Getting tools and supplies in Canada

[ernie_tan]

Hi everyone,

I have a question where to get tools and supplies in Canada? I have made a purchase last month from PIA and got it shipped to Canada. The shipping fee is quite reasonable, but the tax made me cringe so bad. Learning from the experience, shopping from US online store and got it shipped to Canada is a bad idea!!

I have relatives that live in Canada that traveled occasionally to Indonesia. If I can order the supplies from the stores that are based in Canada, logically it would be much affordable, right? Or it does not have much different in the prices because they have to pay taxes as well?

Ernie

[thistledesignstudio]

Hi Ernie,

I've found that there isn't much available in terms of calligraphy supplies here in Canada.  Curry's carries a small amount of things (not extensive at all) so I always order from PIA.  Even with the exchange rate & shipping I pay, it is much more diverse in its offerings than anything here in Canada.

Sorry that I didn't have better news. 

[Starlee]

Hi Ernie, I second that it is hard to buy supplies here in Canada. I have found Hunt nibs, standard broad nibs, mapping quills, Speedball basic straight holders, FW inks, Dr. Watson inks, Winsor & Newton inks...gouaches, gum arabic and paper of course... I've even snatched up some Moonpalace. Other than that...all the good nibs, inks, oblique holders, and the like come from either PIA or JNB. I just try to make larger, less frequent orders to offset shipping.

[ernie_tan]

Thank you @distledesignstudio and Star for your reply. I will keep that in mind.

Ernie

[crooked spruce]

I haven't found much either. I usually wait until I have quite a few things I need and order from John Neal Bookseller. Although DeSerres do have a few things and kits. I am not sure what they offer online, but some stores sell individual nibs. I have found Hunt 101, 22, 56 at the St-Laurent shopping center location in Ottawa.

Michael's is usually a bust, plus they are so overpriced that unless you have one of those 40% or 50% coupons, I find it's not worth the trouble. Of course that is now the only art store we have in Timmins. Urgh.

[darrin1200]

This is good to hear. Michaels is the only store here in Brockville.

I'm going to be in Ottawa at the end of the month. I plan on dropping into Deserres. I need a few starter supplies.Does Wallacks carry anything? I know there's a Wallacks in Kingston (45min away) and two in Ottawa.

Thanks
Darrin

I haven't found much either. I usually wait until I have quite a few things I need and order from John Neal Bookseller. Although DeSerres do have a few things and kits. I am not sure what they offer online, but some stores sell individual nibs. I have found Hunt 101, 22, 56 at the St-Laurent shopping center location in Ottawa.

Michael's is usually a bust, plus they are so overpriced that unless you have one of those 40% or 50% coupons, I find it's not worth the trouble. Of course that is now the only art store we have in Timmins. Urgh.

[papertrails]

Hi folks,
Same experience with calligraphy supplies, and yes I also just try to buy in bulk (or stock up during a trip down to the US!). I found PIA to be cheaper for shipping than JNB- but it's been a while since I've looked...
I'm in Toronto, and can buy some* supplies from Aboveground Art Supplies, Curry's, Gwartzman's, and DeSerres. The variety of products is lacking, but below is what I've found for inks --

*I found sumi ink in Gwartzman's and The paper place on Queen St. I found Pearl Ex at DeSerres, but otherwise all the above carry FW inks, Higgins Eternal, windsor & newton...oh, and I found Dr. PH Martin's bleed proof white at Gwartzman's recently 
Nibs are generally hard to come by except for some hunt options mentioned by crooked spruce. I order them in bulk online

For envelopes (I'm sourcing a bunch for clients), I still find it cheaper to order and ship from the US- I use Paper Presentation. I ordered their sample book, which was a bit expensive but totally worth it to colour match. I find the weight of their envelopes and finish fantastic, better (and cheaper) than any option I've found in Canada (even with the current exchange rate!!) Envelopes usually end up being $0.50-$0.52 for A7 size all in (taxes, duties....)