Art supply shopping. Don't laugh. I was in the retail profession for much of over twenty-five years. Here are some salient tips for stretching that sawbuck when shopping the expensive world of art equipment and supplies.
- It doesn't hurt to price shop the expensive items. I went away from my favorite retailer to order an easel from an outfit in California that I had never heard of before, but who had a $75 - $90 item at $50.
- If ordering an unusually well priced item from an unknown source, call during business hours to check availability. It can be frustrating to e-order or mail order something and be put into "back order" status. Sometimes, you don't know you've been placed in such a limbo, and the product never comes.
- All of the art catalogers I've dealt with have been happy to either re-send or discount damaged goods. Call them.
- Go third party. That means buy from a resource other than the specialty art retailers. Cigar boxes are an example. I recently got a hunter's umbrella that cost a third of what the art umbrella's cost (and it works better). I consider Michael's a third party source, since their bailiwick is crafts. They sell some cheap but nice art supplies.
- Order paper in bulk. That means wherever the bulk quantity price-break kicks in. Sometimes the quantity break begins at 5, sometimes 10. I go with my second favorite art retailer for paper, because I price shop paper more than any other art supply.
What are your tips for art supply shopping?
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9 comments:
good tips
and buy toolboxes from a DIY store (designed for tools and nails and stuff but equally good for your art materials in various sizes) - a fraction of the cost of the ones in an art shop that have Art Bin on the side but are otherwise very similar!
Good one, Vivien.
Anyone else?
I usually go with Michaels... why? well my wife is a framing department manager at our local Michaels. Anyway, I usually opt in to the weekly 40% coupon that is available to her. ;)
Hey...no fair!
Just kidding. That's why I have a walk-in closet full of climbing gear - fourteen years at REI.
I buy cartridge paper in bulk, eg: half ream (250sheets), and most other supplies from an English artstore (Ken Bromley) who gives great "offers" and delivers free of charge on orders over £35, so I get oil paint for example in 200ml tubes and acrylics with as much as 25% off rrp.
Otherwise, for smaller purchases, I asked an artshop for a discount as I was buying regularly. I was given an extra 10% off.
I highly recommend doing an inventory on all the existing materials one already owns. I have forgotten something I had purchased years ago and re bought.
I can see right now how I have to start looking into this "pro deal" business...
My readership is teaching me, this time. And they often do.
I keep a list of things I'm running out of, and place orders only when I have enough on it for "free shipping" or some other discount the store is offering.
Heavy duty canvas totes from a surplus store are often more user friendly than the fancy ones from the art store. They're also not as pricey.
Cookie/candy tins can be modified for art supplies, too.
Those are good ones, Lisa. I needed the top opening (wide) canvas tote for certain trips. That's one feature I would look for.
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