• Even on a small budget, you can acquire the tools to create a masterpiece.paintbrush image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
  
  Art supplies can be expensive, but there are frugal art supplies to be had if you know where to look. For example, you can cut the cost of an art project by experimenting with different media. Watercolor paint is less expensive than oil paint, and paper mache costs less than sculpting clay. Even cheaper options are available at some unusual locations.
  
  

The Recycling Bin

• Use the insides of cardboard boxes as substitutes for canvas and construction paper. Turn polystyrene foam or aluminum trays into inexpensive palettes. Glass jars are perfect for rinsing out brushes. Turn plastic containers into decorative vases and bowls with a little paint. Use old newspapers and magazines, as well as the security patterns on the inside of envelopes, for collages, origami and other paper art.
  
  

The Thrift Store

• Cut up old clothes for collages and other multimedia projects. Send wool sweaters, hats and scarves through the clothes dryer to turn them into felt. Once the wool clothing has shrunk, you can cut into the fabric with no unraveling and little expense. Other thrift store findings to incorporate into your artwork include LP record jackets, dishes and pottery. Do not forget to check out the book section to find the foundation for an altered book project.
  
  

Around the House

• Apply paint with an old toothbrush instead of a paintbrush. Experiment with hard items like pencils and scissor handles as sculpting tools for molding clay. Use a laundry bleach pen to create a batik effect on fabric or bleach out the color on other materials. Dig out your old photos to use in collages and mixed media projects.