Are you an aspiring or experienced artist looking for the best art supplies and workshops to hone your skills and express your creativity?
Orange County exudes a vibrant artistic spirit. From its historic streets to its bustling creative community, this charming area offers a haven for artists and crafters alike. Whether you're a local or visitor, seasoned professional or a budding hobbyist, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough boast an array of arts and craft supply shops and workshops to fulfill your creative needs. Join us on a journey through some of the best spots in the area, where inspiration is abundant, and possibilities are endless.
Carrboro: Where the motto is "Feel Free" to unwind, dream & create these art & craft supply shops and classes will help you do just that.
Mulberry Silks & Fine Fabrics is a local and family owned shop stocking fine fabrics for garments and other creative endeavors.Their sewing studio offers Saturday classes on garment sewing, and they also host special events featuring nationally known sewing teachers.
My Muses Card Shop carries high quality paints in an array of mediums, color pencils, brushes, earth paints, rubber stamps, artistic paper, card stock and hand made paper making kits and much more. Look for classes in Calligraphy, book binding, Cyanotype, water color painting and seasonal workshops.
Glazed Expectations is a paint it yourself ceramic and sculpture studio focused on providing a healthy outlet for creativity. They also offer take home paint kits - when you're finished, drop your masterpiece back at the shop to be fired in their kilns. Walk-ins welcome!
Firefly Carrboro has beads, beads and more beads, charms, pendants, jewelry making supplies, plus craft wire and a good selection of tools. Head towards the back of the shop to the Do-it-Yourself Bead Bar. Customers are free to use the tools to create your one-of-a-kind piece to wear or give to someone special. Look for beading classes but take note, they sell out fast!
Hillsborough: Join the hundreds of artists and crafters that call this place home. Within a stretch of a few blocks downtown, you're sure to find an art gallery on every corner.
Anne & Arthur – Fine Arts Supply. For THEE art enthusiast - this newly opened art supply shop focuses on a refined selection of quality goods and gifts. Popular finds are oil pastels, ink pads, Kuretake Gouche sets, water brushes and pads, and Kato polyclay - just but a few of their offerings.
Hillsborough Yarn Shop Visit them in historic downtown Hillsborough. Have a cup of tea, knit, relax and shop. They specialize in high-quality natural fiber yarns. Classes range from learning to crochet, knitting hats, seathers and vests and more. In-person classes sell out fast but no worries, on-line classes and live recordings are also offered.
Hollis Chatelain Is an internationally renowned and award-winning artist. She offers workshops and lectures both in-person and virtually on Zoom. In her on-line store you'll find patterns, DVD kits, sewing supplies, dye painting supplies and other art supplies.
Chapel Hill: Rich history, cultural opportunities, eclectic dining options and a little bit of artsy/crafty going on.
Ackland Art Museum Store Of course they have art supplies and craft kits! Plus art and design books, Blackwing pencils, and other unique items related to the Museums exhibits. All proceeds from the museum store help support the Ackland's exhibits and educational programs. Studio Saturday at The Ackland Art Museum also offers art-making activities for everyone, including Art Adventures (6-9-year-olds), Drawing for Tweens (10-13-year-olds), and Drawing in the Galleries (all ages).
Koala Craft Discover the joy of crafting through colors, textures, and imaginitive projects. Chapel Hill's newest craft art studio brings crafts to life through special projects in glass, plaster and textured acrylic painting, perler beads, tufting and more. All materials are provided for the workshop but you are welcome to bring your own supplies if you wish. Walk-ins are welcome!
The NEW Crazy Alan’s Emporium They are kind of famous in Chapel Hill. Maneuver your way over to the arts supplies section for dye ink, wax and seals, color fountain pens, sketch books and other artsy stuff.
Yarns, Etc They have an exceptional display of yarn products, patterns and samples. Are you interested in learning to knit or going beyond the basics? Already have a project and want to work on it with other friendly knitters? There's a class for that!
Orange County
Avillion Farm The high quality line of mill-spun yarns are from the fibers of their own Shetland and Jacob Sheep, angora goats and angora rabbits (German, German Hybrid , French and English). All dyeing of yarn is done on the farm. Yarns are available in their etsy shop and via direct purchase for local customers.
More Classes and Workshops:
James Carter Studio Jewelry making classes. Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro
The ArtsCenter You can discover and nurture your artistic talents here! Find your next artistic adventure through art classes and workshops in ceramics, glass, drawing, painting and fiber arts. Makerspace and Ceramics Open Studio 30-day memberships available.
OQZO Metalsmith Jewelry making classes. Hillsborough
Woodcrest Farm & Forge Blacksmithing and craft classes including chair seat weaving, basket weaving. Hillsborough
Margaret Lane Gallery Offers small, supportive art workshops taught by local artists, catering to groups ranging from beginners to practicing artists. Small workshop sizes allow them to offer instruction that is tailored to individual needs. Hillsborough
Eno Arts Mill A plethora of creativity under one roof. Classes range from lap loom weaving, to mosaics, to handmade art journals, to mixed media ..... Historic Eno Mill in West Hillsborough
Julie Berkowitz Ceramics Adults and kids start their creative journey here for pottery making. Plenty of unique artsy events too! Chapel Hill
Art for a Good Cause
Art Cycle – The Hillsborough Arts Council collects and distributes donations of art & school supplies in new or good condition to local classrooms and arts education programming.
We've probably missed a few. If we did, let us know. Like we said we're home to a bustling creative community. Come join us!
(Top image: Jewelry Class at James Carter Studio - Facebook)
