I'm a sucker for arts & crafts and creativity in general and Craft Works ticks all the boxes. This…read moreshop is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and one of the best in Bristol if you discount the likes of Hobbycraft. From the outside you might be forgiven for thinking this is a frivolous, girly shop for bored housewives and old ladies but oh how wrong you would be! There is a large selection of sketchbooks, drawing paper, paintbrushes and Daler-Rowney paints - all essential for art students and established artists alike. The store itself is lined with cards and displays that have been created using products from the shop, such as decopache kits, rubber stamps, ink and stencils. The only thing that limits the possibilities of the products in this shop is your own imagination. Price are reasonable and there is also a framing department at the back of the shop where you can take in your masterpieces to hang with pride.

Craft Works is probably the largest shop of its kind in Bristol. Stocking everything you can…read moreimagine, (and then some), for those with handicrafts in mind. Reasonably priced with knowledgeable staff on hand to explain what everything is for, Craft Works is creativity made easy. They even host workshops in the evening. They also stock resources for those of us who can't quite decide what hobby would suit us best, or for those of us that would like to be a bit more creative but aren't exactly sure how. A full range of magazines is available with comprehensive advice on hand. And just for the record: I'm in the market for a knitted toilet roll cover with a Cindy-type doll miraculously emerging from the middle. There's a commission in for anybody who can master the skills required to make one. I'd like it in shocking pink. Get enrolling now!

There are much worse things one could be hooked on than crafts, but nonetheless it can be an…read moreaddiction and this shop is here to work with that addiction. Should you be unable to resist taking a pair of scissors to some material and fashioning a purse, for instance, or sticking some fake eyes to a pillow - I don't know - for all your crafts needs these guys can help. From basics like scissors and glues to advanced kits for dressmakers it' all down here for the taking. A wonderful little shop that takes me back to school.

Are you arty or crafty? Are you into beads or jewellery or embroidery threads or frames or paints…read moreor glitter or ribbons or lace? Then at Creativity you'll be in good company. Creativity is an independent art and craft supplies shop, and they stock everything in their tiny shop, all of the above and much much more. Anything you can't find you'll probably be able to order from their website.

Creativity is an art supply shop just off Whiteladies Road. It's got things like beads and cloth in…read moreabundance. As well as plastic stuff they've got some more exotic bits and pieces, including semi-precious stones and crystals. A good place to get a bit of alternative or DIY jewellery. An absolutely essential for for my friend that's into costume design. They've got an extensive supply of textiles and ribbons, as well as everything you'd ever need to do with knitting and needle work. Cards and stamps are the other thing they mainly do. If, like my mum, you like to make your own cards, this is a great place to come. Somewhere for the enthusiast this does its various little niches in a lot of detail.

From the outside I hoped that this shop would fulfil my hippy needs for ancient crystals, dream…read morecatchers and spiritual beads. Sadly inside it's not much more than a bit of a generic "make your own necklace" sort of place. Not the cheapest, or most exciting. A nice place to take children to get their creative juices flowing or for presents for arty friends.

I used to love making my own necklaces and rings so putting me in a bead shop is a bit the same as…read moreputting me in a sweet shop, I revert to a very child like state! Its pretty much your average bead shop, lots of nice beads and ready made creations available to purchase if you doubt your creative skills. If you've always thought you'd like to make your own jewelery but not sure where to start then Bamba Beads offers classes. I particularly thought their Tiara Class and hair grip accessories class sounded interesting, both things that to buy can be very expensive but relatively cheap to make. The fact that this Bead Shop offers classes means I'm giving it the full 5 stars!!

If (God forbid) you should find yourself stranded in Brislington, and are at a loss for things to…read moredo (as you would be), I'd recommend you visit Avon Mead Retail Park if you're looking for something resembling civilisation. Here you'll find a long line of huge shops, including The Range. For those of you unfamiliar with The Range, it sells everything from musical instruments to arts and crafts, furniture, outdoor living equipment, toys and pet care items to name just a few of its many wares. Moreover, these can be purchased at trés reasonable prices (but don't expect the greatest of quality). This branch of The Range is gigantic and pretty souless. But for practical matters and rainy days, it'll suffice.

There's apparently a whole host of these shops all over the country and yet before I came to…read moreBristol, I had never heard of them. The Range is one of those wonderful mish-mash shops which sells absolutely everything, except from perhaps vital organs, although they could diversify into that in the future. Seriously, going in here is a real treat. You can buy everything from bones for your dog to every craft item under the sun. Or there's jacuzzis, huge boxes of broken biscuits, wall canvases, dried flowers and garden gnomes. It's all stacked chaotically around so actually searching for something you need is a total mission. But if you want to go in and come out with at least 15 things you absolutely don't need then I highly recommend The Range.

Shiney Rocks is a fantastic little business. Nestled in the creative quarter of Paintworks it…read moreoffers a broad range of products with the convenience of free off-street parking. Other shops of this ilk are generally more central to the city, but have the distinct disadvantage of being in relatively inaccessible places unless on foot. In addition to a glittering array of beads and fastenings, along with all of the equipment to make jewellery, Shiney Rocks also stocks a good range of 'how to' magazines, as well as offering a good choice of workshops that usually allow the participants to complete an item of jewellery. These classes cater for both children and adults, and so it's possible to involve the entire family.

lovely and friendly beadshop with a great selection and especially the findings.huge range of…read morefindings even the hard too find ones.Great place for all your jewellery making equipment.

Since knitting has become the new rock n' roll (even festivals had knitting tents this year if you…read moredon't believe me) it is still surprisingly hard to go and score your wool fix. Those unwilling to trudge out to the Cribbs' John Lewis know that this is the place to be. Full of wool, thread and patterns for knitting and embroidery, the staff are reassuringly clicking needles at the counter and keen to help out.

Saw your item on Points West last night, and mention again tonight and was really impressed with…read moreyour wonderful work. Can you let me know how much the pattern and the wool cost. I belong to St George's Wilton Mothers' Union in Taunton, and we have 40 Commando Royal Marines in the town. We already do quite a bit of knitting for babies, premature babies, blankets for babies, knee blankets for residential homes as well as hats, scarves, mittens and jumpers for the children and women in the local refuge - we would love to add your hats to our repertoire. Very best wishes to you and your 'army' of knitters!! Hilary P.S. Although I have never visited your shop I give you five stars for your innovative project

Good shopping centre and not too many empty stores. We last went on a very rainy day but it didn't…read moretake away from the shopping experience. I love that they have little food places staggered around like Ben's Cookies (which is always an essential when shopping for the family!) Easy to get to and access. Worth the visit.

Wow! I could do some serious damage at this place! Cabot Circus is a beautifully constructed…read more"outdoor" shopping centre with every store you can imagine! We were staying across the street at the Future Inn and on the evening we arrived, we strolled over to take a quick peek at the adventures I would be exploring the next day. Much to my surprise, pleasure and happiness, there was a Pret right there as soon as we walked in! Breakfast at the hotel was on the pricey side so we knew where we'd be coming in the morning and we certainly needed to get fueled up for a day of shopping! CC has lots of high end, brand name stores and with even more shops beyond the boundaries of CC, this made for a lovely day of retail therapy. My poor husband... oh well, at least they had an Apple store for him. ;)

This brings it all back! I remember the days when a 7UP pencil cas was a must have, when if you…read moredidn't have an earaser and corrector pen you were nobody, and when your rubber was a statement of your personality! What a hayday of stationary, and when you speak about your stationary past to your friends you all seem to share that glint of pleasure in your eye... wonderful! Stationary world is a more adult version of those wonderful childhood experiences, you can get some fantastic artistic materials, like mini canvases, binded drawing books and a wide array of paintbrushes. But have no fear, if you head in there are still many things your inner child will appreciate!

Back in the day when the first week of September was set aside for being measured for school…read moreuniforms and buying a new cartridge pen, my childhood self would often be found in Stationary World. But that was over 10 years ago and with the increase of Paperchases, Whsmiths and Scribblers I thought my much loved stationers would be just a distant memory. That was until I came across this little beauty on Park Street. As soon as I walked in I was taken back my school days, where having a cool pencil case was extremely important and buying glitter pens was considered to be very chic. I loved the fact that it was exactly how I remembered it - full to the brim of watercolour palates, colour pencils and sketch pads. All their items are reasonably priced for the quality, but are probably a bit higher than the average high-street stationers. I'm pleased it's still going strong for future generations. But sadly, I'd probably pop along to Paperchase to pick up my stationary these days.

This cleverly named store has, as one would expect, all your requirements for the sewing and crafts…read moreworld. An independent store Sew Sew has established itself in Westbury-on-Trym supplying everything from thread to mask-making designs to fancy dress. All your glues, scissors, glitter and any other creative accessories you could possibly need are all in store here. If you're looking for original greetings cards you could source some from any of the many local shops selling them for a mere 50p or you could pop in here and make your own!

Fabulous little shop. I don't sew, or knit (I am of the, knit one, drop two school of pattern…read moredesign!) so I hadn't really thought that this shop had anything to offer then I found myself there 'by accident' when helping someone else to find what they were looking for. This aladdin's cave has all kinds of fun things: a delightful array of coloured ribbons (including my favourite turquoise selection!); The most dinky pairs of nail scissors I ever saw in really pulsing colours. Okay you get the idea ...GO AND VISIT THIS SHOP with an open mind and an open heart!!