Sam Flax

I love Sam Flax. As a serious artist this is a must have for me. Often times Michaels and Joannes are bare shelved but Sam Flax has a huge variety of artistic odds and ends. I am very glad to live near such an awesome store.

I’d love to give Sam Flax a 2.5’er, but it’s either 2 or 3 and I couldn’t give them a 3 star rating with good conscious. Let’s make a LONG story short by saying Sam Flax is a «Platinum Lampe Berger» retailer… That took 4 trips to and fro to get a the purchase correct. From a floor sample gone wrong to a spilled Lampe Berger oil… Let’s just say it’s got a lotta cool stuff butttttttttt… It’s a difficult place to shop!

We’ve been going to Sam Flax since they were in the non-​Mondrian building just a few blocks away. We went back recently and saw that the murals that we saw being painted on opening day have been replaced with equally awesome ones. I wish I took pictures of the old murals.
As the other reviewers mentioned, this is THE place to go for creative supplies and extraordinary gifts. The prices are surprisingly reasonable for such a specialty shop, and the staff (all of them!) have always been helpful and attentive.
The merchandise selection is awesome, and if you need something they don’t have, they’ll happily order it for you.
Prepare to spend a minimum of 2 hours here. They have a wall of specialty papers and they even carry Aeron chairs!

Friendly store. Was asked twice if I needed assistance. Lots of things in the art world and other worlds here! Unique spray paint colors too!
Parking may get crowded on the west side lot at times.

Sam Flax is an art lovers paradise. The store is big and it’s filled to the brim with canvases, brushes, paints, pencils, charcoal, you name it! If you are looking to start or build your art collection, this is the place. If you’re looking for something specific, but you just don’t know what it is or even what you need, come explain your challenge to one of their very knowledgeable staff members and they will hook you up.
Sam Flax is not only for the creative types. Even those of us (me) who can’t create something on their own can feel welcome here. There is a huge selection of scrapbooking supplies, journals, pens, cards, wrapping paper, knock knacks, and tons of options for creative gifts.
My favorite part of Sam Flax is their newest art installation on the building. There are beautiful murals that line the outside and are worth a trip for a photo alone. Love how Sam Flax encourages the art community and keeps Mills 50 beautiful!

Love this store! Just wish it was closer to me. Customer service is great. The variety of products sold is amazing. I can spend hours in this store! The only other suggestion would be to add encaustic colored wax sticks.

This store is the mecca of all things artsy! An amazing selection of paints, canvas, brushes, basically anything you need to get creative, they’ve got it. In addition to that, the customer service is phenomenal! Whenever I have a question, no matter how random, they always answer it! Their staff is consistently friendly and seem like they genuinely enjoy their jobs.
I’ve been going to Sam Flax since I was a little girl and I’ve always loved it because of the super cool knick knacks that they have scattered around. You always find little neat things that you’ve never seen before and the inventory is ever-​changing.
They offer custom framing and printing as well, if you ever need any of that this is the place to come to. Their prices are reasonable and their work is always done well, I’ve had a few pieces done here over the years and have always been pleased.
I love the new location, even more room for more stuff! I’ve also found that if they don’t have something you’re searching for, they can order it for you at no cost and have it shipped to the store! They also give discounts to students and teachers, so be sure to remember your school ID :)

Previously I had good experiences shopping at Sam Flax. This last time though will be the last time I ever visit this store. I live 30 minutes away from Sam Flax, so I decided to CALL AHEAD to make sure they had the item I needed IN STOCK.(Balsa wood) The clueless cashier that answered assured me that the item was in stock. I kindly asked if she could double check since I had a long trip to make to their store. 5 minutes later she came back on the phone and let me know that she had the wood I needed and was holding it by the register. So after fighting through traffic, I finally arrived at the store and the cashier handed me the wood she was holding for me. CLEARLY LABELED BASSWOOD. Then another lady worker walked by and informed me that they were out of stock of the BALSA wood I needed. When I said «this is why I called you this morning ahead of time» her response was «No worries !»
I ended up going to HOBBY LOBBY DOWN THE STREET, and found what I needed in abundance, at a better cost. Sam Flax has terrible customer service and «no worries» after they waste your time and gas.
My advice, skip these clowns and go to HOBBY LOBBy

It is a shame that the murals that decorate the wall on the east side of this Sam Flax location do not face East Colonial Drive. Then drivers stuck in traffic would have something beautiful to look at besides the bumper sticker on the car in front of them. Otherwise, this location is perfect when shopping in Colonialtown. And it is easy to find. Just look for the building with the red, white, and blue. And yellow too!
Sam Flax has what you need for art supplies. Whether it be drawing or painting, you can find supplies for any medium. Be it watercolor, oil, acrylic, ink, or pencil. There are even supplies for drafting, children’s art, wood carving, calligraphy, and sculpture. I was even able to find some tools for pottery.
There are books on every art subject. Canvas, brushes, and paper for drawing and painting, easels, and many other tools for the art or craft. A framing service for your artwork is also provided. Plus there is a fine selection of pens, books, and gifts available. Know someone who loves stationary, candles, calendars, coffee mugs, or scented soaps? Sam Flax has it. And they carry gift wrap and cards, as well as the tape and scissors to wrap that gift. And you can buy yourself a nice pen set so you can sign that card! So if you need art supplies and a friend has a birthday coming up, you can kill two birds with one stone!
Besides books on the subject of art, there are also several cook books available. From American classic cuisine to cooking with craft beer, or Brazilian barbecue to vegan recipes. Know someone who is a fan of either Marvel or DC Comics? There are books featuring those action heroes too.
A large selection of Lampe Berger home fragrances are also available. Plus Sam Flax occasionally hold art classes. You can put your name on their e-​mail list for more information.
Whenever I have come in here, the employees are always friendly and helpful. Unlike another arts/​crafts store that I have been too. And the aisle space makes walking around the store easy. It is not cramped like some other stores.
The only problem I have is the parking. It is a small lot. I was lucky to have someone leaving as I entered.
I plan on taking some art classes in the immediate future. And it is nice to have a arts supply store such as Sam Flax nearby. Especially having seen a few gift ideas for people on my Christmas list. And don’t kid yourself. It will be here sooner than you think!

They have new innovative creative products! They always have what you’re looking for. Helpful friendly staff. If ever in Orlando and you’re feeling artsy fartsy then come to this place!

As a teacher I like to change my classroom up every quarter/​season with new décor. I was told about this place from a co-​worker and I went there last weekend and I loved it. The only con is, I went a little over budget, but I got a teacher discount, so that evens it out, right?

Great place! Been going for years. They also do a super solid job on custom framing. And offer student discounts :) supporting us artists while in school. The times on Unilocal are wrong. They are only open till 7pm.

I love this store! They have very unique gifts (books, Asian novelties, jewelry, etc.) and for painters this is the place to be. I’m so glad they moved to a bigger place. Its not the cheapest if you are looking for average crafting supplies, but if you like unique and high end art supplies this is the place to be! The staff is knowledgeable and are always glad to help.

Awww, this Samflax is pretty spiffy. Not sure if I prefer my hometown one or this one, but they roughly carry the same items, more or less.
It’s a really easy to spot building colored blue, yellow, red, and white. We came here to see about their custom framing. I have never done it before, so it was a curious matter. Fine art pays a pretty penny for lovely custom frames, so be prepared, but to all the vets out there, don’t mind me. I certainly wouldn’t mind using some of their anti-​reflection UV protected glass. For other people, who do not know, they also are able to scan/​photograph canvas paintings so you can have a nice quality digital image. Or so they say…
For the crafters, it’s probably not your cup of tea. Sam Flax and its sister stores all cater to the heavy art laden spheres, but there is still plenty to craft and behold. I’m unsure of the price difference to a Michaels or Hobby Lobby to Sam Flax, but I think you might end up paying a little more at Sam Flax if you happen upon the nicer paints and mats, but they always seem to be running deals too.
They also include a mild selection of artist chairs or office chairs, whichever suits your skill set. The drafting tables are pretty spiffy, but anyways… you can probably spend a long while here perusing the various materials and interesting trinkets. If you’re an artist or into the arts, then it’s a must stop.

wow, wow, wow, wow. I had not been to this store before and went there Friday because I wanted some acrylic paints and canvas. I found what I needed and so much more. I think was surprised me was all of the unique gift items. Sam Flax is a great place to buy someone in your life a unique gift, and they have all the options for gift wrapping you would want with all of the special paper they sell. Great kids section, great easel and chair selection. I’m deducting one star because I needed help and it was hard to find someone. Once I did find someone I felt he steered me in the wrong direction as far as what brands to use. I know this because I looked on my phone in the store and I wanted basic acrylic paints and he pointed me to a more expensive brand. I ended up finding the more basic and affordable brand — hey I’m just starting out I don’t need the Lexus yet I’ll take they hyundai, lol.
I also had decided to buy a certain easel at the same persons recommendation and while I was checking out the person there said it would be wobbly (??) That didn’t make me feel good about my purchase and I went forward with it anyway and the easel is actually perfect! No wobbliness.
There was a section where it looks like they host events. The calligraphy club was having an event there and it looked like people were having lots of fun.
I want to go back there alone sometime and spend more time there. My husband was with me and this wasn’t his bag and he was putting some «Let’s go» pressure on me.
Check it out!

Sam Flax is a great place to buy presents and art supplies. I’ve been visiting Sam Flax in downtown Orlando probably for the last 10 years. This current store location is large and you could easily spend a few hours getting lost in there while browsing. I love that they have a wide selection of novelty items, unusual gifts, and almost any art supply you can think of. One of the things I absolutely love is all their beautifully designed big sheets of paper. I had a chance to go to Sam Flax this week to do a little shopping, and the staff is always so helpful. Just want to give props to this great store for how well they support Orlando artist community.

I’ve been going to Sam Flax for years and really love the new building and the space that they are in now.
It’s one of the few stores that both my boyfriend and I both love going to because he can shop for art supplies and I go for all the fun knick knacks and gifts. You can normally find things in all different price ranges.
This place is always on my list when I need to get a gift because I can normally find something for everyone. And anyone that I’ve ever talked to that works there has always been great!

Everything your little creative heart can dream of is here. Markers from Korea? Yep. Fancy pens from Japan? Yep. Paper, canvas, wood, and linoleum. Printmaking, painting, drawing, and sculpting. Even Graffiti supplies. Right here. An Orlando institution in an unforgettable building.
That being said, it’s an art supply store, full of artists; angsty, brooding artists with lots of secret stuff going on in their heads. Sometimes, when caught off guard, they’ll smile at you when you make eye contact. Find someone to ask if you need help. Otherwise, you’re on your own.
Park along the side of the building under a shade tree.

If you like arts, crafty stuff, cool gifts, stationary, jewelry, arty classes… then you should hit up Sam Flax. I enjoy their new location for the added space but the recent move to bigger digs still retained the cool Sam Flax vibe.
The staff is very knowledgeable and can guide the experienced or newbie through the vast offerings. A recent trip had me picking up some gifts of candles and lovely soaps along with some needed art supplies for a project. You can park on Colonial in the street parking or go around the side for the lot.

Fun! This place is a creative heaven. It’s like Michael’s or Jo-Anne’s totally cool older brother or sister.
The cover all the basics in here as well as go well into the experiences creative world. You can find anything that has to do with coloring, painting, scrap booking, framing, photography, etc! They have tons of how-​to information as well as an extremely knowledgeable AND friendly staff.
The building alone demonstrates the amount of creativity help within these four walls; the entire building is covered in beautiful graffiti!
Students and teachers get a discount so make sure to take advantage of that by showing your ID.
I have recently gotten into painting and this place was just amazing to finally venture into. I am also a HUGE fan of unique gifts and wow does this place deliver!
Note: Entrance is in the back along with the parking lot!