Buying second hand for my studio and art practice just makes sense to me. Being an avid thrifter makes it easy. I love to give old or gently used items a new purpose in my space. This simple act makes me want to be in there because I find it so inspiring.

Here is a list of things I look for at the thrift shop:

Baskets with some age or patina

Studio pottery

Old photographs

Sewing bits and bobs

Yarn, leather or anything I could weave with

Books

Paint brushes 

Old tools to use in my art

Terracotta pots

Fabric

Art

Frames

Estate Sales and Tag sales also have such good collage material. Whenever I go to a sale I head to garage, basement and attic.

I look for these things at sales and also the things I listed for thrift shops.

Manuals

Phone books 

Magazines

Newspapers

Letters

Stamps 

Old advertising

Anything with interesting typography, 

Anything with beautiful handwriting or children's handwriting

Walpaper 

Old or gently used art supplies, including paper, paint, brushes, inks

Books

Old sewing patterns

Nice weather is just around the corner so sales will be starting. Keep a list with you when you go and good luck gathering lots of material