Every artist knows that supplies and materials can be expensive. However, there are alternatives for helping to keep some of those costs down. One is keeping an eye out for sales. Another great resource to consider is thrift stores. While they will never replace your local art store in terms of selection and availability, they can help fill in some holes or downright surprise you with a big-ticket item for next to nothing. This ongoing series will highlight some of the treasures to be on the lookout for when visiting your local thrift store.
Portfolios are a great way to manage your drawings and paintings. There are basically two types. Both vary in price, depending on size and style, from $20.00 to $200.00 or even more when store bought. The first is essentially a large zippered "file folder" with handles that you place your work into for storage or protected transport. The second type has a set of binder rings added so that it can hold insert pages into which your artwork can be placed and viewed as a book. These are called presentation portfolios.
Two portfolios I recently acquired are of the presentation type. One is an 8.5" X 11" size book, that came without the insert pages, costing a mere .50¢. The second, 11" X 17" in size, came with ten unused insert pages for only $1.50. To all appearances, they looked new. The 11" X 17" still had some original tags attached. Both were found in the stationary section, alongside piles of three-ring school binders, even though this thrift store has an area dedicated to art materials and supplies. Over the years I have picked up six or seven portfolios of varying sizes and types all for under $20.00!
Be on the look out next time you are in a local thrift store. Remember, on top of getting a good deal you are usually helping a great cause.
The lesson here is to look for items in unexpected places. Get familiar with where a particular store places those items, then keep a lookout when you visit.
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