Some crafters incorporate materials found freely in nature like interesting looking tree branches, sea shells, sand dollars, flowers, herbs, stones and crystals. These are often referred to as “found objects.” In my gallery, we got a lot of interest from shoppers browsing our recycled art or pieces made from “found objects.” The only cost to the artist is the labor and time involved to gather them.
Other sources of cheap supplies include: garage sales, flea markets, junkyards, construction sites and homes undergoing remodeling. One man’s trash is another’s treasure. Making craft items from recycled material—junk that’s being thrown away—is not only low cost to you, the finished pieces make excellent news stories. Anything you can do to lessen the impact we have on the environment will gain you good will and free press.
Pricing studies have shown that consumers will actually pay more for products proven to help the planet. If you use recycled or found objects to make crafts to sell, be sure to make the fact known on your promotional material.