We all know the charity shop for furniture, tableware and vintage clothing. But the hobby section? Many people walk right past it. That's a shame, because it's precisely there that you'll often find tubs full of things that creative types get very excited about. From lovely paper and stickers to stamps, colouring books and almost new painting supplies. Especially if you like crafting, journalling or making cards, you can bag a whole stash for just a few pounds. We've gathered the best hobby supplies that you can find second-hand.
You can also find plenty of hobby supplies in the charity shop
Yes, good news for the crafters among us: many hobby supplies sooner or later end up in charity shops. Because someone is stopping hand lettering, tidying out a cupboard or finally getting rid of boxes from the attic. And that's great, because creative hobbies are a lot of fun, but they aren't usually cheap. A few good pens, some nice paper and a handful of stickers and you can easily spend a tidy sum.
In charity shops, that sort of stuff is often lying together in a bin or bag for just a few pounds. Sometimes even almost new. And that is precisely what makes browsing round them so fun, you never quite know what you will come across. Some charity shops have a small hobby corner where everything is neatly sorted. Ideal, then you will find the tubs of stickers, baskets full of felt-tip pens and pencils, or shelves with hobby books and paper pads all nicely together.
10 hobby items that you can perfectly score second-hand
Our DIY expert Melanie regularly scours charity shops and has by now amassed a sizeable stash of creative finds. Her tip: look beyond just the hobby corner. Right amongst the books, children's department, the sewing kit and household items often conceal the most interesting materials.
Paper
Nice paper is perhaps the best charity shop find for creatives, because good paper can, erm, cost a pretty penny at craft shops. From patterned scrapbook paper to sturdy drawing paper and complete paper pads, you can find all of that in the charity shop too! But also take a look in the books section: old atlases, music books and comic books often contain wonderful paper that you can craft with (or wrap presents in).
2. Hobby supplies such as paint, felt-tip pens and pencils
Paint and drawing materials can also regularly be found in charity shops. Sometimes even in unopened packaging. Coloured pencils, markers and acrylic paint in particular are very common. Always check the brand, though, and whether it has dried out. A good charity shop will already have checked this, but you never know. Some cheap types of paint contain little pigment and you usually won't be very happy with that while painting. So the tip is: look for second-hand markers, pencils and paint from the better brands in the charity shop.
3. Stickers and tape
Anyone who loves journaling or scrapbooking really needs to have a rummage through the hobby box at the charity shop. Washi tape, sticker sheets and decorative tape turn up in them remarkably often. And don't forget the toy department either, because that kind of stuff frequently ends up there too.
Notepads, cards, pencils and stickers: you can find the lot for a song in the charity shop.
Storage materials
Creative hobbies often create a lot of small clutter. That is precisely why boxes, tins and storage folders are so handy. Old pencil cases and wash bags also work perfectly for keeping markers, stickers or little scissors in, by the way. And yes, you can easily find those at the charity shop too.
5. Magazines
Old magazines are worth their weight in gold if you like making collages or keeping a journal. Especially Flow is popular because of the beautiful illustrations and paper items. But also Daphne’s Diary and Happinez are often full of lovely images, quotes and craft inspiration. And those exact magazines are also frequently found in charity shops.
6. Colouring books
Both children's and adults' colouring books can often still be found almost as good as new in charity shops. Sometimes a few pages have already been coloured in, but usually there's more than enough left over. Ideal if you just want to have a nice time colouring without immediately buying an expensive new book.
7. Stamps
The charity shop has everything. And that is proven once again, because you very often come across wooden stamps, alphabet sets and small decorative stamps there too. Great for homemade cards, wrapping paper or a bullet journal. Older stamps in particular often have a lot of charm!
8. Tin snips and punches
Those little scissors with a jagged edge or star and flower-shaped punches, they are regularly hidden away in craft boxes. Great fun for cards or children's crafts. Just always test whether they are still sharp enough before you take them.
9. Craft books
The book corner of the charity shop is often full of hobby books. Think of old craft booklets, hand-lettering guides, or books full of ideas for children's crafts. Sometimes a tad dated, but that is precisely what often makes them extra fun.
10. Scrapbooks and photo albums
Blank scrapbooks are perfect for making your own journal. But also take a look through old photo albums. They often contain sturdy paper and lovely covers that you can get creative with. With a little imagination, you can turn them into something completely new.
You can easily find the best hobby supplies second-hand at the charity shop!
The charity shop is actually a kind of creative treasure chest. And the fun part is precisely that you never know what's there. One time you score a stack of lovely paper, the other time you suddenly walk out with a box full of stamps or an almost new drawing set. So don't skip the craft corner next time. A high chance that somewhere among the bins lies precisely that one craft supply that you'll want to get straight to work with at home.
You might also find this interesting
- Second-hand clothing: how to find the best outfits in the charity shop.
- DIY: making your own cards from waste paper.
- Also nice: Making your own bunting from old paper.
Sources: kreadoe.nl. Photo credits: main image Karola G. (Pexels), craft supplies: Ai25studioai (Pexels), stickers: Melanie de Oliveira.
