The dollar store is a wonderful source for inexpensive craft supplies that are perfect to use in your art journaling adventure! This list will have you heading to the dollar store ASAP to search for some obvious and some not so obvious supplies to add to your craft room stash! Be sure to read my tips for finding good supplies at the bottom of this post!
Erasers – Outside of the obvious use of erasing pencil these have a super fun secondary use in journaling! You can use erasers to carve and create your own unique stamps!
Seed Packets – These are typically a seasonal item in the dollar stores, but grab them for fun ephemera, great graphics, or even to use as a mini journal. Side note: always check the seasonal items for fun ephemera items! Look below and see the cute seed packet journal we made in The Creative Faith Club.
Cards – Another source for amazing graphics, typography, and imagery. Plus envelopes are amazing for creating pockets and tuck ins for your junk journals! Also – mini journal covers!
Paper Napkins – Endless source of layering and additions with these cuties. Layer into journal art for imagery and texture. Make sure you visit often, these selections change seasonally!
Tissue Paper – Plain white tissue paper is perfect as a blank palette – paint it your signature color, stamp or print on it and use as personal ephemera in your junk journal creations. The dollar stores also often have printed tissue papers that may fit your style!
Books – There are a ton of books available at the dollar store and they are super fun to add into your mix. Crossword puzzles, book pages, coloring pages, word searches, children’s books and Bibles. These are great pages to add into the mix as you create signatures for journals, They add a special surprise and element journals.
This little gem was tucked into one of my journals, and it was surprisingly fun to create with!
Scissors – These inexpensive scissors are awesome to have on hand. You can use them for specific tasks in your studio. Some just for paper, others for fabric, some when you need to gunk up a pair and cut through glue or paints. You can never have too many and at this price you can toss or donate when you’re over them! (side note in this pic: fun clips to hold pages together)
Mini Stapler – Fun way to add extras to your pages. Also, the perfect size to stash in your travel supplies!
Papers – There are a ton of paper options in the store – you can try working with graph paper, invoices, sticky notes, old school ruled paper and more. I love to add different papers in when I build signatures for journals. They are like hiding a surprise for myself – I never know how I’m going to use them until I get to that page in my process. It’s a fun way to add variety and stretch your imagination.
Glue Sticks – I’ve tried a wide variety of glue sticks, including expensive ones. Good old Elmer’s works great. You may want a more archival type product, but if you are looking for inexpensive and functional, this is your friend. (Also note the highlighters! 😉 )
Composition Books – Need a ready made journal on the fly? Try a composition notebook. The framework is already there, waiting for your creative touch! This is a cheap and easy way to start jam packing a journal for travel, practice or fun!
Storage – Tons of affordable, functional storage waits for you in the aisles if the dollar store. Storage containers can get expensive, but they don’t have to! Desktop, bookshelf and bulk storage are all available.
Pretty Storage – This may seem redundant, but it’s not. There is a difference in the types of storage you can have! As a creative, we are visual people. Why not surround yourself with beautiful storage. Having a stunning space to create from helps my mind so much, maybe you need to pretty up your workspace too!? Think woven baskets instead of plastic. Pretty pottery instead of old plastic cups. Even cute coffee mugs are better than some raggedy old cup that is outside of your color palette! Create a beautiful space to create in!
Clothespins – I feel like these have a million uses, but when it comes to journaling these are great page holders. When that chunky junk journal of you wants to spread open while you’re working, use these to tame your pages!
Textured Tiles – This is a fun find from the home decor section. Just imagine how great these would be painted and worked into tags and pages! So much interest going on!
Duct Tape – The color variety of this duct tape is FUN! Duct tape is perfect for patching, binding, embellishing and more. It can get expensive, so this budget alternative is a welcome addition to your craft stash.
Stickers – The scrapbook supply selection, particularly at Dollar Tree, has really elevated in recent years. You can find some interesting items in this little section, so take a minute and look through all the packages! There is goodness buried there!
Paint Brushes – When it comes to art supplies, you often get what you pay for. I say that to tell you these are not the highest quality brushes you can get, but they do pack a big bang for your buck. Especially if you are trying out new things, teaching classes, or frequently forget to wash your brushes and go through them rapidly. I doubt you’d use these for high end fine art (but maybe!?), but for a fun splash in a junk journal, these can serve you well. (same goes for the paint – it’s not the best, but will do the job on a budget!)
Ribbon – The Dollar Tree has a great stock of ribbons and twine. The selection changes seasonally too, so you will have different options throughout the year. Perfect for page embellishments. tassels, tags and bookmarks.
Glitter – Glitter makes the world go round and getting it on the cheap is even better! There is no such thing as too much glitter, so stock up on the ever changing selection you can grab for a bargain!
Paper Packs – Just saw these assorted paper packs and they could be a ton of fun. I love a surprise and you never know what you might get. For $1.25 it’s worth the mystery.
Bottles – These little glass dropper bottles are perfect for all kinds of mediums. Mix your own, when bottles break drops of water and more. I’ve also got small spray bottles at the dollar store before and I LOVE them. They were out on this visit, but keep your eye on the craft supply section for small supply wins like these.
Rubber Gloves – There are some creative tasks that are better with gloves. If you are a messy creator like me, then having a stash of protective gloves is a good thing. Certain mediums and adhesives are hard to get off and will stain your hands, so cover up buttercup! Also – Q-tips – awesome for blending soft pastels and other mediums!
Baby Wipes – Every junk journal or mixed media craft room should have a stack of baby wipes handy. It’s frightening the things amount of materials these will clean! Wipe down your hands, stencils, workspace, brushed, and use in your work. These are a number one must have in my book!
Straws – May seem like an odd supply, but I love to blow drippy mediums around on the page. Straws are perfect for pinpoint air pressure! Try it!
Scouring Pads – These come in different strengths and are a go to, must have in my craft room sink. I mainly use them to clean my stencils by gently rubbing them under warm soapy water. They also come in handy for paint palettes, dirty paint water cups and hand scrubbing.
Spray Bottle – This large spray bottle is in the cleaning section and is great for spraying water on your different mediums from watercolor to acrylics, water dissipates and drips – it’s a lovely tool to use in your mixed media works.
Cheaters – My eyes fail me. I have to have good light and some cheaters to see what in the world I’m doing. If you are like me, they actually have some cute and affordable reading glasses that you can use to create with!
I often hear people say I find things they don’t of their store doesn’t have the same things as mine. The truth is there are many times I go to a dollar store and walk out empty handed. You have to be willing to go every month or two and check out the rotating selection of items they have! Don’t go once, get nothing and call it quits. Trust me on this!
You also need to grab what you like when you see it. It’s almost like thrifting or antique shopping, there is no guarantee an item will still be there tomorrow.
The next best tip I have for you is to visit all the aisles! You never know what’s hiding in an unexpected place. Stroll with your eyes and imagination open!!!
While all dollar store art supplies may not be top of the line quality – they can still be tons of fun and add interest to your work. Especially if you are creating on a budget! Use your imagination while shopping and you’ll be amazed at all there is to discover at the dollar store. I’d love to hear the fun things you’ve found and used before – let me know below!
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