Swap - Arts & craft supply (Resource Renew)

Resource Renew is hosting an arts and craft supply swap!

Donations of fine art supplies, fiber arts, paper crafts, pottery tools, printing supplies, instructional books, hand tools, organizers, and more will be collected in the weeks leading up to the event. Then, head to Flock ArtFest to shop the free store of donated items (donation not required to take items home)!

It’s time to let go of all your tools and materials that have been gathering dust and find new inspiration! Swaps keep materials out of the landfill, reduce demand for brand new items, and encourage us all to consider the difference between “this isn’t for me” and “this belongs in a landfill” — in reality, there are lots of ways to give unwanted items a new life!

How to Donate

Drop off your gently-loved arts & craft supplies August 3 – 16th at designated locations:

All 3 Duluth Public Library branches (520 W Superior St; 105 Mt Royal Shopping Circle; 5830 Grand Ave)
Creations Quilt Shop (1731 W Superior St, 55806)
Hobby Town (4883 Miller Trunk Hwy, 55811)
The Materials Recovery Center (4587 Ridgeview Rd, 55811)
StitchCraft Quilt Factory (4511 E Superior St, 55806)
Yarn Harbor (4629 E Superior St, 55804)

Check each location for open hours.

Donation is encouraged August 3 – 16th; donations also accepted on site at the swap event during Flock ArtFest.

Accepted Items

• 3D Printing Equipment & Supplies
• Beads & Jewelry Supplies
• Books (instructional, patterns, activity books)
• Craft supplies sorted by type and contained separately (googly eyes, feathers, pom poms, pipe cleaners, bedazzling or diamond painting gems)
• Drawing supplies (markers, pens, charcoal, pastels, crayons, notebooks, paper)
• Fabric & Textiles (fabric, batting, thread, needles, pins, chalk, patterns, sewing machines & sergers in working order)
• Fiber Art (sewing supplies, knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, floss, roving, looms)
• Floral design (floral foam, wire, watering tools, pruning tools)
• Fly Tying Materials (vices, hooks, wire, thread, chenille & braid, feathers, fur, dubbing, beads/eyes, flash)
• General craft tools & supplies (glue guns, craft adhesives, craft tape, work lights, magnifiers, Dremel tools, measuring tools, scissors & cutting tools)
• Model hobby tools & diorama elements
• Organizers & Containers
• Painting Supplies (brushes, canvases, paints, palettes, paper)
• Papercraft & Quilling (paper goods, dies, embossing tools, stamps, scoring & folding tools)
• Printing Supplies (carving tools, uncarved linoleum or rubber sheets, ink, brayers)
• Pottery tools (carving tools, throwing wheels, clay, glazes)
• Resin Crafts (molds, epoxy resins,
• Soapmaking & candlemaking molds & tools
• Unused craft kits

Unacceptable Items

• Décor
• Worn out tools
• Dried up paint, markers
• Fabric scraps smaller than 2’
• Completed or partially completed projects
• Food & baking tools
• Opened adhesives
• Raw materials from nature (sticks, leaves, moss)
• Hazardous materials (lye, turpentine, photochemicals, etc.)

Not sure if your item is acceptable? Reach out to emma.pardini@resourcerenew.com or 218-740-4786.

How to Swap

Shop the free store of donated items at Flock ArtFest*:

When: Friday, August 21 from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. & Saturday, August 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Bayfront Festival Park (350 Harbor Drive, Duluth)

What: Flock ArtFest is a free two-day festival that invites attendees to browse original work from a wide range of talented artists, watch live art being created, and take part in hands-on art classes and interactive experiences. Families are encouraged to attend, with activities for all ages, including a dedicated Kid Artist Tent designed to inspire young creatives. Learn more at https://decc.org/event/flock-artfest/.

* Donation not required to shop the free store

Items left over at the end of the swap will be donated to (in preferential order) local schools, non-profit arts & youth organizations, and thrift/resale stores. Know a school or organization that might be interested in donated arts & craft supplies? Contact emma.pardini@resourcerenew.com or 218-740-4786.