Find out where to find art and craft supplies in Jeddah. A detailed list and review of shops and areas around Jeddah that cater to crafters. If you are looking for yarn, needles, paints, scrapbook, sewing or quilting supplies, etc. this post may help you.
Our post Craft Shops in Jeddah has become our most popular post this year. I have had quite a few readers write in asking about information on where to find more art and craft supplies in Jeddah that I think it is necessary to post another list. This week, I am writing a bigger list of all the places to find art and craft supplies in Jeddah. I hope this helps.
This post is part of the ‘Where in Jeddah‘ series. You may search for more articles in the series by clicking below.
You can find anything and everything in Jeddah!
Not kidding.
A lot of expatriates and newbies who move to Jeddah, have a hard time finding material for their crafty needs. Jeddah is a commercial capital of Saudi Arabia.
In all my travels around the Kingdom, I must tell you, I have not found any city to be more resourceful than Jeddah. You can find everything here! You just need to know where to look. Sometimes, you may feel a little disheartened when you don’t find something but trust me, it is not because it is not available here… you just haven’t looked where you should be!
One thing, I would like to point out, is that this list will never be complete because Jeddah is a big city and there are things brought in all the time and new places starting and old ones closing down. This list is just my experience of where I have seen what. Although I try to keep it updated but sometimes I may just not be aware if there are changes to a location or the items they have.
That said, I would also like to add that I have only searched for places that are closer to me and where I frequent. There are many places that I have never been to, like South Jeddah for example.
My advice to anyone searching for craft supplies is that you should always start from near you or somewhere where there are like minded people. The locals are generally very friendly. I have often asked my Saudi friends and they usually knew where to direct me.
Expatriates who have been living here longer know too. So ask around you first. There are many Jeddah Facebook groups too. Somebody will surely answer you. We have our very own Crafters group! Click the picture below.
We are talking about crafts supplies today. Crafts like crochet, knitting, tatting, macramé, scrapbooking, beading and jewelery making, quilting, embroidery and sewing, General arts and crafts, pottery and preschool needs.
Where to look for art and crafts supplies in Jeddah:
Here is a rough list of places I frequent. I am giving a rough idea of what these shops contain but you may have to check if they have it in stock or not and what else they may have.
1. Start with the stationaries
I always start my search for my crafty needs with the closest stationary available. Simple things like glue, card stock, shape punchers, stickers, all sizes and colors of paints and crayons are easily available at a stationary. You can find school quality yarn, needles, laces, hooks and beads too.
Some stationaries have professional artist material also. Basically, it all depends on who visits them and what size of a store they are. For example, if ladies have been going there asking for felt and yarn, they keep those too.
So, start here and any place you see more than one stationary in the area, be sure you will get more variety and a good bargain for your price.
2. Jarir Book Store – Not just a Bookstore!
Jarir has a few branches around the city. They also have an online site and a facebook page. They are better known for their office supplies, books and latest technology. But they also have craft materials and toys.
Not all the Jarir shops are alike, though. They all have different supplies and they may be arranged a bit differently too. You won’t notice these changes unless you have been to a few of them and have taken note. One place that has all of their stuff is the Sari street branch although you may find that one branch has a better stock of books or technology than the other.
At Jarir, you can find all kinds of artist quality paints, modeling clay and tools, lots of different sort of paper and craft material. They also have craft books and magazines. Although these may not be available as regular issues but you can find some sometimes. Please note that the stock that they have in ‘Craft supplies’ on ground level is not all they have. They have a ‘School needs’ section upstairs where you will find more material.
3. Dandy / Bawadi Stationary
On Prince Majed Street, you will find the stationary wholesale market. Most of these shops don’t sell retail but one among them Dandy Stationary is a go to place for many teachers, students and crafters in Jeddah. (They have another branch somewhere in Bawadi. I have never been so can’t tell exact location.) But this place is such a treasure house of craftiness! A lot of art and craft stuff there with woodwork and tools too. They have some really good collection of canvas and aisles that I have seen. Some yarn and knitting and crochet stuff too.
It is a big shop (although they’ve recently separated the wholesale and retail section) but it is really worth exploring. They also have Montessori material and craft kits.
This place has crepe paper and flower making material. I also find their felt by the meter useful.
4. Maktaba Ishraqat al Fun (Formerly Maktaba al Ghumri):
(The name has changed and they have a new owner now.) On Palestine Street again, next door to the Marriott is a little stationary. I have written more about it in my previous post and you can read that for details but I have to tell you, this is my favorite little shop!
You can find everything from paints, canvases, yarn (DMC and Chunky wools too!), Aida cloth, looms to office supplies. A small shop but they usually have everything whenever I went there. The shop has changed hands now… I haven’t went but we have readers who have and they say good things. They are on Instagram.
5. Debbie’s quilting studio:
On Madina road, near the maternity hospital is Debbie’s Quilting Studio. She has quilting supplies and she conducts quilting classes too. You can contact her for directions and details on her Facebook page or her website.
6. Macarona Street Bridal Market:
Macarona street is on the right between Madina road and Amir Majed Street when you are traveling west in Palestine street. This is the place for all things ladies.
It is well known for its abaya and salon supplies but you can also find lace and fabric shops here. They have some really good bridal and tailoring material there. You can find nice buttons and beads too. There is a shop called Al Esayii that has lots of craft supplies. You can expect tailoring and sewing sorts of stuff here.
7. Amir Majed Street
You can find lots of stationaries that sell wholesale and retail on either side of this road. The shops start somewhere after you turn left from Palestine street that is heading East. (You may have to exit the underpass).
Amongst these shops are those that have scrapbooking card and vinyl too. You may have to buy wholesale but do ask them if they sell retail. Some do sell retail, even though the shop says otherwise.
8. Al- Motthallath or The Triangle:
This is a preschool supplies shop on Palestine street that has really good whole sale only craft supplies. They have stuff that I have thought I’d have to order online. I have only bought crafty stuff for my kids from here but they are huge so go check them out.
9. Early Learning Center:
For preschool related craft materials like tempera paints for example. It drove me crazy that I couldn’t find them for my kids until I found them here. Early learning center shops are all over town. Most malls have an outlet but they have a bigger showroom on Tahlia Street.
10. Fanteer:
They are basically toys but they have Montessori stuff too. I know they shouldn’t be in this list of craftiness but well… Tempera paints..? 🙂 There was a time when I couldn’t find Tempera paints here and these people had it. Also if we need stuff for science projects, this is where we head.
There are located on Falasteen Street.
