Oriental trading:
www.orientaltrading.com
low melt hot glue guns, feathers, shells, silk flowers & leaves
Good prices on items can be offset by shipping; however, they ALWAYS have free shipping on orders over $75. Just sign up on their email list. It is easy to combine orders with another coach, or if you are having a birthday .
Press Democrat: Rohnert Park facility
Roll ends of newsprint
Call the PD, tell them what you are doing, and they are very generous. In case you are not familiar with it, the roll ends are about 4x20-30 ft. Excellent for mache, backdrops, etc.
Bataeff Salvage: 244 Mountain view rd. near Freidman
Metal rods, cables, buckets, spring clamps, simpson ties, casters, cheap hand tools, computer parts,...
This is a salvage yard. Children must be closely supervised. In fact, if you have never been there, go by yourself for a visit first. It gets muddy when it rains and sometimes it can be hard to find things. Like help. But the prices are dirt cheap.
Joann Fabrics 3620 Industrial Dr
Muslin, cheesecloth, discount fabrics
Prices tend to be moderate to high, but if you get on their mailing list they send a regular mailing with a 40% off coupon (non-sale items only). Useful when buying bulk purchases. Discount fabrics (1-4/yard) are in the back right corner of the store. Be sure to to check out the upholstery supplies; the fabric is often wider and cheaper.
Salvation Army Clearance yard
101 North to the Lytton Springs Rd. exit. Go under the freeway and turn left
There are odds and ends of clearance items; just about anything you can name. You can take home cartloads of stuff for practically nothing. The detritus of humanity is on sale here, with some days half off, making the clothing areas well worthwhile. Inspiration at $20 a cart.
American Science & Surplus
www.Sciplus.com
Motors, magnets, weird stuff
Last time I went on they had 100 plastic icicles for 99 cents and battery operated led sets for 1.99 (Hello, Urania!). How cool is that?
Discount appliance store: Corner of Cleveland and Piner
TeeVax: 5th and Wilson (R.R. Square)
Free clean cardboard. Will even hold large pieces aside for you and you will not have to battle the homeless. If you do not want to call ahead the dumpsters out back are chock full and hassle free.
Ebay=everything
Do not underestimate the power of eBay. Bulk sales of shells, trim, hat blanks, etc. It is good for medium to large lots of craft type materials
HSC Electronic : 5681 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park
Electronics. Leds, resistors, battery holders. A Geek paradise
All Electronics Corp:
www.Allelectronics.com
Excellent prices on everything you do not find at HSC
Douglas & Sturgess:
www.artstuff.com
Molding & casting supplies. Bulk bags of plaster bandage, latex, metal powders. Located in San Francisco
Discount School Supply:
www.discountschoolsupply.com
Powdered tempera at 2.29/lb makes good cheap paint tint. Also carried (sometimes) at Skool Daze in Santa Rosa
Virginia Toy:
www.Virginatoy.com
Chem lights and led flashers. Their prices will beat most other prices on glow and flash
Santa Rosa Custom Upholstery & Fabric Co: 2925 Santa Rosa Ave
Foam Rubber. I have not been here, but I’ve heard it has a good stock at reasonable prices
Creators Foam & Futon Shop: 3510 Industrial Dr # B
Foam Rubber. Been here a few times. It mostly carries to mattress thickness foam
Home Depot
What can you get at Home Depot? Lumber, pvc, Simpson ties, fasteners, glue, metal pieces, brackets, Styrofoam, luan, floodlights, plus people who can tell you how to use it. Always worth a visit, and it makes a good field trip.
Talk to your doctor or dentist. Dentists will have alginate and fine casting plaster, while doctors, if they do casts, will have plaster bandages. A good relationship with them can save money.
At framing shops you can sometimes get donations of foam core and tagboard/matboard, or at least be allowed to buy it at cost. Try My Daughter The Framer and chat them up, they are a nice friendly local business.
Redwood Region Forum
