Sebastopol, California is home to one of my favorite thrift stores in the country: The Legacy. It's a thrift store unlike any other that you've probably been to. You will not find garish Christmas sweater or scratched Teflon pans for sale. Instead you will find every craft supply imaginable.
Bins full of Markers, Sequins, Beads, Findings and more.
Every space is filled neatly in this craft Thrift Store.
Cerys goes straight for the embroidery hoops to look for the perfect ones for her dream catchers. Small ones start at around 25¢.
Vintage Aprons line the wall in one corner of the store.
Some of the worse thrift stores are those that are a mess. The volunteers work so hard at The Legacy organizing the donations and making it very easy to find what you are looking for. I found some vintage Strawberry Shortcake material in the "pink" bin that I had to take home with me.
This store has shelves and shelves of material which they sell it by the pound.
This is a just a small sample of their large selection of buttons. When I was making my button art, I came here in search of the colored buttons that I needed to complete my project. And if you adore buttons, One Gal's Trash is giving away some fabulous buttons on her blog.
They even went so far as to divide the patterns up by sizes. Where have you ever seen that in a thrift store?
Their selection of yarn is incredible. I adore that they separate the wool from the acrylics. I tend to buy only natural fibers so this makes it very easy to find the wool. I don't have to put every skein up to my cheek to see if it is scratchy or not. I've certainly received some seriously strange glances from shoppers when I've done this in the past. This is also a good test for blankets at estate sales and garage sales.
Needlepoint yarn in bins separated by colors.
This store isn't very big, but it is so well organized that you can literally spend hours here. I had the two children with me who were a bit naughty so I had to quickly take photos, buy our craft supplies and escape before too much havoc occurred in this sweet little shop. The opposite wall to this one is also filled with books.
They have miles and miles of ribbon, lace, cord and rickrack.
On the 2nd Friday of each month, all regularly priced items are 50% off. If you love crafting and live in the Bay Area or you are planning to visit the Bay Area, this store should definitely be on your to-do-list.
Outside in front of the store they usually have at least one box of free fabric. Some are just scraps but enough to make something especially if you have a project in mind. I picked up these pieces of fabric and was so surprised that they were free. The one in the middle I think is raw silk.
The Legacy is open Monday - Saturday from 10am-4pm. They stay open until 6pm on Thursdays. They are always accepting craft donations which are of course tax deductible. They even offer you the option to sell your handmade items on consignment. All profit from the shop goes to the Sebastopol Area Senior Center. They have a blog although it hasn't been updated in awhile. It does include a lot of information about the store.
If anyone does take a trip to visit The Legacy, let me know and I'll show you around Sebastopol.
Do you have a favorite Thrift Store? Why is it your favorite?
wow. that is crazy cool. I linked to this post on my blog. I'm an art teacher and I had to share the coolness of a thrifted art and craft store with other art teachers!
Posted by: Artful Artsy Amy | August 19, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Oh wow, that is the best shop ever! craft supplies are so expensive!!
Posted by: Irmhild | August 19, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I can't imagine having access to such a dream place as the Legacy. It must surely be a one-of-a-kind!
Posted by: Renna | August 19, 2010 at 12:35 PM
What a fab store. Wish we had something similar. I would definitely be there every week.
Blessings
Diane
Posted by: Diane | August 19, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Hail! Hail!
Legacy is the *bomb*. I scored 10 yards of Pendleton wool in my husband's clan's plaid. $30. Sweet!!
Tinuviel
~ From Santa Rosa.
Posted by: Tinuviel | August 20, 2010 at 06:01 PM
A friend mentioned The Legacy - that its a must see & shop - a bit ago and I keep forgetting to stop in. And after seeing all the pics of all the fabby finds in there, I'm kicking myself that I'm not stopping Each and Everytime I pass through Sebastopol!!! I will have to mark it in ink (on my forehead, if necessary! :>) and make sure to go! :>
(hopped here by way of Sono-MA)
Posted by: Karen G | August 20, 2010 at 09:23 PM
I am ridiculously jealous. :)
Posted by: rebecca | August 22, 2010 at 06:05 AM
Thank you for all your lovely comments. The Legacy staff does work hard and the donations are incredibly generous from all over. All the $$ we make goes to the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, so it's a win/win situation for all. A customer recently told us her visits to the store helped her get through chemo. What a nice thing to say!
So Apron Thrift Girl, I'm gonna have to extend a 10% Referral Discount to you as an Ambassador of The Legacy. By the way, to day is our monthly 50% Off Day....Love to you all and check us out on Facebook. Sherry and the Legacy Staff
Posted by: Apps 55753818692 1339762849 612ae4ea301aa4b18d997eb9ab87dc79 | December 10, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Cool! I'm just an hour and a half north so I KNOW I'll be visiting The Legacy. I also get up to the Portland area every couple of months so maybe will try to get to that one, too. Thanks, Serena.
Posted by: Melodee | February 24, 2011 at 10:04 PM
this is her first book of personal essays. It was the last part of the review that inspired me to get online immediately and write this safdentry while the bundle of cuteness pictured above sleeps at my feet.
Posted by: True Religion Outlet | May 13, 2011 at 11:25 PM