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Top Twelve Crafty Things to Buy at the Op-Shop
If you are at all crafty, you'll know just how expensive a hobby can be. Papers, paints, glues, glitter, pens, stencils, needles, threads, wadding, fabrics, beads, albums, frames, scissors, stickers and decals can all add up to big dollars. And being crafty, they're hard to resist.
But clever Cheapskate crafters know that the materials and supplies for their particular hobby don't have to send them bankrupt. Keeping an eye open for a bargain and looking in unusual places can slash the cost of crafting!
Next time you're in your local op-shop, think craft. You'll be amazed at what you can find.
1. Books
The other day I found, crammed between a textbook called "C++ for Professionals" and a syrupy looking novel called "Love's Wicked Ways", a slim paperback entitled "Easy Sew-Ups and Appliques". Apparently somebody thought sewing was no longer hip. Shame on them. Look for dictionaries and atlases and use the pages in scrapbook layouts or for card making. Or choose a nice map and frame it. Cut the dictionary pages into circles and then laminate to make fun coasters. Use old recipe books as décor, or choose a couple of interesting recipes and frame them for the diningroom.
2. Tins
Inevitably at most any op shop there will be an entire shelf of ugly Christmas biscuit tins. Why is this a good thing? Because tins make great storage containers, decorative accents for a room and can be re-used for gifts instead of wrapping paper. Tins are also great for homemade biscuits or other treats. Cut a slit in the lid and make a tissue dispenser (fold over sharp edges!). Spray paint them, decoupage them, embellish them, whatever moves you. Just remember to use glue that'll stick to metal.
3. Coffee Tables
The greatest coffee tables come from op shops. And sometimes, they come in the shape of beat up, old suitcases or trunks or old tables that need their legs cut down. I have a little table that once was an antique sewing machine table. Those little side drawers are great for storing odds and ends such as pens, crochet hooks etc.
4. Neckties
Make them into skirts (okay, this is kinda passé unless you live in the back of beyond), quilts (this is not!), backpacks, potholders, coin purses, make-up bags or whatever. Or wear them! Just buy the cool ones, not the polyester ones with stains on them.
5. Record Albums
These have so many uses, I don't even know where to start. Decorate your walls with old vinyl. Hang them up as room dividers. Heat them up and make bowls. Use the jackets for book covers, folders, cards, postcards, framed art, CD holders, decoupage, or shower curtains. These things are useful.
6. Double Boilers
Back in the day when your mum or your mum's mum used to make dinner every night, a double boiler must have been handy, as evidenced by the plethora of them residing on the pots-n-pans shelf waiting for a new home. This is great for a crafter because if you're going to ruin a pot trying to pour your own candles or soap, make your own chocolate or melt plastic for a variety of fun reasons, it's best to do it in a pot that you only paid a couple of dollars for.
7. Jeans
Two words. Rag rugs. They're easy, they're fun (they're also terribly time-consuming, but who's counting hours?) and they're affordable, thanks to the once-fashionable, now-affordable tapered jean. Start tearing up those long legs and starting braiding my friends! They also make great skirts, backpacks and the really old, well washed jeans are so soft they can be used as dusting rags.
8. Drapes
Not for hanging, usually, (though consider yourself lucky if you find a set that actually fits your windows AND your decor) but old drapery fabric makes great new cushion fabric. Or table runners. Little cloth bags. Re-upholster your dining chairs or footstools. You get the idea.
9. Board Games
I think the question is, what CAN'T you do with an old board game? Missing pieces are no problem if you plan to cut up the boards anyway. In case you never noticed, game boards are about as thick as a book cover. Hmmm... Also good for portfolios, sturdy little boxes, room dividers (hey you can't divide enough rooms in my book), etc. Frame them (the boards) and use them as art. Frame the board and the game pieces in a shadow-box and use it as art. And so on.....
10. Woollen Jumpers
For anyone who isn't into or hasn't tried felting, you can also use scraps of old ugly jumpers to make scarves, mittens, slippers, anything warm. It's wool after all. Look for ones with stains you can work around and then bargain with the salespeople. If they come with buttons you can use, you've doubled the value!
11. Doona Covers
You may luck out and find a doona cover that's just perfect for your bed, but don't stop there. One doona cover makes a matching tablecloth, placemats and serviette set. The leftovers can be used to make an apron and some pot holders. Then use the scraps to embellish a kitchen hand towel and trim some plain tea towels. You can have a matching kitchen set for under $3 and a couple of hours at the sewing machine. Or use them to make window valances. Add trim to hand towels and bath towels (who needs to pay $100 for a matching set?). Turn them into pillow slips or cushion covers. Use them to cover kitchen stools. Make laundry bags from them. You're only limited by your imagination.
12. Cake Tins
Old cake tins make perfect moulds for soaps and candles. Or use them to organise craft supplies. Paint them and use them as decorative trays in the bathroom to hold cosmetics, hair supplies etc.
But clever Cheapskate crafters know that the materials and supplies for their particular hobby don't have to send them bankrupt. Keeping an eye open for a bargain and looking in unusual places can slash the cost of crafting!
Next time you're in your local op-shop, think craft. You'll be amazed at what you can find.
1. Books
The other day I found, crammed between a textbook called "C++ for Professionals" and a syrupy looking novel called "Love's Wicked Ways", a slim paperback entitled "Easy Sew-Ups and Appliques". Apparently somebody thought sewing was no longer hip. Shame on them. Look for dictionaries and atlases and use the pages in scrapbook layouts or for card making. Or choose a nice map and frame it. Cut the dictionary pages into circles and then laminate to make fun coasters. Use old recipe books as décor, or choose a couple of interesting recipes and frame them for the diningroom.
2. Tins
Inevitably at most any op shop there will be an entire shelf of ugly Christmas biscuit tins. Why is this a good thing? Because tins make great storage containers, decorative accents for a room and can be re-used for gifts instead of wrapping paper. Tins are also great for homemade biscuits or other treats. Cut a slit in the lid and make a tissue dispenser (fold over sharp edges!). Spray paint them, decoupage them, embellish them, whatever moves you. Just remember to use glue that'll stick to metal.
3. Coffee Tables
The greatest coffee tables come from op shops. And sometimes, they come in the shape of beat up, old suitcases or trunks or old tables that need their legs cut down. I have a little table that once was an antique sewing machine table. Those little side drawers are great for storing odds and ends such as pens, crochet hooks etc.
4. Neckties
Make them into skirts (okay, this is kinda passé unless you live in the back of beyond), quilts (this is not!), backpacks, potholders, coin purses, make-up bags or whatever. Or wear them! Just buy the cool ones, not the polyester ones with stains on them.
5. Record Albums
These have so many uses, I don't even know where to start. Decorate your walls with old vinyl. Hang them up as room dividers. Heat them up and make bowls. Use the jackets for book covers, folders, cards, postcards, framed art, CD holders, decoupage, or shower curtains. These things are useful.
6. Double Boilers
Back in the day when your mum or your mum's mum used to make dinner every night, a double boiler must have been handy, as evidenced by the plethora of them residing on the pots-n-pans shelf waiting for a new home. This is great for a crafter because if you're going to ruin a pot trying to pour your own candles or soap, make your own chocolate or melt plastic for a variety of fun reasons, it's best to do it in a pot that you only paid a couple of dollars for.
7. Jeans
Two words. Rag rugs. They're easy, they're fun (they're also terribly time-consuming, but who's counting hours?) and they're affordable, thanks to the once-fashionable, now-affordable tapered jean. Start tearing up those long legs and starting braiding my friends! They also make great skirts, backpacks and the really old, well washed jeans are so soft they can be used as dusting rags.
8. Drapes
Not for hanging, usually, (though consider yourself lucky if you find a set that actually fits your windows AND your decor) but old drapery fabric makes great new cushion fabric. Or table runners. Little cloth bags. Re-upholster your dining chairs or footstools. You get the idea.
9. Board Games
I think the question is, what CAN'T you do with an old board game? Missing pieces are no problem if you plan to cut up the boards anyway. In case you never noticed, game boards are about as thick as a book cover. Hmmm... Also good for portfolios, sturdy little boxes, room dividers (hey you can't divide enough rooms in my book), etc. Frame them (the boards) and use them as art. Frame the board and the game pieces in a shadow-box and use it as art. And so on.....
10. Woollen Jumpers
For anyone who isn't into or hasn't tried felting, you can also use scraps of old ugly jumpers to make scarves, mittens, slippers, anything warm. It's wool after all. Look for ones with stains you can work around and then bargain with the salespeople. If they come with buttons you can use, you've doubled the value!
11. Doona Covers
You may luck out and find a doona cover that's just perfect for your bed, but don't stop there. One doona cover makes a matching tablecloth, placemats and serviette set. The leftovers can be used to make an apron and some pot holders. Then use the scraps to embellish a kitchen hand towel and trim some plain tea towels. You can have a matching kitchen set for under $3 and a couple of hours at the sewing machine. Or use them to make window valances. Add trim to hand towels and bath towels (who needs to pay $100 for a matching set?). Turn them into pillow slips or cushion covers. Use them to cover kitchen stools. Make laundry bags from them. You're only limited by your imagination.
12. Cake Tins
Old cake tins make perfect moulds for soaps and candles. Or use them to organise craft supplies. Paint them and use them as decorative trays in the bathroom to hold cosmetics, hair supplies etc.