7 Tennessee Spots That Turn Secondhand Craft Supplies Into A Treasure Hunt

Brand new craft supplies are easy to find. The real fun starts when you have no idea what will be on the shelf.

These Tennessee spots give donated fabric, paper, yarn, beads, tools, and other creative materials another chance to be useful. Instead of neat rows of identical products, you get changing inventory and a little bit of luck with every visit.

A box of buttons might sit beside vintage trim, half used sketchbooks, rubber stamps, or fabric scraps waiting for the right project. Prices can be easier on the budget too, which makes experimenting feel less risky.

You can pick up something unusual, try a new craft, or simply browse until an idea clicks. For Tennessee makers who enjoy the hunt as much as the finished project, these reuse spots make every visit feel a little unpredictable.

1. Smart Art + Craft Supplies

Picture a thrift store that skipped the old sweaters and went straight for the glue guns. That is the simple, brilliant idea behind Smart Art + Craft Supplies.

It sells new and gently used art and craft supplies, often at a fraction of the original cost.

The mission goes deeper than bargains. The shop partners with a local nonprofit to offer job training and work opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.

So every purchase helps a person build skills, too.

Now, about those shelves. Painters can find tubes of paint, brushes, and carving tools. Kids and teachers can grab crayons, markers, stencils, rulers, and clay.

Sewing fans are not left out. Look for fabric, zippers, thread, yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks. Jewelry makers can sift through buttons, beads, and handy components.

The fun really kicks in with the oddball stuff. Bottle caps, tins, and old keys often show up, just begging to become art.

There are also scrapbooking papers, stamps, and plenty of containers to hold it all.

You will find the shop inside Music Valley Village at 2416 Music Valley Dr in Nashville. Parking is free and roomy, which is always music to a shopper’s ears.

Neighboring stores like Wicked Ollies, The Catio, Dashwood, Vinterest, and Jae’s Gem Mine make it easy to turn one errand into a whole afternoon.

Bring a list if you like. Just know you will probably leave with something that was never on it.

2. Turnip Green Creative Reuse

Landfills do not need more perfectly good paper. That thought drives this Nashville nonprofit, which rescues usable materials and hands them back to the creative crowd.

It is part art store, part eco project, and fully welcoming.

You will spot it at 1014 3rd Ave S, just south of downtown. The space feels open and friendly, with no fancy art rules required. Beginners and pros browse side by side.

The selection changes all the time, which keeps things exciting. Expect paper, craft items, and art supplies.

You might also find office supplies, plenty of fabric, plastics, metals, and natural materials.

Here is the part people love most. Shoppers are invited to pay what they can. That means a tight budget never has to block a big idea.

The creativity does not stop at the checkout. A green gallery shows off artwork made from reclaimed materials. It is proof that yesterday’s scraps can become tomorrow’s masterpiece.

There are also open studio spaces for hands-on making. So you can grab supplies and start building right away.

No waiting until you get home and lose half the pieces under the couch.

Turnip Green Creative Reuse plays a real role in Nashville’s push toward greener living. It encourages people to think twice before tossing things out.

Teachers, scout leaders, and parents with rainy day plans will feel right at home. Come curious and leave inspired. Your recycling bin might start looking a little different afterward.

3. Creative ReSupply At The Chattery

Learning and shopping make a surprisingly good team in Chattanooga. This craft thrift shop sits right beside The Chattery, a nonprofit known for community classes.

Every sale here helps fund those educational programs.

Find it at 1800 Rossville Ave #108, in a lively creative corner of town. Free parking nearby makes quick visits easy. Of course, quick visits rarely stay quick.

The inventory shifts constantly because it depends on donations. One week might bring stacks of paper and paint. The next could bring a mountain of yarn.

Markers and beads show up often. Leather work supplies appear too, which is not something every shop can say. Ribbons, stamps, and costume patterns round out the mix.

Then come the fun surprises. Vintage crochet magazines are a sweet find for anyone who loves retro style. Upholstery samples also land here, ready for pillows, patches, or tiny doll furniture.

A smart tip is to visit more than once. Since stock changes so quickly, the shelves you saw last month are already a different story. Think of it like a craft mystery box.

The Chattery also hosts coworking days and vendor markets. That gives the area a buzzing, friendly energy. Artists, students, and hobby fans often cross paths here.

Shopping here feels good in more ways than one. You get cheap supplies, and your neighbors get new classes. That is a pretty great trade for a bag of ribbon.

4. KnoxFill Creative Reuse

Most people visit a refillery for soap. In South Knoxville, many leave with a bag of beads instead. KnoxFill proudly calls itself more than a refillery, and its creative reuse section proves the point.

Turnip Green Creative Reuse sits at 6204 Chapman Hwy. Its main goal is building greener, more sustainable communities. Craft supplies fit that mission perfectly.

The reuse section offers new and gently used art materials. Some items are sold, while others go to the classroom for lessons. Either way, nothing sits around collecting dust.

Everyday basics are easy to find. Think glue sticks, scissors, and rulers for school projects. Wire, beads, and jewelry parts are there for anyone who loves to sparkle.

Polymer clay makes regular appearances. So do unused craft kits, which make great gifts or rainy day rescues. Fabric, zippers, thread, yarn, and knitting needles fill in the rest.

Here is a fun bonus. Sewing machines sometimes show up too. Each item gets its own price, so you can pick exactly what you need.

Craft time is also social here. A weekly BYO Craft Night invites people to bring a project and work together. It is a great way to finish that scarf you started three winters ago.

The section usually involves a couple of stairs. An outside door helps make it accessible for everyone. Small details like that show how much the place cares about its visitors.

5. Creative Reuse Station At Boshi Botanicals

Fill a bag, give what you choose, and walk away with art supplies. That is the charming system at this Memphis reuse station. It feels less like shopping and more like a friendly swap.

The station lives inside Boshi Botanicals, the city’s zero-waste refill store. You will find it at 3092 Poplar Ave #16, in the Chickasaw Oaks complex. The shop has a cozy, village-style feel that makes browsing relaxing.

The atmosphere is calm and free of judgment. Nobody expects you to be a trained artist. You can grab glitter for a school poster, and that counts.

Painters can look for canvases, brushes, and paints. Paper lovers can dig through notebooks, folders, coloring books, magazines, and books. Fabric and yarn often join the lineup.

Some treasures are a bit more unusual. Shells, glass pieces, and flower arranging items bring nature into your projects. Gift bags and stickers are handy for party season.

Pens, pencils, markers, and containers pop up regularly. Small electronic objects appear sometimes, which is great for tinkerers.

Who knew a tiny gadget could become a robot sculpture?

While you are there, check out the rest of the store. Boshi offers eco-friendly products and bulk refills for home and body. It is a one-stop visit for greener living.

Poplar Avenue is a busy shopping corridor, so the store is easy to reach. Plan a few extra minutes. Filling that bag is harder to stop than it sounds.

6. This-N-That Thrift Shop

Not every craft treasure is labeled as a craft supply. Sometimes it is a vintage tablecloth waiting to become a quilt. This cheerful Nashville thrift shop is full of those sneaky possibilities.

You will find This-N-That Thrift Shop at 5007 Georgia Ave in The Nations neighborhood. The area is known for its lively energy and local businesses. A paved parking lot right next door keeps things simple.

The shop is run entirely by volunteers. Their warm welcome is a big part of its reputation. It feels like popping into a friend’s very organized attic.

For crafters, the linens are a standout. You might spot vintage pieces alongside newer ones. They are perfect for sewing, embroidery, or patchwork projects.

Jewelry is another great find. Old necklaces can be taken apart for beads and charms. Framed art can be repainted, or the frames can be reused for your own work.

The book section covers classics, cookbooks, and children’s stories. Old books are great for collage and journaling fans. China, silver, and crystal add a touch of fancy to the hunt.

There are also clothes, shoes, collectibles, and home furnishings. Buttons on an old jacket can be pure gold for a crafter. It is all about looking with creative eyes.

Every purchase supports the Child Development Program at St. Luke’s Community House. So your new vintage napkins help local kids too. That makes the bargain feel even sweeter.

7. ThriftSmart Tusculum Store And Donation Center

Messy thrift stores can feel like a workout. This one feels more like a calm stroll. ThriftSmart Tusculum is known for being clean, spacious, and neatly organized.

The store sits at 4890 Nolensville Pike in Nashville. This stretch is famous for its mix of cultures and international restaurants. So a snack stop after shopping is basically part of the plan.

Departments are clearly marked, which saves time. Calm, upbeat music often plays in the background. It is the kind of place where browsing actually feels relaxing.

Crafters, listen up. The home goods section changes constantly with furniture, decor, and kitchenware.

An old wooden chair or plain vase can become a painted showpiece.

Clothing is inspected for quality before it hits the racks. That matters if you plan to upcycle fabric. Designer finds pop up now and then, too.

A vintage collectibles section is great for retro inspiration. Books, electronics, and household basics fill out the rest.

With a little imagination, almost anything can become a project. Getting here is easy from South Nashville, Antioch, and Brentwood. Free parking sits right in front. No circling the block with a trunk full of donations.

Best of all, sales support local charities. Your thrifted picture frame helps people across Tennessee’s capital city. It is a fitting final stop for any Tennessee treasure hunt.