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