Where to find my craft supplies in Chicago?

August 4, 2008 12:53 AM

Anyone know any Chicago retail locations for jewelry supply and electronic components?

Second City Filter...ers! (What exactly do you guys call yourselves?)

I'm really feeling the pain of not having a Fry's Electronics 5 minutes away anymore, even if their service was horrendous. I'm having a bit of trouble finding a fry's/old-school-radio-shackish kind of place here in the windy city (all the current radioshacks just seems to exist to sell iPod docks). While I am aware I can just order bulk from DigiKey, I really do prefer not paying shipping, shopping locally, and being able to pick and choose in person.

In addition, I've just gotten started with jewelry making, and am wondering where I can get various findings, raw silver and whatnot without the ridiculous markup of consumer-oriented shops like Beadnik's.

Bonus points on both if they're anywhere near the CTA at all. I'd really, really rather not trek into the suburbs, not owning a car and whatnot.

posted by Teira to shopping (3 comments total)

Radio Shack does stink now. Digikey is the way to go. You could try American Science and Surplus which if nothing else is super fun.
posted by Ponderance at 4:37 AM on August 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Not really a perfect answer, but there is a Fry's in Downer's Grove. It's way off the beaten path public transportation-wise, but I bet you could take the Blue line to Forest Park and get a bus out to where it is (Butterfield and Finley). Or jump in a zipcar.

Try different Radio Shack locations- I've found that they vary widely in their selection of electrical components.

And American Science and Surplus is really weird and awesome.
posted by gjc at 5:41 AM on August 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Microcenter on Elston is where I go for computer junk when I dont want to wait for shipping. You can take the elston bus there. Also there's circuit city, a target, and a best buy within a mile on Elston.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:11 PM on August 4, 2008