Did you know that your local thrift store can supply you with high quality art? Yes, I know what you are thinking, all of those paint by number paintings or water damaged prints are not your idea of good art. But that isn’t what I am talking about at all. Here is how to get some real treasures at your local thrift store.
First of all, go right past the art section without passing go. Okay, you can peak at it if you like, but you will probably be disappointed. Instead, go to the book area. Pull out any books that look really old, especially those made for children. If your local thrift store does not have a good collection of books, you can try your local library book sale, yard sales or even online auctions and classifieds.
Many older books, even nineteenth century books can cost mere pennies. Just because a book is old doesn’t mean that it is really valuable. Even if you wind up paying $2 for an old book, it will be worth it. Books in poor condition will come cheap and are fine for what you can do with them.
What you really want are the illustrations in the book. Old nursery rhyme books, satires or even just popular books of the day can provide all sorts of great illustrations that can be framed for art. You can even use some of the leftover text pages and frame those, too, or use them in other ways such as for creative gift wrapping.
You want to be really careful when you remove the illustrations from your book or books. The best way is to start with the binding. If you can release all of the pages from the binding first, it will be easier to remove pages without tearing them. First remove the cover, carefully and then examine the binding. Sewn bindings can be cut. Glues ones need a little more encouragement to release.
Find your favorite illustrations and buy mats and frames of them. Thrift stores can also be a great source of frames. Remember all of that awful art. You can buy it anyway if it is cheap and then just reuse the frames.
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