BASE: Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
Monday – Thursday + Saturday:
10am – 3pm
Sunday:
1pm – 3pm
BASE (Brushwood Art Supply Exchange) is a creative reuse center, located at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, where unwanted art and craft supplies can find new life and avoid landfills.
We provide materials, tools, and education at very low-cost to the public, and free to educators and community partners. Come to donate, shop, or learn something new at our open workshops or classes!
In downtown Waukegan? Check out the supply selection at the BASE outpost at Brushwood Center North. Open Monday-Thursday 10 am – 3 pm, or by appointment. Contact Julia Kemerer at 224.633.2426 or info@brushwoodcenter.org if you’re looking for something specific.
Donate ITEMS
What do we accept?
Yes, Please! We would be happy to take the following:
Drawing supplies: drawing pencils and pens, colored pencils & pens, markers, crayons, etc.
Paper: drawing paper & unused sketchbooks, crafting paper, card stock, origami paper, colored paper
Painting supplies: oil, acrylic, watercolor, enamel, or tempera paints (no nearly empty or dried out tubes please), brushes (good condition), gesso, canvases, easels
Sewing supplies & tools: Fabric (no small scraps or partially sewn items please), full bags of fiber fill, foam & batting, buttons, thread, elastic, zippers, snaps, sewing needles, pins, scissors, tape measures, embroidery supplies, etc.
Knitting & crochet supplies: yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, etc
Kids crafting supplies: pom poms, pipe cleaners, glitter glue, foam shapes, Popsicle sticks (unused), stickers, googly eyes, etc.
Tools (in good, working condition): sewing machines, clothes irons, ironing boards, toaster oven, electric drills, clamps, scroll saws, utility knives, pliers, wire cutters, mat cutters
ALSO – scissors & cutting tools · clay & clay tools · screen printing supplies · beads & jewelry making tools & supplies · stencils · art wire · artificial flowers & foliage · magnet backs · glue & various tapes · dowel rods · sandpaper · carving tools · bookmaking supplies · leather (old leather belts ok)
Probably, but let us take a look first:
- Small crafting power tools & machines: drills, Dremel tools, detail sanders, scroll saws, soldering irons, etc.
- Hardware & Remnants: small nuts and bolts, small nails, small hinges, knobs, hooks, small toys, game pieces, marbles, dominoes, jewelry, any small scraps
- Mosaic Supplies: marbles, decorative stones, small tiles, etc.
- Stained Glass Supplies
- Nature items: acorns, pine cones, seed pods, rocks, “tree cookies” etc. (please do not collect from Ryerson Woods)
- Sewing & project patterns
- Ironing boards & irons
- Other supplies and tools designed for making arts & crafts
Not Right Now (we are temporarily not accepting the following due to a surplus of these items):
- Packaging: cardboard sheets & tubes, paper towel rolls, jars, plastic bottles, egg cartons, bottle caps, small containers, baskets, or bins
- Ribbon
- Unfinished art/craft projects
- Wood Scraps
- Design and Showroom Samples
- Crafting and Art Books
- Rubber Stamps and Stamp Pads
No, Thank You. We cannot accept the following:
- Most clothing
- Mostly empty tubes/cans of paint, glue, etc.
- Candles
- Toxic/dangerous items
- Electronics
This list is constantly evolving based on our needs – be sure to check back! Brushwood Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Donation receipts for tax purposes will be provided upon request. Have items not on the list? Just ask! Contact Julia Kemerer at 224.633.2426 or info@brushwoodcenter.org
