I love going to the Berkeley Blick Art Materials store. It a pilgrimage for me. I remember crossing…read morethe Bay from SF when I was young going to a "giant" artist supplies store on Univeristy Avenue. This is the next best thing to that. Now that I'm relatively speaking "Old" I take my joys where I find them. If you ask me to go out for a good time, first take me to the Berkeley take me to 10th St. Blick and then to Berkeley Bowl West to pick up something great for dinner. You think I am joking, but I am not. I had a wonderful time and got loads of goodies. I would say the real value at Blick is immediacy. We old school folks like to touch the merchandize. We have respect for the time saved, finding what you want when you want or need it. The people that worked there were very lovely and helpful. The were probably humoring us. Three old ladies touching everything, laughing having some kind of celebration at the Art Store. It was a sort of special occasion and my choice was to go to Blick. It isn't far from home but it can be a challenghIt is a beautifully equipped establishment The only problem I had was at the colored pencils. The font size on the labels was so small could only guess. My.only difficulty at home was am individual Prismacolor green pencil. Broke so many times during sharpening it left the beloved Color just slightly over half the size.

Prices are high. Variety on hand is low (much easier to Buy online )…read moreStaff at the cash register was nice, the older gentlemen , the one younger floor attendant was short with us and not very helpful. Bad shopping experience.

Just a simple spot. Basic paints and pens. Some paper and general writing supplies along with a…read morevariety of canvases and art books! Overall, good if you know exactly what you're looking for (which most artists do).

As independent art supply stores have shut across the Bay Area over the last few years, Ink Stone…read morehas remained a paragon of affordable, convenient, intelligent retail. And it means you don't have to give your money to Blick.

The selection of brushes that I got were wonderful to used when I get home and the art paper was…read moresmooth to the touch.

Come in here so often and no one speaks to me, not even a hello (black woman) but they always speak…read moreto my partner (Italian male). They will stare me down in the aisle I'm in though..

I went in with no intention of buying anything. But knowing I would spend money. I have a…read morecompulsion of spending money at craft stores, but can't help myself. I've never been here before, and just wanted to check it out. There was a great selection of pens, markers, pencils, paper. Jelly cats lol I had been wanting a fountain pen for a long time but never bought one. Perfect timing I guess? The JT? TJ? Super knowledgeable about the products on hand, and even the ones they didn't have on hand. I'm excited for the Lamy pen, and sailor ink I purchased. The price of the pen was comparable to what I've seen online, so I'm glad I was able to shop local. I also ended up getting some cute stickers and washi tape.

Got an email that the Oakland location will close soon. Stopped by to get pen refills for my…read moreforeign pens. Cruised around the store, picked up a few calligraphy pens and a 2026 calendar. The pen Manager explained the specific refills in detail. Bonus, she wrote down the details of each model on the back of her business card. She was very helpful and detailed oriented and a pleasure to converse with. We'll definitely miss Flax, but in the meantime, we'll make sure all of the items we need, we get 'em here. The staff that we interacted with were friendly, professional and very helpful. Super bonus = off-street parking lot in rear of store

Amazing selection. Frida, the owner, is so kind and helpful! Will definitely be back.read more

New favorite place for crafts! Picked up basics like staplers, staples, glue sticks, glittery pom…read morepoms, Lunar New Year decorations, crepe papers (including the kind for decorating piñatas) , ribbons... this place is delightful for artists and kids crafts.

After a quick search on jewelry supply stores on Yelp, I've decided to visit The Crafty Store to…read morepurchase cuff links parts. I just spent fifteen minutes in front of the store! It was closed. The note on the door read "appointment only, please call." I called the number but the voice mailbox was full! BTW, according to Yelp the store hours are Fri-Sun 11:30 am - 6 pm but no indication on "by appointment only" part!

absolutely love the RBG potholders and can't wait to gift them to my mom! folks here were so sweet,…read morepolite, and communicative. thanks again!!!

Very cute store in cool area of Oakland. The have a variety art supplies, books, and stationary for…read morekids. Perfect to find gifts and school supplies.

From the owner: Drawling is your one stop shop for artful all-ages gifting! Not your typical toy store, everything…read morein the shop is curated to enable creativity in some way. We have art supplies, craft kits, fun gadgets, notebooks, pencils and pens, a selection of beautifully illustrated kids books and so much more!

They have a great selection of materials, from fabric (what I'm usually looking for) to notions to…read morechildren's play materials to funky collectibles to actual sewing machines and earrings made from their supplies (presumably). I attended a craft night there and hope I get to again soon!

I once bought a box of popsicle sticks. The box was moldy, some of the sticks were moldy, but I was…read moreusing them for a project. Yes, I paid 97 cents, but that box was ratchet. And I have to say that is true with much of the stuff in there. The person who donated them must have been non-melinated, because I have had the hardest time with my donations. So, they need donations to keep afloat and want to give you the third degree and reject your stuff. I went to give them lights, no xmas lights, but just regulary white lights, the type the a teacher will put around a board to highlight it or something. I was told coursely that they don't take xmas lights or nonworking lights. I explained their usage in my room and the guy plugged them in and reluctantly took them. Another time I came with binders, I'm a teacher, graduating from school and have more binders than I know what to do with. And they are good binders. Also, he said that they had too many of them. Where??? I didn't see them in the little donation space and I didn't see them in the store, so...The guy was so dismissive. The attitude is like they're doing me a favor looking at my stuff before rejecting it. Is this the nonprofit donation version of the black tax, where if a black hand is touching it, you reject it? Or you choose to pay less? While there, a black male dropped something off and got in his car. This guy (big and blond) chased the SUV yelling after him and said he couldn't do that. The guy parked and got out of the car and they accepted the donation. I find it amazing that they will accept junk from some people and reject reusable things from others (melinated?) That may be the pattern. They are a joke!

Great variety and knowledgeable staff. wonderful resource for us in Berkeley and Albany.read more

To the reviewer who complained about not having a frozen themed notebook.... I mean that's…read moresomething you get at the Disney store or Amazon? This is a typical (but extraordinary) stationary store- mom and pop shop. Please just write serious reviews. Anyway, large selection, awesome pens etc.

My son just attended a birthday party in this little hidden gem. The space is inviting and the kids…read morehad so much fun . The instructors were so kind and engaging with the kids . My little boy is already asking to go back again ! Definitely recommended !

We just had our 10 year old's bday here! Every thing was great, and the kids really got in to the…read moreproject we picked (felt succulent gardens). Planning to come back soon for an adult night (or another private party with my girl friends!).