Advice from a master scavenger.

All art teachers are seasoned scavengers, but Mildred Weiser is arguably the First Lady of Found Objects, the Countess of Collecting. Not content to make do with scraps from the lumber yard or wallpaper samples from the paint store, Mildred has contacted thousands of manufacturers all over the country tactfully requesting their excess, discontinued or odd-lot materials.

Mildred's basement is testimony to her great scavenging success: it is filled from floor to ceiling with every conceivable object (and many you've never encountered!), from fabric to mirrors, magnets to semi-precious stones, watch springs to optical lenses. One Taiwanese company sent her freeze-dried bananas; a glass manufacturer delivered 1400 pounds of glass bricks; dried olive, peach, apricot and cherry pits arrived from California and were quickly incorporated into her students' collages

Mildred began collecting things over twenty-five years ago, when she was working as an art teacher in the West Islip (New York) Public Schools* Now retired, she maintains her connection with the art education community, attending conferences and inviting school children to her basement to share her treasure chest of materials* They come away inspired every time, with new respect for what others might consider merely junk.

Starting your own treasure chest

"People are amazed," Mildred says of her collection. "They want to know how I managed to get hold of so many different, beautiful useful industrial materials to use in my art classes. Well, it's simple." Here's how:

1. Locate the products you need.

Find the Thomas Register of American Manufacturers on the reference shelf in your local library. Here you'll find a complete alphabetical listing of products manufactured in the United States with company names, addresses, telephone numbers and personnel. The Thomas Register is published annually by Research Publications, Inc., 12 Lunar Dr., Drawer AB, Woodbridge, Connecticut 06525.

Interested in light and color? The Optical Industry and Systems Directory--Buyer's Guide and Dictionary, published by the Laurin Publishing Co. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, lists manufacturers of lenses, mirrors, magnifiers, prisms, diffraction grating, fiber optics, holograms, polarizing sheets, etc.

2. Establish your credibility

Have your principal or supervisor write a letter identifying you, your school and your students. The letter should tell a little bit about you and your program. It will help give you the credibility you need. Companies can use this information to get a tax break for themselves if they make a donation to your school. Make several dozen copies of this letter, and include one in each letter you send out.

3. Use your school resources

The mailing should not cost you anything. Get the principal's permission to use the copying machine, school stationery and paper, and the school's mailing privileges.

4. Write your letters

Companies receive many requests for donations. Your letter must be unique to receive attention. Create a sensation with your design. Decorate your letter with children's drawings or with your own artwork. Letter beautifully.

Your copy machine will make dozens of copies for you in a matter of seconds.

5. Acknowledge each gift

A thank you card or letter is much appreciated.

Good luck in your quest for new materials!

Alice Sprintzen teaches art at Oyster Bay High School, Oyster Bay, New York. She is the author of Crafts (Davis Publication Inc., 1987)