PUBLISHED May 12th, 2022 06:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 05:26 pm
All good art projects start with a sleek brushstroke, a loop of wool around a crochet hook or lots and lots of glue. After all, an artist’s tools are what brings their creativity to life. Whether you are a professional artists or an hobbyists just starting out, here’s a list of the best craft stores in the city that will whisk you away to makers heaven for all your DIY needs.
Art Friend
For the largest assortment of craft supplies in the country, look no further than Art Friend. Catering to all of your art and creativity needs, get lost in the art store’s colourful rows stacked with an array of supplies and tools. Here you’ll find anything and everything, from Copic Markers (from S$4.35) in a large range of shades and customisable nibs, various types of paints and brushes and Polymer clay (from S$3.50) to wooden trinkets and tie dye kits. The one-stop shop is also loaded with items perfect for architectural models, such as Styrofoam shapes, Coarse Turf (S$5.95) and Bushes (S$8.90) to mimic real-life terrains.
Art Friend has outlets in Bras Basah Complex, Clementi Central and Plaza Singapura.
Paper Market
Celebrating the simplicity of paper and its many forms, Paper Market is a crafts and lifestyle gift shop. Let your imagination run wild at the pastel-aesthetic art store – a few items that simply must make it to your cart are the impeccably cute washi tapes, patterned paper pads, stationery and bullet journals. At a loss of where to start your crafting journey? Rip open one of the store’s DIY kits for easy at-home crafts with easy-to-follow instructions. Learn the art of preservation with the Create Your Own Pressed Flower Art Kit (S$18.10) or even better, craft a well-balanced citrusy IPA with the Beer Making Kit: Everyday IPA (S$89.95).
Paper Market is located at Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-120, Singapore 237994, p. +65 62356811. Open 10.30am-8pm daily.
Spotlight
Calling all budding fashion designers! From fabrics, yarn, felt and everything in between, Spotlight carries all things that a seamstress may need. Having started as a single store in Melbourne in the 1970s, to mega-stores in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, Spotlight specialises in affordable and quality fabrics that can easily be used to deck out your house or for your next project. The store’s maze-looking racks are also loaded with a variety of decorative materials like wrapping papers and ribbons, fabric dyes, beads and art supplies. Keep a lookout on the on-site stores and online website for exciting offers and bargains.
Spotlight has outlets in Plaza Singapura and Westgate.
Golden Dragon
There’s no doubt that People Park Centre can be considered a crafter’s second home with old school gems selling mounds of beads, yarn and other jewellery making tools. One gem that’s worth mentioning is Golden Dragon, which has been serving customers since 1949. In the store’s catalogue you will find jewellery hooks, clasps, jump rings, charms, beads and a plethora of fabrics and felts. You simply can’t miss the rainbow-hued yarn wall filled top to bottom with wool of every colour and texture. Crafting workshops are also available for beginners.
Golden Dragon is located at People’s Park Centre 101 Upper Cross Street, #02-51, Singapore 058357, p, +65 6535 8454. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8.15pm, Sun 12.30pm-7.45pm.
Krafers‘ Paradise
Looking for top-notch premium art brands and supplies? Krafers’ Paradise is your next pit stop. The neat layout of the store makes finding stretched canvases, figurines, brushes, and paints that much easier. The store is also the sole distributor for Montana Cans (a brand selling high quality spray paints) in Singapore. What’s more? In a bid to support the local community, the Krafers’ Paradise holds various initiatives such as artist-in-residence programmes and an in-store exhibitions. So if you pass by, make sure to pop in to check out an art installation on display.
Krafer’s Paradise is located at City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, #04-19/20/21, Singapore 208539, p. +65 6884 9986. Open 11am-9.30pm daily.
Overjoyed
Less of an art store, more of a community, artists of all calibres are welcome at Overjoyed. Paint, chalk, graphite, marker, pastel or pencil, whichever may be your weapon of choice, you can find at Overjoyed. Stuck in the loophole of a creative block? We’ve all been there. Check out Overjoyed’s YouTube channel to head down to one of their workshops to get inspired. At S$145 per person, take part in workshops like Ink & Wash in Urban Sketching and Perspective For Urban Sketching with Singapore-based artists like Alice Lim and Favian Ee.
Overjoyed is located at The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, #B1-11, Singapore 229233. Open 10am-9pm daily.
Sesco Arts & Craft
A hidden treasure in Ubi, Sesco Arts & Craft has been in business since 1959. With products imported from countries like Japan, Taiwan, USA, France and China, you can find the world’s art treasures on your fingertips. Look forward to a myriad of materials, papers, poster colours, brushes and crayons. Handi-crafters are also welcome to explore the store with a catalogue featuring simple cut-&-paste designs to the more challenging cross-stitch sets. Unleash your creativity with nostalgic Faber Castell colour pencils, acrylic paint pours, glass painting experiments and even coloured sand.
Sesco Arts & Craft is located at Blk 3025 Ubi Road 3, Singapore 408653, p, +65 6747 8219, e. sescoartncrafts@gmail.com. Strictly by appointment only.
Top Image: Krafers‘ Paradise‘s Facebook Page