Swain's

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537 N Glendale Ave (at at Hwy 134)
Glendale, CA 91206

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(818) 243-3129
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Reviews
( 9 )
( 10 )
( 4 )
( 0 )
( 3 )

Best

I go there for great stationary and all my invitation needs. A little pricey, but the best selection around. Especially perfect for special occasion stationary needs.

Worst

Swains is one of those stores that I have used to love visiting because they have so many things I love to buy there.\r But I have had a number of incidents there with their sale...

The staff ruin what should be a lovely store 2/25/2010

Swains is one of those stores that I have used to love visiting because they have so many things I love to buy there.\r But I have had a number of incidents there with their sales staff who are so EXTREMELY rude, indifferent and actually hostile at times that I find myself now completely unwilling to give them my business.\r They have treated my children badly, ordering them out of the toy department and not allowing them to look at books and on one occasion asking my 11 year old son, who is an artist, whether he intended to pay for an item which he was bringing to the register WITH ME WALKING BESIDE HIM. I had a similar situation when I was looking to buy some $20 baby shoes, the associate stood over me as I peered up at them on a high, high shelf, got them down one box at a time only for me to look at, and then refused to let me walk to the register with the ones I chose but insisted on carrying them herself. It's quite unfriendly and not pleasant to be viewed as a shoplifting suspect more
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Not just for the Artsy Type 6/13/2008

I go there for great stationary and all my invitation needs. A little pricey, but the best selection around. Especially perfect for special occasion stationary needs. more
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Insulting Customer Service 9/10/2007

I am a graphic artist, and took my 10 year old daughter to the store with me because she used to love the toy section.\r \r I went looking for specific pens and brushes - Boring! - to my daughter who went perusing the toy section.\r \r She was accosted and held by the arm by one of the store clerks until I came to find her. The incredible woman had the nerve to insinuate that it was an unfit parent for letting my child be in the section alone.\r \r Child abductions must happen in that store more frequently than I realized.\r \r Needless to say we will never go back there. I'm finding everything I need elsewhere for less. more
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They have it all! 9/8/2007

Being a graphic designer, I love that they always have the newest and latest papers, books, gadgets, or whatever. I have shopped here for years, and try to catch the sales, otherwise things tend to be a little pricey. When in school, I felt slighted that their discounts only applied to Art Center students, but again, I watched for the 20% sales and stocked up then. Overall, it's a great place to shop. more
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The Best Art Store Around!! 10/30/2006

I have gone to Swains for over 20 years. I still have an Art Center Discount card from 1984 they STILL honor. They have added scrapbooking and other stuff but I still love their selection. Pros: Great selection of real art supplies more
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Unacceptable return policy for defective merchandise 10/29/2006

After purchasing an item from Swains and finding it to be defective, I returned the item for a refund. Since this was an item I would never have expected to be defective (a pad of graph paper with a scale of 10 squares to the inch), I did not keep my receipt. Upon trying to use the graph paper, I immediately discovered that it was not printed at 10 squares to the inch, but approximately 10.5 squares to the inch, which was unacceptable for my intended use (engineering). I therefore returned the item to Swains and explained the situation to the clerk at the return desk, but he refused to refund my money because I did not have the receipt. He did offer to trade the graph paper for another item of equal value, but he quickly rescinded that offer once he realized that one of the sheets of graph paper had been used (I had drawn two lines on the first sheet before discovering the problem), making it impossible for them to place it back on the shelf to sell to another hapless customer. I t more
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Nice selection, lousy customer service 12/19/2005

Swains has a large variety of art supplies and other items. They are slightly on the pricy side, but I don't mind paying a bit more for one stop shopping. I think I'm going to shop elsewhere from now on, however, because of the repeatedly indifferent, rude, dismissive customer service. I work hard for my money, I don't want a best friend, but I'd like a smile and a thank you. Pros: Selection, Clean Layout, Easy parking Cons: Customer Service, Price, Closes early more
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Great selection of art supplies and papers 11/29/2005

This is the place to go for pencils, paints, portfolios, unique papers, and stationary. They have a huge sale twice a year that is well worth it. They also have a large supply of photo frames and albums. If your having trouble finding what you need for your creative project, this is the place to go. more
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HUGE Selections 11/21/2005

Swains practically had every art supply i needed for my art classes. they are neatly organized. the staff are helpful and courteous. They carry alot of good quality brand paint brushes at affordable prices. The store is large and spacious. i could not help but walk through every single aisle browsing through everything they had on the counters. Swains is an art store i would definitely go to when i'm out of art supplies. more
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Great selection of art products 11/3/2005

I was impressed with the variety of art supplies that Swains makes available. When my wife was searching for certain styles of paints, we stopped by and were able to find them without any problems. The prices vary, with some items being pretty overpriced compared to other stores, but the selection is outstanding. PROS: Great selection CONS: Some items are overpriced more
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Swains. 11/2/2005

I find their items a bit more expensive than Michaels. Their things are unique though. They'd make cute presents for children. The workers were pretty nice too. more
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Swain's 9/15/2005

I have shopped at Swain's once quite recently in fact since I just discovered the store. I was so impressed by the wide selection of art and craft supplies they have available. They also sell stationary, greeting cards, office supplies, photo albums, pens, frames, and even toys. Their aisles are very well organized so finding items are easy. I just had fun browsing all their products and definitely will be back at that store again soon. more
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first time visit 9/10/2005

It was the greatest experience, an absolute amazing store. I would recommend Swain over Michael's 100 times . That's how great of store it was. I found everything I need at resonable prices. more
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Pricey but great selection 8/19/2005

If you're looking for art supplies and live in the Valley (near Encino), then this is the closest place I've found with TONS of variety. They have a big sale 1x or 2x's a year and you can get GREAT deals. One of my fave places to browse. I haven't had any problems with customer service in all the times I've been in there. Pros: convenient location, wide variety, Fun to browse! Cons: expensive more
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For your art supply needs... 6/9/2005

A fantastic selection of pencils, paints, brushes, canvas (pre-stretched, raw, etc.), sketchpads, art books, much more. They even have easels and drafting tables! The staff is professional and quite knowledgeable. Substantial discounts to Art Center students. PROS: great selection, knowledgeable staff CONS: special discount only applies to Art Center students more
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Art, Hobbies & More! 6/8/2005

Knowledgeable & helpful staff, large inventory of supplies for: arts, crafts and hobbies like scrap booking and model trains They have fine art & design books, children's toys, calendars, cards, Photo frames, office & school supplies and more. Huge parking lot Student discount cards-only for certain colleges though more
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Great Selection of Fine Arts Supplies 4/29/2005

Now that I am out of college and live on the east side of the city, I have found that this store in Glendale, off the 134, to be the best choice for my art supply needs, everything from canvases and paints to fine art paper to art sets for kids to Scrapbook supplies. The only drawback is sometimes it's pricy so I don't go right now because I do not have the money to spend there and spend it I will if I walk in the door. more
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Pretty Paper 4/18/2005

Beautiful writing paper, gift wrap, and stationery for various uses. The range is wide in styles and prices. Certainly recommend it for quality and customer service. more
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Editorial review from Insider Pages 2/4/2005

Great place to get crafty. I love their card selection, but I always lose myself among all the pens and pencils they have to offer. An awesome addition to the store has been the toy section. They have toys that are funky and educational. If youre a student they offer special discounts that make it even more worth it. more
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Editorial review from Insider Pages 1/17/2005

I have only been here once but I was seriously impressed. They have absolutely everything that you could want! They are a little more expensive but all the products that they carry are very high quality and the people know what they are talking about and very willing to answer questions and help you find something. If you are a crafty person this is definately the place to go! more
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Owner Message


    • Art Supplies

    • Brushes

    • Children's

    • Clay

    • Easels

    • Paints

    • Paper

    • Portfolios

Additional information
  • Hours: M-F 9-7 sa 9-5:30 su 10-5
  • Neighborhoods: City Center
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