think art stuff

Last week I had the chance to attend another private shopping party at ThinkPlay and Endeavours (412 Queen Street).   Owner Luke Randall gave me the low-down on what's hot this holiday season.  Be sure to check out the Black Friday deals at the end of this post!

The Gadget Gloves keep your hands toasty and work on your touch screen device.  Never miss the chance to Instragram a blizzard again!

When 3-D maze game  Perplexus hit shelves in 2010 it raked in "top toy" titles from parenting magazines and toy insiders.  Now they're back with Perplexus Epic promising more "Bendy, Trendy, Can't-Put-it-Down" fun.

This stunning pop-up version of Little Red Riding Hood is sure to be treasured for years.

It's not all educational. You'll find lots of gag gifts that will raise your holiday spirits!

After playing around with Luke, I headed to the front of the store to get Stefan Westner's advice on his picks among the art supplies.  He knows his stuff so if there's an artist on your Christmas list and you don't know your encaustic from your acrylics, go see Stefan.

• Faber Castell markers offer a rainbow of options in a variety of sizes
• Michael Harding hand-ground oils are some of the best on the market (and 40% off from 10 a.m. - noon on Black Friday!)
• Stefan loves a good pen and names Pentel's Slicci .25mm ball point  his new favourite
• We both share a fondness for the well-designed and colourful journals and agendas from Semikolon. If your New Year's resolution is to get more organized,  these will certainly help.
• If you think watercolour pencils are too muted you need to check out the vibrant pencils from Inktense water-colour pencils

Don't forget!  In addition to their wide selection of candy, ThinkPlay is also the downtown home of Monkeycakes' pop-up shop.

This coming Friday, the shop is getting in on the Downtown Fredericton Black Friday action starting bright and early at 6 a.m. Note the time when your favourite items are on sale - deals are limited to those windows!

Endeavours

6am-8am   40% off all easels and portfolios for 2 hours only!  8 AM - 10 AM  Paint sets from Windsor Newton Daler Rowney and Liquitex- 30% off. 

8am-10am 30% off  paint sets from Winsor Newton, Daler Rowney and Liquitex

10 am - Noon Michael Harding 40% off | 200ml Winsor Newton artist oils in at 200 ml  40% off | Golden acrylics- 25% off | Winsor Newton watercolors -  25% off | Encausticos encaustic hot sticks- 40% off 

Noon - 2pm   Arches watercolor paper 300 pound cold pressed -11.99 per sheet | Fredrix canvas and canvas boards 40% off!
2pm-4pm  If it's a marker and it's in a set, it's on sale! Copic, Neopiko, Faber Castell 40% off!

ThinkPlay

6am-8am Calico Critters 50% off | Fraggles 40% off 

8am-10am Sluban (lego compatible sets) 30% off  | All science and kids craft kits are 30% off 

10am-12am Kids Games 40% off  | Candy 25% off 

12pm-2pm All Crocodile Creek Puzzles and Kids Eat | Products 25% off | Groovy Girls 25% off 

2pm-4pm Curious Chef Kids Cooking Line 40% off | Ready2Learn Giant Stamp pads, Stamps and 

Accessories 40% off