Crafts in the Thrift Store

Hi suscan! I know what you mean. I make handcrafted items too and I will surely feel bad if I see my work in a thrift shop. I have nothing against thrift shop but if my work ends in a thrift shop, then it meant that the person to whom I have given it didn't appreciate it at all and that hurts. Take care and blessings to you suscan!

I don't know if donating crafts to a thrift store is such a sbad thing. By donating art and craft items to a thrift store, you are givining those less fortunate a chance to purchase art that they can afford and enjoy. Also, many thrift stores use the money generated from the items they sell to help fund other social programs. For example, a thrift store near me which is affiliated with a local women's shelter donates all funds from the thrift store directly into the women's shelter program.

I find a lot of items that were once displayed on the walls of people who must have enjoyed them. Many times a family moves and cannot take all of the treasures with them and they find their way into a thrift store. Many of my gifts are handmade. I make sure they are useful items that can be enjoyed for many years.

Oh I hope I never see anything I make in a thrift store- I mean sure I sell some of my own things in yard sales- I just get sick of them- I also donate a lot of crafts to the salvation army—when I make more- so I hope the ones you see are the ones that person who made them are getting rid of.

I find it sad when I find them in thrift shops. I make alot of crafts and give them as gifts and have even found my own crafts on the shelves of the thrift stores. I once made a large tapestry for my now ex-sisterinlaw. She asked me to make one for her and it took nearly a year to make as it was huge and very time consuming. Less than a year later she had a garage sale, we went to visit, and there for an entire $1 I could have bought back the tapestry. It had cost me more than $200 for the cottons then with the time I'd spent it was a bargain. when she seen that I'd noticed it she casually picked it up and said "here I dont have any use for this, you may as well have it" It was certainly the last time I made her anything.

Yes -- I know what you mean. I went to some church rummage sales where someone's children had made artwork & their parents had donated it to the rummage sale. It was so sad -- one item was in the 50 cent booth & then went to a clearance booth for 25 cents cuz no one bought it. I felt so sad for the poor child & I bought it & still have it. I can't imagine someone's parents being so heartless.

I have purchased hand crocheted items in thrift shops and at yard sales. It is a shame, but at some point there is nothing else to be done. I take the time to appreciate them, then. Often they are "just the colors I want". At least they have been well cared for before I get them. Many things my mom made were not taken care of, and are not worth having now.

I try to give items that will be appreciated, but know that not everyone is going to keep everything I give to them. I know the thrift store that I help receives a lot of items from the relatives of the person that passed away. One lady told me that she didn't want to be reminded of some years that were really hard, so gave a lot of items away.

So true, but here by us there are many elderly women that make all kinds to sell as a second income we call them craft shops. Some of them are so talented!

I have never seen crafts in a thrift shop. If I ever see some I am sure I will be inclined to purchase it. Handmade stuff is expensive nowadays and I like to buy things that are handmade.