I walked past a modest storefront in Ohio expecting a quick peek, and I ended up losing a whole afternoon to bins of buttons and baskets of yarn. Nothing about the outside prepares you for the creative treasure hunt waiting inside.
It is a craft thrift store where you decide what to pay, and it changes how you think about art supplies. Once you learn how it works, you will want to bring a bag and a few ideas.
A Craft Thrift Store in the Heart of Over-the-Rhine
Tucked along Main Street in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Indigo Hippo is an art supply store that works a little differently from the chain shops you know. It is a nonprofit craft thrift store, and everything on the shelves came from donations.
Paintbrushes, yarn, beads, paper, stamps and stickers all get a second life here. Rather than tossing leftovers from a closed-up hobby, local people bring them in so someone else can use them.
The address is 1334 Main St, and the shop sits in a walkable stretch of the city. Visitors describe it as a cool little place that feels different from a regular resale store.
If you love making things, or want to start, this Cincinnati stop is an easy one to add to a day trip.
The Story Behind Giving Supplies a Second Chance
Every shelf here begins with a donation. Crafters clear out closets, teachers pass along classroom extras, and the shop sorts it all so the next maker can find it.
The idea is simple but clever: keep usable materials out of the landfill and keep creativity affordable. Visitors often call it a no-waste dream, a place where crafters swap goods they no longer need.
Staff check that items work before they hit the floor. One shopper mentioned that markers and tools actually function, which is a big deal when you buy secondhand.
There is even a chance to volunteer, according to regulars, which makes this feel more like a community project than a store. Dropping off a donation is described as a quick and friendly process too.
How Pay What You Can Really Works
Naming your own price sounds a little nerve-wracking, and some first-timers admit to feeling anxious. The shop makes it easier than expected with color-coded items that show a suggested price range.
You pick your treasures, check the colors, and give what you can afford. Optional donations for picking out items keep the model fair for everyone.
Shoppers love that this makes art accessible to students, families and hobbyists on tight budgets. Others who are doing well say they enjoy paying a little extra to support the mission.
Items from local artists are a different case, since those carry set prices. Even so, visitors call them reasonable and beautiful.
Yarn, Buttons, Beads and Zippers by the Basketful
Ready for a hunt? Yarn lovers rave about how cheap it is here, and the bead selection draws repeat visitors from out of town.
Beyond fiber and jewelry supplies, you can find stamps, bells, stickers, buttons and zippers. One shopper even stumbled on a pasta machine, proving that the selection keeps surprising people.
The stock changes all the time because it depends on what the community drops off. That means no two visits look alike, and regulars say there is always something different.
Bring a loose idea and let the bins steer you. Many projects start with a button you did not know you needed.
Paints, Pastels and Printmaking Finds
Serious artists can score here too. One visitor picked up printmaking ink and a carving tool for far less than new prices, and everything worked.
Chalk pastels, watercolors and brushes turn up often, along with hanging equipment and other odd studio gear. A traveler in town for a nine-day conference even rescued their trip by grabbing watercolors on the spot.
Because supplies are secondhand, you can experiment without a big investment. Trying a new medium feels low-risk when the price is up to you.
Students in particular will appreciate the chance to stock up. Several reviewers said they wished a place like this existed back when they were scraping together money for class.
Holiday Cards, Wrapping Paper and Seasonal Treasures
Gift season gets more meaningful here. One longtime shopper buys holiday cards and wrapping paper each year, and says using donated materials makes giving feel extra special.
Decorations are a highlight too. A visitor once found a crafty little Christmas tree for just a dollar, a reminder of how friendly the prices can be.
Paper goods fill many shelves, from construction paper to household paper supplies. Because you can take just a few sheets, you avoid buying a whole pack for a small project.
It is a smart stop before school projects, party planning or a handmade-card night. Your wrapping may end up looking more unique than anything from a big box store.
Kits, Kid Projects and Classroom Helpers
Teachers, parents and kids all find something useful here. Shoppers mention supplies for school projects, kits and kid-friendly items alongside the grown-up gear.
If your child wants to try a new hobby, the low prices let you test the waters. Nobody has to commit to a full box of markers when a handful will do.
Educators are some of the shop’s biggest fans, and one reviewer recommended it to any teacher. Classroom budgets stretch much further when materials come from a reuse shop.
Small home projects are covered as well. Whether it is a poster board for a science fair or odds and ends for a repair, the shelves tend to have an answer.
A Cozy, Inspiring Atmosphere With Local Art
Step inside and the mood is warm and a bit cramped, which makes sense for a store packed with supplies. Regulars say the music is soothing and the staff are respectful and kind.
Art by local makers hangs in the shop, and visitors enjoy seeing what others created. It adds to a feeling of good vibes that shoppers keep mentioning.
You do not have to be an artist to love it. Some people drop in just to browse and leave full of ideas.
Plan on lingering, since many guests say they could spend hours looking at every little thing. Slow wandering is the best way to uncover the treasures tucked in corners.
Who Will Love This Place Most
Hobby crafters, budget-minded students, teachers and curious beginners all fit in here. Jewelry makers hunt for beads, scrapbookers look for paper, and knitters dig through yarn.
Visitors from out of town add it to their Cincinnati list every trip. One fan said they drive over an hour just to shop.
If you care about waste, this is a happy match. Reuse is the whole point, and you can bring your own extras to pass along.
Even people who say they are not artistic report leaving inspired. Think of it as a low-pressure idea lab where a few dollars, or whatever you can spare, can spark a new hobby.
Hours, Donations and Getting There
Plan your trip around the schedule. The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., and it is closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
You will find it at 1334 Main St in Cincinnati, in the Over-the-Rhine area. For questions, call 513-918-4917 or check indigohippo.org before you go.
Bring donations if you have clean, usable craft supplies at home. Visitors say drop-off is quick and the team is helpful.
A tote bag is smart for carrying your finds, and a little cash or card for your chosen contribution helps. Some visitors say the staff will even point you to nearby spots to eat afterward.
The Verdict on This Ohio Craft Treasure
Few shops make creativity feel this welcome. Indigo Hippo blends thrift, community and art in a way that is hard to find, and visitors consistently give it top marks.
The pay-what-you-can approach removes the usual barrier of cost. Add friendly staff, a constantly changing stock and a mission to keep supplies out of the trash, and you have a real Ohio original.
It may not look flashy from the sidewalk, and that is part of the charm. The reward comes once you step inside and start digging.
If you live in the Cincinnati area and have not stopped by, put a Wednesday through Saturday afternoon on the calendar. Leave room in your bag, and your imagination.
Share this story
