Get Crafty: LA's Best Craft Shops

Arts and crafts can be more than just using scissors and glue; it can be a creative outlet and source of relaxation, or even a livelihood that requires distinctive, hard-to-find items for a masterpiece. Regardless of your artistic level, uncovering craft shops indigenous to Los Angeles can help you establish your own inspiring haven.

Hours: Mon to Sat -9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A family-run business, Kit Kraft offers the crafty-minded consumer supplies ranging from beads, dollhouse miniatures and model building materials to jewelry-making items and clock parts. The store invites you to visit its blog for inspiration and to be awed by its many talented artists. If you can't make it into the store, Kit Kraft supplies over 6,000 items on its website that are available for same-day shipping.

Hours: Mon to Sat -10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun -11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Artists & Craftsman Supply is well-known around the country as a mom-and-pop establishment with a broad selection of materials for drawing and drafting, sculpting, wood-working, paints, easels, picture frames, children's crafts and basic art needs. This craft shop encompasses all artistic levels – from elementary school to professional artiste.

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Urban Craft Center is like a home away from home for craft lovers. The shop encourages you to create your own sanctuary inside its walls. Buy supplies or bring your own and spread out as you connect with other artists for inspiration. The artistic team welcomes you to find unique and rare craft items and participate in one of the many classes offered – from the simple knitting and intro to sewing to the more complex needle felted aquarium and yudu screenprinting.

Hours: Mon to Sat -9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sun -11 a.m.to 6 p.m.

Since opening its doors on New York City's famous Canal Street in 1933, Pearl Arts & Crafts Supplies has been a premier source for artists, both novice and veteran. The creative shop is famous for its eclectic materials imported from around the world as well as its vast knowledge in areas including lightfast pigmenting and sculpting.

Hours: Mon to Fri -9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat  -9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Catering to artists and fashion designers, Top's Art Supplies specializes in Anderson swivel easels, fashion pattern making, Shin Han artist paint, Japanese NT cutters and copic markers. In addition, students and parents can find a wide variety of items geared towards K-12 school science projects including dioramas and miniature figures.

Jennifer Geisman is a freelance writer and faithful beauty junkie living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.