On display
It's a source of inspiration and great delight for me to see all of the shards' colors and textures I have available to use. Clear glass and plastic jars and containers are saved (by me and by friends) and are recycled for studio use -- yet another way this craft appeals to my thrifty nature.
Raw materials
The less time I spend searching for something, the more time I have to make something. I try to group similar objects and colors together, as it helps me with the design process. I also sort into "sub-categories" such as florals, fruits/foods, earth tones, holidays, animals, and so on. Space is set aside for unusually shaped items such as spouts, legs, handles and knobs to be used for design interest, while a large tub holds broken cup handles and plate rims for future use. There also is some stained glass, colored glass and ceramic tile in the mix.