What a lovely little cozy shop. The shop owner is so very sweet. She had yarn from local hand dyers…read morethat was beautiful. Left with three skeins for a project. Forgot to take pictures, sorry, but worth a stop.

Visiting from California and conveniently just about finished w small project I had brought to work…read moreon so needed some new yarn. This small shop is an amazing jumble of fantastic yarns- many not or barely available in the States. She stocks many UK yarns and some further flung but all really beautiful. The shop owner was incredibly helpful in figuring out weight and yardage I needed for a pattern. The website gives an idea of some of the selection but of course seeing them in person is always the best way to know what calls to you.

Despite some other reviews, I wanted to check this place out. I was greeted by one of the owners…read moreshortly after entering and had a pleasant conversation with her and the student who is working there while at uni. They had a nice selection of Shetland yarn that I can not get in the US. They truly were a pleasure. So glad I stopped in.

I went to this store during a recent visit to Edinburgh, despite the nasty reviews on Yelp. How bad…read morecan it be, right? Well, it was not bad at all. The ladies in there were very nice and helpful, Thank you! To all the haters out there, back off! I will be back.

Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

I've walked past this shop may times after work and always thought it looked well stocked, but when…read moreI went in to get gift vouchers for an artistic relative last week I was totally blown away by just how much is in here. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and there's a great range of everything artistic you could possibly need. The only problem I could see was the lack of fabric paints, but that seems to be the way in Edinburgh recently so I don't think it's much of an issue here. But wow. It's also the first shop where I have ever seen the full range of Uni Posca markers on display, especially alongside the fantastic Montana spray paints. So yeah, I have the feeling I will be going back in and spending far too much money on creative supplies that I'm really not very good with. :-D

From the owner: Art and Craft supplies.read more

I can't draw, paint, sculpt or sketch to save myself, but for those who can Just Art on Morningside…read moreRoad seems like a pretty good place to pick up art supplies. It sells the usual brushes, pencils (way fancier than would ever find in WHS), paper and even high quality charcoal. They pride themselves in selling the latest high quality canvases for painters and (apparantly) interior designers. They had lots of deals on for acrylic paints and high quality paper as well as plenty of artwrok to admire throughout the shop. The owner is friendly and just lets you look around without asking if you require assistance every five seconds as some small business owners can have a tendency of doing. If you're an art enthusiast, or just want a look around at some artwork, Just Art is a good place to look.

Just Art is part two of my Morningside window shopping tour (part one is next door - Context…read moreInteriors). Once again this is a shop that offers goods beyond my means, but if I could afford them I would be doing more than window shopping here. I have on occasion been in here to see all the art and its staff didn't seem to mind me passing an appreciative gaze over these artworks despite the fact that it appeared fairly clear that I was never going to buy any of them. Each of the better works of art from here will set you back a sum in the hundreds, but you are getting something unique - this isn't some cheap printed copy of a work of art everyone has seem - this is the real McCoy - the original. For many the price will be stumbling block and for those able to afford these works for arts I remain envious.

It's impossible to describe this place adequately…read more All three of the branches in Edinburgh (also on the Royal Mile and in the Grassmarket) are tiny and absolutely crammed with any type of trinket you could ever imagine. The kinds things that you see when you're in Morocco, South America or Thailand and would love to buy but know there's no point even trying to get it back the the UK in one piece. They have drapes, throws, incense, jewellery, handmade notebooks, hanging masks/purses/bags/just about anything you can think of to hand-make... but the best thing is the prices. The kind of ethnic-looking jewellery or homeware you'd happily pay loads for in a department store can be snapped up here for pennies. Don't miss... the pashminas. The amount of times people have stroked whichever of Lokaah's pashminas from my extensive collection that I'm wearing that day and asked where I got it from, and told me how they bet it had cost a bomb, has to be some kind of indicator! What's more, you can bag yourself one for as little as £2. My description of this place doesn't do it justice - you have to go and see for yourself.

Lokaah stocks traditional Indian handicrafts specially imported to Edinburgh and London stores…read more Lokaah assures us of its ethical trading standards, and regardless of whether these claims hold any water or not, the fact remains that this shop sells you the genuine article at bargain prices. Definitely come here if you're into harem pants, incense, and saris. In my opinion Lokaah is a cut above other similar shops that tend to be incredibly expensive. In particular Lokaah stocks a range of amazing hand-carved wooden figures and chests that make ideal gifts. They even accept Euros here, so stop by to unload unwanted shrapnel on lovely trinkets.

I bought my mum a small blue plate in here for her birthday last year which only cost £5 and was…read moreappreciated (i think). The staff in here are really firendly and down to earth guys who have plenty to chat about and share in the way of clay, kilns and decoration styles. They pride themselves on the fact that their pottery is easy on the eye and not as pointlessly garish as some. Most of it is painted in tranquil colours without any showy, arty stuff on it and they have plenty in the way of bowls, vases, plates and jugs. They also give a good assurance of the structural quality of it all, so most of it has a practical use as well. Meadows Pottery is a friendly and interesting shop which is well worth a look from just about anyone.

Archaeologists say that a culture's pottery defines and drives a society. if that is the case then…read moreMeadows Pottery might be the last bastion of our crumbling civilisation. We don't exactly have many commercial homegrown potters left, so it's nice to stumble upon a place like Meadows Pottery. A small shop, Meadows Pottery offers vases, jugs, plates, decorations all sorts, all of simple design and colour. The pottery is nice, at the very least, with its easy-on-the-eye aesthetic, it is hard to dislike. I don't find it stunning, and so I do have problems with the prices, but I think the sort of market its aimed at will have less of a problem with this. A pleasant and unexpected potters in the heart of Edinburgh.

Lovely shop with a beautiful selection of hand dyed yarns. Super friendly clerk. A must stop for a…read moreyarn lover

A more perfectly formed yarn shop can not possibly exist! Everything about Ginger Twist Studio is…read morecarefully thought out to maximise the space in the tiny little shop. The owner, Jess, dyes her own yarn by hand, and her waterfall of 'Ginger's Hand Dyed' is a sight to behold, almost every colour you could imagine is on the wall and it's a real challenge not to bring one home every time you visit! Not only hand dyed, there is a range of yarns, patterns, needles and notions to suit all budgets and abilities. Jess is always happy to answer questions, make suggestions, or put the kettle on for a wee cup of tea and a chat over some yarny pursuits. The shop has regular classes too where you can learn to knit or crochet as a complete beginner, or develop more complex skills and techniques. Ginger Twist Studio really does stand out in the craft scene in Edinburgh and if you're visiting the city you'd be mad not to visit this little hidden gem!

Located in a far-too-easily-missable part of Stockbridge, this gift shop and studio is well worth…read moreseeking out. All the usual suspects of the art and craft world; photo frames, toys, jewellery, cards, candles, homeware and a grand selection of papers and things that glitter and sparkle. I was told that they also host birthday parties or just a relaxing, different evening for a few friends to get all DIY-ey in a more sophisticated environment than places that are only aimed at children (why do they get all the fun?) Staff are friendly and enthusiastic and really want you to get creative. I'm looking forward to getting messy!

This is a little art and craft shop tucked away from the usual Stockbridge strip and it's well…read moreworth the extra trek to find it. They're more an arts and craft studio than a gift shop and judging by what they sell it's the perfect place to bring your kids to for an hour or two. Paper mache, paint glitter and sparkly things are the order of the day and I can see how kids go mad for this stuff. It's certainly brought out the kid in me. I saw that they had some interesting classes coming up, badge making, card making and the like so it's worth checking out what's coming up when you're there. They also host birthday parties and I could see 10 kids sitting around the large table getting their art on. All in all a great place for adults and kids alike!