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https://reasonstobecheerful.world/creature-reuse-centers-crafters-treasures/>
"On an early spring day, Brandon Brownell greeted shoppers as they came into
Smart Art and Craft Supplies in northeast Nashville.
The shop is a crafter’s paradise. Tables in the front are loaded with weaving
supplies, like cones of caramel and black yarn. Shelves in the back overflow
with bolts of patterned fabric. Artists can pick up paints, pencils and paper
of all different weights.
But, as Brownell explained to new customers, Smart is different from the
typical craft store: Everything on its shelves has been donated. The shop is
what is known as a creative reuse center. These crafting thrift stores keep
leftover and unwanted art supplies out of landfills, and instead get them into
the hands of other creators at affordable prices.
Smart combines that model with another mission. Many of the employees and
volunteers who run the shop are adults with disabilities. Over the last decade,
the organization has diverted more than one million pounds of art and craft
materials from landfills, while providing over 37,400 hours of job coaching,
volunteering and employment for adults with disabilities.
“We are leveraging art and leveraging creativity, really, to impact a
population that needs our support,” says Kyle Graden, the shop’s senior
operations manager."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
