Crafting from the Goodwill

Finding craft supplies can be really tricky sometimes.

For the moment, we live right smack dab in the middle of a big city.  As in, we live in a mid-rise, with a parking garage in the basement, and shops and businesses on the main level.  We rarely drive anywhere, and if our car were stolen, we probably wouldn't notice for at least a week -- we just don't make it down to the parking garage all that often.   We can catch a bus or the light rail just by crossing the street.

Seems convenient, right?  It usually is.  But sometimes I get frustrated.  Like when I needed a new iron.  Within a mile of our building, we can buy artisan sweaters, antiques, every kind of coffee or pastry, hand blown glass and hand thrown pottery, paintings, rugs, designer furniture, and fresh flowers.

 image from Starbucks

We can check out a library book, or join a dragon team, or see a ball game.  But try to find a good iron?  Or a large bag of dog food, for that matter?  Impossible.  And finding a craft store that won't take all morning and three transfers to get to?  Fuhhhget about it!

So, you learn to improvise when you need supplies.

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You buy your glue at the drug store, and you buy sample pots of paint at a local hardware store.

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Sometimes you get lucky and find something at the fabric outlet (the only fabric store in the city proper,  apparently).  Mostly, though, you just wander through the local Goodwill, to find crafting supplies.  At least, that's what I do.
 

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And you find cool stuff sometimes.

Yarns and wooden spools and vintage crepe paper and linens and retro packages of glitter!

Old floral arrangements that can be cannibalized....

Even new bags of excelsior!

I'm pretty happy.  Now, I just need to find some hot glue sticks....