One small art shop may be the only store in Michigan with a deep, in-person stock of fountain pens, inks, and Japanese stationery. That claim comes up again and again from shoppers.
Some say they stop in every single time they pass through town.
The shelves hold imported papers, pen cases, and inks for calligraphy or painting. There are also printmaking tools, brushes, and supplies for kids just starting out.
I like how serious pens and crayons share the same small room.
The people behind the counter spent more than two decades helping artists at a university art store. That kind of experience shows when you ask a question.
I can’t imagine a better place to buy a first fountain pen.
So why would artists happily drive across the state for a notebook and a bottle of ink?
A Pen Lover’s Destination Sitting Right In Old Town
Odd Nodd Art Supply is a compact art supply store in the historic Old Town district of Lansing. It carries fine art materials, fountain pens, inks, imported papers, and hard-to-find Japanese stationery.
That last part is the big draw. Shoppers often call it the only place in Michigan where they can find this mix on real shelves.
Think about how rare that is today. Most pen fans shop online and hope the nib feels right when the box arrives.
Here, you can actually hold the pen first. You can also touch the paper and judge its texture before you buy a single sheet.
The shop isn’t only for stationery collectors, though. It stocks supplies for cartooning, manga, mixed media, printmaking, and children’s art and crafts.
Students and professionals both get attention here. The selection covers student-grade materials as well as professional-grade gear.
So the person next to you might be a retired calligrapher. Or it could be a kid picking out a first set of markers, which feels exactly right for a neighborhood art shop.
Odd Nodd Art Supply proves you don’t need a giant warehouse to matter. A well-chosen room can do the job beautifully.
From A REO Town Debut To A Bigger Old Town Home
Fall 2019 marked the start. Odd Nodd Art Supply first opened its doors that season inside the REO Town Marketplace building in Lansing.
The first home didn’t last long, and that’s actually good news. In summer 2020, the shop moved to a larger space in Old Town.
Moving a young business that year took nerve. Plenty of shops were shrinking, yet this one grew into more room.
The business is owned by partners Casey and Whitney Sorrow. Their staff brings a deep background in art supplies, too.
Team members previously worked at the Kresge art store at Michigan State University. Together, they logged more than two decades there.
That history explains a lot about the shop’s personality. These are people who have answered thousands of art questions from students and teachers.
An early shopper even called the store a new East Lansing gem back in its first days. The name has stayed, while the address changed.
Now the shop sits in one of Lansing’s most character-rich districts. Old Town has long been known for local galleries, boutiques, and independent businesses, so the fit feels natural.
Sometimes a second location becomes the real beginning. That seems true here.
Fountain Pens You Can Actually Try Before Buying
Nineteen separate shopper comments mention fountain pens. That’s the headline feature at Odd Nodd Art Supply, and it isn’t close.
The pen counter covers a range of styles and budgets. Shoppers have mentioned finding the TWSBI Eco there, including one with a 1.1mm stub nib.
The Lamy 2000 also shows up on the shelves. It’s a classic that many pen fans keep on a wish list for years.
One note for picky writers: nib choices have reportedly focused on extra fine, fine, and medium sizes. Stock can shift, so it may help to call ahead about anything specific.
Beginners get plenty of love here. Several first-time buyers say staff eagerly answered their questions and helped them pick the right pen.
That matters more than you might expect. A fountain pen can feel intimidating until someone explains converters, cartridges, and nib widths in plain words.
Already own a pen? You may find refills too.
One shopper found the exact ink refills for a Pilot Namiki pen.
Buying a pen online is a guess. Buying one here feels more like a handshake, which is a pretty nice way to start a new habit.
Bottles Of Ink In Colors You Won’t Want To Leave Behind
Ink can turn a simple pen into a whole personality. At Odd Nodd Art Supply, the bottles get real shelf space.
Shoppers point out a wide variety of inks for calligraphy and painting. Fountain pen ink is a big part of the mix as well.
Why does that matter in Michigan? Finding a diverse ink stock in a physical store is unusual in the state.
Online color swatches rarely match real life. Seeing ink options in person can save you from a bottle that looks teal on screen and swampy on paper.
Calligraphers have their own reasons to visit. Painters who work with ink washes will find options aimed at them too.
The shop also stocks pen cases. That’s handy once your little collection starts rolling around the bottom of your backpack.
Here’s a gentle warning for the weak-willed. Ink collections tend to grow one bottle at a time, and nobody ever needs only one blue.
Still, a new color is one of the cheapest ways to make writing fun again. A fresh shade can make a grocery list feel oddly fancy, and that’s a small win worth taking.
Japanese Stationery And Imported Papers Worth The Gas Money
Paper nerds, this is your section. Odd Nodd Art Supply carries hard-to-find Japanese stationery along with imported papers.
Japanese notebooks and sketchbooks have a loyal following among pen users. Many are prized for smooth surfaces that handle fountain pen ink well.
The catch is finding them. Usually you order online and cross your fingers about the feel.
Here, you can flip through pages yourself. One longtime shopper loved being able to feel paper texture, something impossible through a phone screen.
That hands-on part is a big reason folks drive in. Some shoppers say this is the only place in Michigan where they’ve found so much Japanese stationery.
The imported paper selection goes beyond notebooks too. Artists working in printmaking, drawing, or watercolor can explore sheets meant for serious work.
Small details like this add up. A better notebook can make you want to write more, and a better sheet can make a sketch feel worth finishing.
It’s easy to underestimate paper until you find the right one. After that, plain copier paper may never look the same again, so consider yourself warned before you pick up a sample sketchbook.
Brushes, Spray Paint, And Printmaking Tools For Every Kind Of Artist
Pens may grab the spotlight, but the rest of the store pulls serious weight. Odd Nodd Art Supply stocks a broad range of fine art materials.
Painters can browse brushes and watercolor paints. Drawing supplies cover sketchers, cartoonists, and manga artists alike.
Street-style artists aren’t left out either. The shop carries Montana spray paint and Posca pens.
Printmakers get a treat too. One shopper was thrilled to spot relief printmaking supplies on the shelves.
Mixed media fans will find plenty to combine. That variety makes the shop a good stop for experimenting with something new.
The selection is chosen with care rather than piled high. Shoppers describe quality supplies picked for skill levels from child to professional.
That kind of curation helps when you’re overwhelmed. Fewer random options means more time spent on things that actually work.
One fun extra: the shop also offers creative home decorations and unique little gifts. It’s an easy place to grab a present for the artsy person in your life.
And if something isn’t in stock, staff may try to find it or order it. That’s old-school service in the best sense.
Small Space, Big Personality, And Plenty For Kids
So much in so little space. That’s how one shopper summed up the store, adding that it stays neat, clean, and lovely.
Odd Nodd Art Supply is compact and thoughtfully arranged. Every shelf seems to earn its place.
Others describe the room as cozy and warm. That’s a welcome change from bright, echoing big-box aisles.
Families should take note. The shop stocks children’s art and craft supplies alongside its professional gear.
That means a parent can browse pens while a kid picks out something colorful. Everybody leaves with a project.
Shoppers also mention small-town charm. It’s a nice feeling inside Michigan’s capital city.
The store aims to work with a wide variety of budgets. Prices generally run medium to upper tier, especially for premium pens and fine art supplies.
Still, you don’t need to splurge to enjoy the visit. A small notebook or a single bottle of ink can be a satisfying souvenir.
Compact shops reward slow browsing. Give yourself time to look high and low, because the fun stuff might be sitting right next to your elbow.
Staff Who Actually Know What Works
Friendly staff came up in 47 shopper comments. For a small art shop, that’s a remarkable amount of praise for the people.
The team’s background helps explain it. Staff previously spent more than two decades at the Kresge art store at Michigan State University.
That shows in the advice. One shopper put it simply, saying these are people who know what works.
Owner Casey has been described as kind, helpful, and passionate about art materials. Early shoppers mentioned him answering every question with a smile.
Little touches stand out too. One visitor got a sticker dug out just for them.
Online orders get similar care. A buyer mentioned receiving a prompt shipment with a personalized note inside.
Even the owners’ replies to feedback feel generous. They once encouraged an unhappy shopper to give another local Lansing shop a second chance.
That kind of neighborliness says plenty. It suggests a business more interested in a healthy creative community than in winning every sale.
Want to talk shop? Ask a question and see where it goes.
Some describe the staff as helpful and talkative, which pen people usually consider a compliment.
Where Lansing’s Pen Club And Art Classes Come Together
Pens are more fun with company. Odd Nodd Art Supply hosts the Lansing Analog Society, a local pen group that meets regularly.
It’s a chance to see other people’s pens up close. Members can swap tips, compare inks, and talk about favorite models.
The owners have mentioned that several members own the Lamy 2000. So if you’re curious about one, there may be folks happy to chat about it.
Details about meetups are shared through the group’s Facebook page. Schedules can change, so checking there first is a smart move.
The shop also offers classes and art studio workshops. These give artists at different stages a place to learn and practice.
That community angle is a big part of the store’s mission. It aims to encourage and supply artists at every point in their creative path.
For newcomers, this matters a lot. A group or class can turn a lonely hobby into something social.
Not every art shop wants you to linger. This one seems glad when you do, which might explain why some visitors keep coming back again and again.
Hours, Address, And A Few Tips Before You Drive Over
Good news for weekend planners: the shop is open seven days a week. Hours run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday.
Friday and Saturday stretch a bit longer, until 7 p.m. That gives day-trippers extra breathing room after the drive.
You’ll find Odd Nodd Art Supply at 317 E César E. Chávez Ave, Lansing, MI 48906.
It sits in the heart of the historic Old Town district.
Old Town makes the trip easy to stretch out. The neighborhood is full of independent shops, so plan a little extra time to stroll.
Hunting for a specific pen or ink? Calling ahead may save you some disappointment, since stock can change.
Budget-wise, expect medium to upper-tier pricing on premium items. The shop still carries options for a range of wallets.
Can’t make it in person right now? The store also sells online, and shoppers mention prompt, carefully packed orders.
Still, the in-person visit is the real treat here in Michigan. Being able to hold a pen and feel the paper is what makes the drive worth it.
Why This Little Shop Earns A Spot On Your Day-Trip List
A 4.9-star rating across 165 Google reviews says a lot. For a shop this specialized, that kind of steady love is hard to earn.
Odd Nodd Art Supply fills a real gap in Michigan. Few places in the state let you browse fountain pens, inks, and Japanese stationery in person.
That alone justifies the drive for pen fans. But the store offers more than one specialty.
Kids can find craft supplies. Printmakers, painters, cartoonists, and spray paint artists all have something to explore.
Then there’s the human side. Experienced staff, a local pen club, and workshops make it feel like a creative hub rather than a checkout line.
One longtime shopper made a simple plea about little brick-and-mortar shops. Help keep this one going, and pick up a pen.
That feels like fair advice. Shops like this survive because people choose them.
So next time you’re near Lansing, carve out an hour. Bring a list, or don’t bring one at all.
Either way, you’ll probably leave with a new notebook. And maybe a reason to write something worth keeping.
