tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post8883906774042751646..comments2023-06-13T08:29:39.914+00:00Comments on MAKING A MARK: In praise of the independent art storeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-58985675724491323872008-02-09T17:43:00.000+00:002008-02-09T17:43:00.000+00:00There are only two real art shops in Geneva (as op...There are only two real art shops in Geneva (as opposed to bigger shops with a little art section). One is generally thought of as snooty - the shop is tiny and there is little room to browse, the staff come out of the back room straight away ( a little bell rings on the door!) and expect you to know what you want. But they get friendlier as they get to know you so I enjoy shopping there. (There is one assistant with 'the attitude' but I've no idea what that is all about either!) The other shop is much larger but the staff, even though they are friendly, are always hiding in a back room and you can wait an age to be served. Overall, supplies are limited to mostly French and Swiss brands like Canson and Caran D'ache so I tend to stock up in London whenever possible. (Swiss customs keep packages back and tax has to be paid at the post office on collection.) I prefer to support local shops rather than buy online.Felicity Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11145205761346733464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-24801554618997924992008-02-09T15:58:00.000+00:002008-02-09T15:58:00.000+00:00Well if you come to Keene, NH you can get art supp...Well if you come to Keene, NH you can get art supplies at Creative Encounters (frame shop). They don't have much in the shop but they will order anything you want.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15449813797621330902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-757486220569351362008-02-08T20:45:00.000+00:002008-02-08T20:45:00.000+00:00I used to shop locally at a very small shop but af...I used to shop locally at a very small shop but after repeatedly asking him to change radio stations and not being heard, I just decided to shop in downtown Chicago. (He blasted a right wing conservative radio host who rudely berated left of -centers)I think the point is well taken though. The mom and pop places really do anchor a community so I'd shop that way if the owner of ours wasen't such a bigot.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01142884023928819776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-29913382239192537552008-02-08T09:26:00.000+00:002008-02-08T09:26:00.000+00:00I shop locally where I can, but I can't access spe...I shop locally where I can, but I can't access specialty supplies (or sometimes what should be ordinary supplies) easily. <BR/><BR/>The Canadian market is more limited in terms of product selection, though it is growing. I use Canadian mailorder where possible and there aren't any big chain art retailers in Canada, they are all independents. <BR/><BR/>But I also shop south of the border to find the supplies that I want, either shopping in person if I travel or through mail order (internet).<BR/><BR/>Finally, another independent to add to your American list - Sterling Art in Irvine, California. I found this little gem while I was there last year. This is a 24,000 sq ft independent store established since 1960. Go visit if your in the area. They will also ship to you and are in the process of creating a commerce/catalogue service. http://www.sterlingart.com/Jeanette Jobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935974758134419990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-30668104939766115102008-02-07T19:10:00.000+00:002008-02-07T19:10:00.000+00:00I use my local independent store for convenience b...I use my local independent store for convenience but they are pricey and often don't stock what I want. They will oder stuff but it takes forever! Ialso use mail order, in the UK and Dick Blick in the US. It takes a while to get here but even with the shipping costs some things are less than half UK prices. It seems mad that I can buy Derwent colour pencils that have crossed the Atlantic twice cheaper than I can get them here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-68225757470223806352008-02-07T18:06:00.000+00:002008-02-07T18:06:00.000+00:00As someone who used to swim in the pond of special...As someone who used to swim in the pond of specialty retail, I have some detailed input on this. I worked @ 15 years with a climbing retailer, and altogether I put in over 25 years in retail sales and logistics.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, I worked for a retailer who was in transformation from being a small, somewhat "local" style specialty retailer, to becoming a relatively large (for it's market) big-box retailer.<BR/><BR/>I struggled with the attitude that was put forth by the independent shop. Not all, but some were "elite", but for no apparent reason! When I finished my career, I had the respect (and a nice discount) at every independent climbing reatiler in the Seattle market.<BR/><BR/>Let me get more pointed. There can be some myth making that goes with the terms small and independent. I enjoy very much a couple of small local art retailers, but one of them is the nation's largest seller of a name brand easel line, and the other is a mega-cataloger of pastels! The moral of the story is, they need to think big to stay afloat in the market.<BR/><BR/>BTW, both of the art retailers I mentioned above have only two or three local shops. I did shop at a one only art retailer in Portland during a weekend workshop there. The staff were young, snotty, and self important. It was a funny scene when I helped another attendee get help from an employee who was in too big of a hurry. Let's just say we got our help, and at the end of the weekend, I pooled some money and bought the staff a Starbucks card.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, there is one big, mega art supplier who get none of my business after I bought a large set of oversized Unisons, and the set came rattling around in the shipping box!<BR/><BR/>As an art supply buyer, I say get what you need or want from the retailer that can provide it for you, and leave the attitude at home. BTW, I do enjoy the excellent treatment I get at the local small retailer who (for what reason I don't know) treat me like a celebrity.Casey Klahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08020906666248399435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-56343196639158802912008-02-07T17:50:00.000+00:002008-02-07T17:50:00.000+00:00I shop at local indie art shops that aren't in a c...I shop at local indie art shops that aren't in a chain but also online at Ken Bromley http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/index.php - it's a family firm. They don't have the huge range of some of the larger firms but they are very competitive with prices and their customer service has been excellent. They ring you with any queries and are really helpful if you ask them anything.vivienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16820836660470146799noreply@blogger.com