The Sketchy Artist — Local services in Northfield

Been picking stuff up at the sketchy artist for a few years now.

The Good: Some of the stuff is a great deal - you can get cheap postcards (removed from postcard books or collections usually) for under a dollar for example. They have unique product and stock a lot of Japanese novelty items. They're serving a pretty niche need in Northfield and they're usually friendly.

The Bad: Some of the items are overpriced. Also, the store is randomly closed some days/afternoons which gets to be an inconvenience when you swing by town to pick something up. You're never quite sure what's going to be in stock that day, or what might never be stocked again. Some people find this fun. I find it frustrating. It's these things which prevent me from leaving more stars.

Shoppers also please note there is a five dollar...

My kid is an artist and I've had a lifelong fixation with fine writing utensils and paper. The sensory experience of how different writing tools feel. We live in Albert Lea, MN where unfortunately there isn't a local art supply store. Going to The Sketchy Artist has become our favorite day trip. What a fabulous, gem of a shop. They have a great selection of products and are always so helpful. Maybe not everyone takes their kid back-to-school shopping for French notebooks and Blackwing pencils, but I hope someday my kid has these beautiful core memories of scenic drives to Northfield, feeling and smelling the paper and weighing how different products feel in their hand, their Mom enthusiastically supporting their art and trying different Japanese candies on...

This shop is one of my favorite things about downtown Northfield. They have a very wide range of options, and I usually find whatever I need for my projects. Beyond that, it’s just really fun to go in and poke around and see what’s new or find a hilarious greeting card that I didn’t know I needed to send someone until that moment. Definitely a shop for my inner...