{"id":587626,"date":"2026-04-07T08:28:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/587626\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:28:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:28:31","slug":"inside-calgarys-first-arts-and-craft-supply-thrift-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/587626\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Calgary\u2019s First Arts and Craft Supply Thrift Store"},"content":{"rendered":"

(M)artkit helps decrease crafting clutter in your home, offering a sustainable and cost-effective way for people of all ages to create and play.<\/p>\n

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For crafters, it\u2019s not uncommon to have leftover bits and bobs lying around or cupboards overflowing with yarn, fabric, pipe cleaners and other extra supplies that take up space. A new Calgary store is trying to change that.<\/p>\n

(M)artkit<\/a> is Calgary\u2019s first arts and crafts thrift store, started by owner Kourtney Penner as a way to make art more sustainable and accessible for all ages. Penner has a background in the art industry, the non-profit sector and most recently in local government as Calgary\u2019s former city councillor for Ward 11, but she felt herself drawn back into the art space.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to come back to it in a meaningful way,\u201d says Penner. \u201cNow I\u2019m back, creating community through the joy of creating, the joy of finding treasures and the joy of being around like-minded individuals who are also excited to have creativity and play in their life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AKourtney Penner inside (M)artkit. Photo by Chris Landry.<\/p>\n

At (M)artkit, there\u2019s a variety of supplies for every kind of project, almost entirely donated by the community. If you need four or five pipe cleaners or just a few pairs of googly eyes, you can probably find it here instead of buying a new pack and having the leftovers sit around. And if you\u2019re looking for yarn, shoppers can find brand-new or half-used skeins for projects.<\/p>\n

The ability to buy exactly what you need helps you save money and lessen clutter in your home. \u201cIt\u2019s just more sustainable and more cost-effective,\u201d says Penner.<\/p>\n

Donations are accepted anytime during opening hours \u2014 bring up to two bags of crafting goods to the store (preferably pre-sorted) to drop off. Larger donations should be scheduled ahead of time. A full list of items that (M)artkit accepts is listed on the website\u2019s donation page.<\/p>\n

\"AnInside (M)artkit. Photo by Chris Landry.<\/p>\n

(M)artkit also has a studio area where people can book a time to come in and use the art supplies in the store to create. You can also help sort donated materials in exchange for studio time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can come in and just get the supplies you need, or just use a tool that you would only use one time,\u201d says Penner. \u201cAgain, it\u2019s just creating that sustainable environment, but also social. People can come in and meet like-minded people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Penner also plans to start offering summer workshops, bringing in guest instructors to teach various arts and crafts mediums.<\/p>\n

6230 Centre St. S.E., 587-225-9758, martkitthrift.com<\/a><\/p>\n