Use it or Lose it, it bears repeating

I’ll say it again, use it or you’ll lose it.  I came from a small town where I lived for 35 years.  I started working with pastels there and when I did, looking for a local source of good art materials was almost nonexistent.  There was a Ben Franklin but, it was more of the home décor variety and they didn’t sell much in the way of pastel surfaces.  The next nearest art supply was 75 miles or 1 ½ hour away.  Not very convenient.

Recently I returned to Sandpoint to teach a pastel class and the director of the Joyce Dillon Studio mentioned that there was a new art supply store.  Now there had been Vanderford’s but they didn’t carry much either and now they are under new management so finding out about T Zinke’s Studio and Art Supply was a bit like finding a diamond on the city beach!  I swung by on Monday when they were closed only to find Tammy dropping some things off.  They weren’t open but she graciously let me into her space.

She has pastels and pastel surfaces!  Not just the stuff you can get at Michael’s (which isn’t the best soft pastel brands) but Sennelier!  She also carries Uart paper packs!  Pan pastels and smudging sticks.  Gambisol products for oil paint, canvases, easels, brushes…. The selection of high quality supplies is amazing.

So here is the thing, her prices are not competitive with amazon.  Well, so what?  You can’t put your hands on the things that amazon carries.  You want to try something new?  Amazon can’t answer your questions.  Sandpoint has the Joyce Dillon Studio for classes and Tammy can help you get your required supplies and tell you about them as well.

Finally, if you don’t get something there because her prices aren’t competitive with a mass marketing conglomerate; she might not be there when you have questions or an immediate need. We have forgotten what it is like to have customer service and why we pay for it.  We sit at our computers and ask questions of our facebook groups but have lost our connection with someone who is right there to help. 

Yes quality art supplies are expensive but how much money do you waste purchasing something online and being afraid to break it open.  Go see Tammy if you are in Sandpoint. T Zinke Art Studio and 7B Art Supplies 204 E Superior, Sandpoint ID.  If you don’t live in Sandpoint, look for a local art supplier to shop with.  Let’s work to keep these small businesses open so that they are there when we need them.

Thank you Tammy!