When Lawrence Llwellyn Bowen came flouncing onto our screens with a flick of his locks and a rustle…read moreof his frilly cuffs he brought with him Interior design to the masses. He and his cronies dumbed it down and bigged it up until society really thought they could do it themselves. Only problem was it was probably done very badly, with little flair, and no tecnical expertise. Hobbycraft is much the same. I always feel that this is a place to occupy those with no creative thoughts in their own head and too little time on their hands. On the one hand coming from a Fine Art background myself I am kind of glad that people are trying to make and do at all its just its all soooo twee and derived. Ok controversial rant over. They sell a huge array of paints, canvasses, sewing/embroidery, and craft materials. They sell model making kits and gift sets, dried flowers and balloons. You name it and they probably have it. And its huge. But vastly overpriced. The thing for me is if you know what you want and what you are doing and you just want craft materials - its alot cheaper on the net. However if you do want idiot-proof step by step instruction on how to be 'arty' this is probably the place for you. Certain friends of mine will argue that this is a great place to get kids involved. Maybe it is , and call me a scrooge, but my kids will be collecting worms,feathers and leaves and making collages from them just like I used to do.

Matalan is such a great store for everything 'arts and crafts'…read more They sell things for people of all ages and skill groups so if you're bored on day, go down to Hobby Craft and you will definitley find something to do. Some of the things can be quite expensive but it's definitley worth it as the quality of the things they sell is very high. It's a very big shop though and there's something to look at down every aisle so make sure you give yourself plenty of time if you're planning a trip there!

I am quite a craft loving person anyway so now that I am getting married I have decided to make all…read moreof my decorations and invitations. My first stop for this kind of stuff is always hobbycraft as it is absolutely fantastic. It is a craft paradise and I am not sure there are many people which would hate it. So here is why I love Hobbycraft and will always go there for my craft supplies. The shop I am reviewing has the following address; Bentley Bridge Shopping Park Wednesfield Wolverhampton WV11 1BP This shop is my closest bunt there are a lot all over the country so go find the one closest to you to visit. Hobbycraft is easy to spot as it has a massive bright blue sign with Hobbycraft in yellow letters so you cant really miss it even if you wanted to. The name gives it away but this is truly a store for people to buy crafts or even for people to find inspiration to begin a hobby that they might like. When you walk into the Wednesfield store you immediately see row after row of crafts and there is a huge walk way down the centre of the shop so you can very simply find what you like. They sell all sorts from card making supplies to scrap book making supplies and then beading, paints, model making and knitting! In fact they should have everything you want to do with crafts there. The amount of stock they have is great and I went into there with a list of sticky backed magnet, small pegs, red ribbon, small A6 envelopes and butterfly embellishments. I found every single item in this store and literally within 5 minutes which was great. You see although everything is in slightly small packets you can still find everything as all similar items are in the same place so you don't have to go running around the whole store to find different items. The stock will all mainly have Hobbycraft on it somewhere and prices are very clearly labeled. The prices are not bad either as my magnet was £2 and that has made me 160 strips for my invitations. My envelopes were £3 and my ribbon was £3 but there are so mane metres of it which is great. They also have a good selection of everything you could want so for me I had the choice of about 20 red ribbons which was nice but made it hard for me to choose as its me. Then envelopes and card was in all sorts of colours so I found things that were very me and ended up getting exactly what I needed and wanted. Staff at this store are fabulous and I was surprised to find that whatever I asked for somebody could direct me straight there. Considering the thousands of items they have it was great that they could do this. They are friendly and I think because of the crafty people you get in here it must be quite a nice place to work. This store is very clean which is good and considering how small a lot of the items are it is always very tidy. The location is good too as it is on a business park so you can also go to Dorothy Perkins, Boots or even a cinema or for something to eat. It is a nice place. I like this shop and will always go and visit here if I need anything so I recommend to you all. Thanks for reading. xxx P.S This has been posted on another site but always by me katygriff

Great place of into crafts as they have everything under one roof - with plenty of parking too.read more

I love this shop, there is always plenty of choice and the card are always set out in n easy find…read moremode. They have a good range of gift ideas, wrap, party bag fillers and loads of cards to choose from. the staff are always pleasent and happy to help

good sized shop in the centre of Birmingham, you are guarenteed to find what you need here. They…read morestock cards for virtuially all occasions and little gifts to accompany them. They also sell helium balloons both filled for you or in the packet so you can fill yourself. Great shop!

Smithsonia is an exceptional jewellers and gift shop based in Birmingham's Piccadilly Arcade. They…read moresell many things from gorgeous silver jewellery to Japanese Kokeshi Dolls and amazing sculpted pieces in ceramics and glass. There is something for most budgets in this shop and it's a great place to browse. I bought some cute button earrings for just £10 but there are plenty more extravagant gifts, believe me! You could spend forever just gazing in their windows as you walk past; there is so much to see - it must take them forever to clean! They do beautiful and unique silver rings by up and coming jewellery designers as well as pieces by established brands such as Pilgrim. Every time I walk by I can find at least 15 or so items in their window that I want to buy; I'm sure everyone else can too which is why they are so successful. Smithsonia are the longest running business in Piccadilly Arcade, they've been there for around 30 years. If you are looking for a gift then definitely check them out first and impress your loved one with something a little different.

A wonderful independent gift, card and jewellery shop. If you are looking for a birthday or…read moregreeting card that is a little different to what you might find in one of the chains this is a good place to start. Their collection is not huge but you will definitely find something a little different. They also stock fabulous gift wraps and papers. To entice you into the shop the window displays are made up of some beautiful and unique silver jewellery. Again, here you will find pieces you can't find anywhere else. If you are looking for special pieces of silver jewellery at fairly reasonable prices start with this shop. Inside the staff are welcoming and very helpful.

As an artist who is into granny hobbies and crafts, this might be one of my favourite places to…read morevisit. It isn't very packed, but somehow you still find what you're looking for. The quality is great, and the prices are very reasonable, which is like the best of both worlds in this economy, isn't it? The staff is very polite and is eager to help you out in any way they can. I usually go there for yarns and embroidery threads, etc., but the urge to buy everything there is so real!

Out of all the stalls on the indoor market, this is the one I visit most frequently. If you enjoy…read moremaking costumes like I do then this stall should definitely feature on your shopping list. They sell pretty much everything related to sewing and knitting, barr machinery and large fabrics but there are plenty of fabric stalls nearby anyway. Everything is reasonably priced. I usually head here to purchase marabou, zips, coloured felt and strong threads. They give you a little pot to put your items in like at the sweet shop. I always feel like a little old lady when I come here but I am 30 in less than a month so I guess I am ; )

A great little stationers and whilst the stock in store isn't exhaustive, if there is something you…read moreare looking for then they can usually order it in the very next day for no extra cost. Brilliant service and competitive prices. They have a good range of pens, some office furniture and single paper stick to chose from. They have some essential craft stock from spray mount to inks, as well as staplers and bull dog clips. Delta Pi doesn't have a car park and on street parking can be difficult unless you leave one in the car with the engine running whilst the other hops out.

I love Delta Pi - the shop isn't massive, but they pack a wide range in - with a leaning towards…read moreart supplies rather than endless stacks of A4 notepads. The staff are knowledgeable and keen to help - I've been trying to source a particular type of ceramic blade, and whilst the man in the shop had never heard of it he took down all the details and is going to enquire with his suppliers to see if he can help. It's this kind of level of service that you would never EVER get in a big chain like WH Smiths!

This shop has yarns, cross-stitch supplies, crochet/knitting notions and hand sewing supplies…read more The number of pure wool yarns (the Mercia brand is local) is impressive and the number of British yarns is exciting to see. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Extra stock is kept upstairs so if there's not enough skeins, be sure to ask. I noticed a full line of knitting pins and crochet hooks, Milward hand stitching needles in an impressive array of sizes. They have a substantial number and variety of buttons. They carry DMC floss. The shop is easily accessible from the Coventry Marketplace, the Cathedral Lanes shopping and the West Orchard shops.

This is a great Knitting/embroidery shop. If you want anything from wool to needles, this is the…read moreshop. They have loads of wool available in many colours/sizes and thicknesses! They also have some bargains too. Not located in the best of places, however the shop always have friendly staff ready to help out in any way they can. Good prices and extensive range, better than hobbycraft!! So if your intrested in knitting and other crafts involving needles then you must go to this shop!

Now this is a little find in the heart of the Midlands especially if you love jewellery like i do…read more The Spellbound bead company is a bead shop with a difference and has the best selection of items i have ever seen in any other bead shop and i have been to quite a few. It has an online function as well if you don't live in the area but if you do then it is well worth a visit. Plus it is not just a shop but a kind of workshop too so i will tell you more. The address is as follow: The Spellbound Bead Company 47 Tamworth Street Lichfield Staffordshire WS13 6JW In terms of location the shop is in the heart of Lichfield City Centre which is a lovely city with lots to see and do if you don't know the area already. You can reach Lichfield by train and bus and it is also close to the bigger city Birmingham. In terms of the actual shop, it is easy to find when you are in Lichfield centre and it is a big shop so you can't really miss it. The shop is very nice looking with the spellbound bead company written in huge letters above the huge shop windows. The buildings in Lichfield are all old looking anyway so they are very pretty. When you walk in there you can see immediately that the shop is massive. Plus you will be able to see two rooms from the front but then there is a huge room to the back. Ok so we will talk about the shopping first. This shop has everything you could need to make numerous amounts of jewellery and i actually started by going and buying the basics and now everybody gets jewellery for Christmas as i have got quite good at it. There are fixtures and fittings, various tools and materials, beads galore and so many books which give you thousands of inspirational ideas. The beads are laid out in colours and types so all of the big glass pendants are usually together but the most efficient way of finding what you would like is to go by colour which i find very easy to do. They are all in small compartments and there are thousands to choose from. Dotted around the store you will see small baskets and plastic compartments. These are for you to put your beads in before you get to the counter so it is easy for you not to loose them and for the shop to tally them up. The beads are all different prices and the price is stated on all of the different compartments. It is easy to see and everything is reasonable. Some of course are expensive but there is enough to choose from for any budget so don't worry about that at all. Now the staff here are brilliant and are always on hand to help out. They will stand there and talk to you about how to make things and what to buy and then what to do. It is useful that the shop sells kits with very easy to follow instructions so you could always try one of those at first and then start designing your own when you are feeling brave. From the workshop side of things they do bead workshops every month. You can go to introduction to jewellery making, looming and metal work. There are loads that crop up but it is worth finding out from them what is on and book it. These workshops do get booked up quite quickly so you do have to get in there but they are very helpful. The whole shop is a great experience for all jewellery lovers. The main thing is that the people who work there are so experienced and can help you in all aspects of jewellery making. I once walked in and said i want the round things that you squash as i didn't know what they were called. Within a few minutes she had found out what i was taking about. Now prices are great. Beads range from 1p to 30 pounds and over. Kits range between 3 and 30 pounds also. If you go in and tell them what you are aiming for they will help you as much as they can. They have sat there for half an hour with me before talking to me and showing me how to do things. In conclusion i love this shop and it will always get top marks. I can now make some really nice things for myself, family and friends and it is a great hobby to have. I love being able to walk in there, get friendly service and always find something that inspires me and that i want. If you do want to get into this hobby then this shop is well worth a visit. Thanks for reading. xxx P.S. This has been posted on other sites but always by me katygriff

This place is fabulous for anything to do with costume jewellery making, I regularly go in there…read moreand buy beads for making jewellery. The prices are very reasonable but the selections are great and the staff/owners are very helpful and friendly. It is a lovely lovely shop and even if you do not buy anything it is still worth a wander around.