Zelda’s Art World

They’re always stocked with whatever I need. The customer service is always pleasant and helpful. So happy to have this shop in the neighborhood.

Glad to have found this gem. Went in for supplies for a cross-​stitching project, which unfortunately they didn’t have. Yet. Lovely Jodi empathized with how hard it is to find certain craft supplies locally, and said that they’ll be carrying needlepoint supplies soon. We’ll go back for them!

This store is perfection
–warm friendly environment… The people are great the really explain everything. To you and take they’re time …
–everything you could want or need … Framing. Art supplies. Art classes… Pottery. brushes … Paint. Crafts … Nicely stocked
–good turn around time… I did a framing job they’re and they were very honest and prompt with my piece which is very appreciated
— honest and good pricing … They do it all. On the premises so no worries about things getting damaged … They show you how it’s going to come together they even have a preview which allows you to envision the finished product
–my daughter loves her art classes, she has so much more confidence no because of it and I think her teacher was so encouraging
–they make great parties, we made my daughters bday party there it was amazing … Cheap… Fun … The kids did pottery they came out beautiful … They were totally stimulated… then they had pizza and candy it was a hoot and at the right place
I highly recommend this shop for all your artisan neeeds

Zelda’s is the only art supply store near Brooklyn College and fantastic if you need something in a pinch. The employees are super helpful, the atmosphere is relaxed and they offer classes for ceramics and painting on the side.
They have a wide selection of brushes and paints. It is a small store, so don’t expect the type of choices that you might see at Blick or Utrecht (or whatever conglomerate those two merged into).
I think the best part about Zelda’s is the sale items and imported items that you won’t see at other stores. I picked up a set of Russian pan watercolors that I’d never seen before and some loose tube watercolors that were $ 0.99 each. Also, they had soft-​grip paintbrushes that were high quality for $ 1.99.
The prices are slightly higher on some items than you’d find in a major retailer, but that is to be expected with any small business. I don’t mind paying a little more when I know I am supporting the only art store in our area.

(This review is only for the framing dept.)
I got a couple of things framed for a very decent price. The man behind the counter was very nice and knowledgable and they were done on time.
I would definitely go back.

Small Mom and Pop art store with big personality!
So I’ve been to the location in Queens a few times and imagine my surprise when I realized that not only did they have a location in Brooklyn, but its close to my home.
I love this store point blank period. I draw, crochet, attempted knitting and beading and now I’m venturing into abstract painting. I did my research and went straight there to get supplies. The owner is such a sweetheart. I had my hands full of items and she said «Sweetie you don’t need all of that, its pointless». She gave me cheaper alternatives and told me how to use everyday household items in place of the supplies I was attempting to purchase (ie. gave me less expensive brushes, acrylic paint and suggested I use a paper plate and cups instead of a paint palette and water cup). I was amazed that she would let «money walk out the door» rather than fill my cart with useless things. I’m convinced that she’s really doing this for the love of art and not for the love/​greed of money (Impressed).
Minus one star because they seemed a little short staffed and check out dragged.
Overall: I’ll definitely be back (I’m already running out of paint)!

I have been going here for years, I don’t know why until yesterday I thought to write a review for them. Its kind of strange how my brain works.
I literally have been going here for more then a decade, I remember taking acrylic, oil, and sketch classes here frequently, as in like 3 times a week as an adolescent. Seems like ages ago, but it wasn’t I’m still young, I hope… :/​
They have a limited selection of stuff, and what they do have is equal to prices of really gorgeous art supply stores in Manhattan. So if I’m in the city I like to brouse through a store like Lee’s, and I come to Zelda’s for art emergencies, or just when I’m being a lazy bum.
I may start to send my son for some art lessons, I think it’s always good for children to experience different extra curricular. It’s enriching, and you never know if I have the next Picasso on my hands!
Their staff is nice, they’re all young artists that just need to be surrounded by brushes and canvases all day long, gotcha, don’t worry I understand. They really try to help as best as they can, but they frequently find the need to ask someone «above» them for advice with how to help their customers, which is fine, I don’t really mind, unless I’m in a rush.
Their newly renovated framing studio is really nice, and they have done a great job framing some pieces of mine, I’m very satisfied.

Had a bunch of pieces I needed framed. Was not only served by knowledgeable well educated staff but was extremely happy with how the frames turned out. They are currently on my wall and people are always commenting how nice they are.
Could not have asked for a better experience.
Prices were good, especially compared to some of the other places I’ve been to.

Great local business. I stopped by for some stickers which ended up being a great deal at $.99 for a sheet and the 4-​color pens which Staples has been selling at outrageous prices. Prices were decent and staff were friendly.

Zelda’s has shifted their business toward young families (classes, crafts and hobbies) and away from being a serious artist supply source. Recently while my friend and I were looking for certain brushes and palette paper, the ceramic-​painting area was busy. Little kids were wandering around glutting up the back aisles. The prices were high but we did the $ 40 for $ 50 Unilocal Deal which helped. As always, we found the staff to be pleasant and helpful, but they couldn’t fix the fact that the entire stock of certain things was depleted, e.g. «mop» brushes.

I took a friend’s daughter here for ceramic painting. It was expensive, but not more than any other ceramic painting place. We sat for hours painting and chatting, we never felt rushed even though several groups came and went while we were there. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable and I would certainly come back here again for a play date.
I looked around at their other art supplies and their prices are a little high compared to what I’m used to, but they seem to have a pretty good selection of quality supplies so I don’t mind supporting a locally owned business.
There’s even a little gallery next to the framing station where you can check out some unique artwork created by students and staff of Zelda’s.

an independent arts and craft store — -extremely friendly and quite affordable

Science projects to crochet projects. I love them. The guys (and gals) are awesome. I was able to get some crochet hooks for 6.95 for the entire pack that was selling online for 13.95.
I can’t talk about the items for items i’ve never needed. However, mediocrity isn’t a problem I have ever encountered.
Keep it up Zelda’s…

I have taken art classes at the Art Students League and in some ways Zelda’s is better. ASL is a great place but you get very little time per class of instruction. At Zelda’s, you can ask questions and get quite a bit of time, which really helped me improve rapidly.

This used to be a fairly serious art supply store. They used to carry a few nice things like Old Holland paints as well as basic studio supplies. However the economy has been hard on mom and pop stores and they seem to have shifted to selling craft supplies and hobby stuff for kids. They only sell brands like Winton now which are really only OK for hobbyists. I don’t think artists or the art students at Brooklyn College would have much use for the low grade materials in their shrinking art section and they are often out of basic stuff like metal palette knives and turpentine.
However it’s nice to have them in the neighborhood and they sometimes have good prices on basic supplies like portfolios and micron pens. While the painting section is pretty decimated at this point they still have a few drafting supplies that don’t have the outrageous markup they apply to painting supplies .
Edit: I added a star because the people who work here are super nice and it’s not their fault the store is often out of stock on really basic stuff like empty jars. Also, I realized they still have Old Holland they just have the display hidden on an out of the way shelf.

If I could, I’d give this place 1.5 stars. As a Brooklyn College art student, I’d say this place is ONLY ever good for really last minute purchases. I went today to buy a pad of bristol board. Not only were they out of stock of bristol vellum but they lacked any cheaper brands! I had to pay $ 29 for a 14″ x 17″ pad I could get for $ 13 at Blick!
Bottom line, they sell everything for practically list price and the selection sucks. They probably know that for people like me who sometimes forget to bring supplies, we have no choice but to go there. My advise is to try to remember to bring what you need in order to avoid this place. Blick is out of the way for me but their everyday prices are far better than any discounts Zelda could ever offer!

this place is another wonderland for me i love art and its the closest place for me i would say its reliable and alot of options love it :)

I’ve been here a couple times, usually when I’m in the studio and need some materials quickly. So, it’s usually worth a fast visit rather than going all the way to Blick on Bond Street. The prices are alright, but Zelda’s doesn’t always have a great variety of items stocked.
If you live in the neighborhood and you’re looking for a quick fix, this is the place. Just make sure you call first, they keep hours like the post office.

As an artist and a bargain shopper, I’d say this place is pretty mediocre as far as art stores go. They would see a lot less business if a place like Pearl Paint opened up nearby, but until that happens it remains the only art store in the Brooklyn College area, which is a godsend for art majors needing last minute supplies. So despite their mediocrity, they get their business.
POINTS OF NOTE:
1) Certain supplies are usually very low. Sure, they have an abundance of pencils and brushes and particular brands of paints, but I remember being an art major and getting an assignment that required certain canvasses or types of paper/​supplies/​etc, and despite the professor having called Zelda’s well ahead of time to have the stuff in stock, they were almost always out of the specifics we needed, and we would have to settle for lower-​grade quality (which really does make a difference to the serious artist).
FOR PAINTERS: They do NOT sell large 1″ canvas frames here! A lot of the BC painting professors call for canvases at least 1″ thick, and Zelda’s only sells the flimsy ½″ ones. I know quite a few people who got stuck with flimsy frames from Zelda’s, forgetting to make a timelier trip to Pearl Paint or The Art Store. Keep this in mind, so you don’t put off your shopping to the last minute (even tough it seems more convenient to just grab a canvas on the way to class in the morning).
2) They do offer art classes, but nothing really geared toward adults looking for proper instruction (for that I’d recommend the Art Students League or an actual college class — though some of BC’s painting and drawing classes leave much to be desired).
3) The staff isn’t too helpful, past telling you where things are in the store. And even then, sometimes you end up following them as they walk in circles. Some of the older staff are pretty cool, but overall I wouldn’t ask them for recommendations.
4) If you have a college ID card, you can get 10% off your purchase. Usually they don’t bother to check the actual card (I’ve gotten away with just telling them I was a student), but keep it at hand in case they ask for it.