Where can I buy cheap blank canvases for DIY art?
 

Hi, I'm hoping to make my own art work by mounting old doilies and vintage fabric. Problem is- where do I buy cheap blank canvases?

B&Q used to have them for under 10 euro, but have discontinued them, and the art shops I have looked in are ridiculously expensive. IKEA has a frame, but without the canvas, and they are rather flimsy. So where? I want some that are sturdy, and that I can paint on, but they obviously don't need to be the quality actual artist require. I'm looking for biggish ones- around 50 X 50 cm, or even bigger. But with a small pricetag...
Grateful for help/ Merienne

diy art
 

i made my own, i bought a few lengths of 1x1 straight edge and box of tacks and 3 metres of white denim material 15 euro and i got loads of different sized canvass covered squares i could paint on permanently, give it a try, it worked for me, saw it in one of those home makeover shows, hope this helps

This place is very reasonably priced for art and school supplies. I often pop in when I am in town.

K & M Evans
Off Mary's Abbey
5 Meetinghouse Lane
Dublin 7
01 872 6855

Lidl and Aldi do them sometimes. Either canvas on a roll or with frames. You can check online.

I've also seen these for sale in the Euro shops! Keep your eyes peeled, they are out there!

Thanks everyone! It's great that you took the time to answer- I'll check out your suggestions! Hopefully my granny's doilies will soon be up on display.
/Merienne

Merienne, I am looking forward to seeing your mounted doilies. I have used doilies on handmade cards and I am intrigued to know how you use them.

canvasses
 

donals in gorey, wexford always have a supply in stock , if you know anyone in the area.
sue

canvas
 

Hi

They're definitely available in Donals in Newbridge, and in twoseasons in Naas too. I bought 2 recently in twoseasons and 4 bottles of different coloured poster paints for less than €10. We put our little girls' handprints on one, and their feet on the other.We dated them and now we'll always remember how small they were at one time.

Good luck!!
Lorraine

Hi there,

Lidl often carry a range of art stuff and they have had different sized canvas, including some large ones and I don't think they are very expensive.

Good luck with the project!!

If your ever up in the Blanchardstown Centre go to a shop called Mr Price.
They sell all different sizes.

$2 R less
 

The eur2 shop in celbidge sell them. i think there A4

Someone is giving away frames to stretch canvas over on the Dublin waste site if thats any use to you. They are in Dublin 9.
Regards
Scrabble

Thanks Scrabble- I'm emailing them!
And thanks everyone else too- I love that you are so helpful- it's you all who make Jumbletown such a great forum!
Merienne

canvas
 

hi

remember seeing them very cheap in the Works bookshop at the Rathdowney Shopping Outlet.

On their website today:

Current Offers
•Kids Books - 4 for €8.50
•Paperbacks 3 for €8.50
•CD's €3.60 or 2 for €6.00
•Canvas from €3.00
•Kids Activities from €1.20

Don’t forget The Works all your art and stationery requirements.

Tel: 0505 48649

Wud love to see a photo of your work, sounds exciting. Good luck in your search.

Hi Merienne,
I sent you a pm regarding canvas frames.
Regards
Scrabble

.
 

I know Argos used to do them. You might pay a bit, but you get all different sizes in a pack...........argosonline girl!! Looking forward to the pictures! :)

alternative option
 

hi i dont no if this will be of any use to you but i used to take oil painting classes and we didnt use canvas most of the time for cost reasons. we used very thin mdf cut to size and coated with at least 3 coats of white emulision. they work really well on walls as they are so thin. i use command strips to hold them as i dont like drilling holes in my walls. when you want to change the picture u just paint over :)

The pound shops- (2euro ) shops in Limerick have canvases for 2 euro. Lidl also have them from time to time . You should be able to find them in the cheap shops in your area.
Mary