Where to find inexpensive used books for crafting

 Before we make a book craft, we need to have a book.  Where do you find one?  The first place to look is on your own bookshelf.  If you are like me your book shelf is stacked two deep.  There are books there that maybe you have read, or that someone gave you that you don't intend to read, but you just can't bear to part with them.  Why not give them a second life as a beautiful home decoration?

If you can't find a book on your shelf that is ready for retirement, the next best place to look is at your local library.  Most public libraries have a used book shelf.  Often they not only contain used library copies of books, but also books people donate to the library that the library decided not to use. Some of these donated books are in perfect condition, and others might be quaintly aged.  Buying used books from a library is not only one of the cheapest ways to find used books for crafting, it also provides financial support to libraries!

Another good source for used books is, of course, thrift stores.  In my experience, thrift store prices are higher than library used book shelves, but still very reasonable. Thrift stories sometimes have a bigger selection than a used book shelf at a library, which may be important if you are looking for a book of a specific size or color. 

All three of these options are very inexpensive compared to the cost of other kinds of craft supplies. (think about what you pay for just one yard of fabric or one tube of oil paint! Almost all of the crafts I have done with book don't require any other special equipment. (though sometimes access to a precision cutting tool, like a Cricut, is useful, but my local library offers free access to a Cricut as well, so be sure to check before you go out to buy one.)