thrifting art supplies

If you are enjoying the pleasures of pyromania, dedicate a thorough safety procedure first! Work outside if you can. If this is not an option, open all windows. Two fans are the ideal air circulation solution: place one *behind* you and another in the window facing OUT to draw the fumes. Wear a proper respirator mask, not one of those white jobbies you can paint big lips on!
1.Heat guns can be purchased at most craft stores. A less expensive option is one from a "manly" tool store. I bought a brand of heat gun (PowerFist) used for stripping paint and other "professional applications" at Princess Auto (Canada only)--it has 2 heat settings, 700F/375C or 920F/495C, and came with 4 nozzles for heat dispersement. It's a lot hotter than a regular craft gun, but heat is heat--respect the tool, use carefully and experiment with cautionary situations! I rest it on a brick so i can safely reposition or work on something else. Use a power bar as well---when you are done, turn off the gun AND the power bar.
2.Soldering irons are inexpensive and easy to use. Again, you can buy the fancydancy one at the craft shop with all the different tips, or you can invest in a decent one from the tool department. A soldering iron can be treated as a pencil would--draw with it, angle it for different shapes, apply with different pressures. Again, rest on a brick for safety and use the power bar. Clean the tip regularly with steel wool or fine sandpaper when cool.
3.The cheapest Pyro tool is incense! You will have to keep relighting it, and it's best to have a container of water near by, and to work your project on something that is nonflammable. Sinks and tubs, or driveways are good for this!
4.A candle may also be used, but i feel it's the least safe tool of all---flames happen fast and serious injury to yourself and your work can happen.
5.If you wish to use your iron, use parchment paper as a presscloth--it's cheap, easily available at grocery stores in the baking or sandwich wrap section, and is re-useable in many cases. Rather than accidentally gunk up your iron and your clothes in subsequent use, buy a cheap iron and use it solely for your heat work.

I also wanted to point out another great place for art supplies---garden supply stores! I cruise around at work when i get a chance and have discovered:

1. landscape cloth--comes in different weights and widths and is perfect for painting and stitching on, using as interfacing/stiffening or for dimensional work.
2.plastic tubing--great for purse handles, stuffing with yarn or coloured scraps, for mixed media
3.slug strips--copper coated, good for embossing with a dull pencil, hammering or sewing-- a blow torch will change the colour but use all safety precautions!!!!
4.bamboo---there are two kinds--one is sold usually as "decor" and is long (up to 8') and hollow--cut it up and use halved pieces for multimedia--use for framing, stuff it, whatever! The other is the green "stake" type, narrow and shorter--paint it, wrap it, tie it together.
5. pond liner--a very flexible rubber---use your imagination!
6.pea and bean netting--netting is netting!
7.trellises and tomato cages--great armatures or frameworks

1. Burlap and jute, coarse cotton--save the potato, feed and seed, flour bags--ask at the local plant nursery or feed store. Often a rough or coarse fabric, these are perfect for the primitive, antiqued or frayed edge look. Wash them separately first, to remove any dirt, additives and chaff!
2. Decorator samples are often available at drapery and upholstery outlets. They are usually small, can be quite expensive yardages when bought by the metre, but cheap as an "end of the roll". Some places will also have samples that were sent by a manufacturer and they may sell those as well.
3. Local dressmakers and tailors can be a good source of scraps as well. Offer something in return, or be prepared to pay if they request a little "something".
4. Always recycle clothing and household linens!! Memory items, special occassions and your taste can make your art for giving or keeping a more personal work of art.
5. Recycle any gift ribbons, tags, papers, faux flowers and seasonal decor from presents and floral arrangements. Right after Christmas is a good time to hit specialty shops for these items as most places would love to not have to "carry the inventory" until the next holiday!
6. Trims--hit the thrift shops: grab those old linens, special occassion dresses and curtains. Consider the cost of the materials---if you can't see paying 5 bucks for one special bead or bit of lace that was used to embellish..... Check the jewellry and belts sections also: even broken bits can be re-purposed.
7. If you paint your own fabrics, save the cloths you use to wipe your brushes or that are being used as a work area. Often with the addition of stencilling, or stamping, these can be very unique and completely original!
7b. You can use less expensive acrylic paints on fabric IF you add a textile medium. Golden sells a big bottle that you can judiciously mix with your acrylics, at a ratio of one to one. I find the most cost effective way to do this is to use a small measuring spoon. I generally add 1 teaspoon to the same amount of paint, mix well and that gives enough for a small area. Adjust your quantities as you need, though i find it better to do less than i think i need as it does cover a surprisingly large area. Remember to heat set!!!!

Some of these ideas, paraphrased, came from Tenar's Cave.

1.Non slip soles for slippers/booties and shoes may sometimes be difficult to find, especially if you have larger or wider feet, or smaller for that matter :}----some knit and yarn shops still carry them, but if they don't, there are several things you can substitute for safety in wearing.

a. PlastiDip----comes in colours or clear, spray on or paint on---look in the hardware store near the tools---it's mostly used for dipping the handles of tools in to give the worker a better grip. Made by a BC company, it's quite cost effective.
b. Rug back coating--same premise.
c. Kitchenware sections of department stores and dollar stores often have a thin pliable roll of a rubbery mat that looks meshlike---soles could be cut from this and stitched on. Comes in many colours and is dirt cheap.
d. Hit the thrift stores and reuse old shoes and slipper soles--assuming they are in good condition and the right size and a good price, this is a fab way to re purpose/recycle.

I have 2 broken down wicker/rattan chests and got three pieces to be used as frames, from one by taking it apart: the top frame, the lid and the bottom. The wood has been dovetailed at the corners, but may need L brackets for stability, and is stained irregularly in brown and purple, depending i guess on how much dye penetrated after they wrapped the rattan around. May have to varathane it to seal that! (I'm also tempted to wet them and let it seep into some fabric too :})The other chest i'll just strip the rattan off of and use it as it is.

And what's the point here? I was going to throw these chests out, creating waste, though wood does break down, but also guilt! Instead, i have saved money, got sturdy frames to repurpose for my textile art projects and saved money!

Try other sources for "framing" as well--old bicycle wheels with spokes removed, or not, cupboard doors with the middles knocked/cut out, old window frames, hubcaps, rusty car parts, wire hangers covered in fabric/paper/yarns/beads,kitchen utensils--look at strainers and cheese graters :}
What else can you think of? Contribute!