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 know it's a little bit late buying diaries for 2010 now but that's exactly what I did on my visit…read moreto Paperchase yesterday, they had all their diaries of all sizes reduced to only £1! Now I just can't resist a bargain so I bought myself a pretty 2010 organiser that will come in handy for my new term at Uni and will keep me on the right track for my dissertation work. I also purchased another diary reduced to £1 from £10 and it has plenty of space for writing so I'm sure I'll be able to fill it no problem with inane ramblings and doodles. I also bought my mum a birthday card which is shaped like an no.5 Chanel perfume bottle and was very reasonably priced at £2.50, I also got a couple of graduation cards for my friends who will be joining the real world in a matter of weeks. This store is quite deceptive as it looks really small from the outside but it's absolutely massive and no matter what kind of stationary you're looking for it is more than certainly here. The staff are really friendly and I was easily here for a good 50 minutes getting lost in all the stationary but nobody seemed to bothered and I felt relaxed just taking my time to browse.

Paperchase is great for picking up cards, gift wrap and stationery when you perhaps want something…read morea little different than the usual. The store feels quite stylish and the stock definitley has that sort of hip/trendy feel. It can be a little expensive, but you are paying for nicer designs and better quality. I bought a gorgeous Wedding Album in here as a gift as well as some beautiful photo frames. I also picked up some great Christmas decorations in their January sale at a very reasonable price. I always buy my notebook and pens for uni here, probably not the best way to spend my student loan but I do like the designs. Also when I ran an event I picked up some great art supplies here for posters and decorations, and received some student discount. I bought a laptop bag here in one of the quirky designs (I think it was around £12), and after a few weeks the strap broke. I returned it without the receipt and the staff were so helpful and apologetic. The bag was out of stock but they let me choose another one, no problems. I was chuffed at the good customer service here. I always find myself going in for a browse when I walk along George Street, definitely one of my favourite shops.

If you want spray paints, this is your place. A gigantic range of colours on offer, it's like being…read morea kid in a sweetshop! As well as the paints and markers, there is also some interesting artwork by local artists adorning the walls, alongside other trinkets for sale which would make nice gifts. They also advertise an artist for hire service for graffiti art workshops/classes and custom artwork which could liven up some dull spaces in the city. The member of staff was also helpful and polite in answering some novice questions about graffiti art... A recent makeover means there is also some nice design work on the frontage and more artwork on display - a nice surprise on revisiting. One good reason to come and have a look at this part of the Cowgate!

Great shop specialising in Graffiti/Arts products which are always well stocked - staff very…read moreknowledgeable and happy to help. Nice range of gifts and clothing which are frequently changing. There is also a gallery space at the front of the shop with prints and originals which is nice as it suits budgets large or small. The shop also appears to have had a bit of a revamp recently with a new layout/products - see picture attached. I think they also offer graffiti classes and commissions. Definitely worth a visit!!

Cute little art supply shop!…read more It does what it says on the tin: it's an art supply store. It carries a good number of high end artsy bits and bobs. Sure, this place is a little pricey, so I wouldn't pop in for every day stationary or office stuff, but if you're looking for something in particular, it would be a good place to pop your head in. I went in seeking sealing wax... because yes, I happen to find wax sealed cards delightful and was happy to see they had a few options. Again, tipping towards the higher price side of things, but they had real wax sticks and not the plasticky "hot glue gun" wax seal knock offs. Kudos. They also seem to have a variety of prints and canvases downstairs, but I must admit, i've never ventured down. I usually run in here in the midst of some crafting emergency, so there isn't much time to snoop. Service has always been friendly and helpful, if a bit quiet.

From the owner: Henderson Artshop has been established for over 45 years and offers a full Bespoke Framing Service…read moreas well as an array of art materials and Scottish prints.

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.

When I first crept into the graveyard a couple of years back, I nearly wet my pants at how exciting…read morethis tiny little crypt of a shop is! It sells all sorts of creepy curiosities, supernatural ornaments and a selection of books. I don't know if I got caught up in the atmosphere and expected to be met with a chalk faced ghoul, but the shop assistant is actually really bright and friendly! Not to mention informative. Its small size and ramshackle appearance makes this place utterly delightful....if you like graveyards and oddities. Which as it so happens, I do. Small, unique, and worth popping in to speak to the assistant if you're wanting a tip off on the ghost tours. Go on, I dare you!

Located in the most haunted graveyard of Edinburgh, this shop sure sells overpriced souvenirs. It's…read morethe stuff that would appeal to small kids or work perfectly as a joke, but to be fair most of the stuff you buy here will loose their novelty quickly and end up either at your local charity or at the back of your shelves. Basically, they are creepy and gory stuff you find in most "scary" gift shops around the city, from plastic gooey eyeballs to witch puppets and spooky stories of Edinburgh. And there sure are plenty of stories! The shop is certainly wee, and the staff are friendly enough, if not terribly bored to be surrounded by this gimmicky stuff. What works is that if you are after something along the lines I described above, then it all seems to be congregated in this one room just at the entrance of the graveyard.

When I wrot this review I started by saying that 'this shop pretty much does what it says on the…read moretin', but felt I couldn't start like that after seeing Stepanie had wrote the same, but it is very true and this is a shop that offers any items you are likely to need around the home - it's as simple as that. These are fairly reasonably priced and there is a good range of items on offer ensuring that it will probably stock any home essential you are on the hunt for. It doesn't get a 4 star rating simply because there are some slightly more superior shops doing a similar trade such as the A&A Traders on Easter Road, but if you don't want the trek, this is still a good shop.

This place does exactly what it says on the tin; everything you get in here seems to be 'vital' for…read morethe home. - Glass vases - mouse traps - phone cables - cheese graters - fag papers....? So yeah, pretty much one of these 'sells everything and nothing' sort of place. Strange.

I'm not exactly a budding professional artist but even I have a good time in Greyfriars Art Shop…read more Situated right by Greyfriar's Church, the Art Shop is in a great central location. Feeling like its aimed at the art student (it is near the art college after all) the shop is practical and professional selling genuine tools of the trade. It's a small and sometimes crowded shop but with a decent selection of goods considering. Prices however are quite high but so is the quality. Expect to find paint, pencils, a selection of arts and craft materials as well as glitter, paper, card and anything else you could want for making homemade Christmas cards! The owners know what they are talking about (which you won't find in Tesco's stationary department) and can offer advice. It also offers a handy student discount. Charming gift vouchers are available too. A nice and practical art store, if not a little too crowded and a touch expensive at times.

I'm no artist. Ok, no, that's an understatement. When it comes to drawing, I stick to stick…read morefigures. And I do that badly, too. This doesn't, however, mean I don't aspire or fantasize. I sometimes buy myself pretty pens and pretty paper (I'm a letter-writer) and I have a strange obsession with gold paint. I went through a period of pathetically imitating King Midas, without the tragedy, that is. I found a payphone in a bin and painted it gold. Just because. Anyway, Greyfriar's Art Shop has all of the above (the pens, the paper, the gold paint). Of course, it has more than just gold paint. They have bronze, too! And all the other colours real artists use. But, in any case, I come from a family of artists, and so this shop is always one I have to take my family to play at. And I do mean play. So, if you're on a search for art supplies (good quality art supplies) and happen to know a student kicking about Edinburgh (you're bound to find one: we multiply like the plague), then fill up here.

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.