FLAX art and design

Reviews 8

BR

Brie Girlll

Im a long time FLAX customer for over 20 years (when over on Market Street). I love the selection of options and the usually chill vibe. While one or two employees asking for help is normal, 4 is a bit much. I understand what the customer is referencing when he mentioned racial profiling. Im a person of color as well, though a woman, and depending my upon my clothes and/or hair style, I get treated very differently. Doesnt change my love of or understanding of what I want to purchase. ;) Also, the "apology" by Howard to the customer wasnt really much of one---seemed like a non-apology "you-didnt-experience-what-you-thought" type of apology. I hope that FLAX didnt lose its acceptance, diversity and down to earth vibe when it moved across the bay due to gentrification. Could it be that Flax has heard negative stereotypes about Oakland and is reacting in such a way? I hope not. Oakland has a large a vibrant artist community. The store in SF just made people put any large bags or purses behind a counter for any concerns about shoplifting. They should do that with the new store rather than be discouraging and uninviting to those that live in the community that Flax moved into. To the customer who had the bad experience, "Im sorry". The store has better options than Blix or Michaels, but I understand how you are feeling. Try corporate customer service instead----might be more helpful. And to those not familiar with racial profiling, is it necessary to try to suggest that someone didnt experience what they did in your review? Just accept that we all may have different experiences and that your experiences are not the gold standard. Flax has a great amount of artistic mediums to choose from. I hope they retained affordability, a new & better return policy, and a love for Oakland in their new locale.

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K Tempest Bradford

This store is so big it can get overwhelming! I still love it. Any kind of art supply you need, they have. And even if youre not doing a heavy duty project or even if youre not a capital A Artist, there is plenty for you here as well. I came just to browse and ended up buying a whole bunch of markers to use in my adult coloring book (I know, I know). They also have a pretty wide selection of those! I got to test all of the markets and colored pencils before I bought them to make sure they were the shade and depth I wanted. Always appreciate such things. They also have super high end markers for Artists. Fancy! Their selection of journals and sketchbooks is so very vast. Im pretty picky about my journals, yet I still found two different ones that I liked out of the dozens available. This isnt even mentioning the paper room and the adhesives section and on and on. Trust m, this place has everything. And the employees are friendly and helpful. And I just love it here.

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TU

Tu Lam

My daughter the artist was in need of paints, and honestly some good brushes, that not a beginner like her knew what to get. We wandered around the store for over and hour, picking up some sketch pads, color pencils, water and oil based paints and random paint brushes. She wasnt sure what to get other being drawn to some particular types than ranged from 5 to 20 something dollars a brush. I spoke to the lady in the paint section and showed her the paints we selected. Good thing too, because I had picked up a brush set for $23 putting back the randomly selected brushes to be told those were the wrong ones. I told her my daughter was a beginner and she got the right beginners set which was a little over $13. We got out of the store with plenty of goodies and spending an additional $22.00 after presenting the groupon voucher. This store is very large and overwhelming for the first time, but it was fun to go through and touch everything.

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JE

Jen Johnson

FLAX is incredible! Every time I come here I want to stay forever -- they have an enormous selection, including a whole section for kids. In addition to the large space and great inventory, I am a big fan of the customer service. Im a complete beginner painter and recently came in wanting to do a small project. The paint guy was so incredibly helpful. I told him what I was thinking of, and he helped me select what type of paint to use (acrylic), what brushes would be best, and even talked me through which colors or sets I might want to get. He didnt try to over-sell me on the paint set -- in fact, he told me to get student paint so I wouldnt be wasting my money on more expensive stuff. He also gave me tips on how to blend the colors and fun ideas for making the project even more creative and fun.

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Jeka Lambert

After much frustration trying to find the store (MLK dead ends at San Pablo Ave. then continues a block away, plus all the one way streets that dont allow you to turn onto 15th St. so you can get into the parking lot). I almost gave up trying to find the store. It would have been my loss. The store is great! Wonderful helpful staff, interesting and sometimes unusual art supplies, and a decorative paper section better than anywhere else. The store environment is spacious, light and well designed. This is the ultimate art supply boutique! Tip about finding the store/parking lot: If heading southwest on MLK from Berkeley/Oakland, turn left on San Pablo Ave., then make the 1st right onto MLK at 20th. To get to the parking lot, turn right on 14th, right on Castro, then right on 15th.

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AB

Abby Rocha

As an artist, Im always seeking out a good art store anywhere I go. I was thrilled when FLAX moved to the east bay because its such a centralized location! Only a 5 min walk from BART and you arrive to a wonderland of art supplies but most importantly to some real expertise. These people are fellow ARTISTS, they KNOW whats up. The staff is always engaging, friendly and art knowledgeable. Calvin is one of my favorite dudes to talk to whenever Im there. Pick his brain about paints and you might end up talking about experiments in paper, acrylic, mediums and etc. Their prices are fair and the selection is great and it feels good to support the local economy. Its sad that they lost their space in SF....but its a definite WIN for Oakland. ♡♡♡

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DO

Don Miller

I went in today looking for some reusable stencils that I could use for glass etching. I was in there for approximately 15-20 minutes and nobody "bothered" me. Nor did anyone offer to help me find what I had went in for. (Crying Shame, Really.) I looked all around the store and saw, I Believe, EVERYTHING that ANY Artist could ever NEED for WHATEVER kind of Art He/She decided to practice. And, yet, still no Stencils for ME. Well as I made my way for the Entrance/Exit, I saw one last corner display spot hidden off in the store. I went to investigate and found - STENCILS. Now whether or not they will work for what I intend to use them for, has yet to be determined. BUT - THEY HAD STENCILS. I THINK THEY DO HAVE EVERYTHING!!!

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MI

Mira Torres

A great place in San Francisco for your basic arts and supplies AND unique ones like their enormous library of papers, stickers, and paints. Youll find super helpful staff and so much to discover at this arts store. Thought it may be a bit pricey for the basics, its definitely the art store to go to for unique finds and inspiration. They also have artist events where you can meet your favorite designers and artists in-store where they can meet, greet, and sign autographs. Makes it worth "liking" their Facebook page and checking in every now and then.

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