Cass Arts is vibrant and clean. My family and I visited in April of 2018. Although lacking in the…read moreart supplies I was hoping to find - they did carry an array of painting supplies and different craft activities. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and made our visit worthwhile.

This store came highly recommended for all things art. The store was crazy busy but still well…read moreorganized and neat. The staff were very attentive but the selection lacked selection in sketch books. They may have what you're looking for but it's way way down the bottom of the high street - for me it wasn't worth the walk.

What a lovely little gallery in one of the nicest streets in Kensington - perfect for an afternoon…read morewalk even on a grey day! A reminder that it is always worth turning off the main road to explore hidden corners and side streets. The gallery is located at the corner of Thankeray Street, a hidden gem of small shops and cafes running parallel to Kensington High Street - well worth a visit if you want to get a feel for the area's history. The gallery specialises in architectural and classical prints, in particular of the local area, which are displayed in charming surroundings. The owners are equally charming and very knowledgeable. They run a framing workshop on site and are true experts in their field.

If you need a stationary in Fulham, Perry is the place to go. It is a place where you can look for…read morehours for new ideas and discover different ways of binding, painting techniques, paper quality. I sometimes have a hard time what I actually need and not need. Always ask for student discount. I would not buy their expensive ink cartridges. However, there unique selling point is that you can send a fax! Who would have thought I would use fax in our generation of technology - but that time it was urgent and the only solution. You are also able to do photocopies: both - black & white and colour prints. The owner is very kind - if you need something specific, you could ask him to order it for you, it might take a couple of days but is less hassle. They are specialised in sketchbooks and lots of sketching paper - the worst thing, which can happen to a student running out of paper at the weekends. Note: Perry's is open on Saturdays only!

I don't really come into places like these very often nowadays. I am not a child, an artist or…read moreBanksy. Actually, scratch that last bit, what do you know, I might be. Either way, I just don't really use stationers much now. That being said, I still love their specialism and their smell. This one is a pretty good example of the breed, lots of stock, pretty decent collection of art and graphics materials plus they also sell a bit of office furniture (machines) and computer supplies. Comprehensive and reassuringly busy most of the time.

Green and Stone is a great little art shop that is also a framers…read more I love the old feel to this store, as these guys have been on the go since 1927. They have a fine selection of the best quality oil, acrylic and watercolour paint. They also sell paper, canvas, brushes and easels. They also have a great range of gifts such as globes, pencils, photo frames, perfect for the artist or writer in your family. The only downside is it is a bit pricey.

What a gem of a place…read more I love the antique art materials & always drop in on my way to nearby Chelsea Arts Club

I almost forgot this amazing place existed. Temptation Alley is based at the far end of Portobello…read moreRoad, and it is tempting to not walk past Golborne Road. Now that I have rediscovered this amazing haberdashery shop it will save me loads of trips into town. I was impressed with the diamante-studded zips on my last visit. I am sure I will come up with an idea to use them soon. It all looks a bit messy, but I think there is method to the madness. Best of all, this is a real local shop for local people :-) and it is best not to be in a hurry and get chatting. Almost every purchase involves a trip to the shop next door for change. Love it!

I like to imagine myself a crafty person. I am a musician, so it seems a natural extension of my…read moresupposedly inherent creative nature. But let's face it, I can colour within the lines, and that pretty much sums up my artistic inclinations. I am all ideas, no follow through, and no talent with which to execute said ideas anyhow. But I still LIKE the IDEA of all things crafty. That's where Homemade London comes in. They give you the tools you need to make things without investing a ton in your own materials. They think through their workshops with people like me (in addition to skilled craft-masters) in mind so I can feel successful. Plus, their stuff looks REALLY cool. Want to make knickers and fascinators for a Hen Party? This is your place. Learn to sew? Make cool picture frames? Christmas crackers? Wrapping paper? Jewlery? It is a great and charming little space, and the girls that work there are patient, knowledgeble, and friendly. Plus their ideas are actually stylish and I would have gladly have them decorate my home. These are not your grandma's doilies, folks. I came here on a LivingSocial Adventures activity and I am so glad that I now know about it, as I will definitely be back at some point.

Not crafty or ambitious enough to make your own projects?? Pop by Homemade in London. They do have…read moresome fun craft projects here: fabric wallets, knickers, fascinators... but it does come with a bit of a price tag ringing in on average around £25-30. The space itself is nice. I came here for a hen party, there were 13 of us. Our project for the day was 25 meters of bunting. We all cut triangles out, sew, iron, etc and tada, 25 meters of beautiful floral bunting. The downside, some of us quickly came to realise, was this: 25 meters of floral bunting: Amazon - £25-30 (5 packs of 5 meter bags) Homemade in London - £400+ (£35 x 13 girls, and the more people we had attend, I think it was still just going to be 25 meters) I wouldn't say its Homemade in London's fault, as I think the bride wanted bunting. But holy crap. Guess they totally cashed in on their scraps of fabric. Insane, I tell you. I just wish I had something that I made and took home to use. They did give us "Goody Bags", which in the end, was just a flower cut out from colored paper and a lollipop.

Lovely family-run gem of a fabric shop. Good quality fabrics at decent prices, not to mention a…read morehuge range. The real star though is their Liberty fabrics, both from their most recent collections and past years (sold off at a marked down rate). Definitely one to check out if you like sewing.

Classic Textiles are a solid, if fairly unspectacular fabric shop on Goldhawk Road. They have a…read morereasonable range of fabrics, many of which are of so-so levels of inspiration. And their staff can be a bit pushy, which is annoying. However, they are worth checking out for their range of linens, which they have at decent prices (£5 a metre).

I normally get my diaries from WHSmith, or the late, lamented Woolies, but I am moving up in the…read moreworld (I hope), and I feel that it might be time to graduate from Hello Kitty stationary. I am not earning the kind of money yet that can keep me in Smythson, but it is always something to aspire to! While the shop seems a little serious, and steeped in tradition, there is quite a whimsical and modern touch to a lot of the Smythson products. They sell little notebooks with phrases on the front like 'Therapy Notes', 'Seduction Notes', 'Me Me Me', and my favourite - 'Blondes/ Brunettes/ Red Heads'. This one is obviously for the man about town who wants to give his little black book and extra personalisation. The designers at Smythson are inventive, and clearly keep an eye out for the latest trends, fabrics and fashions. This is not just a shop to look for a present for Grandma or Grandpa; anyone of any age would appreciate something form here.

A great place to head when giving a gift to mark those monumental achievements - graduations,…read morelanding a sought after job or promotion, even a move. Smython's address books are and diaries are expensive, but renowned for being exceptionally made and sporting special lightweight, but high quality, paper. The name is practically synonymous with leather-bound goods of paramount excellence - when you pick one up you really can feel that these books are indeed in a superior league... the leather feels beautiful to the touch and the gilding edging is such a hallmark of luxurious attention to detail. Obviously, guys, don't go here to pick up a gift for your girlfriend for Christmas...(hate to even have to say it, but sometimes...) since everything here has more of a *professional* quality about it... but if you're hunting for something for your dad, or want to show your friend how much you admire their latest professional achievement - or merely want to convey to someone that they have your vote of confidence regarding their next business or individual venture - Smythson is definitely your shop.

Hi I have an offer for you! I am a digital artist based in London and believe you could benefit…read morefrom selling my art prints. If I had to label my artistic style I'd probably call it visionary, neon and fantasy. My Instagram page is called Sofiev Art. Here's my website also: https://sofievart.com/

This shop is one of these typical examples of places you take for granted, and before you know it…read moreit could be gone. Well, it pretty much does exactly what it says on the tin ... shelves stacked with art supplies, stationery, craft items - anything from tags and stickers for market stall holders, petty cash vouchers and printer cartridges for the (home) office, to stretched canvas panels and paints for artists.

An artist's & crafter's haven. This shop seems small at the entrance but contains pretty much…read moreanything painters and graphic artists would need at the back. They also stock beads, strings & paper. The staff is knowledgeable & helpful (I was given the low down on the quality of the watercolor pigments I wanted to buy). It was also bristling with brushes. The prices here range from expensive to cheap. The next time I go there, I plan to but a lino slab to carve up for a press. The only drawback in here is the low lighting but I can get behind that.

Internet purchase from this business. Polite staff offered a…read moregreat service and the price for a box of top quality branded coloured pencils would be hard if not impossible to beat given that express delivery service was FOC. Thoroughly recommended.