Plonked in London Road's Open Market, this is quite possibly the BEST haberdashery in the whole of…read moreBrig Town. Stacked to the sky with hordes of different coloured yarns, needles, pins, buttons, fabrics, materials, elastics, curtains, and just about everything you could ever need if you're into knitting, crochet, sewing, cross stitching or anything creative. They do a vibrant collection of rara skirts and tutus, and are more than happy to offer advice and help, even if you don't know what you're doing.

Moleskines were once my guilty little pleasure: I would buy them just to fill them with random…read morescribblings, doodles and notes, then buy a new one and start all over again... Just because of the love of scribbling on paper. I've grown out of that a little now, entering the electronic age and all that, but still have a youthful lusting after lovely new paper and pens. When the mood strikes me, I browse through Pen and Paper to regain that part of my life, and it always puts a smile on my face. If you aren't quite as obsessed with some stationary as I am, this probably won't register, but Pen to Paper does sell some of the nicest stationary around. Moleskines, real paper, various lovely pens and pencils (proper writing utensils, mind, not biros or something), that sort of thing: an artist's paper shop, in effect. I love the idea of being able to buy bits of paper and write on them, but then this is all such nice, expensive paper... Now, I'm indebted to the electronic age now. I'm happy to be the guy how types everything these days, or makes notes on his Blackberry over buying new notebooks every couple of weeks. Still, it is nostalgic to breeze through Pen to Paper's lovely products: if you were ever a wistful poet upon the heath, this is definitely for you!

In the digital age where most people communicate through text and email, its comforting to find a…read morestore that's with-holding the tradition of writing and sending letters by hand. As the name suggests, Pen to Paper is a cosy store that sells beautiful stationary, tissue-lined envelopes, greetings cards, fountain pens and boxes of ink. It also stocks exquisite Japanese papers, address books, journals and a wide selection of lovely, pocket-size notebooks and sketch pads.

As a crafting aficionado I'm often found wandering the aisles of this brilliant fabric store on…read moreWestern Road. It's a vast cavern with pretty much everything you could need to fashion something for yourself and if you run out of ideas, don't fear, because there's also a whole section of gifts from picture frames to vases. My favourite place is the second floor though which is an Aladdin's cave of fabrics and haberdashery as well as wools as well as crafting items: beads, paper, canvases and more. I bought myself a couple of feather cushions, buttons and cotton fabric from here for less than £12 recently, just need to find the time to make them now!

I don't know the first thing about sewing or anything like that, but I often find myself in C&H…read morewhen I'm looking for some bits and pieces to add to a fancy dress costume (big fancy dress fan here) I always find the staff extremely helpful when I visit, I always ask a dozen questions when I'm there but I'm never made to feel silly about it. I believe they have started doing sewing/knitting etc classes so it's something I would definitely consider when I get the time. I'm sick of using a hot glue gun for everything!

I hate to break anyone's heart but Ditto Fabrics is not a store owned and run by Gossip singer Beth…read moreDitto. It's a specialist fabric store which stocks a wide range of high quality cotton, jersey, polyester, calico, silk, cord and wool fabrics. As well as the usual spots, stripes and checks, they sell buttons, threads and limited edition shirtings from certain high end, high street designers. Prices are reasonable and there's a special cheap section with offcuts and end of roll materials. Now, who can knock me up a copy of the dress Beth Ditto wore at Glastonbury a few years back?

Roll upon roll of material fill this North Lanes fabric and haberdashery shop. They have every type…read moreof fabric you can imagine...cotton, cord, cotton jersey, shot silk, wool...you name it, they'll have it. The prints are endless and its well worth a look, even if you have something incredibly specific in mind, as they might just stock what you're after. When I was last in I noticed they have a good selection of printed cotton jerseys...striped, floral and spotty...perfect for making a top or really soft pillow cases! As well as the reams of colourful, pretty and even sparkly fabrics, they stock more practical items too, such as heavy durable fabrics for home furnishings and upholstery and laminate table coverings for those with small messy children! If you're looking for the finishing touch to a textile project, Ditto also has a 'bits and bobs' section near the till, where you can find sequins, patches and coloured cotton etc. It's worth a look if you need to jazz up an outfit- I picked up lots of sparkly decorations for my Bestival costume here. The button collection by the door is also well worth investigating...the choice is endless- with an such an extensive assortment of colours, styles and sizes, you're bound to find what you're looking for!

Fiveways Arts and Crafts is a good all-purpose, er, arts and crafts shop. It's aimed partly at the…read moreyounger market with various kits like hama beads that you iron into shapes, pipe cleaners and big, tempting tubes of glitter. This would definitely be a good shout if you needed to buy a birthday present for someone pushing eight. There's also a good choice for adults of an artistic bent - sketchbooks, a limited variety of paints and pencils, and on the craft side of things, a good wool selection and some lovely beads, many of them in pots of hundreds rather than the one-by-one selection favoured by more specialist places. There are books on arty subjects as well, and the lady behind the counter is always on hand to discuss your current project. I happen to love sniffing round art shops anyway, if only for the lovely papery smell of possibilities, but she was raring to help and if you had a project in mind would doubtlessly be an enthusiastic and useful resource.

From the owner: Arts and Crafts supplies in Brighton and Hoveread more

I love visiting this shop. The plethora of colours that strike you as you enter can't do anything…read morebut inspire. The staff are friendly and willing to advise you on anything from what tools are best to use to suggesting new projects to undertake. Located in The Lanes, the atmosphere in the shop is relaxed and friendly.

the beed shop is one of my favorite places to visit! the surrounding and way its set out suits the…read moreshop, and they have a variaty of different beeds to choose from at reasonable prices.

The Oriental Arts shop on Gardner Street is quite serene in comparison to its neighbouring shops…read more Once I walk inside, I'm struck by the sense of peace and delicateness in this small space. The sales clerk is quiet but smiles kindly as I begin to wander around and check out the interesting Asian arts. Calligraphy equipment is displayed, along with completed posters of Calligraphic art. Other posters show images of Buddha in various settings, all painted expertly. Books are sold in both their original Asian languages, and in their English translations. Most are on spiritual topics, although Oriental Arts also sells journals and day planners. I notice some magnets with words of translated wisdom hanging near the counter. My favourite: Life is too short to wear tight shoes. Ah, it's true. Religious figurines and trinkets are set up on shelves. I notice Buddha's grouped into categories by material. Each stone carving has a particular significance. Some bring luck, others promise double happiness. I decide on a small bag of Iron Lady tealeaves for 1.45, hoping a cup will bring me strength. After scurrying to the bus stop in this nonstop rainstorm, I'll definitely need it.

I've been a shopper of Oriental Arts since the shop first opened and it's nice to see that they are…read morestill doing well. If you are looking for a jade bracelet, a Buddha statue or some nice Oriental calligraphy, then you would do well to make at stop here. They also sell Go (as Ronaldo mentioned) and Mah Jong sets. They will obviously cost a bit more for the nicer versions, but both these Chinese games are well worth taking the time to learn. The staff know their stock well and are always happy to tell you about the history and purpose behind the items they stock. Most of it is also very reasonably priced and you can pick up a good present for someone that is both unusual and of quality. These days the North Laine is full of corporate franchise shops, but the Oriental arts is a good illustration of how they used to be, full of quirky independent retailers.

Beautifully set out new shop on the ground floor at the Open Market. They have interesting stock,…read morebit of a treasure trove. Am looking forward to going again. As a maker, I find some of the items for sale are inspirational.

If you're visiting Brighton for a few days and want to take a bit of the seaside away with you,…read moreforget filling your pockets with stones from the beach. They're too heavy and they'll make your suitcase smell really salty. Instead, go to Zoing Images and treat yourself to a photo printed onto canvas. They have cool images of the pier, the amusement arcade, the the seagulls, the West Pier and lots more. All the images are available as mini canvases or triptychs and they also offer a service where you can get your own photo blown up as art. If you don't fancy a print, they also stock wall and desk clocks, perspex blocks, photo books and an impressive range of Polaroid and Lomo cameras. Personally, I'm after the limited edition, Jack White Lomo. Anyone got a spare few hundred dollars?

If I lived in Brighton I'd finally get good at using my lomo camera. Know why? Zoing Image…read more Why doesn't London have anything like this? Just spending ten minutes in this small, friendly shop last week browsing through the piles of arty photo books, impressive range of Lomography cameras and accessories and mini canvases for printing inspired me so much I dusted off my Holga as soon as I got home and have been snapping away with renewed vigour ever since. Imagine if it was my local camera shop! Oh, the money I'd spend... On my way out I congratulated Serge, the owner of the shop, on his choice of stock and particularly the use of mini canvases for customised printing. Instead of paying £50+ to get one image put on a medium canvas, get a series of three on smaller canvases for less than £20. Since finding Serge on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34875369@N08/) I've discovered that the shop was primarily opened as a way for him to sell his own images, but allowing people to get involved with their own photos is a great idea. I foolishly didn't think to ask if they do regular printing in the shop and the website is currently under construction, but next time I'm in Brighton I'll take along a few medium format films and see what Zoing can do for me. A shop like this is yet another great reason to spend time at the seaside, hurrah!