Jerry's Artarama
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
31 Reviews for Jerry's Artarama
I love this store. Great art supplies and a very helpful staff. I have had bad experiences with Jerry's mail order, so I was a little weary of this place before I went. But to my surprise, it seems to be an entirely new place with a warm and knowledgeable staff. I have definitely experienced them being out of stock sometimes but it's obvious it's because they are also dealing with Jerry's mail order. I feel sorry for the staff when they are battling the misgivings of the mail order system (I am sure this is why they may occasionally seem drained). I have gotten to know a few of them since I am addicted to shopping there and they are all very cool people with a a great passion for art. Also, the Framers are really really good at what they do. I recently got a piece framed and it gets more compliments in my home than anything else. I highly recommend this place!
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This place has everything your little artist heart desires - and at a reasonable price.
I'm more photography and less drawing/painting/etc., but my boyfriend and many of my friends are. A gift card from here never disappoints the artistically inclined. The prices can't be beat.
The employees have always been cheery and helpful. They know a lot about the products, but not too much about working the register - I've had long waits on several occasions because the girl behind the counter had no idea how to process my purchase and had to call someone else to help. They're always friendly and apologize, though - so I don't mind.
They always have great sales, so look out for those, too.
***Disclaimer: I love words that end in -arama so I loved the store before even setting foot in it.***
I headed here on a fellow Yelper's recommendation. He said the quality and prices were better here than other craft stores. I walked in, supply recommendations in hand, and asked the counter guy for some help. He gave me this look, it was either clueless or apathetic, I couldn't really tell in the low lighting. Luckily, another employee pointed out the various sections housing my laundry list of must-haves and then left me alone. With no point of comparison (I'm not an artist) I shopped and found that there was quite a bit of selection (moreso than the two or three aisles a painter might get at say Hobby Lobby) and the prices varied so you could choose to skimp or splurge.
When I got to the counter, I asked the guy if I could get a gift receipt. This time, the look was definitely clueless. He looked down at his register, then at me and said, "I'm not sure." This is probably the single most annoying answer I can ever get from a store employee. I waved off the request and got out of there with what turned out to be an awesome and highly appreciated gift for my friend at what seemed like very fair prices.
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I love that they have all the really great arty things I need - gorgeous paper, paints, pastels...I could go on and on - but that I don't have to wade through aisles of fake flowers and puff paint and tacky crap.
They've got great sales and good regular prices too and the staff have always been really friendly and helpful to me.
It's pain to get to...involving lots of circling around and under highways and through the mall and going, "I *see* it, but why can't I get there???" if you're not accustomed to it. (I've got it down now, thanks.)
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I like Jerry's, but it seems like they are always out of stock of the things I want. Are all you people in there taking my block-printing supplies, or do they just not keep them in stock cuz they're not cool? Also couldn't find a decent waterproof ink pen for drawing last time I was there. Hmm. Otherwise, great. Prices are very reasonable.
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Very cool small art store. They have everything you need for your artistic endeavors!
Although they don't carry as much as a craft store. So if you need paint, charcoal, canvas, clay, etc...then Jerry's is the place to go. But if you need fake flowers or beads or fabric...then a craft store like Hobby Lobby would be a better bet.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are reasonable.
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Helpful staff gave good and highly specific technical advice, saving me a lot of time, confusion, and money--that lifeblood of the American capitalistic system.
They have a lot of stuff packed in there; good range of quality, which is great because I am seldom doing anything "archival" that requires durability.
It is a little difficult to get to (required circling around its iconic sign), but is a whole other class than Hobby Lobby. Check it out.
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J-A
we need to keep in touch more often. You make me happy like a kid in a candy store kinda happy.. .. happy like a puppy.. minus the piddling cause that would just be embarrassing. I concur with the statements of how much joy you bring into peoples lives and how easy you are on the pocketbook. You are good people.
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This place definitely covers all the basics and then some. Big points for always having ridiculous sales. I walked in today and got away with 3 big canvases and six tubes of acrylic, albeit not the good stuff, for under $40.
You might not find some the fancy stuff here, like a marble-leather saddle-stitched Moleskin sketchbook, or the DazzleTron 5000 glitter gun, but you'll get by...
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Jerry's is great for all your artsy needs. Their canvas selection is wonderful! Every time I go in there, it inspires me to start a new hobby. My office is getting a bit cluttered with all the new projects, so I need to take a Jerry hiatus.
Check it out! It's worth the northern trek.
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I *heart* Jerry!!! I could spend hours in here. They have everything a design student could want and the prices are outstanding. I will drive North to this place anytime;-)
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My first experience with Jerry's was last week, five year old in tow, in what seemed like a mild hurricane here in our relatively tame texas weather. After my mad dash to the store, useless umbrella flapping in one hand, my oblivious-to-the-weather son Loki in the other, I was presently surprised by Jerry's spacious interior. And not just because it was dry and wind free.
There was much more variety and bang for my buck then expected. Also, the service was just to my liking. Nobody was hounding me or following me around incessantly, but as soon as I had a question, Bam!, there was a friendly sales associate ready to assist. Did I mention I love ninjas?? And above all, Jerry's was very kid friendly. Always a plus in my crayola covered book. There were lots of kid friendly art supplies and cheap to boot. We'll definitely be back, hopefully on a sunnier day.
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There's not much I can add to the rest of the glowing Artarama reviews aside from two tips:
1. Shopping for a frame job here is like shopping at Macy's: you should never pay full price because there's always a big sale coming up. You get the best deals by getting on their mailing list -- they send out coupons just about monthly and they're usually useful. I saved over $300 this way on my first visit for framing. I've been on their list for about a year now, and I find the deepest discounts are usually in the off season when no one's graduating from anything, like February. If I'd waited a little longer, I could have saved another $200.
2. If it's not busy in the frame department, ask to see Dion's photo album of the dolls he's made and make him tell you the stories behind them. You'll find he's one of the more interesting characters in this town.
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In terms of supply, Jerry's Artarama has it all. But the staff has a few customer service problems that do not represent the vision of the original Jerry's Artarama. For example, a staff member today - with long dark hair - stood their making conversation with a friend - and gave me an irritated-I-hate-Jerry's-Artarama-customers kind of look. She was not helpful or friendly at all. The scene made it appear that she spends most of her time talking to her friends who stop by the store. A customer is simply an annoying irritation.
This store needs to fix this customer service problem.
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I don't know jack shit about art stores. I'd actually never been in one unless you count my mom dragging me into Hobby Lobby to buy things I could have collected out in the field across from our house and spray-painted.
So, I'm taking a painting class starting next week and I need to go get some supplies. I walk into Jerry's and pick out the most eccentric, edgy girl there to help me get the things on my supply list. Her hair hadn't seen a wash in about two weeks because I'm sure she's a disturbed, artist genius who spends all her time painting and doesn't have time for trivial things.
She walked around spastically collecting all the things I'd need for my class. She needed coffee or a paint brush in her hand. She showed me everything I'd need and showed me all the different prices for each item. I mostly got the cheapest stuff and I got out of there with the estimated price on my list.
It was a pretty pleasant experience and I figure I'll be coming back as soon as I need more stuff.
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I love Jerry's. Now that I've moved to San Francisco I really miss the cheap prices. How do they do it? I always left here fully (and overly) prepped and ready to begin (or finally finish?) any artwork my heart desired AND still have a few pennies in my pocket.
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I'm not a particularly art-able individual (but I sure can be crafty!). Someone recommended checking Jerry's when I was looking for some mosaic supplies. Unfortunately, Jerry's doesn't carry those items, but that's cool. I still gave them a high rating because the store seems to have everything else an artist might want. It isn't meant to be a craft store, so it's not their fault they didn't have what I was looking for. They have a variety of canvas types and sizes, portfolio bags, and lots of painting/drawing supplies.
P.S. -- They have a yelp sticker on their door. They must be cool.
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I'll tell you a true story about Jerry's Artarama.
You know the Johnny Cash picture of him flipping the bird?
Well, I won one for like $3 once on eBay. I took it in to them and said, "play with mattes. Play with the framing. Just play with it and see what we come up with."
In the meantime, this older woman (say 55 to 60) comes in and unfurls what we all presume to be her grandkids' fingerpaintings. I mean, really, lady. They're just like every other kid's work. Give me a break.
And, the lady is super cranky with the Artaramaists. Everything is too expensive. Everything is just not quite the right shade. The look of pain on her artaramist versus mine's look of glee was the dichetomy of man at $10 an hour.
Eventually, the lady decides that none of it is right for the fingerpaintings. She does, however, have a few other things she has been thinking about getting framed, and plops out 4 original Dr. Seuss prints.
All. Of. Our. Jaws. Dropped.
Johnny Cash never looked so uncool. I mean, ever.
The lady eventually ended up dropping close to a grand getting them framed. Which I highly recommend if you're sitting on some one of a kind prints.
Oh, and my Johnny Cash looks effing great.
One more thing, they told me it would be done in two weeks. There was absolutely no hurry. It took two weeks and a day, so they gave me a 10 percent off coupon on my next framing job without me even asking for it.
I got a BBQ Festival poster framed for my kitchen with the discount. It, too, looks freaking great.
Oops, Jaye just reminded me. The best thing about that Johnny Cash poster is that her dog would sit in the floor of my room and bark at it incessantly. I mean, why would a black dog hate the Man in Black?
I'd also point out that it's great for drawing the ire of your parentals on their visits to your house.
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I had the occasion, a couple of weeks ago, to visit this location while looking for a frame and to have a mat cut to fit it. In the past, I've use Arron Brothers, Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I was very pleased, even though its smaller than the above mentioned, its quite complete. I have painted in the past, and have an eye for the basics one might need for an oil or acrylic, and Jerry's has it all, without all the fluff you have to endure at Mic's or HB. It's a one stop shop. Great inventory of canvasses, brushes, tools and easels. But I was there, looking for a bargain frame, maybe a mark down or discontinued one. And I found it ($26 @ $14), along with a pre-cut mat that fit my needs. Retail prices too, are lower than average and the staff is very willing to assist customer, a real plus in todays retail competition. I highly recommend Jerry's if you are an artist, or just a want-a-be, and on the hunt for supplies and tips on their use.
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If I was some sort of sleazy club barker, and Jerry's Artarama was a down-and-out dancer, I'd say something like "Let's hear it for Larrrrrge Canvassses...!"
Alas (?), I'm not a barker, and there's nothing I found in my many trips to Jerry's that I couldn't bring home to mom. But that doesn't mean that I don't feel like I'm getting away with something here: I'm nearly hysterical with glee at what I find in this place, from the aforementioned canvases (seriously, huge) to brushes, paints, sculpture equipment, drawing supplies, portfolios and much more. And often at super steep discounts. By my estimation the best selection in the city.
True, it's a little off the grid for folks who don't spend much time in north central Austin, but very well worth the journey. I'm jazzed to head back, stock up, and create!
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About a year-and-a-half ago, I finally decided to take an oil painting class, something I'd wanted to do for years. I signed up for the class, then wandered into Jerry's Artarama with a list of supplies I needed. The staff was SUPER helpful and incredibly knowledgeable, and spent a ton of time with me helping me pick stuff out and explaining the difference between the various brushes, brush cleaners, mixing mediums, etc. I was delighted to find that they had a very large selection of extra-deep, gallery-wrapped canvases, too, which are hard to find at most other art supply stores. Jerry's now has a customer for life; I can't imagine shopping anywhere else for my art supply needs.
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I went here during one of the infamous massive sales, back when I had a gift certificate to Jerry's Art-o-rama and decided I wanted to be an artist. The sales staff were awesome. They dealt with my lack of art lingo, and dumbed down the information to my level. They spent more then 30 minutes making sure I had found what I needed. My mom is an artist and she swears by Jerry's.
The place is HUGE, the possibilities for different art materials are many. Seriously, come here...especially for one of those sales. Art supplies are expensive, but worth it. As for me, I have given up my serious art ambitions..but if I ever decide to dabble again, its back to Jerry's I'll go!
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My collection of Winston and Newton color ink has grown exponentially due to this place! I came here since I got a gift certificate for this place, and I've been coming back ever since. It's a great little art store with a bit of everything, but my problem with this place is that its online prices are quite different from its instore ones. They also tend to say they are out of stock or ordering an item, but strangely enough, they never seem to get the particular items in stock. Huh? I've been looking for Pentel brush pens, and every time I ask about them, they say that they are being ordered. Interesting. Oh well.
This place is also somewhat expensive - why do I keep bringing that up in my reviews? - but they have frequent sales and coupons (find them in the Austin Chronicle.)
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Jerry's Artarama is the sweetest art supplier known to all of humanity. The management is Outstanding! Their staff is as equally exceptional, always friendly, helpful, and totally awesome! I highly recommend this store. Great deals too. Yah for the Artarama!
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This place rocks! This is an art supply store, but it's much better than any other one I've been to.
The employees are very helpful AND knowledgable. If they can't answer a question, they will ask other employees until they can give you the information you want.
The prices are generally always lower than any other art supply store, and they often have crazy low sales, sometimes reaching 40-60% off of most of the store.
For starving artists, students of art, or anyone with a creative flair, check out this place. It's clean, large, and full of caring employees.
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I actually came here because of you Yelpers out there. Yes, I drove all the way past 45th street going North (haha, I'm becoming a South Austin snob) to buy three large pieces of paper. The employees were super helpful, the silly/crazy/deranged artists wandering around like they were homeless or in love were fun to look at - but the lighting was super dim. Somebody, help these guys out with their electricity bill. Otherwise, this place is a pretty decent art store. I don't have much to compare it to, though.
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Damn, beat me again. I guess I don't have to get the correct address to write a review of a place, for both times in the past trhee days someone else has beat me to the punch.
I agree that it is a veritable cornacopia of Art supplies.
I spent a half an hour 4 days ago wandering around their aisles.
They are always having specials and the help is truly helpful, eager to assist and bushy tailed. I have a kanda crush on one of the girls who works there. I won't tell. . .
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Frame Department in the back of Jerry's:
In addition to the art supplies at Jerry's, I recommend Dion in the framing department. He helped me mat 2 different shows. He has a unique eye for color and presentation that goes perfectly with my style of loose painting. He shows the options of mat/frame in a collaborative way that is actually part of the continuing creative process for the artwork.
Ditto both Cade and Angel. Huge store, everything is quite a bit cheaper than the other art supply stores. They do have massive sales every once in a while, so be on the lookout for those. Helpful employees. Loads and loads of different oil paints and brushes. Last time I was in, they had a model wooden skeleton dressed as a pirate facing the front door. Art.
Rules.
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Best place to buy art-related goodness in Austin, and the manager is hot.
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