The concept of creative reuse stores is fairly new to me. Last summer, I was at the Swannanoa Market and saw a colorful table labeled ReMix It covered in fabric, popsicle sticks, odds and ends, and lots of glue guns. Within seconds, my kids were gathered round the table each with a glue gun in hand (their first time using them) and making houses out of scraps. A few weeks went by and we were at a market at ArtSpace in Swannanoa and who was there? ReMix It!
I learned that ReMix It was a non-profit creative reuse store — basically, a thrift store for art supplies. At the time, they were still in the process of trying to open a storefront (they’re now open in West Asheville). ReMix It was doing the market circuit to provide free fun crafts for all ages and to tell people about their mission to create a space that is dedicated to “inspiring creativity, reducing waste, and building community through access to affordable, reclaimed art and craft materials. [They] transform discarded materials into creative opportunities, supporting environmental sustainability and hands-on expression for all ages.”
In the last year, ReMix It has become a regular part of our lives. My family had so much fun at a huge fundraiser they held last year where each participant decorated a fabric square. The squares were then sewn live to create the world’s largest fabric snake. The snake is now in their store and we all get a kick out of looking for our square on the wall. I have also noticed my own habits around reuse change. When once I may have thrown away the plastic layer in a new picture frame, I now tuck it into the closet to use as a palette for ink. My kids, too, look for opportunities to reuse items around the house to make arts and crafts. Over the summer, the kids attended an art camp where most of the supplies were purchased at ReMix It.
Now, the storefront is open! It’s a wonder of arts and crafts supplies in a large space. They have a classroom that can be used for open craft sessions and for formal classes. (I took a printmaking class there last week and had a blast.) Click the video below to see a full tour of the space. AND, I’m excited to report than another creative reuse store is opening today, in Brevard, North Carolina.
Sunshine Creative Reuse is a similar model, a non-profit creative reuse store in downtown Brevard that will also sell arts and craft supplies, take donations, host classes, etc. I happened to be going to Brevard this week and I asked if I could swing by for a sneak peek. Check out the following video and in a couple of hours, the doors will be open!
Congratulations to both ReMix It and Sunshine Creative Reuse, our community is better off for your vision. I can’t wait to see them both grow in the years to come. Are there other creative reuse stores in WNC? Let me know in the comments!
One response to “Creative Reuse in Western North Carolina: Asheville and Brevard”
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Eee! So exciting! We are passionate about reuse and love to read how having it locally has brought new ideas to your family!
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