You’ve Got the Goods!

*

You’ve Got the Goods! *

(But Are They the Right Goods?)

All donations must pass the “Does It Art” test, which means…

If a marker doesn't draw, or a tube of paint is hard to the touch, please let it retire at home. Remember, our goal is to keep good supplies out of the landfill and into the hands of local creators…not to become the landfill ourselves.

The goods!

  • ✽

    Dry Media

    Colored pencils, graphite pencils, charcoal, pastels (oil and chalk), crayons, markers (if still functional), and unopened boxes of expired film.

  • ✽

    Sufaces

    Unused sketchbooks, canvas boards, stretched canvases (even lightly started ones can sometimes be gessoed over), drawing paper pads, watercolor paper, crispy specialty paper, and unexposed darkroom photo paper.

  • ✽

    Tools & Gear

    Paintbrushes, palettes, easels, rulers, cutting mats, scissors, stamps, carving tools, cameras, needles, frames, brayers, silk screens, squeegees, and mats.

  • ✽

    Wet Media (Sealed)

    Unopened or gently used acrylics, oils, watercolors, gouache, high-quality inks, adhesives, and photo chemicals.

  • ✽

    Craft Supplies

    Clean neat yarn, fabric scraps (fat quarters or larger), ribbon, trim, beads, jewelry bits and bobs, buttons, zippers, and thread.

  • ✽

    Other Stuff.. IDK what you got

    Visually interesting things such as intact vintage ephemera (maps, postcards, photos, etc)

The bad and the uggggly

  • ✽

    Open/Heavily Used/ Separated Paints

    Dried-out acrylics, separated oil paints that have leaked oil everywhere, and jars of paint that are ¼ empty or less.

  • ✽

    Unlabeled Chemicals

    Spray paints without labels, mystery solvents, resin, epoxies, and brush cleaners. If it doesn't have an ingredient list, it’s a liability.

  • ✽

    Hazardous Materials

    Vintage art supplies containing lead or heavy metals, toxic powdered pigments, and aerosol cans that are rusted or clogged.

  • ✽

    "Well-Loved" Brushes

    Brushes that are extremely (and I mean extremely) hard, shedding hair, or have caked-on, dried acrylic paint at the ferrule (the metal part) are a no-go.

  • ✽

    Teeny-Tiny or Musty-Crusty Scraps

    Teeny-tiny fabric scraps (smaller than a palm), heavily tangled yarn nests or "spaghetti ball" scraps, moth-eaten, musty, or pet-hair-covered textiles, opened kits missing instructions or essential pieces.

  • ✽

    Large Items / Heavy Ceramics and Tile

    Excessively heavy, individual commercial floor tiles, Tiles caked in old mortar, grout, or mastic glue, Construction debris, Bone-dry clay (unless you are also donating your reclaim setup), Shattered/ badly cracked greenware, Mass-produced or broken pottery/dishes.

Memberships

Coming Soon!

How it will work:

  • Monthly Support: You pitch in a set dollar amount each month to help us keep art supplies accessible and out of the landfill.

  • The Loyalty Punch Card: In return, you’ll get an old-school member punch card loaded with shop credits to spend on any treasures you find in the store.

  • Surprise Art Gifts: You'll also unlock exclusive, curated mystery packs of vintage ephemera, specialty media, or rare supplies as a creative thank-you from us.

We are putting the finishing touches on the tiers right now! Keep an eye on this space or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when our membership cards are ready to punch.

Supply Drop

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not yet, but very soon! Unfinished Business is on its way to becoming a registered 501 (c) (3), but there’s paperwork and fees involved in filing for non-profit status that we aren’t ready to fulfill just yet. (We are a small but mighty organization .) As soon as our nonprofit designation is official, we will be able to provide receipts of donation for tax deduction. Check back here for updates on our road to 501 (c) (3).

  • Your donation goes to the Tampa arts community! Donations are the backbone of our organization and how we can offer low-cost, sliding-scale art supplies to anyone who needs them.

    The Unfinished Business Membership (i.e., direct $$$) goes directly toward the operational costs of Unfinished Business and the labor required for supply procurement, sorting, cleaning, and resale.

    To see our financial transparency report please email manager@unfinishedbuisnesstpa.com

  • We love our volunteers! If you are inspired by our mission and ready to get your hands dirty - send us an email at manager@unfinishedbuisnesstpa.com

  • Yes! In-kind donations are the backbone of our organization. Please reference our "You’ve Got the Goods” section on this page for up-to-date information on what kind of supplies we are currently looking for.

  • We are touched that you would consider Unfinished Business to honor the memory of someone special in your life. Please send us an email at Manager@unfinishedbuisnesstpa.com with additional information regarding the in memoriam donation.