Creative Reuse Montana

“"This is so great. Every town should have this.”

“This is a welcoming space, and everyone needs to be welcomed in a different way.”

“There are so many good sewing supplies!”

“You don't have to be rich to try a new craft.”

“This is a great use of this space.”

These are just a few statements overheard at Creative Reuse Montana, the secondhand craft store at 129 S. Main Street in Livingston. For the past seven months, members of the community have delighted in discovering this new space to not only purchase craft supplies at a very reasonable price but also to be part of a deeper community mission. Creative Reuse Montana sources, organizes, and distributes creative supplies to community members and organizations that need them via outreach, community partnerships, and events.

Creative Reuse Montana connects our community of artists, teachers, hobbyists, and makers by giving new life to unused creative supplies. Through swaps, a community shop, and events, they model abundance, sustainability, and creativity while keeping materials out of landfills.

Creative Reuse Montana organizes free swaps to connect our community of artists, crafters, and makers with unused supplies and with each other. All supplies are free. There were a series of small, themed swaps this spring, and the community is looking forward to the next big swap which will take place at the Park County Fairgrounds on October 10th.

Creative Reuse Montana also sources supplies for teachers, youth programs, senior centers, memory care, and other groups based on each program’s wishlist. Many teachers often have to purchase supplies for their classrooms with their own paychecks.

Creative Reuse Montana supports individual creativity year-round through our convenient retail shop in downtown Livingston. They make it easy to donate unused supplies and to start or finish a project – on your own or with someone! They host frequent workshops and social gatherings to cultivate broader community connection. Anyone who would like to donate their unused craft supplies can do so during shop hours (typically Thursday through Saturday 12 to 6 pm) or reach out to arrange a drop off.

All of this work is being done by a passionate group of volunteers. Begun by just one volunteer listening to the needs of the community, Creative Reuse Montana is committed to continuing to listen to what the community wants and needs. After the first craft supply swap in November 2024, the Livingston and Park County community has continued to ask for craft supplies and opportunities to gather together while crafting. The growth of Creative Reuse Montana and the joint effort of this group of volunteers is the result.

Along with many other organizations in Park County, Creative Reuse Montana is participating in the Give-A-Hoot campaign this July. Funds raised will support their free community swaps as well as providing supplies for arts and education programs in our community. They are excited for the community’s generosity to support their vision for the future: A thriving Montana hub where creativity, reuse, and connection fuel resilience. By celebrating abundance and sharing supplies, we imagine a state where every community has access to affordable, inspiring materials and a place to gather. Donations can be made at https://www.give-a-hoot.org/organization/Community-Creative-Reuse-Supply or at the Park County Community Foundation office through July 31st.

For more information about Creative Reuse Montana, visit https://www.creativereusemontana.com, https://www.craftsupplyswap.org, on Facebook or Instagram (@creativereusemontana) or by calling or texting 406-823-0794.