Art supplies?

[iowaorganic]

Hi!  I am in need of some art supplies for school this year.  I will hit up Target when the crayons, markers, colored pencils and whatnot get cheap- but I would like some good watercolors, perhaps some watercolor pencils, sturdy paper for painting and the like as well.  Is there a good reasonable online source that anyone would like to recommend?  I stocked up last year at our homeschool conference- but didn't get to go this year (too far and too pregnant).  I was thinking about checking at Hobby Lobby- but unless I find it on sale or with a coupon- they are expensive!  Ohhh and stickers and fun stuff too!  (please don't tell me dollar store- I never seem to get there in time and live sooo far from town!)  

[briansmama]

We are Waldorf-inspired homeschoolers so we try to use quality art materials. Watercoloring paper, watercolors, pastel chalk, quality brushes, modeling beeswax, beeswax crayons, and quality drawing paper for our main lesson books can really add up!

My first stop is always Michaels- do you have one nearby? I always go in with a 40% off coupon in hand. This helps a lot. I'm able to get high quality materials this way by adding a new item each week and slowly building our supply over the summer.

My next favorite resource is amazon- they have been carrying more and more Waldorf art supplies, which are high quality, and their prices are good.

After that, I shop at Paper Scissors Stone for everything else I need but couldn't get at the first 2 sources.

[elus0814]

If you have an a c moore near you they have great sales this week. 9x12 high quality watercolor pads came down to $5 and change then there was an extra 15 or 25% (can't recall which) if you have documentation that you're a homeschooler. 

[LuxPerpetua]

We are Waldorf-inspired so we do tons of art handwork.  For good watercolors, water down tempera paint and put it in small jars with lids.  I use Crayola as it is the only brand I found with the least amount of smell.  It works as well as Stockmar and is so much cheaper.  Watercolor crayons are also lots of fun, as is modeling clay (I hate modeling beeswax, personally).  I shop at Michael's and order through Amazon.  I buy the Creatology Paint Pads from Michael's for about $3 for 20 sheets and it works really well with our wet-on-wet painting.  We use white cardstock for regular drawing paper (I don't like flimsy paper at all).  Also, buy good quality brushes from an art store.  We have two that we use--one that is square with about a 1" head and one that is square that is much smaller (maybe 1/4").  Cheap brushes will have bristles that come out all over your painting and that stinks.  Also, plain squares of acrylic felt are great fun--you can do so much with them--needlefelt scenes onto them, make playmats, make puppets, make bean bags ... lots of things.  I'd also recommend buying some inspirational books to give your child ideas on different art activities.  Maybe play around on Amazon and look and see what felt craft books for kids they have.

[Ruthiegirl]

I buy a lot of basic, simple art supplies.  Rainbow resources is my go-to source.  

I really like this heavy paper.  Good for painting and drawing and $2.75 for 100 sheets is a good price.  

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/048563/5a52f91c27d228b921642cdb

Nice quality construction paper:  

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/023709/5a52f91c27d228b921642cdb

Good colored pencils:

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Giant+Colored+Pencils+-+12+Colors/049126/5a52f91c27d228b921642cdb?subject=16&category=7138

Watercolor paper is always expensive, but I have bought this paper before and it was quite nice:  

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/047655/5a52f91c27d228b921642cdb

I haven't used watercolor pencils.  They look lovely. We have an old set of watercolors that we have been using the past few years.  A little goes a long way, so while it is expensive it lasts and lasts.  

We love art!!!!

[iowaorganic]

Ohhh thank you so much everyone!  We don't have a Micheals or ACMoore- and the nearest HobLob is 40 miles...  I did finally find the place I shopped at last year at the homeschool conference and want to share the link with you all....  www.millerpadsandpaper.com  

[Lillian J]

Careful with markers - they can be pretty toxic, but you can find nontoxic ones. This article links to some nontoxic sources, including markeres: Nontoxic art supplies. And Cheap Joe's carries nontoxic markers.   

Lillian

[zebra15]

I LOVE Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Book-Value-Pack-Set-Books/dp/B0007W6QR2/ref=sr_1_57?ie=UTF8&qid=1340115266&sr=8-57&keywords=drawing+paper

http://www.amazon.com/Derwent-Watercolor-Pencil-Metal-Tin/dp/B000KNJBZC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1340115482&sr=8-6&keywords=watercolor+pencils

http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Gold-Studio-Pastel/dp/B000VZB5FI/ref=sr_1_18?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1340115669&sr=1-18&keywords=pastels