Can't recommend these guys highly enough. We had a bunch of prints that we needed framed, as well…read moreas a couple of pictures that needed new mounts and some wee repairs. We had always put this off for fear that this would be really expensive, but we decided to bite the bullet and get it done. After a bit of internet searching we found this place and decided to give them a go. The key thing that swung it for us is that a lot of the students at the School of Art use them, and after dealing with them you can see why. First off, the quality of the work is brilliant. Craig looked at what we had and made brilliant suggestions on the type and colour of frame which made what we had look amazing. He also suggested that we change the type of glass we had in one of the frames we were getting fixed, and this has really made the colours on the picture pop. Secondly, everyone that works there is really nice. You can tell they love what they do, are really good at it, and are really interested in the art that people bring in. We weren't in a rush to get this done, so it took about 2 weeks, and Craig was in contact with us to let us know how things were coming along and to double check a few things. Also, they are really well priced. We got 3 pictures framed and 2 fixed and this came in comfortably under £150. Considering one of the pictures we got fixed cost about £80 to get framed 10 years ago I thought this was superb. Honestly, if you need something framed definitely give these guys a go.

Just left John R Gibson framemakers only minutes ago and what a genuinely nice man he is indeed! He…read morehas a beautiful shop above Starry Starry Night on Dowanside Lane which is basically his workshop and is accessed by an old set of rickity wooden stairs! I needed a card framed and had, as usual, left it till the last moment. After explaining my situation he told me to come back in the morning and it would be waiting for me framed and with a border round it for a very reasonable price considering he had squeezed me in with no notice at all. Support these little businesses when getting anything framed, reframed or stretched as they are the gems in our West End!

Great gallery but a hidden gem when it comes to picture framing. Amazing range of hand finished…read moreframes that many of Scotland's top artists seem to use.

Just received the best of service from this place. Hiding…read moreaway up the Hidden lane in Finnieston this wee workshop is situated at the back of Mercat House. I've used other picture framers before they wern't easily accessible in my lunch hour so a Yelping I went to find somewhere close by and this was the place that popped up. I was warmly greeted by Gordon Mccracken, who couldn't have been more helpful giving me ideas about sizes, mounts and frames. Within 2 days I received a phone call that the pictures were ready for pickup. The finished presentation was excellent and at a totally reasonable price. Will be using this place from now on.

I said to the shop owner, "Your shop is very spangly", and I wasn't lying!…read more La Coco, a few doors down from the thoroughfare of Partick Station is great if you're needing a wee last minute nick nack for a birthday. There's a wide selection of jewellery, from bangles to sparkly beads and diamante necklaces with shoe charms to make the lady in your life smile. There is a section dedicated to gifts for new mum's, including cute wee silver trinket boxes with "Baby's first curl" etc inscribed on the lid. There's also a variety of quircky gift ideas, from embroidered photo frames to quaint little owl ornaments or bookmarks or car themed photoframes or mugs. There's even a pin cushion in the shape of a cake! The selling point of this shop, however, is its sparkle. Although there's a few gorgeous wee flowery purses to satisfy your indie tastes, it's a diamond studded wonderland. We were very bedazzled! But there's a good range of goodies in here - it reminds me vaguely of a silver studded Papyrus. And the shop keeper is very bubbly. Good to know about if you need a wee extra present for a loved one!

La Coco is a very cute gift boutique just off Dunbarton Road…read more Currently decked out with all things Christmassy, I was in heaven. From stylish wrapping paper to Christmas decorations and back again - I was genuinely surprised at the range of things crammed into this tiny shop! If you're after a gift for someone girly, then this is definitely somewhere you should be heading. At the moment they have sparkly mugs, jewelry, home decorations, baubles of every description and really good quality cards. Although it's not as conveniently placed as Papyrus on Byres Road (and about five times smaller!) it has gifts along the same vein - but quite a lot cheaper. Quick warning, as this shop is so stuffed full, I was quite terrified that my clumsy self was going to knock everything over and end up in a huge pile of girly gifts on the floor. I wouldn't recommend a trip if you're weighed down with bags!

Otago Studios is one man's studio tucked away upstairs in a fabulous ramshackle house that looks…read morelike it's been here since Glasgow was nothing but local boroughs. That's why I had to uncover the mystery of what the buzz was upstairs, I've been wondering since I was little! When I walked up the shaky stairs the mystery was solved...it's a local designer's studio. Admittedly when I burst through the door I felt like I was trespassing in someone's apartment but the designer couldn't have been nicer. "I don't usually get people coming here,'" he bashfully informed me as I looked around his workspace. But he was nevertheless welcoming, informative and explained he usually sells to local shops. He did however show me what he had produced - gorgeous, art nouveau inspired frames in gun metal and copper, made from soft metals. The patterns, which I likened to the Parisian poster art of the 1880s and a wee hint of Rennie Mack were embossed into the metal frame, giving them a subtle finish. Each original design was about £40, and a good size. I would stress that this studio isn't a public gallery and to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't venture upstairs without a purpose . Saying that, if it's a unique piece of local design you're looking for, these designs would be a nice touch in your home. This guy specialises in high quality craftmenship and if that's your thing, then I would definitely track him down. Just phone him first so you don't feel too intrusive!

Christo's is a fantastic little gallery that is sandwiched between Western Hardware and Achilles…read moreHeel on Great Western Road. The art is by no means cheap but the shop has much more to offer than expensive pieces from Glasgow's artistic world. There is an excellent selection of greeting cards which I have found are a great way to impress at special occasions. The shop also has lots of interesting jewellery that may be expensive but it is not outlandishly priced - think special occasion. Christo's also offers a framing service, indeed this is how I first came across this little gem. I had brought a picture for a friend's birthday but the back had come off and I could'nt return it. The owner was really helpful and she arranged for her framer to fix a new back onto the picture for only £10. I was really happy as she even had it back to me by the end of the week - in time for the party. Many of the stores in the West End have lost this friendly customer service but Christo's is not one of them. If you want something a bit different or even just a birthday card that will make you smile then pop by - I highly recommend it.

I am always more than a little sceptical of these art gallery / gift shops that seem to have sprung…read moreup all along Great Western Road even despite the recession. Yet, I was very pleasantly surprised upon venturing into 'this one'. Indeed, it is not at all what I would have expected. Yes, there are lovely, pretty products. Yes, there prices are on the higher side. But, you feel that you would be paying a genuine price for them due to the lovely design and blatant high quality. So, while you may not pop in regularly to treat yourself to a pick me up; this is a great place to stop off if you need a present that's a little bit different for someone who's worth it. There's also a range of smaller gifts too which means you don't need to go crazy. Instead, you can invest in a really nice card or calender as an extra bonus to a more run-of-the-mill gift bought elsewhere. Finally, as mentioned in previous reviews the woman in here is so nice, friendly and chatty. It makes all the difference. Really.

Art Pistol on Cresswell Lane sells a mixture of artists and has an emerging/independent focus. It…read morelooks very appealing from the outside and I couldn't resist going in for a visit, even though we have more than enough artwork to cover our walls! It's a lovely gallery space and great for a relaxing look around. Most stuff seemed to be pretty reasonable to me and there are prints as well as large framed pieces, so you could grab something interesting as a gift. The only reason this isn't a 5 star review is that the person working in the gallery that day didn't seem to be bothering to greet customers, which I think is a pretty basic courtesy. That wouldn't stop me returning for another visit though.

From the owner: The Art Gallery for Emerging & Independent Artists in Glasgow's West End and online at…read morewww.artpistol.co.uk. We paint walls too - big walls.

Wilton Glazing has been around for as long as I can remember - it's one of those places that has…read morejust always been there, and it's a handy place to have around. I went in today to get a piece of glass cut for a bathroom shelf. The chap was very friendly and helpful, took the measurements, advised on the thickness of glass I would be best with, and it was as easy as that. It was also only £6.86! I'll collect it in just under a weeks' time, which also seems pretty reasonable. They have other services too such as picture framing, and can cut mirrors, make mirror wardrobes etc. According to their invoice, they are also aluminium shopfront manufacturers. I will just have to take their word for that one.

Good selection of products,Friendly and helpfuull ordering staff, fast manufacturing,…read moreHowever poor packaging of mirrors and abrupt service when collecting. at busy times ie the weekend.

As a keen amateur photographer, I've become very familiar with Snappy Snaps on Byres Road…read more Their main custom is in developing photos from digital and film however they offer many other services: they take passport photos, they will put your photos onto mugs, bags and the likes, they will restore old damaged photos, they will put your photo on a big canvas and can even make it look Andy-Warhol esq. They also have a small selection of photo albums and photo frames. The small shop can sometimes get busy however the staff are friendly, efficient, and seem to know their stuff. If like me you struggle with their 'do it yourself' developing machines (ok, I know most people don't, but for the less techo-savy of us), they will happily assist you. My only complaints are that the company should consider changing its hideous green and yellow colour scheme and that they should have better advertised their 10% student discount; after spending a fair bit of moula in this shop over the last couple of years, I've only just recently noticed the 10% Student Discount sign (I've just graduated!).

I needed to have a few US sized passport photos taken and I wasn't sure where I was going to get…read morethis type of picture taken. After googling, I realised Snappy Snaps is just around the corner from my Uni, so I was able to pop in in between classes and have these pictures taken. The process was pretty simple and pain free- all in it took about 5 minutes to process, I paid and I was on my way. The staff were super friendly and packaged my wee pictures in a take away holder and I was off. I'm not exactly sure how much passport photos cost- but I was ok with paying £9.99 as I now know I won't be knocked back by the American Embassy in London for having the wrong sized photos. Hooray! I recommend this place for all your passport picture needs.