ArtStart & ArtScraps ReUse Center — Local services in Saint Paul

I love this place. You can bring all the great art supplies you aren't going to get around to using but can't bear to throw out, and get a donation tax receipt for them! Have a lot of things somebody could make something out of? Ice cream buckets or oatmeal canisters just begging to be a school project? those are good donations, too! And if your kid needs to make a collage or a mobile or a diorama for school definitely this is the place to come for great bits and pieces to stimulate ideas for that project. If you're an artist, amateur or professional, hobbyist or you just like to kludge things together, this is a great place to find bits and pieces for props, projects, inventions, all kinds of stuff. You also meet...

This is a place where you can let your imagination run riot and save something from the landfill at the same time. From old pill bottles to leather scraps to upholstery bits to used vintage cards... What will you find for your next project in this creative Mecca? This time I left with a few buttons and sewing needles but I did eye the vintage knitting needles. I'd have bought some but I already have them in all sizes.

It was pretty busy on a Saturday and I was delighted to see parents with young kids looking at the magical merchandise together. If you have 5 bucks you can get some good stuff! They also have classes and host birthday parties. Show this scrappy little shop some love and walk out with...

This business is one of a kind! They're a very fairly priced (almost TOO fair sometimes!) resale arts and crafts supply store that accepts all kinds of non-traditional supplies. Just walking down the aisles and pursuing the offerings gets my mind whirling with ways I can use recycled goods in projects I've yet to even fully imagine. The store itself is a bit cozy and the staff really try to display as many items as possible so I don't recommend coming with a big group or hyper kiddos. There is no lot so you will have to park on a side street. When you get a chance please check out this...