art supply store?

[knowthyself.livejournal.com]

My roommate and I are trying to find a good local art supply store to hit up for some stuff to use for Halloween costumes. Anyone know of a good one around here? We do have cars available to us, so if it's not quite T-accessible, that's fine.

Thanks!

Comments

[dangerousface.livejournal.com]

Central Square has Pearl Art and Craft

Fenway has Dick Blick.

[eponymouseponym.livejournal.com]

I didn't know there was a Dick Blick in the area! I used to relish in visiting the local one during high-school... that was many states away. Thanks for the info on that.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Arlington town center has Play Time.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Also in Central Square - directly across the street from Pearl - is a place called "Artist Supply." It's in a basement space, and has a much more interesting interior paint job than Pearl. They often have things in stock that Pearl is out of.

[heliograph.livejournal.com]

Central Square used to have a second art supply store across from Pearl... as far as I know it is still there.

To get to Play Time you could take the 77 or 87 bus to Arlington Center.

You could also try Michael's. You can get to the one in Burlington on the 350, or you could drive out the Everette one. In theory you could walk from the Wellington Orange Line stop, but I can't recommend it.

If I had to pick one, though, I'd just go to Central Square and hit Pearl and the place across Mass Ave.

[lusciousnichols.livejournal.com]

I get my art supplies from Pearl in Central Square. They're helpful and knowledgeable about substitutions too.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

There's also AC Moore in the Assembly Square Mall...a little closer than Michaels

[obie119.livejournal.com]

PlayTime is definitely the best - anything you've ever dreamed of, and nice older ladies who know where everything is. Better prices too. It looks like crap from the outside, but it's an institution.

[amethystmoon.livejournal.com]

On Mass Ave in Cambridge between Central and Harvard (more towards Harvard) is also Utrecht. I far prefer them and Artist Supply (which has another branch near BU) to Pearl.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

Pearl is great, but if you're looking for more "craft" and less "art" there's a Michael's on Route 16, not far east of where it intersects with McGrath.

Pick me!

[sly-salkie.livejournal.com]

The absolute best store is Artist and Craftsman Supply in Central Square, directly across the street from Pearl. It is noticably cheaper, very well stocked, and has a friendly staff that does NOT ask you for your bag when you walk in the store. Both Pearl and Utrecht do this, and I turn right around and walk out. I *hate* being treated like a thief. I worked retail for a long time and I think it's apalling to treat customers that way. I've frequented all the art stores in the area, from Blick to Pearl to Charette in Woburn, and I have been devoted to Artist and Craftsman ever since it opened.

Oh, and they will order bulk supplies for you at a discount. Oh, and their framing services are fairly cheap! So great.

Re: Pick me!

[ron_newman]

Are they concerned about theft, or worried that you'll accidentally hit things with the bag and break them?

Re: Pick me!

[sly-salkie.livejournal.com]

I'm 98% sure it's a theft concern. While I understand that theft is a problem, I don't want to go somewhere where I'm treated with suspicion. It's too depressing. The fact that some businesses do this and others don't says a lot to me about how each values their customers.

[wbaltic.livejournal.com]

The closest store to Davis with art supplies is Bob Slate's in Porter, but you won't find very many "crafty" items there. It's good to remember it is there if you suddenly need some acrylic paint or brushes.

For Halloween costume making supplies, Pearl is probably the best fit. They have the fake hair and feathers and some fabrics and things that aren't carried at Artist and Craftsman across the street. I sometimes go to Pearl for puppet making supplies.

For fine art items, I usually prefer Artist and Craftsman because they have a good selection of panels and canvas, and paints. They don't have as good a selection of mediums.

Another idea is to try the dollar stores for some items. You can get very cheap foam brushes and glue and basics there. Sometimes you can re-purpose other items.

Playtime is probably even better than MIchaels for what you'd need. And it would be a cheap cab ride. If the weather is nice, you can walk it (I've done it), but not while carrying lots of supplies.

Hope that helps.

[eponymouseponym.livejournal.com]

I like going to Pearl art store in Central. It's right on the Red-line, no car needed... unless you're buying LOTs of stuff, then you can drive and parking will not be a cake-walk, nor will it be impossible... especially if you like risk and choose to revel in that wild side by daring the parking cops with your sans cambridge-parking-sticker car. Dare well. It's a great store.