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Arts & Crafts Stores in Warsaw, Poland? [18]
@Caza88, there's been a renaissance of crafts in Poland lately, so it's probably a good idea to enter the Polish market nowadays, I suppose. I think both handmade stuff and supplies are usually bought on-line. I remember when I visited local store with art supplies in my city and they didn't have this, they didn't have that, because they had no money to buy it - I guess they were struggling. So I ordered stuff in an internet shop - everything was there and cheaper. So I guess it would be a good idea to visit on-line stores and see what they have on offer.
Earlier all the rage were handmade jewelry, handbags, etc. I was usually checking this site for stuff like that (it's probably one of the oldest ones):
pakamera.pl/
But there are plenty of other stores like this, all you need is to type "sklepy internetowe z rękodziełem" (internet shops with crafts).
I would say that in recent years there's been an increasing interest in interior design in Poland and, as a result, in any handmade stuff related to it. So, anything related to:
- furniture renovation, upcycling, beautifying: sandpaper, paints (chalk paint by Annie Sloan is known, for example), varnish, schlagmetal, templates, etc., handmade furniture knobs.
- fabrics - pillows, curtains, bed covers, carpets, etc. - so, I guess, paints for fabrics, pattern paint rollers, sewing stuff, etc., fabrics and tools for upholstery,
- decoupage,
- cuddly toys for kids made from felt, for example (and so - all the materials used for making them - this stuff can be even bought in Empik on-line store, as far as I remember).
- supplies for making your own house decorations, so, for example: spray paints in different colours, including golden and silver, hot glue guns, materials for decorating unvarnished wooden boxes (such boxes can be bought at Empik stationary stores and on-line).
- ceramics - paints for ceramics, etc.
As for brands, I mainly know about brands of supplies for artistic painting and drawing - I suppose they're the same all over Europe, with some addition of cheaper Polish ones (and maybe Russian). On-line stores with art supplies usually have also supplies for crafts (even on-line Empik store has them). I've ordered from this one, for example:
szal-art.pl/
But there are also quite a few others. I'll give you an example of a section with supplies for crafts with photos so maybe it will be easier for you to check it out:
tintadlaplastykow.pl/decoupage-zdobienie-prace-reczne
You know, if there is stuff that is popular on British market but not present on Polish one, then don't be too afraid to introduce it, because if it's affordable then it may become popular also here. Artists like to buy trusted brands, but they also like to experiment and look for cheaper stuff that is still good quality (at least that's my take on it).
Also, if it's going to be possible due to pandemic, you could check out this:
targikielce.pl/en/crafts
