The scrap exchange is usually a hit or miss with clothes or any Knick knacks. It's a great place for books though.

This is a very cool store. Lots to discover and get your creative juices flowing. There are also thrift items such as appliances and technical equipment. I recommend following their Facebook page because they regularly get new things in and post on there. Overall this is a fun place to go but some downsides are it can be very crowded and is sometimes impossible to navigate with a cart (take a reusable bag to stick your stuff in when you're shopping) and some things are surprisingly expensive (especially when they're selling by weight - there doesn't seem to be a way to weigh in advance of checking out.) This is a place that is good to be mentally prepared for - it can be overwhelming! read more

Wow this place is awesome! Part retail store, part creative space and tons of DIY fun! I met some yelpers at the make n take room last night for some holiday fun. If you have a group of friends, students, etc. this is a great place to take them for some creative DIY crafts. For just $5 you get and hour and a half to play with all kinds of cool recycled materials and make whatever you want. No glue allowed you have to get really creative and put your crafts together using masking tape, staples, string or whatever else you can think of. The Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit creative reuse center and they have moved to this new space. The space itself is huge. They offer classes, an open studio, and what we experienced the make n take room, which can hold as many as 50 people. Even though the make n take room is geared toward children, us adults had an absolute blast. I really needed this hour and a half to just get back into my creative mind and only think about the craft I was making. I forget how calming it is to sit down and do some arts and crafts. The retail store is amazing I had a friend stop by while we were there and she was blown away. She's coming by next week to make some purchases for her business. This is one of those truly unique places that everyone needs to check out. So stop on by and visit, volunteer, or donate to this great cause. I can't wait to come back here. My mind is full of great ideas since leaving last night. Thanks to The Scrap Exchange for recharging my mind and giving me more creative juice. read more

Imagine that civilization collapses, and the people left to sort through the ruins of the industrial world and gather stuff together are all competent seamstresses, stone masons, electronics technicians, and art students. ESPECIALLY art students. Now imagine how amazing their home base would be. Now imagine they love to teach classes and share their stuff and their knowledge with you. Are you thinking that would basically be the best place in the history of places? Well YOU WOULD BE RIGHT. This place is incredible. read more

Wonderful place to start if you're starting a crafty project and looking for (cheap!!!) supplies. It's well organized into thematic areas, such as fiber (fabrics, patterns, yarn, lace), print (inks, paints, pencil), frames, posters, etc. Last visit I got eight pattern packages (some of them had four or five patterns in the envelope) for $8. FWIW the patterns I saw were all straight sized with b-cup bust :(. read more

This place has it all. And I do mean all of it. It's nestled back in a corner of Durham in a large retail space and lots of room. Items are grouped by type. I found many interesting things to purchase. I also felt like I paid a fair price for the items I purchased. I personally give 4 stars instead of 5 because it was difficult to navigate and although the employees were friendly and helpful when asked I really had no idea what I was doing. I bought a vintage purse and skirt, looked through the abundant sewing supplies, and found a new whiteboard for my classroom. I wish the schools could do purchase orders here. There's a ton of donated science supplies they might benefit from. It's far out of the way for me but definitely a nice way to spend a rainy day. I would love to make it back soon. read more

The Scrap Exchange - Old comic books - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It is a wonderful place, however, their claim to be a reuse store, has drastically changed over time. They now sell things they claimed wasn't appropriate before such as, working televisions, stereos, speakers, radios, furniture, antique/vintage items, etc.,- all things they previously sent to thrift stores (as they should). Their desire to make money is overshadowing their mission statement. Rod O, hmmmm. think he works there, should be an Ad review if so. read more

Best place to START no matter what you need. Go to Scrap Thrift for clothes, books, household, electronics, furniture then cross the parking lot for all sorts of other amazing items. Especially recommended for parents, teachers, artists, crafters, students, retirees...well everyone really. Destination even just for a fun outing. Must see! read more

Two words: Ribbon wall. This is the happiest place in Durham. Don't buy anything you need without checking here first: crafting supplies, school supplies, office supplies, greeting cards, hardware, clothes, books, computer equipment, CDs...literally anything. read more

I love the Scrap Exchange! I always go their first if I have a DIY project that I'm about the tackle because I know that they'll have a great selection of paints, tools, and supplies to get the job done. Most of the time inspiration strikes and I leave with a totally new project in mind! It is also a great place to donate my unneeded stuff. Because their mission is to get as much use out of everything that comes in, I feel confident that my items will find a new home. They have a super convenient donation drop off area at their Thrift location (they share a parking lot)- you can just drive your car up and staff will come right out to help you unload your stuff. read more

This place offers a myriad of scrap items at very reasonable prices. It is an artist's dreamland. You can find everything from scrap wood, scrap leather, to various random home furnishing accessories. The staff is very friendly, and there is even a thrift store next door that has so many amazing steals. Check it out for sure! read more

I love the scrap exchange. Especially the new thrift store! The staff and I are on a first name basis! they are so super friendly, extremely helpful, and they actually look for things that I regularly shop for to put aside for me. If that's not customer service I don't know what is! They have the best of the best, the crème de la crème, the top of the crop. not only do I love shopping there for personal reasons, but I love what they do in the durham community, and they've been doing it for so long that they are experts at it. They are making a difference in the lives of our community and growing the imaginations of our children. This is definitely a place to treasure! read more

Awesome reuse and repurpose supply center!! Just wandering around got me thinking about fun creative ideas! read more

The Scrap Exchange - Entrance with artwork - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The Scrap Exchange is a two part store: 1) the actual scrap exchange store; 2) the thrift store. The scrap exchange store contains carts of everything 'scrappy' you can imagine including thermometers they use in middle school, nails, fabrics, frames, etc. The place isn't completely organized so I'd only go if you were looking for something specific- this store is probably a haven for those craft masterminds. The thrift shop is across the street and huge. It includes the typical thrift stop stuff: bags, luggage, clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, kitchen appliances, frames, and more. This thrift store is very cheap and you can get a punch card (I think after the 10th purchase you get $10 off your purchase). read more

Unique place with a lot of interesting items to let your creativity goes wild. It is an especially great source of art or project materials. There are also some books, comic books and stuff. I have been impressed with the randomness I see in there and you never know what you will find...of course, sometimes nothing, but that's okay. read more

I have been frequenting the scrap exchange ever since I was 11 & enjoy the fun conglomeration of treasures to find here.

I've been shopping at Le Scrap since its Northgate days when I started teaching and arting in Durham. It has outfitted my classrooms and home with art-making supplies and weird things for 20 years and I've enjoyed seeing its excellent reuse model grow in popularity as other non-profits like it spring up around the country. The owners, staff and volunteers are wonderful. Anytime I have out-of-town guests I bring them here. If you have hoarding tendencies, don't go. read more

The perfect place for scrappy people like me! If you have a little time in hand and are ready to dig through stuff, chances are you will find something really cool. Like I found a wall ledge for less than $5, it is extremely study and can withstand a big plant. Found some super cute lamps too on a sale day for $4! Can't wait to go back ! read more

Wow!!! My better half and I spent most of our afternoon in this incredible store this past Saturday. She's a 4th grade teacher and it's a must for all those cool projects she has planned for her "kids" in the coming weeks ahead. The staff are incredible.... what amazing people. As a music lover, I loved the music playing in the various rooms... great funk and soul in one and hard rock/ metal playing in the cavernous check out room. It's quite normal to feel overwhelmed by the myriad selection but just go with the flow! read more

A mixed media artist dream! This store has it all including the stuff you never knew you needed! Plan for lots of time to browse because you will need it! The prices are amazing as well! read more

Awesome place full of discovery to create everything under the sun. Not to mention the fabulous gallery. Also found great books and fabrics. We spent hours here and still didn't see everything. I can't wait to return and find new treasures! read more

The Scrap Exchange is the best place for creative types! They have everything you can think of, and the best part is materials are being kept out of the landfill! The prices are very reasonable, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I can spend hours exploring this store, as there's always something new to find. I would definitely recommend this store, as well as the Scrap Thrift, if you're crafty, or just looking to spend a great afternoon browsing some unique finds. read more

To Lida F. I can understand your frustration But the new drop off for donations is much better and sheltered from the rain. You just sit in your car and they'll come out to you. It's in front of the new store under a roof read more

This is a really great place to buy any kind of odds and ends, art supplies, things for the home, garden, books, music, etc. if you have an imagination and love to recycle this is your place!!! This staff is really nice too! It looks a little strange from the outside but believe me you'll love it once you go in!!! Google it to find it on the map. read more

I love this place. If you don't have an idea in mind it may be harder to find knick knacks. However , if you know what you want it will save you many many hours. The building is not huge but it's a LOT of stuff for cheap. It's like a yard sale on steroids. The wood is only 25 cents a pound. You can get a 3 by 4 sheet of wood for 4$. They have weekly specials and even monthly memberships. The staff is nice and very helpful. This place is a must if you're doing a DIY project or decorating ! read more

I've heard great things about the Scrap Exchange but I wasn't too impressed. Most of the stuff is really things you'd trash, so if you are a crafter, not sure you'd get anything of value here. Artists, however, may be able to turn these things into something useful, but I couldn't figure out how! Huge collection of National Geographics. read more

Been here several times but I was so excited the last time I went, all the Halloween stuff! I love it. Great place to find all kinds of goodies! Staff is also very nice. read more

Awesome concept, awesome place to peruse for items that might be of use to an artist or if you are someone just looking for a specific bit of fabric, office supply, etc. They hold wonderful, community-based events and encourage creativity for the young folk in town. One of the greatest corners of Durham. read more

This place need serious help!!! The store was extremely disorganized and I couldn't get any help. Even the managers seem to have a chip on their shoulders!! I left there very upset and went into the Thrift store & the smell was awful!! I asked for help again & got none!! Finally the store manager came & she was extremely rude. read more

Great store, great mission. It's been looking good and I love all the new classes!!! Thrift as also been looking better and better. Keep up the hard work! read more

I love that the Scrap Shop has gotten me back to providing wonderful discards from industry that I can use in making my art. Anybody can run a second hand store, but the Scrap Shop offers unique artists materials. read more

This place is a dream come true. They have an awesome mission for recycling and reuse of materials, which is a craft lovers dream. I appreciate that they have fabrics, paints and canvases, but they also have wood scraps, marble slabs, tools and household items, quirky art and random trinkets. The list goes on and one. I frequent this place often and have also appreciated the Cameron gallery exhibits and the helpful staff. Love this place. read more

I'm hooked! This is the second time I've visited the Scrap Exchange with my kids and we love it! Two huge rooms with donated scraps: a vintage section to a "fill your own bag" for as low as $3.75....it's an artists' and crafters' dream store! Keep an open mind and let your creative juices flow. You won't be disappointed. (There are even separate rooms for you to create your masterpiece!) become a member and you'll receive discounts and first alerts to upcoming events. read more

I drove around for an hour trying to find this place. Every time I call I only get an answering machine. I'm convinced it's an urban legend.

Great nonprofit that repurposes almost everything. Arts and craft supplies, serious scientific supplies, household and office goods, and - newly added - clothing and shoes. I downsized before moving to this area; I find I need some more household goods and don't want to pay much. Plan to spend lots of time, not only to look, but to let ideas develop as you see what's there. There are also art workshops and a frequent buyer program. read more

Amazing place! So glad to have this resource in Durham. Buying crafting supplies is so ridiculously expensive at chain stores--this place keeps my hobbies affordable! read more