Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Soul Forest]

Does anybody have any good recommendations for where to buy supplies for arts & crafts? There's a variety of different crafts I want to do. Some of them in class and some of them just for myself. In almost every neighborhood, you can find a stationary shop, but most of them are overpriced and don't have much interesting stuff. I want to buy a whole range of stuff -- like tinsel, glitter, string, tubes ... I'm hoping that when I get to a good store that I'll see a bunch of stuff that gives me other ideas, too.

[ucfvgirl]

If you go to Namdaemun Market, they have a section that sells stationary supplies and other things. I came across a store that has about 5 floors and they had EVERYTHING to do with arts and crafts. The only thing I didn't find there was a crochet hook. There were glue guns, sparkles, yarn, stickers, paper, flowers, rafia(???) paper, stuff to make braclets, you name it, you could probably find it there.

I wish I had more money to spend while I was there. I hope this helps. Remember, I read somewhere that Namdaemun is not open on Sundays.

[captain kirk]

There's a stationery store near the Express Bus Terminal that is da Bomb.

It has crafts stuff out the yinyang. I mean everything. Balsa wood, pipe cleaners, art supplies, shrubs for model railroading diaramas. It's crafts central.

Express Bus Terminal stop on the orange line, south of the Han. It's in the underground mall there. If you get lost, and can't find it go topside. Get into the big white bus station building, go down underground. It's within sight of the mogyauk (sauna) and pcbang down under there.

[Rteacher]

Yeah, the place in the Express Bus Terminal Station (Orange line 339 exit 7, go up the stairs/escalator and you'll see rows of shops selling flowers and DVDs and stuff ... walk a little ways till you see an entrance to Shinsegae Dept. store, and exactly opposite that entrance, way at the other end) is the "Dream Depot" which has a very large selection of arts and crafts and office supplies. (It's not as big as the one described that's at Nandaemun Market, but it's probably easier to find...)

[OiGirl]

If you don't want to make a pilgrimage to a special shop, as a general rule, the stationery stores right outside the gate of a university are better-stocked than others.

[Soul Forest]

Thanks for the responses. Express Bus Terminal is not too far from where I live, so I'll be sure to check it out. I'll go to Namdaemun, too (wonder if I'll be able to find it, what with all the stuff there). In Japan, 100 yen shops (1000 won) are really good, too, but in Korea they don't seem as well stock, and many of the items actually cost more than 1000 won here.
I lived near a university before. The shops there are good, but they tend to overcharge in my opinion. A lot of shops seem to go out and buy their stuff at somewhere like Namdaemun, and then charge double or triple for it in their own neighborhood.

[sistersarah]

this is the best craft place.
5 stories of everything you need. well, except knitting stuff as someone mentioned. it's open sundays, too.

[Soul Forest]

I haven't checked out the Namdaemun arts & craft place (I'll definitely go within the next few days), but I did go to Dream Depot at Kosok Bus Terminal today. I was impressed, but depressed, cause a lot of the stuff is pretty expensive. It does have all the basis craft supplies and more. But seeing little tubes that cost 800 won each and small magnet sheets costing 3500 won each, I realized the price will add up quickly.
It made me think that I could be better off checking out a lot of junk shops and hardware/industrial stores to look for better materials. That said -- before beginning another thread -- I wonder if anyone knows either some good cheap junk stores, where I could find random material sources? Also, anybody know some good industrial outlets, where I could strong, thin ropes, large magnetic sheets, tubing, and stuff like that?

[re:cursive]

Anyone know if the stores listed here are likely to sell items such as soapstone, carving tools and bulk quantities of wax?

[uofagirl]

I love Alpha! Everytime I go, I spend at least an hour there looking at everything. It may sound lame, but it is seriously one of my favorite stores in Seoul(and that includes clothing stores)!

[ucfvgirl]

Does anyone know where I can buy a crochet hook? I didn't ask at Alpha when I was there, but I will the next time I go. If there is anything closer to Bundang, I would appreciate it.