Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse

Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse is a non-profit that inspires creativity, conservation, and community engagement through reuse. www.pccr.org
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We operate a store where artists, teachers, crafters, designers, and creative folks of all kinds can purchase unique, high-quality materials for very low prices. We also offer hands-on creative arts programs for all ages using reclaimed materials at schools, festivals, community centers, and businesses, and now in our shop.

Trophies and trophy parts are currently on temporary hold. That means that we are currently unable to accept them as don...
06/23/2026

Trophies and trophy parts are currently on temporary hold. That means that we are currently unable to accept them as donations due to lack of space! With that in mind, here are a couple related reuse projects to try out. PS: we are currently giving trophies away for FREE in the shop. You can take as many as you'd like!

About us:
Creative Reuse is a nontraditional arts and crafts supply shop in Pittsburgh, PA. As a nonprofit, we do our best to keep supplies affordable so that they can get back out into the community. Our mission is to inspire creativity, conservation and community engagement through reuse!

Location: 214 N Lexington St in Pittsburgh, PA (in the same building as Construction Junction)
Hours: 11 AM - 5 PM daily
Donation times: 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Please visit our website to learn more about our operations including how to make a donation!

Our temporary holds list has been updated recently! We are currently unable to accept the following items due to lack of...
06/22/2026

Our temporary holds list has been updated recently! We are currently unable to accept the following items due to lack of space:

Trophies and trophy parts
Jewel cases (empty)
Ceramic tiles (whole or parts)
Slide carousels
Ceramic slip molds
Bulk candles/candle jars
Folders (pocket, tabbed, hanging file, etc.)
Loose CDs
CDs in cases
Binders
Empty DVD cases
Encyclopedias
Corks

Thank you for understanding. If you happen to be in need of any of these materials, now is a great time to stop in. Candle jars and trophies are currently FREE! Spread the word.

We are also looking for photos of reuse projects that utilize these items. If you have any that we can share, DM us!

This week we're featuring the work of Sienna Lee, also known as Bits and Bunz. Sienna is from Philadelphia and attends s...
06/19/2026

This week we're featuring the work of Sienna Lee, also known as Bits and Bunz. Sienna is from Philadelphia and attends school in Pittsburgh. She works with many different mediums including collage and crochet. Learn more about her work below:

"Hi! My name is Sienna Lee, and my art(sy) account is , a little reminder that there are always “bunz” moments during the in-between stages of creating something meaningful (aka the good “bits”)

Most of my projects were pieced together using thrifted knick-knacks, leftover materials from previous projects, and older clothing I no longer wear! There is something so satisfying about using up every ounce of material and giving it a new purpose.

I mostly create mixed-media pieces that incorporate bits of crochet to embody the 3D elements. I find a lot of interest in mixed-media as I feel that it adds that little splash of life, warmth, and an extra layer of texture into the original piece! I also enjoy doing “thrift flips” where I redesign old unused fabrics — like shower curtains or worn tops — to better fit my own style!

Some of the other pieces above are the decor displayed in my apartment which was created through combining a bunch of little upcycled pieces such as old jeans and loose strings to bring some life and personality into my bland, chalky apartment walls."

Follow Sienna at on Instagram!

In our online store you can find: traditional art and craft supplies, vintage jewelry, collectibles, instructional books...
06/18/2026

In our online store you can find: traditional art and craft supplies, vintage jewelry, collectibles, instructional books, and...a tiny version of Austin Powers?! Surprising things await you. These items are exclusively available online! Our online store has shipping options available or you can select free curbside pickup and pick it up right at our physical shop location at 214 N Lexington St. in Pittsburgh, PA!

1. Five Yard Quilt Kit with Fabric and Instructions - Floral and Geometric Prints; $39.99
2. Jinny Beyer for Mr. RJR Fashion Fabrics - 70's Art Nouveau Revival - 5 Yards
$59.99
3. Masterworks of American Impressionism by William Gerdts; $9.99
4. Porcelaine 150 Pebeo - Bake on Paint - Barley Used Set of 10 Colors; $34.99
5. Painted Carved Wood Fish Dangle Earrings; $5.99
6. Cabbage Patch Kids Original Vintage Denim Overalls - Doll Clothes - Collectible; $7.49
7. Silver Plated Camel Sculpture on Wooden Base - Possibly from India; $19.99
8. Gothic Lo**ta Bible Autumn 2011 Volume 41 - Cover Art by Mitsukazu Mihara; $34.99

Questions about the online store? Email [email protected]. As a nonprofit, all revenue from the store goes directly back into our mission to keep materials out of the landfill. We take care to research and price all of our materials below retail value. Here's a link to the online store: https://creativereuse.square.site/

Local artist Christine CMC Bethea's installation "Bits and Pieces" is on display at Silver Apple Gallery this month. Man...
06/17/2026

Local artist Christine CMC Bethea's installation "Bits and Pieces" is on display at Silver Apple Gallery this month. Many of the materials in this display came from Creative Reuse including the clothespins and pom poms! CMC Bethea's message remains consistent throughout her body of work: “With a bit of thoughtfulness, we can do wonders with almost nothing!

Silver Apple Gallery is a miniature outdoor gallery in Pittsburgh, measuring at approximately 3 x 3 feet. It is located at 255 Main Street in Lawrenceville owned by Kirsten Ervin and Will Simmons. There will be a closing porch party on June 28 from 4 - 6 PM where CMC Bethea will have larger scale work on display!

Follow her work on Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/cmcbethea/

This week we are highlighting the work of Opal Buttons, an artist in Atlanta, Georgia. She sources pre-pigmented paper a...
06/12/2026

This week we are highlighting the work of Opal Buttons, an artist in Atlanta, Georgia. She sources pre-pigmented paper at her local creative reuse center (shout-out to Scraplanta) and transforms it into these wonderful paper impasto creations. Read more about her work below:

"Opal Buttons is a paper impasto artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in the Northwest Georgia Mountains, she was deeply influenced by the raw, soulful storytelling of self-taught folk artistry. In 2023, Opal began a dedicated exploration into the life cycle of paper, breaking down discarded materials into pulp and experimenting with its artistic possibilities. Through this journey of trails and tribulation, she discovered a passion for the tactile, sculptural depth of paper impasto and relief sculpture.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Opal views her studio practice as a vital act of resilience. Her work is a deliberate choice to prioritize beauty and light, utilizing the alchemy of pre-pigmented detritus to build vibrant, textured works of art. For Opal, the act of creation is a transformative tool used to navigate the complexities of chronic illness, turning physical challenges into a source of personal and collective restoration.

Central to her work is a passion for infusing whimsy into the fabric of everyday life. By repurposing the unending and mundane reality of discarded mail, packaging, and remnants, Opal invites the viewer to rediscover wonder in the unexpected. Her art serves as a vessel for joy, offering a playful yet profound reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the magic found in renewal."

Follow Opal at on Instagram.

In our online store you can find: traditional art and craft supplies, vintage jewelry, collectibles, books and more! Sur...
06/10/2026

In our online store you can find: traditional art and craft supplies, vintage jewelry, collectibles, books and more! Surprising things await you. These items are exclusively available online. Our online store has shipping options available or you can select free curbside pickup and pick it up right at our physical shop location at 214 N Lexington St. in Pittsburgh, PA!

1. Pittsburgheese Large Pinback Button - Vintage; $4.99
2. Silver Reproduction Deputy Sheriff Badge with Turquoise Points; $34.99
3. Tommy Aaron Gold Balls - 1 Dozen - Complete Set; $39.99
4. Tulip Garden Cotton or Cotton Blend Fabric - VIP Cranston; $3.00
5. Rusty Colored Dragonfly Pattern Upholstery Fabric with Mesh Lining - Herringbone; $5.25
6. It's Ramen Time Take Out Bowl with Chopsticks - Ceramic - New in Package; $7.99
7. Persian Hand-Painted Inlaid Khatam Marquetry Pencil Box; $44.99
8. Mini Frog Toy Earrings - Plastic Animal - Whimsical; $3.99
9. The Handmaid's Tale Embroidered Patch Set of 3 - Iron-on or Sew-on; $11.99

Questions about the online store? Email [email protected]. As a nonprofit, all revenue from the store goes directly back into our mission to keep materials out of the landfill. We take care to research and price all of our materials below retail value. Here's a link to the online store: https://creativereuse.square.site/

Join us for our upcoming workshop: Up, Up & Away: Make a Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon!About the workshop: Create your own...
06/08/2026

Join us for our upcoming workshop: Up, Up & Away: Make a Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon!

About the workshop: Create your own hot air balloon sculptures using upcycled materials—highlighting both creativity & sustainability. By repurposing everyday items, the class emphasizes how art can be both expressive & environmentally mindful.

While the creation of your balloon structure will be guided, the embellishment will be up you. Create a truly one-of-a-kind piece through color, texture, and personal details. You’re invited to rediscover this nostalgic craft while elevating it, quite literally, into a balloon uniquely your own.

About the Teaching Artist: My name is Keevey-Maria, or Kee. I've been working with paper mache for the last six years—it's part of my daily routine. It started when my son asked to be a flying eyeball for Halloween. I mean, how do you say no to such a request?! Since then, I've made a Horseshoe crab costume, a goat mask, flying creatures, and various carnivorous plants.

Event details:
Up, Up & Away: Make a Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon!
When: Sunday, June 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Where: Creative Reuse Gallery - 214 N Lexington St.
All ages (participants 10 and under are recommended to come with an adult)
PWYC (Pay what you can)
Registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/up-up-away-make-a-paper-mache-hot-air-balloon-tickets-1990890556247

Address

214 N Lexington Street
Pittsburgh, PA
15208

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

(412) 473-0100

Website

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