As spring in Berkeley comes into full bloom, when pink magnolias sprout across campus and the petals fall on the morning dew, I am born again, feeling creativity bud inside of me. Pressing the petals I’ve collected between the pages of an old journal, my mind buzzes with ideas of things I can make once the petals are dried flat. I look through my drawer filled with all sorts of random things, some lace and yarn, watercolor paint, old construction paper, glue and stickers. But you know what I don’t have? A wooden stamp of a little rocking horse. Yeah, I really need that. It’s time to go to the craft store!

Arguably, one of the most fun parts of crafting is going to the store and acquiring all of the supplies. Sorting through bins of buttons, beads, multicolored paper and every sort of fabric imaginable is all part of the joy and inspirational process. However, as college students, finding unique and fun supplies without breaking the bank isn’t always easy. Here are some of the best upcycled craft stores around Berkeley so you too can get crafty on a budget. Be warned, however: Going to these stores will likely leave you spending more money than you intended and also leaving with random things — such as a hollow ceramic swan which you plan to use as an incense holder.

Reuse For Arts & Crafts in Berkeley

Nestled in Northwest Berkeley, just a 20-minute bus ride away from campus, stands an art store time capsule: Reuse for Arts & Crafts. Stepping into this little store feels as though you’ve been teleported to a different era, with classic 1980s songs blasting in your ears as you are welcomed immediately by a basket of vintage button pins. Handwritten labels decorate every item, most of which are under $5. I wouldn’t recommend going here if you are looking for something specific, but it does have what seem like endless boxes of rubber stamps perfect for any occasion, jars of glass beads, old canvases and beautiful vibes.

Urban Ore in Berkeley

Also located about a 20-minute bus ride away from UC Berkeley is the salvage yard store, Urban Ore, a true Berkeley gem. It’s a huge warehouse filled to the brim with all sorts of random things you definitely — or definitely don’t — need. This is more for heavy-duty crafting, as in large projects requiring building materials such as screws, nuts and bolts for Urban Ore’s furniture, doors, vanities and shelves. However, they also have large collections of unique analog media, magazines perfect for collaging and also art supplies! I recently bought a huge vintage wooden dining chair from this store for $20. Urban Ore is definitely on the pricier side, but it’s still much cheaper than buying new materials and also way better for the environment. Hot tip: You can haggle a little for a few extra bucks off.

The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse in Oakland

Located on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, another 20-minute bus ride away from campus, is the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse. An eccentric, ecological treasure trove of art supplies, this is a true East Bay creative staple. Sort through rare, quirky button pins, comb through textiles and sewing supplies, dig through piles of wood and get lost in beautiful jewelry and decor. This is the perfect place to go if you’re trying to find a new hobby, as they have all sorts of peculiar tools that most people don’t have in their household, such as leatherworking tools for embossing or poking holes in belts and other leather crafts.

SCRAP in San Francisco

Your next day trip to San Francisco must include a stop at SCRAP. Actually, you might need to dedicate the entire day to this store. The farthest craft store on the list, about an hour and 25-minute BART and bus trip away from the Berkeley campus, SCRAP is a magical place where you can find the most interesting arts and crafts supplies for unreal bargains. Living up to its name, there are aisles of scrap textiles to your heart’s desire. Alongside this, there are endless amounts of yarn, markers, pens and pencils, pastels, paints, ceramic glazes, stickers, sequins, posters and so, so many magazines — particularly National Geographic ones. The prices here are unmatched, so be warned that you will leave with so much more than you intended to.

Some alternatives for even cheaper supplies, while still remaining eco-friendly, can be found through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, where people constantly give away random things. But the magic of going thrifting for art supplies is something that cannot be replicated online, so I encourage you to get outside, explore the Bay and support some eco-friendly local businesses!