One of the things I find fascinating when other Wiccans/Pagans photograph their altar setups for various Sabbats and rituals are the ritual tools that I see on their altars. Some have eclectic mixes of items, others appear to have things that are all similar and match. Others have altars that change depending on the Sabbat or ritual.
While Sabbat rituals may see me adding or subtracting certain items from my altar, the items that always remain there are an offering plate and bowl, incense burner, chalice, vase of flowers (silk due to allergies), and candles to represent the Deities. My offering plate and bowl (I have 2 bowls but only one on the altar) were a glass salad plate and salad bowls purchased at Wal-Mart. I just loved the way they looked so I bought them. My chalice is a water goblet that my mom had purchased a set of a good 20 years ago if not more. It is the only one of the set I have left if I am correct. The candle holders I got a Hobby Lobby and my candles I got at Wal-Mart. My incense burner came from Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby, I’m not sure. And my incense is from wherever around here I can find incense to purchase.
I have never felt the need to purchase ritual tools that are specially designed for Wiccan/Pagan use. I don’t bother with all that. If I see something I would like to have on my altar, whether I’m at the Dollar Tree or looking through the AzureGreen catalog, if I can afford it at the time, I purchase it and it goes on my altar. I just wish I had a bigger altar!
I think your method of choosing tools is closer to how our ancestors worshiped. Using what they had already for a sacred purpose, rather than having a shelf full of tools that were only used several times a year.
Blessings
Mama Kelly