Dear Hiring Manager at Desires Art Store, I've walked past your window a dozen times--always pausing at that charcoal sketch of the woman mid-laugh, the one where her eyes look like they know exactly what I'm hiding. It's the kind of piece that doesn't sell itself; it just... stays. And honestly? That's why I'm writing. I've spent the last three years behind the counter at a tiny gallery in Portland--nothing fancy, just good light and people who'd rather talk about brushstrokes than buy anything. I learned how to spot the quiet ones who come in for just a look, then leave with a $400 watercolor because I asked if they'd ever painted their own shadow. I'm not pushy. I'm patient. And I remember names--like how Mrs. Alvarez always wants the softest pastels, or how the kid in the hoodie keeps circling the same neon print until he finally asks if we do layaway. Desires feels different. Not louder--just deeper. I've seen your Instagram; the way you frame a single canvas like it's breathing. You don't just sell art--you curate moments. I want to be part of that. I'm good with inventory (I once reorganized our entire back room by mood--warm tones on the left, cold on the right--sales jumped fifteen percent). I can wrap a piece like it's a gift to someone's future self. And yeah, I'll admit--I've already daydreamed about restocking your shelves at six in the morning, radio low, coffee black, watching the city wake up through the glass. If you're looking for someone who'll treat every customer like they're about to fall in love--with a painting, with themselves, with whatever--they'll find here--I'm your guy. Let me know if you ever need an extra pair of hands. Or eyes. Or just someone who'll stay late to hang that last piece right. Warmly, Leo P.S. read more

I probably find myself at Leather & Sewing Supplies at least every 3 weeks. I love this store, and everyone who works there. Some are absolute legends (Anita) This place has everything you need for your projects and a lot of stuff you didn't know you needed until you saw it. Great prices. Well stocked store. Perfect location. read more

I ordered a product two months ago. I called regarding the status of the order. I was told there was a $30 up charge for UPS plus an additional 50% charge relating to be tarrifs because the item is coming from China. I understand the problem relating to tariffs. This company didn't have the courtesy to call me or send me an email to inform me about the up charge. Had I not contacted this company, I would have been charged the additional fees. This isn't right. Their failure to communicate with their customers is unacceptable.. It is not a customers responsibility to follow up when special circumstances arise. read more

Great selection and service. You can find everything you need to work with garment leather and more. The stuff is very helpful. Prices are normal. Hard to find parking . Easy access with TTC. read more

I ordered online a piece of leather for a bookbinding project after searching a lot on the web (did't get a lot of choice near my location). This was really really affordable and I needed a quite thin piece of leather witch I found really hard to get in the size I needed it. Someone called me because I made a mistake when I ordered it and they call me to be sure that's what I needed. Wich was not so I was really grateful they took the time to notice it and check with me. The shipping was more fast that I was expecting, wich again, I was really happy. The leather is of great condition for what I needed. This experience was a first but won't be the last for sure. I found a lil gem and I'm really happy with it! Thank you! read more

I was here with my friends to buy leather to make some handmade stuffs. It's a very small, suffocated, dark and disorganize store with lots of sewing supplies. I felt like we were doing some illegal business when I first stepped in. It was almost their closing time so it wasn't busy. The service was on and off. One staff helped us at first and she seemed clueless about the products and she needed to seek answers from another staff she worked with. However, she was very nice and helped us to find the supply we wanted with no complaints or attitude. Another staff was uneasy to tell. He was friendly at this point, then he sounded rude at another point. But he answered all of our questions. He was nice to not asking us to leave when they were closed. (We were the last customers) I have to say the staffs here are very honest. The guy, his name is Adam I think, honestly gave us the measurement and the price for our supplies. (Some can just make up the measurements and increase the price).The staffs here aren't trying hard to convince you to buy their stuffs. They give you the price, if you don't like it then it's fine. I don't really like when someone try to sweet talk me and push me to buy their products. Well, I think they might have a long, tough day that day. It's understandable:) I gave them 3 stars for their efficient and their willing- to- help service. read more

I must express my " thank you" to the female owner-I still can not say her name after all the visits. Today , I came late right after the shop closes @6:30PM, there were still couple of customers left, I felt lucky but very sorry. I asked if I can find brown color synthetic leather piece to make straps, she compared my original piece, found one matched, and cut out exact amount, only $6 in total. And I also need to remove a small piece of leathet strip on a coat," I will pass by tomorrow to pick up" I said , 'No-I will do right away for you." Thank you, really appreciated your help as always. read more

I was referred here by a tailor when I brought in my (fake) leather jacket because a snap had gone missing and was told this place would have hundreds of snaps and I'd get it fixed for 3 or 5 bucks. I wasn't really holding him to the price because that seemed stupidly low, but I rushed here and came in RIGHT a 6 - closing time. The door was still open and they were still helping customers. I figured I'd get an eyeroll and rude service for coming in when they were supposed to close, but he took my jacket, fixed it in a minute and a half flat, and lo and behold - 3 bucks! Didn't have to go any time without my jacket and I was willing to pay 20 bucks to have it fixed! read more

Eight-fifty a.m. on a Monday, the door is open and a rushed and grizzled man in his sixties helps me find two pieces of brown leather in their "leather scraps" box, and I've got exactly what I need for new pocket and sleeve liners - for $10.15. Plus a lust for all the ribbons, fabric and tailoring supplies piled up in an orderly mess, floor to ceiling. This place is great. read more

Leather & Sewing Supply Depot - Leather cuff and pocket taping made from scraps from the Leather & Sewing Supply Depot's leather scrap bin. - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

You know how some businesses are really talked up and then you visit yourself only to find that everyone lives in an alternate universe because the place sucks? Yeah, exact opposite here! This place is amazing-- heart eyes emoji amazing. Toronto Youtubers and DIYers have raved about this place for a while so I stopped in for some DIY materials. I was not disappointed! The prices are beyond reasonable, and all staff was so friendly and helpful. One staff member talked me through my whole project idea and told me the best way to go about it. 5/5 will absolutely be back. P.S. Don't let the old building/cramped basement space scare you. It fits right in at its Queen & Spadina location and it's so worth the visit. read more

I came across this place quite by accident when I was wandering Chinatown on a recent trip to Toronto. I walked downstairs and my jaw dropped at the prices. I pay easily 4 to 5 times more for the same items at home- some even more. This place is amazing! I stocked up on a bunch of stuff I'll need for some upcoming projects, and got fun ideas for even more projects. The saleslady who was helping me was very knowledgable and sweet, and she was very patient explaining some items to me that I hadn't worked with before. I can't wait until my next visit! This may be my new favourite store. read more

Overpriced goods and poor service...not my choice next time... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ read more

Came in with my leather jacket ready to spend $50-100 to have a new zipper sewn in. Their guy took one look and said the zipper itself was fine, only needed the detachable part replaced. Took them maybe 5 minutes to set me up. Cost: $5. I love this place! read more

crowded, dark, disorganized - awful! This is probably a treasure trove for people in the know, so I'm going to suggest that it is not for the faint of heart or the dabbler. If you are a really committed creator of ??? its probably worth getting to know the place and developing a relationship with the propietors. read more

It's a great store! Doesn't have a lot of options for sewing accessories like studs, rivots, or beads, but it had a ton of great leather options! It also seemed to focus on belts and zippers. The employees are so knowledgeable, and kind! read more

I wanted to pick up leathercraft as a hobby and the staff here were all super, super helpful in pointing me in the right direction every step of the way. Awesome place! read more

Don't come here if you don't know exactly what you need & what you're doing. For professional and seasoned hobbyists, it may be a decent spot to seek material (I wouldn't know), but if you go in with a single whiff of newbiness, they will treat you differently. The staff are so hesitant to get up out of their chairs/stations to direct you to what you're looking for. Instead they'll tell you to "go find Gigi at the front of the store" (I have no f**king clue who Gigi is) or tell you to look at the "eye-level shelf on the right as you come in". Then, when you feel incompetent the way they seem to make you want to feel, you'll want to grab a yard just to get the hell out, and they'll say they're going to go look for it and go help out another customer instead. As I was watching the guy not look for what I asked for, I just walked out of there and I won't be stepping a foot into that store again. read more

I come here for all my zippers, leather bits and anything I need to sew with. Very cheap and full of variety, but it can be overwhelming when you first walk in. read more

This place is amazing for metal items such as buckles, hooks, eyelets, snaps and so on. They are sold either by the piece or in sets. The prices are very reasonable! Invisible zippers that go for $3-4 at Fabricland or other fabric shops are available for about $1 here. For garment embellishments, this is the place to go. They really do have every type of zipper and trim imaginable. The selection for fabric on the other hand is quite limited. Small selection compared to other fabric shops in the area and the prices are the same if not slightly higher. Though as their name suggests, they do have a wide range of leather. As for service, there has always been someone offer me assistance while in the shop and their service is efficient. read more

Incredible service and kindness when I was dollar short in cash. Holy cow they were nice and helped me find what I needed. Ten stars.

Leather pieces and scraps in many different colors, very useful. I like repairing and making stuff, and this will be a good place to get leather supplies. read more

Pretty bad experience here.. went to get some simple supplies, needles, thread, etc.. sales associate was extremely condescending and rude. She totally ignored what I said I needed and suggested some useless stuff. Even though she didn't know what she was talking about she continued to ignore my needs and give completely incorrect advice. Apparently had no clue that upholstery fabric is different from regular fabric. At least she found the needles I was looking for. Very disorganized store with a mediocre selection at best. Went across the street to world sewing centres after and breathed a sigh of relief. Won't be returning. read more

I was looking for a store with good quality leather and friendly helpful staff. I came across this store simply by researching different leather stores and reading the reviews. I am a bit picky being from Montreal where these types of stores are easy to come by... I must say I was impressed by the way how the staff listened to my concern and bent over backwards to meet my needs. I was designing a jeans with leather down the side similar to styles of the 90s ...an era now recycled and back in style. In particular CoaCoa was very helpful and she even referred me to an awesome tailor. Another staff member who was wearing a hat with ears was very helpful and she also ensured I was satisfied with my purchase. I will be back and I have referred many of my friends to this location. Thanks for the great service!!! read more

Had a pretty good experience, after an initial falter. I am a novice and I came with a list of items and questions. The first person who I talked to admitted she probably couldn't really help me with the questions, which is fine, but she got called away to socialize while she was helping me, and just sort of wandered off without saying anything else. I was just left standing alone at the counter. Anyway, the woman who did help me out was really great, showed me lots of things, and gave me samples to try out. The store is a little overwhelming at first but the prices are good. It's fun to go through the leather remnant bin. I will definitely go back for future leather projects. read more

Has an amazing selection of sewing accessories, notions and hardware. The staff is extremely knowledgable and helpful. We went in with a leather swatch and they found the exact match in their basement inventory in minutes. read more

i called about No 40 basting thread. I got some stupid sales person - who said they have thousands of threads - what was I going to use it for. When I said "basting" - she said "Oh". So, I was invited to visit the store - which is an hour away to see if they had what I wanted. I have no intention of going. read more

I recently discovered this place with my Mom a few months ago. This place has a large selection of quality leathers, furs and accessories. I love going to the basement part because they have the best selection if you take the time to look at the leather rolls on the wall. They also have large bins of leather scraps that you can find good bargains in for patchwork projects. I make sure to visit every time I am in Chinatown. The Owner and his staff are very nice and provide great customer service. I have been to a few leather places in the GTA and this place is the best by far. read more

This is my kind of store, cluttered, who knows what you'll find. I've been shopping here for a number of years, the staff are very friendly, helpful and the prices are great. if you sew a great deal its worth the visit read more

They will fix your broken zipper jacket on the spot! I called first and spoke to someone named "Coco" who said she could help me when I came in that afternoon, but the place was packed with people and I couldn't get to her, so I dealt with a very nice black lady instead (an intern?) who fixed my $1000 burberry jacket! Coco 'reviewed' what the intern did and confirmed that the job was well done. All I needed was a 'stopper' for my jacket and the cost of this 'stopper' and for them to put it on my jacket ... $5! Yes ... $5.00!!!! That's it! I'm going to be frequenting this establishment A LOT from now on! :) read more

This place is great! They had literally everything I needed for my leather projects, and helped me find them despite the fact that I didn't know what half the things I needed were called. They even let me try out a couple tools before I purchased. Sure it's a little disorganized, but thankfully they know where everything is AND it's all priced affordably. Can't wait to go back! read more

take a deep breath before going in, relax, don't fight the pace inside and you'll find exactly what you're looking for...if what you're looking for is leather or fabric related. thanks for all the help read more