Unearth The Voyage
There is a little shop tucked into one of Lansing’s most colorful neighborhoods that has quietly become the favorite haunt of artists, journalers, pen collectors, and anyone who just loves beautiful things made by hand. The shelves are packed with fountain pens, imported papers, relief printmaking supplies, Japanese stationery, and art materials you simply cannot find at a big box store.
The staff knows their products inside and out, and the whole place has this warm, cozy energy that makes you want to linger for way longer than you planned. I recently spent an afternoon there, and I left with a full bag, a happy heart, and a very strong urge to go back as soon as possible.
The Address and Setting in Old Town Lansing
Old Town Lansing has a personality all its own, and Odd Nodd Art Supply fits right into it like a perfectly inked pen nib on smooth paper. The shop sits at 317 E César E.
Chávez Ave, Lansing, MI 48906, right in the heart of this artsy, walkable neighborhood that has long been a gathering place for creatives, small business owners, and community-minded locals.
The area around the store is lively and full of character, with independent shops and galleries lining the streets nearby. Odd Nodd is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM, Sunday from 12 to 5 PM, and Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM, making it easy to plan a visit any day of the week.
The first thing you notice when you arrive is how unpretentious the whole setup feels. There is no flashy signage screaming for attention, just a welcoming storefront that quietly invites you in.
The building has that satisfying brick-and-mortar realness that online shopping can never replicate. You can reach the shop by phone at +1 517-258-2509 or browse their website at oddnodd.com before your visit.
For anyone who loves supporting local businesses that genuinely care about their craft, this address is worth writing down and visiting soon.
The Origin Story Behind the Shop
Every great shop has a story, and Odd Nodd Art Supply is no exception. The store was founded by Casey, whose name comes up again and again in conversations about the place because of how genuinely kind, knowledgeable, and passionate he is about art materials and the people who use them.
Casey did not just open a store to sell things. He built a space where artists could feel supported, where beginners could ask questions without embarrassment, and where serious collectors could geek out over nib sizes and paper weights without anyone rolling their eyes.
That kind of intentional community-building is rare, and it shows in every corner of the shop.
The store has been around for several years now, and in that time it has grown from a modest local shop into something of a beloved institution among Lansing creatives. Early reviews mention how exciting it was to watch the business take off, with one longtime customer noting how thrilled they were to see an East Lansing-area creative spot finally get the attention it deserved.
The Fountain Pen and Ink Selection That Pen Lovers Dream About
Ask any fountain pen enthusiast in Michigan where to go for a serious selection of pens and inks, and Odd Nodd Art Supply will come up fast. The shop carries an impressive range of fountain pens, from accessible everyday writers to coveted models like the Lamy 2000 and the Twsbi Eco with a 1.1mm stub nib, the kind of specific inventory that makes pen nerds genuinely excited.
The ink selection is equally thoughtful. Whether you need calligraphy inks, painting inks, or specific refills for a Pilot Namiki fountain pen, the shop tends to have exactly what you are looking for.
The variety of colors and formulations on the shelves is the sort of thing that can keep you browsing for a surprisingly long time.
The shop also hosts the Lansing Analog Society, a local pen group that meets regularly, giving pen enthusiasts a real-world community to connect with.
Japanese Stationery and Imported Paper That You Cannot Find Anywhere Else
One of the most talked-about aspects of Odd Nodd Art Supply is its collection of Japanese stationery and imported papers, the kind of specialty items that most people in Michigan have only ever been able to order online and wait weeks to receive. The shop reportedly carries one of the only in-store selections of Japanese stationery in the entire state, which is a genuinely big deal for anyone who has ever tried to source these materials locally.
The imported paper selection is particularly impressive, with options that cater to everything from casual journaling to professional illustration and printmaking.
The shop has even worked with customers to source hard-to-find specialty papers, such as screentone paper from Deleter, a brand beloved by manga artists and comic creators. That willingness to go the extra mile for a specific customer request is a quality that keeps people coming back long after their first visit.
Art Supplies for Every Skill Level, From Kids to Professionals
One of the things that makes Odd Nodd Art Supply genuinely special is the way it manages to serve such a wide range of customers without feeling scattered or unfocused. The shop stocks materials for young children just discovering their love of drawing, hobby artists who paint watercolors on weekends, and serious professionals who need high-quality fine art materials for their work.
The children’s section is particularly well thought out, with fun and colorful pencil cases, pens, and art kits that make excellent gifts for kids between the ages of five and thirteen. Parents have noted how easy it is to find something age-appropriate and genuinely exciting for a young creative, which is not always the case at larger chain stores where the options can feel generic.
On the professional end of the spectrum, the shop carries fine art materials, relief printmaking supplies, and high-grade watercolor and drawing tools that serious artists rely on. The quality difference between these materials and what you find at big box stores is noticeable in the finished work, something the staff is always happy to explain if you are curious about upgrading your supplies.
The Cozy, Welcoming Atmosphere Inside the Shop
Some stores feel like they were designed by a spreadsheet. Odd Nodd Art Supply feels like it was designed by someone who actually loves being in a creative space.
The interior is cozy and warm, with a layout that encourages browsing rather than rushing, and a general vibe that makes you feel comfortable from the moment you walk in.
The shelves are organized thoughtfully, with products grouped in ways that make sense to an artist’s brain rather than a retail manager’s checklist. You move naturally from pens to inks to paper to mixed media supplies, and somewhere along the way you inevitably discover something you did not know you needed but absolutely have to have now.
The physical store has that brick-and-mortar texture that regular customers have specifically called out as part of its charm. Being able to hold a pen, feel the weight of a sketchbook, or run your fingers across a sheet of imported paper is an experience that connects you to your craft in a way that clicking an “add to cart” button never will.
Mixed Media Supplies and Printmaking Materials
For artists who work beyond the traditional boundaries of painting and drawing, Odd Nodd Art Supply has a lot to offer. The shop carries a solid selection of mixed media supplies and relief printmaking materials, which is not something you find at every art store, especially not at this level of quality and variety.
Relief printmaking is a craft that has seen a real resurgence in recent years, with more artists exploring linocut, woodcut, and related techniques as both a fine art practice and a hobby. Having access to proper carving tools, printing inks, and quality block materials in a physical store, where you can see and handle everything before buying, is a significant advantage for anyone getting started or deepening their practice.
The mixed media section caters to artists who like to combine techniques, layering paint, ink, collage, and drawing materials in a single piece. The shop carries items that support this kind of experimental, boundary-crossing work, which aligns perfectly with the creative and open-minded spirit of the Old Town neighborhood it calls home.
Notebooks and Journaling Supplies That Are Worth Every Penny
If you have ever stood in a big box store staring at a shrink-wrapped notebook and wished you could just feel the paper before buying it, Odd Nodd Art Supply has already solved that problem for you. The shop keeps open sample copies of their notebooks on display, so you can flip through the pages, feel the texture, test the weight, and decide with confidence before making a purchase.
The notebook selection spans a wide range of styles, sizes, and paper types, from smooth pages ideal for fountain pen writing to textured surfaces better suited for sketching or watercolor. There are options for dedicated journalers, bullet journal enthusiasts, travel sketchers, and everyone in between, with a quality level that sits well above what you typically find at chain stores.
Journaling supplies extend beyond just notebooks here. The shop carries a thoughtful range of pens, inks, stickers, washi tape, and other accessories that make the whole journaling practice more enjoyable and personal.
Browsing these items together in one place gives you a sense of how different tools can work together, which is genuinely useful when you are building or refreshing your creative kit.
The Community Connection and Local Artist Support
Odd Nodd Art Supply is not just a place to buy things. It is a genuine node in Lansing’s creative community, and that distinction matters more than it might seem at first glance.
The shop actively fosters connections between local artists, hobbyists, and creative professionals in ways that go well beyond simply stocking good products.
The Lansing Analog Society, a local pen group, meets regularly at the shop, bringing together fountain pen enthusiasts from across the area to share knowledge, compare collections, and talk about the craft they love. That kind of community programming turns a retail space into something closer to a creative clubhouse, and it gives customers a reason to keep coming back even when they do not need to buy anything.
The shop’s location in Old Town Lansing also puts it at the center of a neighborhood that has long been associated with local art, culture, and independent business. Being part of that ecosystem means Odd Nodd benefits from and contributes to a larger creative culture that makes the whole area more vibrant and interesting for residents and visitors alike.
Unique Gifts and Specialty Items Worth Exploring
Not everyone who walks into Odd Nodd Art Supply arrives with a specific supply list in hand. Some people come in looking for a gift, a treat for themselves, or just a reason to browse, and the shop delivers on all three fronts with a selection of unique items that go beyond standard art store fare.
The gift options here are genuinely thoughtful, ranging from fun pen cases and colorful stickers to high-quality sketchbooks and specialty inks that would delight any creative person on your list. The shop is particularly well-suited for gift shopping for kids who love art, with a range of items that feel special and exciting rather than generic and forgettable.
Beyond gifts, the shop carries a rotating selection of specialty items that give repeat visitors something new to discover on each trip. The mix of imported stationery, limited-run inks, and carefully chosen art tools means the shelves never feel stale, and there is always a chance you will stumble onto something you have never seen before.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
A little planning goes a long way when visiting Odd Nodd Art Supply, not because the shop is hard to navigate, but because it is so full of interesting things that an unprepared visit can leave you feeling overwhelmed in the best possible way. Going in with at least a loose idea of what you are looking for helps you make the most of the experience without leaving anything important behind.
The shop opens at 11 AM most days, with Sunday hours starting at noon, so a mid-morning or early afternoon visit on a weekday tends to offer a quieter, more relaxed browsing experience. If you have specific questions about products or want to spend time talking through options with the staff, arriving earlier in the day gives you more room to do that without feeling rushed.
It is also worth checking the shop’s website at oddnodd.com or reaching out at [email protected] before your visit if you are looking for a specific or hard-to-find item. The staff has a track record of going out of their way to source things for customers, and a quick message ahead of time can save you a trip or set up a special order before you arrive.
