Donate Reusable Materials
We accept donations of clean reusable materials of many varieties. See our list below of accepted materials. Photos or specifications are the best way for us to know if we can accept your materials. Please sort and store items in clear handled bags or containers with lids as much as possible, as it helps with processing. See our list of accepted materials below or email us at info@artformsandiego.org to inquire more.
All donations require approval and appointment. Appointments for drop off are available during store hours at our new Art FORM creative reuse store location: 2888 Adams Avenue, San Diego CA 92116. We are open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12-4pm, Saturday from 11am-5pm, and Sunday from 12-4pm.
Effective June 1st 2026 Art FORM accepts approved donations in the following containers:
Handle sack
Reusable bag
Bin with matching lid that seals bin: we cannot accept bins without matching lid
Standard bankers box
No exceptions, if you bring in a bin with no lid, you will need to remove the items and carry in.
If you have an unusual donation or container not listed above you can email details to be considered for approval
Art Supplies:
paints (watercolor, acrylics, craft paint in working condition at least half full)
colored pencils, sharpies, marking pens, pastels (chalk or oil)
tools, canvas, brushes, rulers, drawing/drafting
paper, card stock (please inquire first with type + quantity)
scrapbooking notions/odds and ends (please inquire first with type + quantity)
tape, clips, erasers, glue
clay (please inquire)
Wood + Natural Materials:
wood pieces (smaller than shoebox; please inquire)
wood tools, clothespins
wood notions
corks
burlap
sand, tiny pebbles, mini-stones, moss
ceramic or clay pots for planting; small to medium with drainage hole
collection of found nature (i.e. acorns, seed pods-seasonal; please inquire)
glass (sheets, mosaic, tools; please inquire)
Fabric + Sewing:
fabric (please inquire with type, quantities)
burlap
embroidery thread/floss
buttons
sewing notions (please inquire)
sewing tools (please inquire)
spools/cones
Yarn + Weaving + Textures +Ties:
yarn
looms
ribbon
leather samples or chord (please inquire)
cord, fishing line, string, clothespins
wire
Office + Desk + Factory Supplies:
paper, card stock, some folders w/ pocket (please inquire)
chip board trays or “boats”, produce tray= clean only
tape, clips, magnets, brads/paper fasteners
sharpies, markers, pens/pencils (new)
clean bins/organizational tools (please inquire)
office chairs, stools or carts; items on wheels (please inquire)
overstock/surplus (please inquire with photos and quantity)
wire
Architectural or Design Samples:
bold bright colors
various textures
samples that are shoebox size or smaller are best
some fabric
Cylinders
Wood samples
with great variation of items (please send photos and inquire)
Common Questions About Donating Materials
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Donate fabrics to Art FORM by sending an email with a brief description and photos of the fabrics you’d like to donate. Here are some examples of fabrics we accept: Linen, lace, cotton, muslin, organza, satin, leather, gingham, some upholstery, and many others. Please provide a sense of how much, such as one bag or one bin, and send a photo.
Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate yarn to Art FORM by sending an email with a brief description and photos of the yarn you’d like to donate. We can accept yarn that is untangled and that is in skeins, cakes, or balls. We accept many yarn types: acrylic, cotton, wool, fleece, silk, crochet tread, and novelty yarns and many more.
We also accept yarn accessories such as knitting needles, crochet hooks, tapestry sets, stitch markers, etc. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your beads and jewelry findings/jewelry tools to Art FORM by sending a photo and a brief description of the items you're donating to our email. We accept all types of beads whether they are glass, precious gem stones, plastic, shell, crystal, wood, etc. We do ask for bead donations that the beads are in sealed containers to prevent spills. Do they have to be sorted? The beads don’t have to be entirely sorted but whatever sorting you can do beforehand is greatly appreciated.
We also accept jewelry findings like bead spacers, earring clasps, jump rings, metal charms, earring posts, chain, wire, etc. If you have an item you're not sure about feel free to ask through email.
We also accept jewelry tools like pliers, wire cutters, tweezers, organizing containers, adhesive glue, etc.
Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your sewing machines to Art FORM by sending a brief description of the machine and a photo to our email. We take sewing machines whether they’re new or old as long as they're working! Please include all of the components that you have to go with the machine like power cords, instruction manuals, cases, etc. in the pictures emailed. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate canvas, brushes and paints to Art FORM by sending a brief description and photos to our email of the items you’d like to donate. We accept blank canvas of all sizes, as well as canvas rolls. We can take paint brushes that are used and new, as long as the bristles are in good condition. For paints we accept oil paint, watercolor paint, acrylic paint, gouache paint, spray paints, tempera paint. We also accept paint mediums and varnishes. We do not accept paint used for home decor. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate watercolor supplies to Art FORM by sending a brief description and photo to our email of the supplies you’d like to donate. We take watercolor paints whether it is in the tubes, pans or liquid watercolor, as long as they are in a usable condition. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate colored pencils to Art FORM by sending a brief description or photo to our email of what you’d like to donate. We accept gently used and new color pencils of many types. We accept Prismacolor, and most brands of colored pencils. We also accept watercolor pencils, oil based colored pencils, children’s colored pencils, and professional grade colored pencils. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your art tools to Art FORM by sending a brief description of the items and a photo to our email. For example, hammers, pliers, measuring devices, clay tools, wood carving tools, sand paper, drawing boards, easels, art supplies organizers, etc. If you're unsure if the item you want is something we accept feel free to email us for further clarification. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your old postcards to Art Form where they’ll be repurposed in many ways. To do so send a brief description and photo to our email of the items. We accept blank postcards as well as ones with writing on the back! We also accept blank cards such as thank you cards, birthday cards, holiday cards, etc. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your vintage materials to Art Form by sending a brief description and photo to our email of the items you’d like to donate. We accept a wide variety of vintage items such as fabrics, laces, appliques, ribbons, yarn, jewelry, vintage photographs, art sets, etc. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your paper to Art FORM by sending us a brief description and photo to our email of the items you’d like to donate. We accept paper items such as, cardstock, art paper pads, handmade paper, scrapbooking paper, vintage wall paper, photo paper, envelopes, tracing paper, etc. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate scrapbooking supplies to Art FORM by sending a brief description and photos to our email of the supplies you're looking to donate. We accept 12x12 scrapbooking paper, in solid colors and in patterns.
We also accept Scrapbooking accessories such as paper punches, cardstock, stickers, stamps, embossing tools, ink pads, die cutters, scrapbooks, stencils, etc. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Donate your overstock items to Art FORM by sending a brief description and photo to our email of the items you’d like to donate. Local businesses or individuals who have ordered too much of something or have stock that isn’t moving, can send an inquiry and photo as to the nature of the items. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.
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Art FORM is a more directed path for your mother’s or relative’s supplies.
We use supplies in our programs, including workshops with public schools, community outreach events, and in our creative reuse store, made available to the community to source materials. Send us an email with a brief description and photos of the items you'd like to donate. Once we have a sense of the donation and can accept, we will make a donation drop off appointment. Accepted donations are dropped off with appointment time to 2888 Adams Ave W-Sat 12-4pm.