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Kit Kraft
Categories: Shopping Arts & Crafts Art Supplies Shopping Hobby Shops Art Supplies, Hobby Shops [Edit]
12109 Ventura PlStudio City, CA 91604
Neighborhood: Studio City
(818) 509-9739
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Kit Kraft
Review Highlights
"Very nice and knowledgeable staff helped with the solutions..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...most extensive selection of hard to find glues I have seen..."
(in 3 reviews)
"The selection of model cars and airplanes is huge."
(in 6 reviews)
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15 reviews in English
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Review from Jules B.
Sherman Oaks, CA
11/20/2010
I used to always forget about Kit Kraft. Being an artist and just having moved back to Sherman Oaks recently, I realized that there aren't too many art stores in the area. You either have to head into NoHo or head over the hill, or to one of my favorites (Swain's)...but there isn't always time to head to Glendale even though they have a larger selection of supplies and give student discounts.
Kit Kraft just feels comfortable and cozy (I know those are odd adjectives for a hobby store). And although it is pegged as a hobby/craft store, it has many of the supplies a generic art store would. And since they specialize in model airplanes, trains, dollhouses, beading, etc. they have the most extensive selection of hard to find glues I have seen in an art store. They also have all the cutting supplies you need (I'm a graphic designer) and illustration board (no real paper or board selection after that). But they do have transfer paper, adhesive vinyl, stencils, and the coolest collection of quirky beads and charms that is hard not to get lost in.
I try to go in for specific items but if I'm not in a rush I tend to lose myself and spend way more than I panned on...so if your a jack-of-all trades sort of artist like me, I'd bring a limited amount of cash. I'm serious :) -
Review from Randy B.
11/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great hobby and craft store! While not the largest I've ever been to, it seems to have a small inventory of just about everything craft/hobbyish. Very nice and knowledgeable staff helped with the solutions, as well as 'where to find' items throughout the store.
Parking is metered on the street, but always amply available. -
Review from Ron H.
Studio City, CA
10/28/2011
I went to Kit Kraft the other day. I haven't been there for a few years. It never changes. You must know what you want when you walk in because as other people on here have said the service is not that great. The people who work there are just not good with their social skills. You would think with competition from Michaels they would try harder. Still they have what you're looking for and that's the point. Just know what you want and don't expect any help.
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Review from Pete B.
Sherman Oaks, CA
3/24/2011
Great little shop with a lot of hobby supplies that are hard to find anywhere but in a specialty shop. I needed model rockets in a pinch a few weeks ago, and Kit Kraft had them -- though at very high markups from what you would pay online.
I would give them 5/5 if their prices weren't so inflated... I imagine it's the only way for a mom and pop shop to stay in business though, so don't take that as a huge negative. -
Review from Orsolya D.
North Hollywood, CA
7/17/2010 1 photo
Let me set the stage here: Imagine being a 65 year old man with much time on your hands and a hobby for model cars. Your grandchildren love to come over and ask you diligent questions about your newest car or ship model and you look forward to their next visit. Sadly, you are out of the cherry red paint to use for the car's exterior. Where do you go? Kit Kraft.
Kit Kraft is ideal for a hobbyist as the store features walls of model kits, paint, glue, etc. Your 65 year old self will find exactly what you are looking for. Kit Kraft also sells craft items that you will find in the likes of Michael stores such as clay, feathers, beads and whatnot but the store is a bit of a mess and resembles a church basement or garage sale. A bit messy, somewhat erratic prices, but the treasures are there. And where else can you buy a pound of glitter?
My biggest complaint is the service. At small mom and pop shops, I expect a "hello" when I walk in which was lacking at Kit Kraft and it's not because they were busy with other customers/tasks. When one of the employees finally asked how I am and I begin to talk about the product I was looking for; he seemed very bored, awkward, and appeared to want to get away from me as soon as possible. Perhaps, he isn't used to attractive young ladies in his store. Whatever the reason, service needs an upheaval.
Kit Kraft is great for your hobby needs but for craft goods, stick to Michael's. -
Review from Carmen L.
Burbank, CA
1/27/2011
This place covers a pretty broad spectrum of hobbies. From model cars/airplanes to miniature environments, and Jewelry making to ceramic/clay sculpting, this place has a great selection for all of the aforementioned crafts.
They have the kinds of things you can't really find at bigger art supply stores like Michaels. The floor space isn't huge but it's easy to spend a way longer time than you anticipated just looking at everything and getting inspiration to make something you didn't plan on setting out to do before you walked inside Kit Kraft.
The selection of model cars and airplanes is huge! It's almost overwhelming to look at! After browsing the shelves, I can't wait to have a kid of my own to build them with (even if it's a girl!) -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
11/1/2006 1 photo
I've been coming to this hobby and craft store since before I could walk. It's old school before the school and by the levels of dust in this place, I'd say that Housekeeping 101 wasn't part of the curriculum, BUT even with all of that said, this is the hobby store to hit if you need anything from model glue to Styrofoam to decals to this to that to the others (not the ones from Lost) and the other's others.
The staff is really knowledgeable and will help you find whatever it is you need and I can't stress enough how great it is to have a mom and pop still around and kicking to help keep Studio City feeling like the cool little small town I grew up in.Listed in: Los Angeles Shopping
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Review from Dana T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/4/2008
I just moved out of the Valley and I will really miss living next to Kit Kraft. There just aren't enough craft stores in LA, especially ones where you don't feel like a soccer mom for simply being inside them. True, they have a sporadic range of items, so don't go in needing embroidery transfer paper (apologies if i missed it), but what they do have in stock is interesting and inspiring. I especially love the weird coloring book selection ("Sea Monsters" is my favorite).
Also, good cute geek spotting in their native habitat- the model section. -
Review from Debra C.
1/12/2010
This place is bananas! They've got everything... Although products are a tad pricier than other crafts stores like Michael's, the knowledgeable staff made me feel as if the slight-premium is well-deserved. I had a bevy of questions for the staff, and they had answers for all of them. And when they didn't have a product, they'd whip out catalogs (they can special-order for ya) or offer up alternative crafts shops... Brilliant.
The parking situation reeks. (Hence the missing star.) You have to park on the street. Bring coins!!! -
Review from Charlene K.
San Francisco, CA
2/22/2011 1 photo
Thank God for Kit Kraft Inc! As a Glitter painter, I use lots of fine glitter and it's hard to find glitter in bulk and at a reasonable price. Kit Kraft Inc. to the rescue! They offer a huge selection of glitter colors and a variety of sizes. I've always order from them on-line, but fortunately I had the opportunity to visit the location while visiting a friend near by. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Get so much more at this Kit Kraft store. See how the glitter has worked for me go to http://GlitterSide.com
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Review from cyrus r.
Los Angeles, CA
1/20/2011 1 photo
my favorite art supply store for unique small things. They have metal jewelry findings, paints, models, and beads. If you're into puppetry, stop motion video, or making models... kitkraft is the only place you need to be.
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Review from Austin G.
North Hollywood, CA
6/16/2009
This is an awesome store - like a blast from the past - where you can get some of the best crafting products at great prices right in your neighborhood - if you happen to live in the Valley. They've got kits, clay, beads, feathers, modeling supplies, dyes...you name it. And they offer classes and kiln services.
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Review from terri n.
Los Angeles, CA
7/19/2009
I love Kit Kraft! Kit Kraft is my gem. I live ways away from Studio City, but when I do visit, I make it a point to go to Kit Kraft as no other craft store compares. Really, Kit Kraft is like the inside of Barney's mysterious fun bag, it has everything. It's magic! (Yeah... I did say that)
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Review from Clarence B.
Sherman Oaks, CA
1/10/2008
Not many of these places left - here is the best one I have found in the SFV. Lots of materials to build prototypes or models. Tools sold there you can not find anywhere else for working on small sized projects. Parking is terrible - once in a while you can find metered parking on the North side of the short Ventura Place street. I found there are a couple of small parking spots behind their building or (if you dare) park in the Big 5 lot 1/4 block up the street and take your chances on being towed.
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Review from jayne d.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2010
I used to like this store but I have a 3 strike rule and they are OUT!
Firstly, everything is super pricey compared to other stores. This is an aspect that I am okay with because I like to support independent stores for a number of reasons. The first being that it is a socially responsible thing to do in which the community as well as the 'mom and pop' stores thrive. Additionally, paying the higher price USUALLY comes with great customer service and a knowledgeable staff that stands by their products and recommendations. This is where Kit Kraft fails.
STRIKE ONE
The offender there is the short old guy. He is short in both stature and the time & attention that he cares to 'grace' upon his customers. I could totally understand if it was busy in the store but with a 1:1 ratio it is inexcusable. 2 customers-2 employees.
STRIKE TWO
Lack of product knowledge and/or quality has led to the downfall of 2 of my artistic creations. Previously, I went in with a Sennelier pastel drawing that needed to be fixed and asked if he had a fixative specifically for pastels. He sold me a spray (incidentally 2x costlier than other stores) and I found out the hard way that it was some crap generic spray more for charcoal and pencil. Not sure why he told me it was good for PASTELS but it wasn't. :P
The other destructo project was from magic sculpt clay that had not maintained the curing properties like my previously purchased containers because of some weird brown residue in the hardner. It was suggested by one person that works at Kit Kraft that I may have got some from a "bad batch". The short guy's immediately shifting the blame to me saying that I must have stored in a place that was too hot, or had the lid off or had it for years (btw-according to the manufacturer's website it should "last a lifetime"). I told him that it was less than a year old and it was stored with the lid on in the cool, dry indoors. This led him to state, "too bad, it is not even sold individually. You have to buy both the hardener and the resin together". So his solution would be for me to BUY more. He would rather have the $10 in his pocket than guarantee his products or have a return customer...which leads me to...
STRIKE 3 Short sighted greed. I had asked about the items that were listed on the website as being on sale and if they were located in one place in the store. I was told that not everything on the site was in stock at the store. Okay and?????? Nothing. One of the "sale items" that I drove there to get ended up costing twice what was listed on their site. If you are going there to get a deal based on their website-don't bother. What a sham. :P
Done, done, done.
