Supplier for Art Supplies

[Tommy P]

Ours is an Art Gallery/Frame Shop. Being an artist my wife knows alot about various art supplies. We sell them and the market seems to be growing somewhat. Not a big money maker but creates some traffic.

We currently buy from a company called Dick Blick. They have about everything but I'm not buying wholesale. Does anyone know of a supplier they use that I can get a break on price? Has to be a better way than what I am doing currently.

[Framar]

This was a long time ago but when I worked in a place that sold art supplies we bought them from manufacturers: Grumbacher, Windsor Newton, Tara, etc. So more accounts but wholesale prices.

I am sure someone will come along and be more helpful!

[LeighAnn]

Try looking in the yellow pages (online or in the book) under Art Supplies-Wholesale. That's how I found our supplier from years ago. We don't carry art supplies anymore and I can't remember the company's name.

[stshof]

There's McPherson in Atlanta - I tried to do business with them but their opening order was $5000 and they also had a yearly minimum! I use SLS Arts in New Orleans, (800)666-7881. I really like them and they have their own line as well as all the manufacturers listed in the last post. In addition to wholesale pricing, they have promotional pricing a couple times a year, i.e. 50/20%. Give them a call! graemlins/kaffeetrinker_2.gif

[stshof]

Oh - I forgot! You can also go to slsarts.com and apply for a new user account there if you like! graemlins/faintthud.gif

[Tommy P]

Thanks Sue! I'll check them out. (not McPherson)We're just small potatoes here. graemlins/icon21.gif

[JbNormandog]

Go to Google.com and do a search for art Supplies Wholesale

It should at least give you some routes to explore.

[EllenAtHowards]

Yup. SLS is/are the folks. We do a lot of business with MacPherson, but we are a big art supplies store. SLS is very accomodating and they have pretty good prices. You can also get art supplies now from Alvin www.alvinco.com (http://www.alvinco.com) (but prices aren't as good)and Herr's in Danville, IL, while a mainly crafts distributor has some art supplies. Hope this helps!

[Matoaka]

You might try http://www.reuels.com/reuels/

We used to sell art supplies and the owner is an artist, so she keeps up the account. One plus for us is they also sell San Diego ready-made frames. We just ordered a custom made version of one of their ready-mades for a HUGE oil painting. No problem!

[Tommy P]

Great ideas from great people! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks to all!!! :D

[Frame Lady]

Try Herr's out of the Midwest (Orange, Illinois), they have sales people in all the states. Reuels carries high end stuff, Herr's carries everything that a craft or art store could want. I have been with them for one year now and things are moving just fine. And if you have a problem of any kind they are very quick to take care of it, no baderging you as to the reason why.

Lynn

[Dave]

Tom,

MacPherson's is the best...the $ 5000.00 opening order bit was probably not a company rule, but if so, they will work with you with a payment plan...maybe even 6 months with monthly installments. They carry everything with minimums on most of eaches. Their support programs are the best in the industry and they would ship to you out of their Elgin, IL wharehouse with next day service. They won't sell direct and they are great people.

SLS is also good...not quite as broad an inventory and a little longer to get product.

Silver Lead out of East Lansing is also a great source. Silver Lead is owned by the O'Leary family (good people) and would normally be next day to you also.

Herr's...not alot of experience with them, but had the impression they were more crafty.

Feel free to buzz me if I can help further. Since I got out of most of the art supply biz there is more of a regional void in northern IN.

Dave Makielski

[Dave]

Forgot to mention...

If you're serious about getting into art supplies...join NAMTA. If you are real serious, call me, I'll give you a little tip that'll make your COGS plummet.

Dave Makielski