Heading out the other day for a much needed break, I went to my local big box chain craft store. What did I see? Some gelato paints, a basic selection of rubber stamps, and a lackluster collection of inks. Their selection is in the “just ok” category. And you’re paying top dollar!
Meanwhile there are oodles of things out there that can bring your art projects to life, and finding them is literally half the fun! If there is one in your area, try Tuesday Morning for mish mash stuff; Ollies’ is another catch-as-catch can, where you can find remarkable things (admittedly on a hit-or-miss basis). Thrift shops are a great source for some unusual items. (Heck, I even found a pottery wheel in one once.) Or, look for stores that sell over-stock or scratch-and-dent items. You’ll love their prices and will delight in your unusual discoveries.
Ebay and Amazon.com are also wonderful places to look. I’ll be honest, I’m an Ebay junkie. I have found a surprising array of art supplies at consistently better prices than what I find in my local big box store. (Just be sure to factor in the shipping costs.)
The holy grail, though, for paper crafters - or grails, if you will - are two-fold: your local specialty store, and traveling scrapbooking/paper-crafting shows that come to town every three to six months. The small local shops are a treasure-trove of supplies and specialty items, often offering workshops on how to work with new or complicated materials. The workshops themselves are invaluable. But often the greater value is in the people you meet who are as passionate about what they’re doing as you are.
The bottom line is this: don’t limit yourself to where you shop. The big box stores can be great for basics (especially with those ‘40% off’ coupons). But stretch your wings a bit, and check out the specialty or privately-owned hobby shops. They’ll appreciate your patronage, and you’ll appreciate their warmth, knowledge, and supplies!
- Christine O'Leary