Creative-Coldsnow Artist Materials and Framing

This review probably would have been a 5 if whoever was supposed to be at work at 9 actually showed up at 9 to unlock the doors. They also would have probably won all of my business with the convenient earlier hours if the person who was supposed to unlock the doors at 9 actually showed up at 9 to unlock the doors. Its now 9:20 and still locked up. Another person arrived wanting to give them money. Seems like a poor way to do business.

I was visiting from out of town and was lucky enough to stumble across this art supply store! Why go anywhere else this place has everything and is very reasonably priced!

The employees at this location are very nice and always greet us when we come in. I always need a good amount of canvas stretchers for my business, so I kind of clear them out (which I feel a little guilty about). I want to give my money to the small guys instead of the big companies, so I continue to get my stretchers here even though they don’t keep many in stock. They keep about 5 sets of each size of stretcher size in stock. A few weeks ago, they ran out of 24-​inch stretchers that I needed, so I just continued to check in. When I asked when they would get more in, the only answer they could provide me with was «Oh, I don’t know.» I had to end up ordering them online from another company, as this location did not have them in stock for 3 weeks. Little did I know, you could order online and have them shipped to the store for free for pickup. I find it odd that none of the employees at this location (AND the Metcalf location) thought to mention this to me.
They do have a nice selection of artist supplies and fair prices. Plus, for every $ 100 you spend, you get $ 10 credit, so I appreciate that. I will probably continue to go here, but I’m a little disappointed that I was not told I could order online and have them shipped to the store. That would have made it a lot easier on everyone.

I ordered from their website and it took them 5 weeks to ship my items to me. At no point did they contact me about things being on back order. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

I bought two XL project boards for regular price and the attendant told me I saved $ 35. Like what? Are they really double the price I paid for them, stupid.
Hobby Lobby sells them for a few bucks cheaper but I don’t want to shop there.
I also ask for the restroom and I get told to go across the street to the Westport Flea market, I’m sure they would appreciate that. Real Nice.
Hey Jerk Manager, I found your bathroom and peed in it anyway.
Never Going back.

Painting is a neglected hobby of mine, so I hope fresh supplies will fire me back up. This store did just that! I fell in love the minute I walked in. The store employee greeted me and asked if I needed any help (thanks to my lost look). She was eager to assist me without being a pushy salesperson.
Currently, they are running a canvas sale. Sweet! There was an amazing selection; I easily spent an hour browsing. And for $ 125, I walked away with 2 canvases; watercolor, pastel and drawing pads; 6 4-​oz acrylic tubes; starter watercolor palette; oil pastels; and a drawing pencil kit along with blending stumps. I can’t wait to try them all out.

I’m a one person startup design studio.
I ordered. a $ 1000 Xyron machine from the website but decided to postpone the purchase. So called the online sales right the way, before the items shipped. She said it’s O.K.
Great.
BUT SHE IS CHARGING ME $ 75 RESTOCKING FEE FOR UNSHIPPED ITEM.
What a nice way to help a small start up.
Thank you Ruth.

I love Creative-​Coldsnow cause I like to do Zentangles. But, I love their canvas room. Every shape of canvas, and sizes are available. Watch them for canvas sales, like today, and I was on it. I don’t know why I’ve only driven by there, must’ve been a parking issue that’s not issue at all.
I walked in and said, «I parked across the street. Did I park Okay?» They laughed and said, «It’s where we park.»…they have no idea that «Did I park Okay» is my favorite motto.
They carry tons of pens, and paper for doing what I love. But now I paint. Their canvas room makes me want to try bigger sized canvas. And it’s quality and affordable.
The paint, they carry ALL the Liquitex, which actually isn’t my favorite, plus it can get expensive. But if you ask, they will point you in the right direction of the cheaper paints. It’s cheaper, but it’s good quality. Everything in Creative Coldsnow is quality.
They are very nice people, genuinely interested in the community. They don’t laugh if you say, «I started painting last week, what do I need?»
I can’t say how awesome this place is. Much help to me, and much appreciated.

I love this place. Mostly because there is literally nothing more satisfying than some freshly sharpened drawing pencils and a huge, new drawing pad. In my humble opinion.
Bonus points for the fact that they’re always (literally: always) having a «blowout sale»! Ha!

My goodness, how I hated Kansas City.
This store was one of the better highlights. The employees were helpful, and I always found what I’d needed. Too bad pleasant experiences such as this were far and few in-​between during my stay in Kansas City.

I walked by Creative-​Coldsnow for a few years and never went into the building. I don’t know why and it now makes me a little sad, but it’s OK because I’m probably going to go there once a month for the rest of my life … probably not once a month but a lot more often.
I went recently because one of my friends gave me an awesome woodcut and it needed to be properly framed. I decided that I’m an adult or something and shouldn’t put up nice art and posters anymore with that yellow sticky stuff that seemed so handy in college. There also was another piece where the glass had broke and it needed replacing.
I checked online to see options of where one goes for framing. I know you’ve got Michael’s and Hobby Lobby as options, but didn’t want to go to them. After checking reviews, I just decided Creative-​Coldsnow would be a good option and finally get me into the store.
I’m glad I went. The folks in the frame shop were very helpful! The guy I worked with initially made some suggestions with the framing and I am glad I took them. They turned around our framing requests in about two weeks, which worked for me. Everything looks great and I found the prices to be pretty reasonable for the end result.
They did ask for at least half of the payment on the framing when I did the initial drop off. This makes sense. I can see how they could possibly lose out on some money if they didn’t.
Additionally, the size of this store is deceiving! It just keeps going and going and going. Yards and yards of awesome art supplies! So, I picked up a few other items.
Overall … if you like art supplies, pencils, pens, brushes, etc., and like shops with what seems to be an on-​going canvass sale … get yourself to Creative-​Coldsnow!

I’ve been getting my materials at Coldsnow for years. This one in Westport is like a small maze of canvas, brushes, and paint. The people are usually helpful. I use the framing a lot. They have some very nice framing options I haven’t been able to find elsewhere. Their framing is a bit pricey depending on what you pick.
Sadly, anymore, I can get many items cheaper at dick blick, even with shipping, and if your an artist trying to make any money the bottom line is everything. I’m still loyal to Coldsnow and try to buy as many things there as I can. And it’s nearby. Don’t forget the Overland Park location as well.

I am not an artist. I once spent an hour in Creative picking out pens and notebooks. This place is like HEAVEN for people who love pens and notebooks (you know who you are).
(Disclaimer: my husband is an artist. He loves CC too.)

Wow. I cannot wait to go back! This store is amazing. Whatever your vice, you will find it here! Not only that, but in so many forms you might scratch your head as to which to choose! The canvas selection is RIDICULOUS! Look out for amazing sales! Also, if you are a beginner or just wanting to dip your toes in, don’t be afraid! There are many options, from economical to the finest money can buy. There are often great explanations as well, as to what may be best for beginners as opposed to pros! Don’t be afraid to turn corners because it just may lead you to another section with fabulous finds!

Kansas City is an artist’s city.
To recap:
— fantastic First Friday events
— places like Arts Incubator providing affordable space for artists who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it
— Kansas City Art Institute
— lots of wonderful galleries
— affordable cost of living (work at a coffee shop while doing your art! You can do this here!)
— Nelson-​Atkins Museum
— Kemper Museum
— inspiration in the form of bizarro museums such as the Doll & Miniature or hell, even the Glore Psychiatric Museum (schizophrenics make for fantastic artists and you can see an entire floor of their art at the Glore)
— Lots of green stuff and nature (an array of wild animals and birds as opposed just the pigeons and rats you’d find in places like Boston and NYC. For example I saw some unidentifiable thing scuttling across my street last summer and it was not a rat).
and and art supply store like Creative Coldsnow.
You’ve gotta be getting your berets somewhere, might as well be here. No, seriously. It should be here. Though I am not *positive* they sell berets, they do seem to sell everything else any artist would ever need. You know what I mean. Acrylics to oils to a gazillion brushes, pencils, pens, paper, canvas, accoutrements… You can find pretty cool crafty gifts here, too. When it comes to visual arts, I’m as clueless as they come, so that the staff is helpful as soon as you walk in the door is also much appreciated.
And because you’re saving all that money you would be spending on rent (and possibly, inspiration) in other cities, you can afford to buy stuff here rather than Hobby Lobby or Michaels. No excuses!

Being a KCAI student, Creative is the closest thing to Heaven. it’s JAM PACKED with TONS of art supplies, ranging from anything to painter’s tape, prismacolors, brushes, easels, canvases, screenprinting inks and rollers, tools, and sets. To some one outside of the art world, who is maybe looking for a gift, it might seem expensive, but it’s really not. They have good product worth the extra buck. And on top of that, Creative is really good about supporting KCAI students and offer a student discount with valid school ID. Beyond the excellence of their product, their staff is super friendly and knowledgeable (some of them are students too). And on top of all that greatness, but shopping here you get to support local business!

So, I draw stuff. When I draw so much that I run out of my particular supplies, I have to go to an art store to get what I need. I guess I could order what I need online, sure, since I use the same kind of materials over and over again, but what’s nice is going TO the store, and in full on hunter/​gatherer mode, track down those items for that «Aha, gotcha!» moment.
Believe me, there is NOTHING worse than the opposite of that moment. The «What the hell? They don’t have (insert product name here)?!» Luckily, I’ve never experienced that with Coldsnow, and both stores have been more than accommodating to me in any instance I called ahead for a product. I like that.
I like to poo-​poo Hobby Lobby, and I will go to Michael’s to get stuff for my kids’ crafts, but for me, the stuff I need as a professional artist is well stocked at Coldsnow.

The store is one little section after another. You turn a corner and there’s another area of the store to go into.
Great selection and decent prices if you need it right now. Much better than a big box for art supplies.

In a tiny store, located just across the street from the Flea Market, lies a hidden gem of a store. An art supply store that most people don’t even know exists. Tons and tons of paintbrushes, paints, any type of board, pens, pencils, etc.
Reasons to come here:
— It’s locally owned. Yeah, no corporate chain that dictates insane policies. Support your local businesses!
— Huge selection of real art supplies. If you ever dreamed of becoming an artist, this should be your store.
— Very reasonably priced. Heck, it’s cheaper than many of the chain stores that sell some art supplies but really deal with crafts. Show a student ID for even greater discounts.
— Staff knows exactly where everything is.
— If you are attracted to people with pink hair and lip rings, this is like ground zero in KC (though if you’re dressed like an average person on the street, you won’t feel out of place at all because there’s that too).
The only downside is that if you’re looking for something, there’s no staff that will come up to help you. You have to approach someone but they’ll always point you in the right direction. They’ll just never go out of their way to help you. Still, the selection and prices here more than make up for that.