Arts and Crafts Supplies

How to find arts and craft supplies to strengthen your business or organization
By Elizabeth Inserra Schools, daycare and community centers, and artisanal businesses all buy arts and crafts supplies in high volume. Whether you're an institutional purchaser or the owner of a home crafts business, knowing what you need, and how much of it, is key to saving money and keeping enough art supplies on hand. Here are some suggestions to get started:

1. Save by buying wholesale arts and crafts supplies or buy craft supplies online and in bulk.

2. Buy store brands.

2. Find reputable wholesale arts supplies dealers and take the time to learn about discount and return policies.

3. Buy enough of what you need, but don't buy art supplies on impulse. Unless you know you need 5,000 green sequins for a specific project, don't buy them.

Buy quality brands of arts and crafts supplies on sale

Take advantage of promotions to buy craft supplies on sale. While you may have a personal preference for a particular brand, don't pass up the opportunity to buy high quality arts and crafts supplies at bargain prices.
Try:  Check the discount bins or closeout sections of top craft supplies sites like those of Pearl Paints, Dick Blick Art Materials, and Jerry's Artarama. Sale items are often prominently displayed on the homepage as well.

Take advantage of discounts on arts and crafts supplies for special buyers

Most arts and crafts suppliers offer special discounts for schools and teachers. Contact the supplier to find out about fidelity programs that might save your business money.
Try:  Let suppliers know that a fidelity program is important to you as a repeat customer. If the store has no policy, suggest that they start one. Independent art supply stores can find out more about starting a loyalty program from Duracard and Arthur Blank & Company.

Use art supply services in addition to buying supplies

Your art supply store may offer a number of arts and crafts services in addition to simply selling paper, paints, and other materials. When selecting a supplier, look at the other services available to find ones useful to your organization or business.
Try:  Use Dick Blick to access complete lesson plans for educators. The Trading Ideas page of the Oriental Trading site offers information on art projects for artists and teachers. Many arts and crafts stores and online suppliers offer promotional items that you can use to advertise your business.

Buy non-toxic arts and crafts supplies

Buying non-toxic and environmentally-friendly arts & crafts supplies is not only good public relations for your organization or business, it makes good sense -- non-toxic products are healthier for you, your customers or students, and the world around you.
Try:  Use the Arts and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) certified products list to find out which art supplies have the AP seal. Additional tips on identifying non-toxic products are available from the National Geographic Society.

Partner with arts supplies dealers to promote your business or organization

If you have a crafts business or provide arts and crafts or other arts-related courses and programs, link your website to the site of your favorite supplier(s).
Try:  Send a request to Dick Blick's Art Materials or Jerry's Artarama by filling out an online form. Contact the customer service department of your crafts supplier to get more information on how to partner with them online.

• Keep arts & crafts supplies in a central location and take a regular inventory to ensure that you have enough stock on hand.
• Create a simple database of your arts and crafts supply inventory that staff can access. Instructors may decide to use beads, instead of ordering feathers, if they know the beads are already on hand.
• Highlight the use of particular kinds of high-end or unusual craft supplies in the marketing for your home crafts business. Let the customer know that the color of glaze used on your pottery was specially commissioned for your pieces and is unavailable elsewhere.