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Cheap Art Supplies I Swear By
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Angela Brunson
I've made a believer out of my local friends, and I can't keep it secret. You don't have to spend a fortune on all your art supplies, especially if you're a beginner or just crafting for fun.  I shop at the Dollar Tree every week to restock my regular needs. You won't find better prices! And I will only recommend things I use myself.
Sections
5
 
Paints and Brushes
 
Glues
 
Surfaces
 
Craft Tools and Containers
 
Embellishments

Paints and Brushes

 
Angela Brunson profile picture
This acrylic paint is pretty fluid, so I don't use it on portraits, but it's great for pour painting. I just add a little pouring medium to the paint. It comes in so many different, vibrant colors.
Rich Art Acryology Premium Arcylic Paint, 6 fl oz.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
These paintbrushes are actually good quality. The hairs don't fall out.
Crafter's Square Delicate Paint Brush Sets
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Angela Brunson profile picture
These are exactly like the ones at art stores, but a fraction of the price.
Crafter's Square Sponge Paint Brush Sets
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Angela Brunson profile picture
These are great for painting those stencils.
Crafter's Square Paint Sponge Dabbers, 3-ct. Packs
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I use these to put varnish on my paintings.
Tool Bench Angled Paint Brushes, 2 in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Perfect size, easy to close to avoid spills. I have several.
Crafter's Square Brush Cleaning Pot
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Angela Brunson profile picture
So much easier to find your brushes/pencils in these than piled all together.
Crafter's Square Pencil and Brush Organizers, 5.75x5 in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Six palettes for $1.25, while everyone else charges at least $1 for just one. Save yourself the cleanup time!
Crafter's Square Plastic Paint Palettes, 6-ct. Packs
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Glues

 
Angela Brunson profile picture
Lots of glue sticks for a low price.
Crafter's Square Mini Hot Glue Sticks, 20-ct. Packs
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I use this to put a glossy finish or paintings.
Mod Podge Gloss Craft Adhesive, 2-oz. Bottles
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Angela Brunson profile picture
This is my go-to for gluing canvases to wood backings.
The Original Super Glue Corporation Wood Glue, 2-fl-oz.
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Surfaces

 
Angela Brunson profile picture
I keep a box of these canvas panels in my car so I can paint on the go. Much cheaper than other stores for the same quality. They come in multiple sizes.
Crafter's Square White Canvas Boards, 11x14-in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
These are great for painting space scenes, and they cost the same as uncolored canvases. Most stores charge more for black.
Crafter's Square Stretched Black Canvases, 8x10-in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I take the hangers off and fill the holes, giving me a nice wooden surface to paint or cover with resin. They are pretty thin, though, so make sure you have them on a flat surface when wet.
Crafter’s Square Assorted Plywood Hanging DIY Signs
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Craft Tools and Containers

 
Angela Brunson profile picture
These are giant craft sticks. Great for mixing paints, applying glues, and more.
Crafter's Square Jumbo Natural Craft Sticks, 60-ct. Packs
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Angela Brunson profile picture
100 pack of normal size craft/popsicle sticks. These cost 3 times more at Walmart.
Crafter's Square Natural Craft Sticks, 100-ct. Bags
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I keep several of these to gently scrape up glue, resin, and paint.
Crafter's Square Craft Scrapers
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I wish they still carried these in my store, because I use them constantly. Great for popping bubbles in paint or resin, scratching out little problem areas, and making holes.
Crafter's Square Piercing and Scoring Tools, 2-ct. Packs
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Yes,  a shower curtain is an art supply. I use them to cover my tables and floors, and they are much stronger than the tarps in hardware.
Home Collection Clear PEVA Shower Curtain Liners, 72x70 in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I love these for mixing up resin colors or small amounts of paint.
Clear Plastic Shot Glasses, 24-ct. Packs
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Nice size and air-tight, so I fill these with my pour paints.
Cooking Concepts Clear Condiment Bottles, 2-ct. Packs
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I buy stacks of these for mixing epoxy resin. They're reusable if you clean them.
Large 4-Cup Capacity Clear Plastic Measuring Cups
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Use these between paintings to keep them from sticking together.
surefresh Non-Stick Parchment Paper, 25-ft.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I use these to clean my art areas because they are lint free.
Fresh Cup Drip Coffee Maker Basket Coffee Filters, 8 in., 100 ct.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I have these set up around my art studio to defeat the humidity. They collect so much water!
Moisture Eliminator
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I wrap my finished and fully dry paintings in this paper. It's acid-free and won't damage them.
Simple Packing Paper, 18x18 in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Why would I want to sharpen a pencil in the middle of my masterpiece? I keep these everywhere, along with the lead refills.
Jot #2 Mechanical Pencils, 8-ct. Packs
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Embellishments

 
Angela Brunson profile picture
If you've ever shopped for stencils, you know how expensive they can be. I love how many different fonts are available.
Crafter's Square Alphabet and Word Stencils, 11.3x6 in.
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Angela Brunson profile picture
Lots of fonts to choose from, easy to rub on to any surface.
Crafter's Square Metallic Foil Rub-On Alphabet and Numeric Transfers, 7.875x5.875-in. Sheets
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Angela Brunson profile picture
I use sand in ocean paintings and dioramas, and I never find it this cheap.
White Decorative Sand, 1.1-lb. Bags
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