Bizzy B’s Stamp and Scrap

Amazing little store with lots of crafty goodness. It’s always nice when you find a little place like this that has everything, and I was super impressed with how friendly and helpful the service was. I love it when the store employees are excited with you and it just makes it that much more fun to shop.
I picked up some super cute wax stamp seals and some gold stickers that weren’t actually stickers as they had no pre-​existing stickiness, but that’s no fault of the store it’s just the odd naming choice.
I wasn’t looking for paper, but I saw they had a HUGE variety to pick from so that’s always a plus. It’s always good to have options.

I’ve never had such amazing customer service anywhere before, I’ve been to multiple scrapbook stores and none of them would ever special-​order items for me or suggest other scrapbook/​stamp stores. Bizzy B is always so stocked and there’s always something for every taste. Everyone is always so helpful and kind to me. I really enjoy spending time and money at your store.

I knit, I dress up my cat, I bake cookies, and I scrapbook.
I feel like my «Young Person Card» should be revoked.
This place is bomb! The owner is super nice and will work with you to find everything you need. Craziest selection of papers and stamps. They also carry a decent collection of stickers, ribbon and other cutesy things to dress up your crafts. They only have a few scrapbooks (and by few I mean 5 – 10).
They definitely concentrate on what they’re good at. Meaning, they don’t carry cards, tissue paper, gift boxes/​bags, anything that is not strictly Arts and Crafts.
They also have classes on the regular. And drop-​in sessions. The drop-​ins are awesome if you don’t want to invest in all the expensive crafting supplies but still want access to them. You can sit around the table gossiping and borrow all the supplies you need.

Remember those art classes where you got to play with all the glitter you want and a glue stick? You might even remember trying to eat that glue? Elmer’s was the KitKat of art class snacks for some… or so I’ve heard.
Today I got the bright idea of creating my husband’s birthday card for tomorrow instead of spending an easy $ 5 at Walmart for something colourful and witty. And I’m a little bit of a perfectionist (when you’re NOT Martha Stuart, trust me when I say this is a bad thing and can be quite frustrating,) so the Walmart arts n’ crafts section wasn’t good enough for the kind of card I wanted to make.
On a whim, I ran down to Bloor Street West to check out Bizzy B’s.
I’ve only been to B’s once before, when I was looking for simple photo corners (that they did have in stock in black, white and pink) for our wedding album that I was putting together. Back then, I had fallen in love with all the bits and pieces that made Bizzy B’s the quality store it is.
They have fantastic high-​quality papers, stamps, stickers, inks, tools and pretty much anything that you would need to create quality art. Not only better than what you’d find at WalMart, but better stock than what you’d find at other arts n’ crafts stores like White Rose, Michael’s, etc.
I think I had spent nearly an hour alone enjoying all the art pieces that are showcased around the store, some of which became inspirational for projects I might want to try later.
About $ 30 later, I have:
— a packet of five blank cards (with envelopes and vellum… if it works this time, I’ll have extras for future projects),
— two stylish prints,
— five thick metal tiles,
— and a really neat glue roller (much like one of those white-​out strip rollers).
I think I have what I need to make a classy BDay card for my best friend. *crossing fingers*
Both times, the service has been very friendly, all smiles and truly helpful to ensure you pick up what you’re looking for.
They also have classes nearly every day from what I can tell of their online calendar; some during the afternoon and others during the evening. And they all sound so interesting; I’m hoping to try one of them out soon!

This store is crazy cute. It can also entertain you (or me, at least) for quite a long time, because there is just so much stuff, and so much of it is so small and colourful and weird and did I mention, «cute»? Rubber stamps of almost anything you can think of (heavy on the «love» at this time of year, for obvious reasons), and some varying-​degrees of qualities of seals as well as the wax to use with them. My favourite were the intensely-​coloured and professional-​grade stamp pads. But that would have been a slippery slope, friends.
I have no interest whatsoever in scrapbooking as a literal verb, but I would say that the manner in which I live is very scrapbook, as a metaphor. Meaning: I *love* stickers and and stamps bright colours and sparkle dust that you melt into some sort of intense pigment (!?) and keepsakes, in general. My room, apartment, soul, and wardrobe may as well be a scrapbook, the way that I treat them.
But the lack of literal use for these items made it hard to justify most of the purchases I would have gladly made. Except for: the sealing wax that I bought for my sister. That stuff is old school, and we need more of it in regular life, guys. That and free gummy bears by the cash register, with a little spoon to dig them out.

Not cramped like Midoco or cold as a Michael’s, this little shop is a great place to buy paper supplies, stamps, pens, pencils and all sorts of scrap-​booking things (or if you just love paper, then this is the place to go).
The store looks small from the front, but it’s actually quite big, but with a small town feel to it (free caramels at the front for sampling). I like to go here just to get ideas (some of which I actually make, some I just let drift away) or chat with the staff, who are always friendly and full of good ideas as well.
They also offer classes in scrap-​booking, card making, etc. I haven’t done one of these classes, but I’m seriously considering it. Craft stuff is just so fun, especially during the winter (because what else are you gonna do?)