Imagine a treasure hunter’s paradise where $35 can last you an entire day of shopping! Artifact: Creative Recycle in Portland, Oregon is exactly that magical place. This massive secondhand store offers everything from vintage clothing to quirky home decor, rare books, and crafting supplies. Whether you’re a budget-conscious shopper, sustainability advocate, or creative spirit looking for inspiration, this Portland gem delivers an adventure that won’t empty your wallet.
Book Nook & Media Treasures
Hidden behind a beaded curtain, Artifact’s book section feels like stepping into an eccentric professor’s private library. Paperbacks sell for just $1, while hardcovers rarely exceed $4 – even for coffee table art books that would cost $50+ new.
Vinyl record crates beckon music lovers with albums priced at $3-7 each. The staff regularly rotates special collections near the register – last month featured vintage sci-fi paperbacks with gorgeous retro covers.
A cozy reading corner with mismatched armchairs invites customers to preview their finds before purchase. The children’s book section deserves special attention, with illustrated classics and out-of-print treasures often priced at just $0.50 each. Bibliophiles could easily spend hours here without spending more than $15.
Vintage Fashion Paradise
Racks upon racks of clothing stretch across Artifact’s fashion section, organized by color rather than size for a rainbow-like shopping experience. Vintage Levi’s jeans priced at $8-12 stand out as the store’s most coveted items, with shoppers often lining up early for first pick.
Accessories fill antique display cases – $3 silk scarves, $5 costume jewelry, and $7 leather belts await discovery. Even designer pieces occasionally appear among the treasures!
Pro tip: Tuesday mornings offer freshly stocked racks with weekend donations. Bring a reusable shopping bag to carry your finds, and don’t overlook the $1 bin near the entrance – previous shoppers have found cashmere sweaters hiding there.
Home Goods Wonderland
Mismatched teacups for $1 each sit alongside pristine mid-century furniture in Artifact’s sprawling home section. The kitchenware corner brims with cast iron pans at $10-15 – often better than new ones after proper seasoning.
Vintage Pyrex dishes in rare patterns frequently appear, priced between $4-8 per piece. Handmade ceramic planters line wooden shelves, while retro lamps cast warm glows throughout the store.
Savvy shoppers should inspect items carefully for chips or cracks. The back corner holds a ‘project pieces’ section where damaged goods sell for pennies on the dollar. With patience and creativity, you can furnish an entire apartment with unique character pieces without breaking your $35 budget.
Art Supply Bonanza
“Wasn’t expecting to find $200 worth of art supplies for under $20!” exclaimed one Yelp reviewer about Artifact’s unique creative materials section. Barely-used sketchbooks, high-quality colored pencils, and professional paintbrushes fill old library card catalogs, priced at 70-90% off retail.
Fabric remnants sell by the pound at $3.99, while yarn skeins cost just $1-2 each. The store partners with local art schools to receive their excess supplies, meaning professional-grade materials regularly appear.
Monthly “Fill-a-Bag” craft days let shoppers stuff a paper grocery sack with specific categories of supplies for just $10. DIY enthusiasts can stock entire craft rooms without approaching the $35 budget limit. The creative possibilities feel truly endless in this inspirational corner of the store.
Weird & Wonderful Oddities
A glass display case near Artifact’s back wall houses the strangest treasures you’ll ever find – taxidermy mice dressed as tiny wizards, antique medical instruments, and peculiar religious artifacts that defy explanation. This “Cabinet of Curiosities” changes weekly, with most items priced between $5-15.
Vintage Halloween decorations from the 1950s-70s command a dedicated section year-round. Staff members curate themed collections like “Haunted Dollhouse” or “Space Age Kitsch” that rotate monthly.
The oddities section attracts Portland’s most interesting characters – film set designers, alternative fashion enthusiasts, and collectors of the bizarre. Even if you don’t purchase anything here, the people-watching alone justifies a visit. Where else could you find a conversation piece like a $12 lamp made from a taxidermied pufferfish?
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