchange what you aren’t going to use for things you will!
Familiarize Yourself With Older Brands & Products in Your Chosen Craft
Every artistic medium has its own storied history of unique products and brands that are long gone. I prefer buying older supplies since a lot of them were built with heartier materials — especially mechanical tools.
For example, my Boye steel crochet hooks are from the 1940s and work remarkably better than any aluminum or modern steel options on the market. As a fiber artist who dabbles in many disciplines, I keep my eyes out for specific brands, boxes, advertising styles, and/or pictures. I’ve trained myself to recognize the good stuff by pouring over sites like eBay for hours.
You can’t know if something's a steal if you're not sure what you’ve got on your hands. So, invest a few hours in getting a lay of the land before jumping headfirst into secondhand supply shopping.
Price-Check so You Only Get the Good Deals
On the topic of getting a great deal, you’ve got to be careful. Not all thrift stores are built the same. Bigger retailers like Goodwill have marked up their prices substantially in the years I’ve been shopping there.
If you’re feeling wobbly on whether something is really a good deal or not, look it up on other resell sites. This isn’t a perfect 1:1 price match, but it can point you in the right direction. The best kind of shopper is a smart shopper.
Leave No Stone Unturned at the Store
People love to pick things up, but they don’t love to put them back where they belong. You never know when something incredible is tucked away in a clothing rack or shoved in a pile of shoes.
One of the keys to getting a good deal is leaving no stone unturned. There’s a closed basket? Open it up! Stumble across a hanging rack full of grab bags? Pull each one down and give them a gander. I’ve found some great sewing notions sifting through some grab bags — and some absolutely wild ones *cough* suture needles masquerading as curved upholstery needles *cough*.
Always check the children’s section. You’d be surprised at how often higher-quality art supplies make their way into the kid’s arts and crafts area.
Think Outside of the Box With the Goodies on Sale
Not everything you want is going to be tied up in a bow for you at the thrift store. You’ll have to get creative. For example, you can use cookie tins to display finished cross-stitch, embroidery, and needlework pieces. You can frog (unravel) wool sweaters for yarn to use in future projects.
Tap into your creative spirit and look at the thrift store with an artist’s lens. The world is your oyster, and so is the thrift store!
Lastly, Don’t Be Afraid of a Little Dirt
Some of the best deals I’ve found while thrifting online and in stores were not pretty. Oil, dust, cobwebs, old paint, and rust can all be removed with a little TLC. Some extra-long spoolie cleaners, a microfiber cloth, a material-approved cleaner, and a few hours will make your stuff look brand new.
I recently bought the exact early 1990s mechanical Kenmore sewing machine my mother taught me to sew on (getting rid of hers after it broke and “upgrading” to an always-fiddly modern model is one of her greatest regrets) for an incredible deal, given its condition. Now, it’s got its fair share of random crumbs and smudges that need to be cleaned — and wow, is the dirt-covered case going to take some work — but it’s nothing a little spit and shine won’t be able to improve.
The bottom line? Dirt and grime come with thrifting for creative supplies.
Crafting Shouldn’t Be Cost-Prohibitive
Whether you’re a seasoned crafter on a tight budget or you’ve always wanted to try something but never had the cash to spare on supplies, thrift stores and creative reuse centers can be your best friends. Don’t let TikTok hauls discourage you. Crafting shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive. Just follow my hard-earned tips, and you’ll be well on your way to crafting your latest masterpiece.
