There are so many different places to buy older or gently used craft supplies:
- garage sales
- estate sales
- thrift stores
- flea markets/craft malls
But today, we are talking about craft supplies from garage sales. Yes, garage sales! I know, you normally think of clothing, toys, and household items, but I’m here to tell you that you can score some great finds for craft supplies, too, when you are garage sale shopping. Before you set out on the hunt for supplies this weekend, though, you need to be prepared.
Before You Leave
Ask yourself these questions before you leave the house:
- What is it that I need to buy; am I trying to start or finish a specific project?
- Â What is my spending budget for my purchases today?
- Â Do I have my cash ready for shopping?
- Where am I going to do my garage sale shopping?
If you don’t know the answers to those questions, then you need to wait until you do. Get a pen and some paper. I’ll wait for you to answer them.
Off You Go!
Now that you have a game plan in place, you get in the car, buy coffee and donuts, pick up your BFF, and drive off to your first garage sale. Woohoo! You’ve reached the neighborhood and see the sale, but wait–!! Before you even stop the car you need to start asking yourself some questions again:
- Is the sale clean, in a clean environment, and safe?
If the sale area looks dirty, or the items are sitting in the dirt, then the answer is NO! You don’t even need to get out of the car at that sale; just keep driving! - Does the sale look like it might have what I want?
If you need baby blue yarn or party decor for a boy’s birthday, and the garage sale is a sea of pink and purple, just keep driving. The chances that this place will have what you want are slim-to-none.
Garage Sale Shopping Score
Ok, you and you BFF have finally found a nice looking place to stop, and they actually have something you put on the giant list you made at home. Now you need to ask yourself these next few questions:
- Do I know the content of the yarn, fabric, marker, etc.?
The content of art supplies has changed over the years, especially in kids’ craft supplies, so be careful. Check for the ‘non-toxic’ labels and make sure whatever you buy is safe according to new and current laws.
Try not to buy yarn unless it still has the labels on it so you know what kind of fiber you are buying. Otherwise, you might end up crocheting a wool sweater for your niece who happens to be allergic to wool. There are tests you can do to check fiber content, but sometimes the tests are just a rough approximation. Remember, only buy yarn for planned projects which you know you will complete. This keeps your stash down and your spouse happy. (Happy Spouse = Happy House.)
- Can I clean or wash the item the minute I get home?
If you can’t wash it and it isn’t clean, just walk away. Don’t even buy it.
- Is the item in good working condition?
Markers, paint, glue and other things dry up so make sure that they are still in good working condition. Don’t pay for something you can’t use.
- If I can’t use the item right away, do I have a place to store it until I do?
This is so important! And so is this next one:
- If I store it, will I remember I have it?
I have been known to buy Valentine treat bags (new, in the package) and then lose them until after the next Valentine’s Day. Have a place to store things, and know where you have stored them. A “master craft supply list” on your computer would come in handy for this.
Final Questions
The final question is a three part set.
- Is this a once in a lifetime buy?
- Is the price so good I can’t pass it up?
- Can I find it easily if I don’t buy it here?
If your answers are “yes,” “yes,” and “no,” and if you have not spent all your budgeted money, and if the item passes all the questions in the previous section, then you need to buy it before your BFF does! What are you waiting for?!
Those are all the questions I ask myself before and during my garage sale shopping trips for craft supplies. I hope they help you the next time you plan to go out! If you’ve found any once-in-a-lifetime buys at garage sales, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter.
Talk to you later,
Karen
P.S. The star in the photograph at the top of the page is made from vintage felt. The vintage pillowcase needs to be embroidered, but the embroidery floss pictured with it is not vintage.