Crafting Body Appreciation

This past week I completed my first volunteer shift at The Stashery, a secondhand creative reuse store from the Textile Center in Minneapolis. I have heard about the Textile Center for years, including their infamous twice yearly garage sales, but only ever visited for the first time earlier this year.  

I was trained to be a bargain hunter from birth by my grandma, the same one who taught me how to sew. Needless to say, The Stashery is my kind of place.

The Stashery takes donations from the public and volunteers help with sorting, measuring and pricing, before the goods are displayed for sale. The focus is really fiber arts (because, Textile Center), so it is not the place for things like paints, brushes, and pastels, but it is the place for thread, yarn, fabric, needleworking, sewing machines, and notions of all kinds.

Volunteer shifts are broken into 3-hour commitments during regular store hours. Duties can include anything from accepting and sorting donations in the backroom to pricing, arranging, or tidying the goods in the store.

During my first shift I was able to spend half the time out front in the store restacking fabric (a never ending job!) and talking to shoppers. The second half I was in the back sorting and measuring a very generous donation of wool fabric.

The store is well organized with both fabric and yarn divided by fiber type. Yarn and thread is also roughly sorted by colors.

Both were fun in their own way, but I really loved working in the store and chatting with the patrons who came in. Since the store just opened at the end of May, many of the people I spoke with were stopping in for the first time and were absolutely amazed at the selection. I was also blown away by the selection. It really eased my mind to have a go-to place for last minute sewing needs like thread and notions now that Joann is no longer available.

Several people, arms loaded with items, also asked how to donate (currently by appointment) which means the cycle is working!

Speaking of donating, the other cool thing happening at the Textile Center in July is the Slow Fashion Sale. The way The Stashery helps to minimize waste on the supply side of the crafting equation, the Slow Fashion Sale helps to address it on the finished product side.

The public is invited to donate garments they have made, mended, or upcycled that don’t spark joy or fit the right way. Shoppers of the sale then get the opportunity to score truly unique, one-of-a-kind items and keep more textiles from going to a landfill. Win-win!

I love supporting this kind of effort in the community! My goal is to volunteer at least once a month at The Stashery and, of course, to make it a go-to for my sewing supplies. If you are in the Twin Cities area, I encourage you to shop, donate, or volunteer. No matter where you live, I would love to hear about your favorite creative reuse centers or secondhand craft stores.