Art From Scrap
11 Nov 2013
I am a thrifty girl. And I love making things. And that is why I love places like Art From Scrap! It has been around for over 20 years, taking donations of all kinds of art supplies from businesses and individuals and selling them at rock-bottom prices. I hadn’t even heard of Art From Scrap until a few weeks ago. When we were at the Depot in Oakland, I was telling one of the employees how much I wished we had one in LA. The employee looked surprised and said, “Oh, you don’t have one?” This little flicker of a raised eyebrow got me thinking…maybe there was something of the kind in LA. A little bit of googling led me to this comprehensive list of creative reuse centers not just in the US, but all over the world! (Click it, click it, and find one near you! They even have a guide for starting your own, if you are feeling adventurous.) You should have seen the happy dance I did! I learned that there are a few such places in LA, and then I started scanning for places I knew we’d be traveling soon. And now I will probably try to hit a Depot on every vacation: ha! Art From Scrap was definitely the first place I headed to once we were in Santa Barbara.
It’s a bit smaller than the Depot, but it did not disappoint in variety, and I am sure I spent a good hour in there browsing around and picking up a big bag full of treasures. I loved this literally recycled tree in the front yard. (If any of you have ever been to Urban Ore in Berkeley, there is a similar setup here: little stuff inside, big building materials outside).
Along with enough fabric and yarn to keep you busy for years!
Jewelry supplies!
Shells and stones!
Beautiful bottle caps!
The science section!
They also have a big bulk section with raw materials for making all kinds of projects, and teachers get bulk items for free! I remember making candles out of lint and old egg cartons when I was little, and if I were a teacher, I’d so do that with my kids too. Obviously, I had a fantastic time, but I was also so impressed with the organization and with the employees’ clear dedication to the space and its mission. They were constantly straightening, reorganizing, fielding calls, and discussing strategies. This is all the more impressive when you consider that all of them were almost certainly volunteers. I am so happy that such places, and such people, exist in this world. They make it brighter for all of us.
Nov 11, 2013 @ 03:46:23
How cool; I know you had a great time. I would definitely have liked to peruse the science section.
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:02:46
Lots of cool stuff there, definitely! Most of it I couldn’t identify. I needed a scientist!
Nov 11, 2013 @ 05:34:10
I like the shells and stones. The professor would have looked in that bucket!
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:06:02
Me too! Lots of exploring to do!
Nov 11, 2013 @ 05:41:31
I sense a field trip coming on. I must see what my area has to offer. And please share with us all the cool things you make with items from this nifty store.
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:08:50
Oh yes, you must find such a place! I would love to hear about what you discover too! And yes, I will share! The first thing I’m going to make is a little Christmas garland out of some pretty red and green snowflakes I bought. I have always loved the look of them!
Nov 11, 2013 @ 05:46:48
You have access to some really fascinating shops! I could spend hours in one of those 🙂
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:10:51
Me too! It is a danger, I must admit! 🙂
Nov 11, 2013 @ 06:08:44
Didn’t know they have similar concept stores here in the UK and there is one here in Birmingham…thank you! 🙂
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:12:08
Of course! I will be excited to see what you find there! And excited that there are 90 stores like this in the UK: time for a road trip! 🙂
Nov 11, 2013 @ 06:35:50
Whoa! START YOUR OWN!!!!! Wait a minute, I’m busy through the end of November. But the idea intrigues!
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:13:33
This is just the kind of adventure we should undertake together!! Can you imagine all the awesome?!
Nov 11, 2013 @ 06:39:28
One of my favorite things in the world is when Mom does her happy dance. I’d love to see yours as well.
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:15:21
This makes me smile. And you shall see my happy dance very soon!
Nov 11, 2013 @ 06:41:04
What a find! I could spend some happy hours in that store.
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:16:53
Yes indeed! I hope you can find one near you!
Nov 11, 2013 @ 07:55:04
oh wow.. the possibilities are aendless
Nov 19, 2013 @ 14:17:55
Definitely!
Nov 16, 2013 @ 22:43:44
Looks heavenly to a scavenger like me!
Nov 19, 2013 @ 19:46:14
It is! And so many good scavenging options are in your backyard:)
A Little Holiday Garland
Nov 27, 2013 @ 03:01:14
[…] finish line! I have been meaning to stitch these foam snowflakes together ever since I got them at Art from Scrap in Santa Barbara. It turns out that that’s kind of hard if your sewing machine is buried […]