We’ve seen some great pieces coming to our meetings that are steering towards the artistic side of turning – I guess there’s a little bit of Jaunine is all of us! If you haven’t stopped by the following Arts & Crafts Recycle Stores, I’d recommend that you do. Both of these places get their inventory from people or businesses who donate excess supplies, and I’ve found some gems at fractions of retail. Example: need some antique brass rosettes to top off that lidded box? You’ll likely find them at either of these places.
In Ephrata, there is a quirky store call Art of Recycle. I’ve gotten some gems there – in addition to they are a large repository of Lancaster County companies’ overstocks – you can find just about anything there that might spark your project gears. One day they might have plastic trays for $0.10 – perfect for mixing glue, paint, stains, epoxy fills, you name it. Big place, check out all the rooms. Don’t hesistate to wander into the large warehouse space in the back. I was looking for some thicker glass panes to use for cutting stencils – they had 8 x 10 tempered glass for $0.50 per sheet. That’s my idea of a deal! Click https://artofrecycle.org/store for details.
In Lanc, there is a smaller shop that caters somewhat more to fabric crafts, but it’s an easy stop. Just watch their hours – not normal. I’ve found some interesting things there dropping off a lifetime of my in-law’s crafting – one time there was a box of Badger airbrush paints in excellent condition for $0.50 per bottle – they retail for $6.99! Poke around the classroom space – that’s where they have the kind of things we might use to embelish our turnings. Click here for their details: www.lancastercreativereuse.org
If your travels take you into Philly, there is the Mother of All Arts & Crafts Recycle Stores near Fishtown. Free parking, not a bad neighborhood, and you might be tempted to bring a truck. They have items from movie sets that have filmed around Philly, Baltimore, the Shore. Lots of artsy things that you can glimpse in their site – and like the other two above, the inventory changes fairly often. The place is called The Resource Exchange – details here: https://www.theresourceexchange.org/