Affordable Crafting Finds at Re Craft – A Shopping Adventure

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends!

I always enjoy discovering new places to shop, especially when they combine creativity, community, and the thrill of finding hidden treasures. Recently, I ventured into a store that was completely new to me, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

The store is called ReCraft, and what a delightful surprise it turned out to be!

Apparently, ReCraft is part of a growing network of community-based stores around the country, each with a wonderful mission. The shops are staffed primarily by dedicated volunteers who lovingly sort and prepare donations of new and gently used craft supplies for creative souls of every kind.

Walking through the doors felt a bit like stepping into a treasure hunt designed especially for makers. Shelves were neatly arranged with supplies for a variety of disciplines—fabric and yarn for sewing and knitting enthusiasts, paper and stamps for scrapbookers, paints and brushes for artists, beads for jewelry makers, and countless little odds and ends just waiting to inspire someone’s next project.

One of the things I appreciated most was the care that had gone into organizing everything. The volunteers do a terrific job making sure items are clean, sorted, and attractively displayed. There was such a warm, welcoming atmosphere that I found myself lingering far longer than I had planned.

Of course, you know me—I love the idea of giving beautiful things a second life. ReCraft feels very much like thrifting, but with a creative twist. Instead of china and teapots, there are ribbons, buttons, baskets, stamps, and craft supplies that can be transformed into something wonderful. It’s affordable, environmentally friendly, and a marvelous way to support creativity in the community.

I couldn’t help imagining all the possibilities. A basket of vintage lace might become embellishments for handmade journals. Pretty ribbons could adorn Christmas packages. A collection of beads might find new life as napkin rings or ornaments. It’s amazing how inspiration seems to multiply when surrounded by such treasures.

What made the experience especially enjoyable was the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Their love for crafting and repurposing was evident everywhere, and they were happy to answer questions and share ideas. It reminded me how much joy can be found when people come together around creativity and community.

Needless to say, I left with a few treasures and even more ideas than I arrived with!

The picture above is from their website. It isn’t the clearest image, but I wanted to share it with you because it gives a good idea of the size of the store. The photo shows only one side from about the middle toward the back, so you can pretty much double the space. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in! The store is divided into different sections devoted to various creative interests. There are areas for yarn and embroidery crafts, sewing and fabric supplies, paper crafts, painting supplies for both oil and watercolor artists, sculpting materials, and the list goes on. Wherever you turn, there seems to be another interesting corner filled with possibilities.Everything is neatly organized, and the volunteers have done a wonderful job making it easy to browse. It really feels a bit like a thrift store for creative people. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just looking for inspiration for your next project, there is something for everyone.

I always enjoy discovering places that give new life to gently used items, and ReCraft certainly fits that description. It was a fun shopping adventure, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Here is just one rack in the paper supplies section holding stamps and die cuts. Each stamp or die cut set is packaged in a hanging bag and priced individually. The prices for the stamps generally run from $1 up to $4, with a few larger sets priced at $6 and $8. Many of these include matching die cuts designed specifically for the stamp set, making them an even better bargain.
As I browsed through the rack, I recognized many familiar brand names and was pleasantly surprised by the variety available. It was fun to see so many quality supplies neatly organized and ready for their next creative adventure. For paper crafters, this section alone could provide plenty of inspiration and enough treasures to keep you happily browsing for quite some time!

The Stampin’ Up and Close to My Heart sets that are still in their original manufacturers’ packaging are priced at just $4 each, which I thought was quite reasonable. They also have lots of the older wooden rubber stamps, bringing back memories of the days before clear stamps became so popular.It was fun recognizing familiar images and seeing so many quality products available at such affordable prices. Whether you enjoy card making, scrapbooking, or other paper crafts, there are plenty of treasures to discover. I could easily have spent much more time browsing through all the possibilities!

The signage throughout the store is very clear, making it easy to find whatever area interests you most. The pictures above show racks of individual 12″ x 12″ sheets of paper, while another picture shows some of the paper pads available. All paper is priced at $3 per pound. I found a 12″ x 12″ textured black heavy cardstock paper pad for just $3, much less than I would have paid at retail.

There was also a section devoted to embossing folders, powders, stencils, stamp pads, and inks, as well as multiple racks of embellishments selling for just 50 cents per package. They even carried paper-cutting equipment ranging from machines to scissors.

I had such fun looking at everything and making a few selections to take home. The store in my area has been open for about a year and currently has limited hours, Wednesday through Saturday. They also have a “Make-It” area open to all ages where visitors can create projects using supplies from the store. During our visit, we saw children, parents, and grandparents taking advantage of this service and enjoying some creative time together.

So, how can they offer these supplies at such reasonable prices? ReCraft receives donations from the general public, and when stores go out of business, they are often able to purchase inventory and pass the savings along to their customers. One of their goals is to keep these wonderful craft supplies out of landfills while allowing people to complete craft projects for much less money.

The inventory changes rapidly, and new items arrive all the time. Of course, selections are limited to what is donated or purchased at deeply discounted prices, but I think there will always be something interesting to discover. That’s part of the fun—you never know what treasure might be waiting on your next visit!

Another mission close to their hearts is helping teachers with supplies for their classrooms. There is a free teacher’s table, and one section of the store is devoted to educational materials offered at very affordable prices. I thought that was such a wonderful way to support those who give so much to our children and communities.

Overall, I found ReCraft to be a delightful new shopping adventure, and I know I’ll be visiting again. If you enjoy crafting, thrifting, or simply discovering creative treasures, you might want to see if there’s a ReCraft store in your area. You never know what inspiration you’ll find!

After returning home, I couldn’t wait to play with some of my new treasures. Using supplies I found at ReCraft, I made these two cards. It’s always satisfying to turn bargain finds into something beautiful, and I know I’ll be making many more trips to this fun store.

Thanks for joining me on this Saturday shopping trip. It’s always a pleasure to find and share new stores, and I hope you’ve enjoyed coming along on this little adventure. Until next time, happy crafting and happy treasure hunting, friends!