Where do you source your "junk"?

[Former_Member]

Hello upcyclers!

We have only been at it for a little over a month, so we're still kind of getting our feet wet. One of the biggest challenges for us has been finding the materials to make new amazing things out of... and while we're making due fine for now we will obviously need to have a much greater inventory if and when the shop takes off.

So tell us how you do it... Dump hunting, thrift stores, estate sales, sketchy flea market basements, your recycling bin?

We'd love to learn from the pros out there (and the other beginners!).

[Flower7]

Thrift stores. There is a place in San Francisco called SCRAP that I go to. Urban Ore in Berkeley. There is also a recycling center right near one of the freeway onramps near my house. I always pull in and peek in the dumpsters. Usually I'll get nothing or only one item, but one time I think someone had demolished a church and there was tons of stained glass pieces. Score!

[Former_Member]

Thrift stores, mostly. There are a few local ones I go to that give back to the community a lot.
I also get many items from friends/family. :-)

[Former_Member]

Fleurette that is a score! We are relying mostly on thrift stores right now too. Our best resource is a permanent flea market type place that lets us shop their reject pieces in the basement. We'd really love to start getting into more architectural salvage type stuff though (like demolished church windows)!

[jill2day]

I will only buy from charity based thrift store. i want my supply money to go to them. I also know the days of sales and discounts, and which stores are better for which products. I also have "goodwill" and such keyed into my GPS, and when i travel i am always looking for the nearest one!!

The quest is never ending!! (and the 3 hour trip to pick up my sone from college, usually takes me 5-6 hours!!)

[FritzandFraulein]

Estate Sales (estatesales.net to find your local - total gold mine), garage sales, charity shops or just randomly on the curb. you wouldn't believe some of the treasures people put out on their stoops in NY! =)

[Former_Member]

Hi Jill! That's smart. I should try to memorize sale schedules and shop more carefully around that.

Stacy- We are going to attempt our first estate sale in two weeks but it's at a Greenwich CT mansion which I find rather intimidating! I found it on estatesales.net which definitely seems like a great resource.

[Former_Member]

I would highly recommend learning what all of your local thrift store sales are. Like we have one called Savers that every Monday is $.99 day on a certain color tag. They all have something like that then you can save money and support a good cause. I also love yard sales but since it is now winter they are no more. I also have a wonderful group of friends that supply me with items they know I collect. I also get stuff from Clothing Swaps. I get rid of stuff I can't use or my family can't use and get some awesome stuff in return. I also get some awesome stuff from a local bike coop.

I am so excited to go and try estatesales.net...thanks for that tip!

[jill2day]

hmmmmmmmmm Savers.... my favorite store.... And yes, they have great sales. Ours now has a card for you to get notified of special sales as well.

Being "over55" also has its benefits at some stores!

[FritzandFraulein]

Courtney/Hannah / Stephanie - Don't be intimidated! (and if it's too pricey - just try another next time!) i recommend contacting the organizer of the sale (or look on their website) to see how they do it (and whether it's a cash only sale or if they take cards - very important!). Some are auctions (ie. you may wait alllll day for your items to come up) but most (in my experience/fortunately!) are tag sales.

The KEY is to find out when they think people will start arriving to get on "the list" (ie. the order you get to go in the house - depending on the size of the house this could be 10-20 ppl at a time). I went to one back home and the list was started at 1am! (granted, this woman was a local historian/every antique dealer in the county was there because the house was packed!) Remember, they are pricing things to SELL and everything is negotiable.
*Little tip: the BEST sales usually have descriptions like "house is PACKED" "diggers sale" - they can't price everything in these cases and really will sell things for next to nothing just to move it. Happy Hunting! =)

[Former_Member]

Stacy thanks so much for that advice! So very helpful :) Need to find some packed house/diggers sales- that sounds like it would be right up our alley!

[FritzandFraulein]

No problem! Enjoy! =)

[Flower7]

Also, put the word out to friends and family. Go to local businesses that might be throwing away things you would want to use. I have a guy at the local bar who calls me up once a month with specific bottles I've requested. He sets them aside for me. I give him jewelry for his girlfriend in return. I'm still looking for a source for mini-bar bottles though. The Marriotts guy won't call me back.