Aussies, where do you get your supplies?

[Jojo]

Hi all,

This is my first post as a newbie to the work of calligraphy 

I was wondering if there are any recommendations for calligraphy suppliers in Australia? I've previously ordered some nibs online from Paper and Ink Arts, and was happily surprised when they arrived so quickly! But I'd love to support local businesses where possible 

I don't live in a major city, and there are only two general art stores where I live, so I'll probably have to rely on mail orders. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Jo

[Nickkih]

Hi Jo,
Welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of info here. But I personal don't know of suppliers in Australia. But I would call the two local art stores near you and see if they will stock some of the things you will regularly buy. Most of us order from online shops like nibs and certain inks because most art stores don't carry them. John Neil, Paper and Ink and jetpens are great places to order from. About the only things I get from my local art stores is paper, basic inks and paint.

I hope that helps. And again welcome :-)

Nickki

[Erica McPhee]

Hi Jo,
Unfortunately, I don't know any local resources for you. But I wanted to say welcome! 

[Jojo]

Thanks Nickki and Erica for your replies!

It's great to have this amazing resource at my fingertips :-)

[Moya]

Hi Jo!

Unfortunately we're a bit out of luck when it comes to art supplies... I buy almost everything specialised from PaperInkArts, because it's cheap and their shipping is good. However, I do know a couple of places. 

My first point of call is WestArt Supplies in Footscray, Melbourne.  They do not have an internet presence (and were quite stern when I asked innocently if they had any plans!) but the owners are really lovely people in spite of that quirk.  You can ring them and place an order over the phone, and they're happy to tell you what they can and can't do.  They are the only art store in Melbourne I know that has an actual calligraphy section and our particular toys!  Lots of nibs, lots and lots of inks, lots and lots and lots of paper. They have automatic pens and gilding supplies and embossing tools and so on.

Melbourne Artists Supplies also has a lot of calligraphy supplies, although not as wide a selection as WestArt.  They are in the CBD and I don't know what their mailing policies are but I'm sure they'd talk to you!

DeansArt has a few branches in Melbourne. They don't have a lot of calligraphy-specific toys but they usually have a handful of Speedball nibs and holders, and they are good with gouaches and paper.

Eckersleys you probably already know of!

I hope that's a little bit useful. 

[Donna]

Years ago my husband was in Sydney and brought some wonderful calligraphic supplies back for me (at my request) from Wills Quills.  Have just googled them and everything is discounted at the moment to celebrate their new websites launch.   

[Jojo]

Thanks ladies

Moya - thanks for the recommendations! I'll be visiting Melbourne in a few months time, so will put aside an afternoon to do some shopping 

Donna - I'll check out Wills Quills tonight!

I'll be ordering some more from Paper and Ink Arts soon - with all the things on my wish list, I'll definitely be burning a hole in my wallet 

[Moya]

Pleasure Jo!  Definitely visit WestArt if you've got an afternoon off ... but make sure you're prepared to buy ALL THE THINGS.  I can never go in there and come out with just what I planned, I always seem to come out with a basket of things I didn't know I needed!

Other activities I recommend in Melbourne: come and do workshops with us at the Calligraphy Society of Victoria! They teach classes regularly throughout the year and they're very, very good. If you ever get a chance, come play

[Jojo]

Thanks Moya. I've checked out the Calligraphy Society of Victoria's schedule, but will probably wait until the second half of the year - I'm pretty full up for the next few months.

I'll start saving my pennies for WestArts - thanks for the warning 

[teresaling]

I am late replying this but then again I just joined this forum! But I wanted to add on to the list instead of creating a new post.

I buy most of standard supplies from my local art shop near me. I live in Hornsby and the shop I go to is North Shore Arts Supply, right next to the bridge to the train station. They have most of what I need - nibs, pearlex, watercolor, inks, penholders (speedball), papers, tomboy brush pens. I go in there so often, it's embarrassing! LOL.

they don't have finetec or dinky dips so we have better luck getting from US.

Hope this helps!

Lings