SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Arrow Creative Reuse is a nonprofit “art supply thrift store” that plans to sell donated arts and crafts supplies and offer special art workshops in Springfield this fall.
“With the loss of National Art Shop and IPA, an educational supply store, artists and designers don’t have many low-cost choices for supplies,” said owner Karlei “Re” Baker-Dietz. . “Of course these days you can go online and order almost anything, but having a physical store to do your shopping is so… healthier? I’m not sure of the word, but there’s something magical about finding the right item you’re looking for when you weren’t even looking for it.
Baker-Dietz said there are other “creative reuse centers” across the country, and she’s researched the movement and volunteered at ScrapsKC, an art supply store in Kansas City, to find inspiration. She said she was very influenced by the former Etc. Springfield Center, which served as a free supplies closet for educators.
In addition to selling donated art and supplies, Arrow Creative Reuse will hold workshops on how to reuse materials that might otherwise go to landfill. Baker-Dietz led a workshop at the Springfield Art Museum last June using plastic grocery bags to make “Plarn” (plastic yarn) that can be used to crochet or weave on a handmade loom. hand.
As of this writing, Arrow Creative Reuse is no longer taking material donations until current donations are processed.
“Some people who have donated supplies to us have lost very important people, and their property is just as important. They said we were helping them deal with their grief and showed great gratitude that the items will be put to good use instead of ending up in a landfill and forgotten,” Baker-Dietz said.
Baker-Dietz said Arrow Creative Reuse will hopefully open in November at 1506 E. St. Louis St. next to the Route 66 food truck park.
“It’s a little emotionally overwhelming to have the opening so close. I’m afraid there’s something I’ve overlooked, and I’ve never opened a business before, so there’s definitely something something I forgot,” Baker-Dietz said. “I’ve really had so much incredible support from my family and friends and the community at large.”
For more information about Arrow Creative Reuse or to donate to their cause, click here.
