Dumpster Diving for Craft Supplies

Almost Free!

I thought Cyndi Lavin's title for one of her contribution to the Artsy Bloggers Roundups was too funny to let pass without further comment.

Cyndi of Mixed Media Artist listed some of the places you can go online for inexpensive craft supplies "when dumpster-diving fails you".

I try to recycle my own trash for crafts but at first I thought I've never actually dumpster-dived.

Then I realized I really did once just a few months ago! I saw a worker from a framing shop taking an armload of good-sized mat board scraps to the dumpster. I went after them. I really did.

After he had left, I surreptitiously skulked over to the dumpster.

Glancing from side to side, I plucked the topmost pieces out of the trash; but there were so many big luscious pieces of mat board and foam core deeper down that I found myself leaning further and further into the bin until my feet were definitely higher than my waist.

Yup, I was in full dumpster-diving position. When I got home with my hoard, my DH said, "I can't believe you actually did that!!" I probably should mention that I am 62 years of age, so it would have been quite an embarrassment had someone seen me in this indelicate position.

Thus far, I've used my free supplies to make cardboard decoupage pendants. I've made a Faux Medieval Engraved Cross, a Faux Cloisonné Cross and a Byzantine-style Cross.

I've still got loads more freemat and foam board. ROTFLOL.

Hi Eileen

I found some wonderful scraps of wood and leather in a dumpster behind one of my husband's client's business. I asked if I could have them and they said: Of course! but were slightly baffled.... LOL.

The bits and pieces turned into wonderful dolls!

I don't know if I would have had the jam to go into full blown 'dive' position, though! LOL! Good for you for being brave in your reclaiming and reycling efforts - and the resulting pieces are gorgeous!

Noreen

Thank you Noreen.

My mother always said, "Waste not; want not." She would be proud.

Not many dumpsters in the small town where we live.

However, my husband says I often come home with more than I take to the local dump (Oh, oh, it's the recycling facility nowadays...no bears there now..

Anyway, my grandson and I like to see what we can find. He's a scrounger, too.

Mary Emma

Good for you and your grandson, Mary Emma!

I wasn't kidding about the dumpster diving at all :-) I've got my regular haunts... LOL!!

Cyndi

Isn't it amazing what some people throw out?

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Eileen

Dear Eileen:

I'm 63 and I don't dive for recycling any longer.

I ask for that kind of trash and little by little my neighbors got to know I can use that kind of material and they give me a phone call before they get rid of that kind of material.

Try to do it.

It is much easier and elegant. At the moment I've got the status of retired school teacher who became an artisan who predicates for recycling and environment care.

Raquel

Good for you Raquel and thanks for the tip!