hobby & model stores.

Pearl Art and Craft Supplies Inc

Expert Reviews of Pearl Art and Craft Supplies Inc

Citysearch | Search this massive discount store to get your creative juices flowing.

Step inside and let loose your artistic spirit. This three-story warehouse is a welcoming jumble of discount arts and craft supplies. Follow the hand-lettered signs as you search for what you'll need for your...
citysearch.com - expert review - 10/23/2006
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User Reviews of Pearl Art and Craft Supplies Inc

Yelp.com Review - by Mamie J.

4 of 5 stars. What a cool place. Full of all kinds of lead (from .3 to 2) in every color, pens, sharpies, markers, crayons, thread, cotton things, glue, paint, shaped styrofoam, yarn, tissue paper, decorated…
yelp.com - user review - 05/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by erica e.

5 of 5 stars. giving five thumbs up to all art stores in sf! i really feel before one writes a review about a store, one must truly put themselves in the shoes of the people who work there, 8hrs a day on…
yelp.com - user review - 05/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jenna F.

2 of 5 stars. I loved going to Pearls. The staff is really helpful and really know their stuff. I would go there every now and then and get a load of supplies. I'm not an art student but I just love to do art on…
yelp.com - user review - 05/12/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Greg M.

3 of 5 stars. This store is so frustrating (like all the art stores in SF). If you are a serious artist you have to mail order your supplies because each time I have to visit 4 different stores to complete my…
yelp.com - user review - 05/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Darrin G.

5 of 5 stars. I would never claim to be an artist (bc I'm not) but I do like crafts- does that make me an artisan? If you join their e-mail list then they e-mail you coupons. I mainly go here for iron-ons and…
yelp.com - user review - 05/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Katharine C.

4 of 5 stars. Best selection of supplies a student could ever wish for!
yelp.com - user review - 04/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michael H.

4 of 5 stars. This place is made up of two levels. The top level has your typical arrangement of paints, canvases, markers, pens, and other visual mediums. The lower level has more unusual supplies including: an…
yelp.com - user review - 04/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Shannon B.

2 of 5 stars. They are overpriced on most things but i still shop here. This is the only art supply store in SF with a decent selection of gouache and printmaking supplies (it's no New York Central Art Supplies,…
yelp.com - user review - 04/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tyler D.

4 of 5 stars. This is a great place to find practically anything you could think of in the art supplies world. The staff is always friendly and helpful. I think it's a bit pricey, but what can you really expect…
yelp.com - user review - 04/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Brenda Kaye W.

4 of 5 stars. When I came into this three-story craft store and explored each of the three floors, three friendly employees, one on each floor, tried to help me. One asked me if I was finding everything I was…
yelp.com - user review - 03/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Angie R.

4 of 5 stars. Disclaimer: this review is written by an extremely extremely amateur artist who just really likes the feeling of slapping around acrylic and knows very little about actual technique, or even art…
yelp.com - user review - 03/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Marianne C.

5 of 5 stars. Shop here all the time, and i always manage to hit up the store when they have their random sales - nice! I just bought so much crap today, half of which i'll probably never use, just because i could…
yelp.com - user review - 03/08/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tara A.

4 of 5 stars. Pearl is a weird, weird place. There is a large selection with decent prices, especially good is the craft section downstairs. often though, they are out of things you may really want [today, for…
yelp.com - user review - 03/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Val C.

4 of 5 stars. I like it here. It's just a couple blocks from school, they usually have what I need (I frequent the markers and pens and paper sections) and I get a discount for being a student. The staff is…
yelp.com - user review - 02/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Rocco R.

4 of 5 stars. Wow can't believe that I was able to stretch five fabrics for all under $100. Even better also ordered over the phone, they have a great website and I was able to send a courier for just $15 extra.…
yelp.com - user review - 02/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Ken B.

4 of 5 stars. Awesome. HUGE selection of every item you'll look for. Paints, brushes, paper, mosaic tiles, canvas, pens, pencils, chalk... I go here occasionally when I need to resupply for my meager needs, and…
yelp.com - user review - 01/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sally K.

4 of 5 stars. Because Pearl is dirt cheap you will often find me there buying unnecessary markers and large format paper because oh who cares I am a paid creative I DON'T HAVE LIMITS. Great for basics.
yelp.com - user review - 01/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Martha Sue H.

3 of 5 stars. Call first, since nothing's ever in stock. But you might find it, and downstairs there are the remnants of a once nicely stocked craft section with lots of crazy crafty things. Reasonable prices…
yelp.com - user review - 01/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Markus S.

2 of 5 stars. for now I have to give this place 2 stars, maybe even another 1/2 on on top - why ? Well, I really like their selection, you can really find anything and everything there, prices are ok, nothing to…
yelp.com - user review - 12/31/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Adrienne G.

4 of 5 stars. "Like" is a funny thing. Because "Like" will make the art school drop-out think that the best thing that she can offer up to the object of her (frequently twisted) affection is... ART! I'm like a…
yelp.com - user review - 12/27/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by becca h.

1 of 5 stars. I went to Pearl's a few weeks ago to buy a set of pastels for a holiday present. It took the staff 45 min. to find the staff member authorized to open the pastel case for me, which seemed ridiculous.…
yelp.com - user review - 12/06/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Xicana X.

4 of 5 stars. I would have given them another star if they were better about keeping things in stock. Often things are out of stock and they stay out of stock for awhile. I also liked it when they carried some…
yelp.com - user review - 11/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Ravena F.

5 of 5 stars. I am phosphorescence. Or will be, after my recent trip here. It took awhile for me to figure out how to optimally use the green sequin dress & the green wig from my costume box, but this store solved…
yelp.com - user review - 10/24/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Alanna H.

4 of 5 stars. The people who work here smell like weed, but the prices are good, selection is good, and I don't know where else in SF to find craft supplies. Also, they have a student discount. The location is…
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Randy F.

5 of 5 stars. Grab your backpack and/or messenger bag, hop the F-Market, 26 Valencia, 14 Mission, 7 Lincoln, 71 Haight, 6 Parnassus, Muni Lines J, K, L, M, N, T, or the BART, and leave your global warming machine…
yelp.com - user review - 10/22/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Cherry T.

4 of 5 stars. It kills me how freaked out people are about "the neighborhood". It's Market Street for crying out loud. It may not be the most beautiful part of town, but there's always plenty of people around. I…
yelp.com - user review - 10/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Regina L.

5 of 5 stars. Pearl gets five stars from me because it is the ONLY store in the damn CITY that sells archival Illustration board. Blame it on artists that don't know any better, but everywhere else sells cheap…
yelp.com - user review - 09/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by cyndi L.

3 of 5 stars. 4 stars for the sheer enormity of this place. But it's 3 overall. The prices are good and the selection is great too. But whether it's in stock is a whole other deal. Anytime I go here, I have to…
yelp.com - user review - 08/01/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Fallopian Swim Team D.

3 of 5 stars. This store is a real trip. Pretty big when you consider all of the floors. They could be a lot more, but seem to fall short in two categories. Service, and stock. If the service just tried a little…
yelp.com - user review - 07/31/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Richard T.

3 of 5 stars. What a crap neighborhood! Okay, so now that you have been warned... They had everything I needed, and the store is pretty organized. But man, that store was hot. Like temperature hot. Waiting for the…
yelp.com - user review - 07/26/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Amelia R.

4 of 5 stars. Going here actually makes me feel like I live the starving artist lifestyle, still. I just don't anymore, since I've outgrown my youngster aingst. Ah well, I'll put on layer after layer of black and…
yelp.com - user review - 07/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Robyn L.

5 of 5 stars. I geeked the FUCK out in this store!!!!!!!! The basement level is my favorite... They have the best damn stock of soap supplies I have ever seen! HHHHHELLO!!! AAAAAnd the silkscreen supplies on the…
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jenn R.

4 of 5 stars. I read a few of the reviews and noticed that many complained about changes in the store over the years. I haven't been here long enough to comment on any changes, but I can say I can see an art store…
yelp.com - user review - 06/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Richard N.

3 of 5 stars. Best Art store in the city with best prices and comparable selection of art supplies. Pearl is good in many ways but can be frustrating to those who are dependent on staff recommendations or overall…
yelp.com - user review - 06/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Wayne W.

4 of 5 stars. Pearl's a really good place for a student or a serious hobbyist. Their selection is diverse if not complete, and if you're flexible about what you want you should be able to find it. Everything is…
yelp.com - user review - 06/07/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Shayna C.

4 of 5 stars. Whoah! I haven't been in this location for over a year and man! the place has changed. The prices have always been the best in the bay area, but I used to hate going here cause it always felt kinda…
yelp.com - user review - 06/06/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by bridget h.

4 of 5 stars. Compared to other art stores, this place isn't bad. Tip to the wise: stay inside. you might get mugged if you hang around outside. It's located in a shady neighborhood. Their products are usually…
yelp.com - user review - 05/10/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Yvonne T.

2 of 5 stars. I'm pretty pissed about this store. I'm a student so I have to purchase art supplies pretty regularly. Just yesterday, I told the guy to give me 11 sheets of vellum. He wrapped them all up with…
yelp.com - user review - 04/07/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Sara L.

3 of 5 stars. I used to love Pearl, I got all my fine art supplies here, but lately they have been out of stock of everything that I come to get especially the prismacolor markers. And they have those rent a cop…
yelp.com - user review - 03/14/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by J Q.

3 of 5 stars. If you're willing to risk your life for some cheaper arts and crafts stuff, this is the place to go. You can get all sorts of crafts things but when they are out of stock, they are out of stock for a…
yelp.com - user review - 02/26/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by helenas O.

4 of 5 stars. You get what you pay for. It's not totally the cheapest around but I guess in San Francisco it is. No frills-Wal-Mart style art store. I would say of all the horror stories I heard of 1) the…
yelp.com - user review - 02/06/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Zakk D.

3 of 5 stars. For what they did have, the deals were great. I don't know if you need some kind of bitter attitude and resentment to help people here or I need to get a thicker skin to become a "true artist" and…
yelp.com - user review - 02/05/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Hunter D.

2 of 5 stars. I wish there were more art stores in San Francisco. Nobody knows where anything exactly is other than "upstairs", "it's downstairs", and "bottom floor. It's hard enough seeking the employees who dress…
yelp.com - user review - 02/04/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by xelyn d.

3 of 5 stars. Incredible deals on supplies but you sorta have to sift through all the displays. I think its easier on the wallet than Flax.
yelp.com - user review - 02/02/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Marz W.

4 of 5 stars. Almost always has what I need when I go there. After Xmas, and before school starts is a great time to go because they have some really good sales. Some of the stuff there, like pencil boxes and the…
yelp.com - user review - 01/28/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by rosemarie i.

4 of 5 stars. it's huge, but not a great neighborhood. 10% discount if you have a student id with you. A LOTS of stuff, but not very organized. Might take a while to find what you need, but most of the time i am…
yelp.com - user review - 12/29/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by amanda d.

2 of 5 stars. the bareness of the places me so sad i want to buy the arts and crafts supplies so they can come home with me and not look so lonely. (presuming they even have what i want in stock) and the four…
yelp.com - user review - 12/19/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Rachel B.

5 of 5 stars. Everything my crafty little heart desires at practically wholesale. Oh, and 10% discount for students/educators. The staff is rude, but I'll deal.
yelp.com - user review - 12/13/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Rich B.

1 of 5 stars. The absolute worst help in the city and the most unfriendly and unprofessional people at the checkout lane. I would have done a lot of business with them but after getting 5 or 6 consecutive silent…
yelp.com - user review - 12/12/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Marjorie B.

4 of 5 stars. My favorite art supply store to actually purchase things. It's like a big discount bin of all the supplies you will ever need and can afford. Go to Flax and get your ideas, then go to Pearl to get…
yelp.com - user review - 11/27/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Omid T.

3 of 5 stars. Look out for Pearl Art Supplies on the next season of the Surreal Life. After all, that's where all the washed-up has-beens go to die, right? I used to love Pearl. I'll still go back because their…
yelp.com - user review - 11/22/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Amalia D.

3 of 5 stars. the one thing i hate about coming here is that it's on 6th and market. ive had some encounters in this area. and im tellin you! he looked EXACTLY like Tony Todd!!! ya noe the Candy Man guy!!! damn…
yelp.com - user review - 11/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by svetlana m.

4 of 5 stars. I actually had a great experience there for the 1st time. usually i feel like everything is overpiced and outdated and hard to find, but this time, i found more that what i was looking for and it was…
yelp.com - user review - 11/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Mel P.

3 of 5 stars. I came here for the first time the other day. I love going to art and craft stores. There is so much to look at and so many things you want to buy. I say come here with a list because you may be…
yelp.com - user review - 11/05/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Cindy W.

4 of 5 stars. I go here for many of my architecture supplies. The staff seem pretty nice ^_^ and they give us students a little bit of a discount. Be sure to check out the other floors
yelp.com - user review - 09/27/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Alfonso E.

5 of 5 stars. 90% of the time, very helpful over the phone (inventory checks, miscellaneous questions), and very helpful in the store. They're my first destination for art supply staples and basic stuff, but if I…
yelp.com - user review - 09/20/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by X marks the spot ..

5 of 5 stars. I have been coming here for years, i've come across some seriously bitter staff, and sometimes things aren't organized in a logical way. I still come here because you can score some good deals on…
yelp.com - user review - 08/22/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Tiffany T.

4 of 5 stars. I've been trying to find Krylon Fusion spray paint at many stores for an iBook mod project. If I were to estimate the amount of art/paint stores I've visited and called, I'd say altogether about 25.…
yelp.com - user review - 08/14/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Dorothy S.

2 of 5 stars. Sadly, I have to give this place two stars. To be quite honest, I just have way too many "IFs" about the store. I constantly find myself thinking, "If this was here, I would buy it now", "If I could…
yelp.com - user review - 07/29/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Oleya P.

3 of 5 stars. i have a love/hate relationship with this store. i only go on the basement floor where the crafts are- that is the only floor that seems worth anything to me. once i went to get some glue (the elmer's…
yelp.com - user review - 07/05/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Joel C.

3 of 5 stars. the staff could care less if you find what you want, the shelves could care less if what you want is in stock, but it is balanced out by the fact that the security guard could care less if you stuff…
yelp.com - user review - 06/06/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by wendy h.

4 of 5 stars. I went to Pearl's when they first opened (I worked in the Loin at the time). They used to have a bigger craft section (I'm crazy about rubber stamps & paper crafting) but after a recent visit, I've…
yelp.com - user review - 06/02/2006
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Pearl Art

I'm not sure if Pearl's is a worse art store than Flax, but it's cheaper and seems to always everyth...
judysbook.com - user review - 05/23/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Jen L.

1 of 5 stars. I agree with many others here. I use to frequent it many times, esp. when I was a student and hunting for affordable supplies and I'd put up with the quirkiness. Now, wiser and older, the last 2…
yelp.com - user review - 05/07/2006
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Great selection!

I've been to Pearl once and my MIL who is in the art field, goes there a lot. They have a great sele...
judysbook.com - user review - 04/16/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Rachel J.

4 of 5 stars. Even though it's actually a chain art supply store, it doesn't seem very corporate, and that's part of what I like about it. The other part of my enjoyment is that they stock a large variety of art…
yelp.com - user review - 04/05/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Kristina R.

3 of 5 stars. I came here and bought all the fixin's for my kinder kids' art supply boxes...which they promptly turned into (f)art supply boxes (sharpies should be outlawed in elementary school.) But I can't say…
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Monica M.

4 of 5 stars. despite the fact that walking there might be a chore from the 'Loin crowd, Pearl is definitely a diamond in the rough. in all of its disorganization, i can always manage to find just what i need. its…
yelp.com - user review - 02/26/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Argonaut A.

4 of 5 stars. My fellow art students are always talking about going to Utrect or the Art Store, and I have no idea why. This place has so much more stuff and a wider selection of everything. There's also a wide…
yelp.com - user review - 01/07/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Catherine W.

3 of 5 stars. I love this place because its very unpretentious and they give a 10% student discount (student's will take anything). Their selection doesn't come near Flax, but it'll do if your looking for the…
yelp.com - user review - 01/03/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by charlotte s.

2 of 5 stars. it's in a sketchy area of downtown. it's a big space, but it doesn't seem like they have much of anything. when they run out of things, you won't know if they will get it back in stock or not.…
yelp.com - user review - 11/29/2005
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great place

This is a great store to go to when you are looking for art supplies for any type of activity. I al...
judysbook.com - user review - 11/16/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Lindsey S.

5 of 5 stars. Wahoo!!! I loove this place... Everytime I go anywhere near it, I always have to go in... And keep my hands in my pockets, cuz I'm too broke to really enjoy it... :( I will be someday!!! But it still…
yelp.com - user review - 10/22/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by V ..

5 of 5 stars. I don't think Pearl is a mess, but I DO think its organization is odd. Go there a few times and you'll eventually get it down. True, things are slow to restock (I can never find the gouache I need…
yelp.com - user review - 09/07/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by O K.

5 of 5 stars. Oh.. oh.. it's so beautiful.. art rock kids and emo kids.. together.. UNITED.. the occasional bum wandering in from outside, refusing to check her bag. OH, PEARL!!!! Thank goodness they have little…
yelp.com - user review - 08/17/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Mikee L.

4 of 5 stars. Hands down the best art store in the city for EVERY need. If you're a combination painting, drawing, sculpting, graphic designing, crafting, scrapbooking, flower arranging freak-of-nature, you can buy…
yelp.com - user review - 07/21/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by nicole c.

4 of 5 stars. I feel very art school Kid/Crafty Bit*# here...and i like that. Since there's a huge lack of crafty stores in the city (and ironically a good number of people doing them), this place works for…
yelp.com - user review - 07/20/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Mike W.

4 of 5 stars. As someone already said, it's in a shady part of Market St., but don't let that keep you away. They have great prices and a great selection of art supplies. Not as spiffy and clean as Flax, to say…
yelp.com - user review - 05/27/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Michael E.

3 of 5 stars. This place reminds me of my little run down art supply store in my hometown, messy, old, yet somehow endearing. They have more art supplies than I've seen in awhile. It does seem to have major holes…
yelp.com - user review - 05/13/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by T-Bone L.

1 of 5 stars. The location ruins everything about it. Too much hassle.
yelp.com - user review - 05/02/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Jenna R.

4 of 5 stars. Being an art student, this store has saved me from many last-minute meltdowns.They have never disappointed, with three levels of art and craft supplies from pastels to popsicle sticks, you'll find it…
yelp.com - user review - 04/23/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Kevin S.

2 of 5 stars. Inconsistent stocking. Indifferent staff. Impossible mess. Pricey. No tanks. I found better art supply stores in Monroe, Michigan and in Cincinnati, Ohio. For my money, in the Bay Area, I always…
yelp.com - user review - 03/30/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Oksana T.

3 of 5 stars. They get a star for selling Yarka there and high ceilings. Otherwise, their supplies are way too overpriced for just a large general selection.
yelp.com - user review - 03/28/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Alyssa C.

2 of 5 stars. Ya, umm not a fan. No matter what state you are in, Pearl is always a mess. Always run by punk rock kids who could care less, and the products are never restocked. Once something sells out, not likely…
yelp.com - user review - 03/02/2005
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Yelp.com Review - by Bob G.

5 of 5 stars. The largest art supply store I've ever seen. Three floors containing everything you could want. I found it today and got some things in their winter sale, including a complete set of acrylics with…
yelp.com - user review - 11/26/2004
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