I am always on the hunt for alternative sources to art supplies found in big box concrete buildings that offer up half of their space to kitchey already made dumpster filling junk. So when I am in a new area of a town, I google "art supplies" and pray for some relief from the tyranny of plastic and cake decorating, scrapbook paper and seasonal driftwood. So I found ArtPost in an unexpected place. A small dwelling type storefront with funky painted blue building and two doors... take the left. Inside you will find traditional and some on trend art supplies packed inside the small space like a european counterpart. If you are an artist or craftsperson, I don't believe you will be able to leave without something. p.s. they have some of the coolest japanese brush tip pens. read more

I did not realize this until I came here, but Art Post is one of the only few local art supply stores (and I believe the only one downtown). I have used them twice now for private classes/team building projects and both time they were phenomenal. For far less money than what other chain art-creation-team-building-events asked, Art Post created a custom activity for our group and created a laid-back atmosphere that encouraged creativity but also socializing. I also observed a class with younger children and the teacher was patient and also encouraging of creativity with the kids. Overall, I was very impressed with their community outreach and artistic philosophy. They also host some really great outdoor markets on the weekend where you can find lots of great local art and music! read more

Bravissima, Polly, and grazie mille for providing superb guidance on the best watercolor supplies. Your kindness, expertise, and always excellent suggestions make the close-to-three-hour ride to your store from Boone totally worth it! Can't wait to get back, and in the meantime wish you a brilliant end of summer and start of autumn amid the sweet light of Durham. Grazie ancora. read more

I really wish I could give Happymess 4 stars, and I hope that after another class I'll be able to update and upgrade them. A great thing about Happymess is that they offer a TON of classes--practically every day of the week. I heard through the grapevine that there were still some spots available for the Thursday night Artini (BYOB) class, where participants would be doing a Warhol-style pop-art piece of their pets. I quickly emailed my favorite picture of my canine companion to Holly at Happymess, and my spot was saved. The class cost $35 plus a $10 materials fee. I know that art supplies are not cheap, so even though the cost made me cringe, I was okay with it. I was disappointed, however, that the selection of colors was pretty bleak, because a shipment of new paint was a few days late. Both Holly and Libby (the instructor) apologized for this several times, and made new colors as needed. While Libby never rushed any of us in the class, the 2 hours allotted was not nearly enough to finish. The class was supposed to end at 9:00pm, but I ended up finishing and leaving closer to 11:30 (and I was the first to leave). I think it's great that Happymess isn't cool with you paying for and leaving with an unfinished product, but more realistic class times should be posted. Other than those things, Libby was a great instructor (offering advice on color choices and technique but ultimately letting us do our own thing), the class was really fun, and I'm very happy with my painting! read more

ART POST at Happymess Supplies & Studios - My Happymess-terpiece! - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Best art shop ever!!! Amazing selection of art products gifts and more. The staff is always so helpful, warm and friendly.

I love this place! They have a huge selection of arts and crafts supplies, from budget options to high-end, all packed into what's likely less than 1000 sq. feet. You'll find many of the products offered by the major online art supply sellers, but given ART POST doesn't stock dozens of the same item, it's really easy to take it all in and slowly explore the store (and fill up that shopping basket). The prices are quite reasonable and the owner is very kind, encouraging and helpful if you have any questions. A+ - worthy of your time. read more

So, went back for the Pop Art Pets "ARTini" last night, and loved it too. This place just makes me happy. Holly and Libby (our instructor) are super nice and very helpful, with everything from technique to color choices (who would have thought picking out 4 colors would be so difficult?). I do agree with the previous reviewer that 2 hours was not enough time--I think probably 3 hours would be more reasonable. (I was there until 10:30, but did take a little extra time to pick colors, plan, chit-chat, etc.) Despite this I never felt rushed and definitely felt welcome to stay as long as I needed to finish the project. I love my finished painting, and am looking forward to my next class...maybe I'll try encaustic! read more

ART POST at Happymess Supplies & Studios - My Pop Art Cat! - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great selection of art supplies! Go to ART POST if you are needing some inspiration. They have a huge selection of all types of supplies. I went for some pens and a sketch pad. Sooo many specialty pens. Affordable too! Definitely worth checking out a local art store to get everything you need. read more

We've been calling for a week now trying to setup a private party and we have had zero luck, no response, apparently they do not want any business. The gentleman who answers their main line is very nice, but is not provided the information needed about private parties so it's pointless to call and ask. I would go with the company up the road. read more

Happymess is a fantastic place to get your art on, and run by people who are very open to your interests in art as a hobbyist or a pro. I have used the standard butane torch for encaustic painting, and I was recently delighted to be able to purchase a sort of creme brulee torch there this past weekend for my encaustic work! This newly acquired torch has a simple self-lighting trigger so no more two-handed lighter-to-gas anymore. The flame/cone on the torch is well-controlled using a dial-up or dial-down twist setting. In short, that Happymess had this wax fusing tool in stock was superb. They don't have everything, but they do have some nicely curated products as well as harder to find items. Best of all, the classes they offer are super relaxed yet you are working with experts. It's very un-uptight, as evidenced best by the name of the place - Happymess. read more

I agree with all the great comments below! It's a gem of a place. Very reasonable prices and well-curated products. This is my go to art store, even though it's 25 miles away. It's an artist's heaven!! read more

love this little gem! Do not drive by! Parking is easy in the back and you can go in thru the kitchen/studio. I bought some sweet watercolor pencils for a fabulous price and some way neat new sticky canvas I cannot wait to try. The staff was super helpful and fun without being pushy. Loved the whole place! I stop at art supplier stores over from SCAD favs to Atlanta haunts and I have to say....although small this place could hold their own even in a town like Savannah. I will totally be back!!! read more

ART POST at Happymess Supplies & Studios - Super stoked to also try out my new paper adhesive! - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Happy mess is now more than a fun place to learn to paint. It is an art supply store too! I stopping in on a rainy cold day in March, and the very atmosphere felt like a change in the weather. So bright and warm. If you are looking for a unique variety of art supplies - beyond the same old that ever chain store carries - or want some new inspiration - check out Happymess. read more

I've been to Happymess for a "Paint Like van Gogh" class and also arranged a private party with them. Both were great experiences. Holly (the owner) was very accommodating, and Hattie (the instructor) was helpful, hilarious and made sure we all had a blast. I think the key to getting the most out of these BYOB classes is to understand that you're not going to paint a masterpiece in 2 hours, but instead relax, connect with some nice people and have a great time - and as a bonus you have a painting to take home at the end. The only downside I can think of is that this place is on the second floor of a renovated house. The stairs are super treacherous on the way down! read more

My husband and I tried out the "Paint your pARTner" class last weekend (our first Happy Mess experience!). I saw their special on Groupon's website so I thought we'd give it a shot. It was $29 for both of us and that included all of our art supplies/canvas. I had been in contact with Holly (the owner) and was informed that it would be a full class. However, when we showed up, there was no one there but us! Erin was our instructor and she was so GREAT (especially in handling my husband's many questions). Since this was our first time taking a "paint your partner" art class, we really didn't know what to expect. When we ended up being the only people there, it was kind of a nice surprise, because it was almost like taking a "private class"...however, I don't know which I would have preferred. Since we were kind of hoping to meet other couples and mingle, I was also a bit disappointed, so, I suppose I am giving a mixed review! Oh, well. We were provided canvas and acrylic paints (which I am fairly familiar with). I really only signed up for this class because I thought it would be fun to do with my husband (not so much for the 'art' aspect of it). I would, however, be interested in trying out other classes for the "art aspect" (i.e., encaustic, batik, etc.) Anyways, I hope this review makes sense! Overall, it was a nice experience and I'll definitely visit Happy Mess again (though, I guess I still don't know what to expect but that's okay with me). :-) read more

We went to Happymess a few months ago when we had a groupon. There were a ton of different classes and times on the schedule. We ended up doing the "paint your pet" themed class. It was $10 more than the groupon for canvas prep fees, which they let us know ahead of time. There were about 8 people in the class. We brought a bottle of rose and some beers, since we were walking from a couple streets away. Honestly, the instructor was great and super attentive, but she was also incredible overwhelmed. There were different people with cash, credit, different value amount groupons, and she kept emphasizing that the owner was supposed to be there (but wasn't). I am also irritated when a business "prefers" cash, but doesn't state any kind of preference on their website, or any of the emails you have with them! The instructor (I honestly can't remember her name) tried to hop around and help everyone, but with so many people doing so many different types of paintings/different colors, I think she would have benefited from an assistant (and she mentioned the class was never supposed to have more than 8 people.. I mean, what are we supposed to do about that? Just feel weird?). Most people did not finish their painting in the allotted time (three hours?) and were told to come back to finish. That being said, we did have a great time and came home with some great pieces of art. I think the studio has great potential, but a little more organization is needed. Like I said, the instructor was awesome, but she is obviously an artist and not one for the bookkeeping / payments / finishing on time. Go if you want a leisurely afternoon, some day drinking, and a fun experience, but don't go to learn about art or create a masterpiece. read more

Last Thursday, I was feeling adventurous and decided to sign up for a class. From the moment I walked in, I was at home. I was greeted by Holly who gave me the lowdown and offered me a PBR; I felt like I had known her for years! Libby was our super helpful and encouraging instructor. I created a work of art that I'm quite proud of. I will most certainly be back this week! read more

ART POST at Happymess Supplies & Studios - Collage :) - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It's OK. I've been to this place a couple of times and while everyone is friendly and I have a good time, I do have some qualms. First, the good. Instructions are great, they give good direction, it's local. The bad. Well the times I went when an employee/friend of the person also paints in the class, that person is extremely insufferable, for lack of a better word. She just went on about promoting the lady teaching the class, go see this place go buy this art etc. We are paying customers and her braggadocio almost ruined the experience. Other than that most customers are great when I come to this place. Second BIG qualm is canvas size. For the same price or less, at other paint and drinks, the canvas is much larger. This place always gives a much smaller canvas. Yes supplies are expensive but generally the quality of canvases they give out aren't the fanciest. I paint at home and have my own supplies and sometimes I'm tempted to just bring my own, but I am caught between I'm already paying for theirs so why bother. I wish they would offer a dollar off amount for bringing your own canvas. Also, the teachers do come of not genuine when they are constantly going around with faux "wow you guys are doing great!" "Didn't expect such great work!", constant talking to grown adults like we are children. Criticism is welcome, but not when its cloyingly not sincere. I think they mean well, but maybe another way to express positivity? Other than that I do like the place, it's fun and I'm glad that they are into it. I also do like that it's local and that the girls who teach are welcoming. I don't generally go here unless someone else wants to go, mostly because of the canvas size. It's almost disheartening to work so hard on something when you can go else where and get a better value. read more

Great local art shop! They have everything you need and the owner is very welcoming and extremely helpful. They also have a studio upstairs and offer art classes. Great place! read more

I love this store! I was greeted by Holly, who was so fun to talk to. I needed supplies for an encaustic class, and since I've never done it before I needed lots of help. She knew exactly what I was going to need and even helped me find the most cost-effective products! I was super impressed when I came back two weeks later and she remembered me and asked me how my class was. I definitely recommend this shop for anyone just starting out in art, and she clearly has everything the advanced artist would need as well. read more

I have been to several classes at Happymess and I always had a blast and came home with a piece that I was proud of even if it wasn't necessarily frame-worthy! I highly recommend Artini night to everyone...not just the folks who consider themselves artsy but also those who haven't picked up a paint brush since pre-school. Bring a friend and a bottle of wine and you just might find yourself a new hobby :) read more

"I am not an artist" I said to the owner who promptly encouraged me to attend an ARTini class. The whole night was a delightful surprise and very meditative, cathartic, and really fun. Being with other community members gave me the freedom to "just do me" with no pressure. Highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. read more

Happymess is completely superior to the other companies in the area offering the same services. Read below if you need more convincing. Libby was an outstanding instructor who made our night out that much more enjoyable. I have gone to Happymess twice when I had visitors from out of town. Happymess is a great ambassador for the area, in its historic setting near Duke and in a historically recognized converted house. My friends from California and Montreal were impressed with this studio. I have tried one of the other paint + wine events in the area and the other guys felt way too corporate! I feel like Happymess is the real deal. I felt at ease making my mess at Happymess because it felt like a real art studio. The other guys felt like a clinical night out, and the other participants seemed like "The Real Housewives of Cary." Happymess is more authentic to me and laidback. On one of my visits the wonderful instructor, Libby, stayed late with us for an extra half hour so we could fully finish our collages. She went beyond the call of duty by postponing her date, allowing us to finish. I can't imagine the other paint + wine place giving us the time to finish the specified Two hour maximum. Also, unlike my other experience with a different company, there was no "upselling", like trying to sell us expensive frames and their own pictures on the wall. Happymess doesn't try to sell the pictures off their walls, in fact they donate the art teacher's works of art to their own charity that reaches out to the community to bring back art into the lives of children and the elderly. The important message for people to take from this rating is that I have dones these types of classes many times and truly the best choice for the triangle area is Happymess. If I had a date or friends to entertain I would never go to the other guys with their studios in Cary corporate office parks. Happymess creates the optimal mood and ambiance anyone would want for this type of experience. read more

Friendly local art supply shop. HappymessART offers a small but well-curated selection of high-quality drawing, painting and color supplies. It's a great place to buy gifts, or to treat yourself. The shop offered a fantastic discount on Small Business Saturday, I haven't taken a painting class there, but it looks like fun. read more

It's nice that the class sizes are small, and that they offer a variety of art projects. Their website sorely needs an update, though - it has led to a few headaches and registrations not going through. I've shown up to a class I registered for, and the place was all shuttered up for the day. It was blamed on technical issues, which is understandable - but this happened twice, which is perplexing and would have been really annoying to deal with if I lived further away. So, call ahead and make sure you get confirmation when you register. Also, just note that canvas sizes are kind of on the smaller side, and projects generally go past the two-hour allotment. The paint that they provide on the palettes is not sufficient so it gets awkward to keep asking for more. However, I am happy with the projects I've completed here, and their art supply store seems to be well-stocked. I also like that it's housed in a rambling old house with a lot of character. read more

We had a lot of fun at the class we attended, and the materials and instruction were high quality. They also let us reschedule when one of us was sick. The downside is that 2/3 times, we showed up for class and nobody was there. They later cited web trouble, though these classes were 3 months apart so I am surprised they didn't fix it in between. At least they were kind enough to offer us a free class in exchange for our troubles. read more

Had two classes there so far, painting a bull and painting my pet. I had a great time doing both, and my paintings turned out way better than i'd have expected. Teacher was understanding and helpful with my beginner and colorblind nature! read more

I went to the encaustic class with a friend as a total newbie. By the time we left, I felt like I had a real sense of the process and was completely hooked both on the vibe at happymess and encaustic art. Libby, our instructor, was supportive, fun, and educational. We felt very much that we were creating our own art, not cookie-cutter stuff, but had the feedback to feel confident with what we were doing. The class size was small so we had lots of 1:1 attention - it actually felt like a group of friends getting together to hang out and make something awesome. I loved happymess and will happily recommend it to everyone and return as soon as I can. read more

What a great time! It's a warm and friendly place to wet your brush into something long ago laid aside.......I do art of a different nature daily but wanted my friends to do this and we had alot of fun. Don't take yourself to seriously. Libby is a first rate painter, she is really good. I like to paint but don't get to do it enough and this is affordable and you have a painting when you are done. You may not leave with a masterpiece but it will be a nice finished peace. No MP is done in 2-3 hours. They are expanding downstairs in the near future. The stairs were the only bad issue for my knee but I did it and you just go slow. Not a hindrance to me. I loved it and will be going back soon!! Just do it. The price is right, you have all the supplies and someone who knows what they are doing. It's a deal. Look for living social and groupon coupons, but if not, pay it. You get what you pay for. It is also cheaper than a shrink and this was great mental therapy. Laugh a little, drink a little, maybe more, paint alot and it's fun..... read more

A group of us went to celebrate our friend's birthday. There was a total of 9 in the group; however the room only comfortably fits 8. Overall it was pretty fun until we discovered we had to wash every item used. In the beginning of the class the instructor emphasized not to be concerned about the mess made so we weren't. At the end we were cleaning up and she told us to wash everything in the sink. Since there was only one sink, only two people could fit so it took several minutes to scrub everything moderately clean. This class used mixed media so it wasn't just 9 palettes and paint brushes. It was 9 plus paintbrushes, individual cups containing paint and hardened glue, plastic knives, 9 plus sponge brushes, and a few other items. If we had known we were required to clean our own mess we would have as we had finished using an item or as the art was drying at different stages. As I was washing the very last item the instructor placed 4 more items she had used and said, "I know I'm a bitch." Five of us agreed we would never go back and have had better experiences at art classes located in Raleigh and Carrboro. No one said they look forward to taking another class at Happymess. read more