I find this shop to be filled with cheap tat and dust gatherers…read more It is reasonably busy of a weekday and you can pick up some bargains within but really the things are very cheaply made and quite disposable. I only ever buy two things from this shop - scatter cushions for 2 for £5 and big plastic storage containers started from a few pounds up to about a tenner. The clothes are cheaper versions of high street fashion and older ladies jumpers and coats. They do have quite a nice range of clothing for children and babies at very low prices. The one thing I used to buy in here was canvases for my paintings (I'm a budding Rolf Harris don't ya know!) I'll not be buying them again - the quality is terrible, just the quality you would expect for prices starting at £1.50. A good place to pick up little practice canvasses or for children to get art and hobby supplies but don't expect any quality. A lot of stock but no real substance. Not for me.

Oooh, I love, love, love it. I could even aptly quote the Guys'N'Dolls song here..."There's a whole…read morelot of loving going on, in my heart, it's a feeling, I'm feeling through and through", but maybe that would be a tad OTT. Anyhow, Eden Pottery is fantabulously different and unique. They hand-make everything by hand, and paint the various items of pottery with the most gorgeous designs. Among my favourite patterns were 'High Heels and Handbags' (typical girl), 'Strawberry' (simply stunning) and 'Cupcake'. I ended up buying a 'Cupcake' mug for a friend who I knew would appreciate it (hope she's not reading!), and although it's slightly pricier than what I would usually pay, I didn't mind because it's so totally special. The variety of pottery is really quite substantial, with everything from mugs (and various kinds, at that) to vases, from tea pots to candlesticks. The cheapest mugs cost £11.50, and the most expensive items comes in at £48 (the large plate and large kitchen bowl), but you're paying for truly lovely stuff, and the fact that each one is slightly different makes them all the more wonderful. Well worth a visit, and, as Stephen mentioned, you can even go about creating your own unique pattern and have fun painting a piece. I would secretly (well, the whole world knows now) love to have a go, but my art skills leave a lot to be desired. Big splodges are a good look, right?

Was really good went with my mum and sister to go pottery painting. Felt like they were taking the…read morecovid guidelines very serious and even option to paint in an outside area. Think that the coffee shop menu could have more diverse choices however all the food was good.

Visited the Craft Room today after lunch in the courtyard. The shop is up external staircase &…read morethrough doorway entrance to room on the right. Not a lot of space but lots to see, touch and handle. From knitwear to scarves, from wonderful photographs to magical robot lights everything is handmade by local artists. We bought some baby knitwear for a newborn great nephew, lovely little booties, mittens and bonnet to match in eggshell blue. William was very friendly and helpful and we will certainly return.

I like funny stories. Funny haha or funny peculiar - either will do. Of course, the unparalled…read morefunny story contains these two aspects; the best of both worlds. The funny haha bit of this story is really that I know nothing about art or framing. I'd like to think I'd know a good frame when I see one, but that really couldn't be guaranteed. The actual painting or photograph is an entirely different story. I really haven't got a clue. This story one circles around a painting of a building in Toronto, which apparently is quite a good one. Of course, I wouldn't know. This painting came to us through a friend of my dad's. He'd picked it up in a charity shop and thought of us as he did so. It replaced a dodgy old picture of something-or-other (having not really had an interest in art, I'd never really paid attention you see), and looked quite well in our hall. Until (cue the funny peculiar part), it fell off the wall, completely randomly, and the glass cover smashed. Thankfully, someone who knows a great deal more about art and frames are Sheldon. The exceptionally friendly lady told my dad and I that she could have the glass replaced with 3 hours (at a very good price, might I add), as well as providing us with a new cord to hang the picture with. There was me thinking we'd need a new frame and everything, but thankfully not. Interestingly, the lady didn't believe there to be anything wrong with the original cord. Mmm, strange. Less than 3 hours later, a phonecall came through, alerting us to the fact that our picture was ready. They had even stayed open slightly later than usual to accomodate us. What nice people. The new glass looked...sturdy, and the picture has remained in tact for 2 months, so we're pretty hopeful. If, by any chance, you should have any picture issues, the lovely people at Sheldon will happily get you sorted. Despite my lack of knowledge of art etc, I never doubted the expertise of this lot.

Sheldon gallery is based in Newtownards and I have used this shop on several occasions. As a…read morepainter who likes to give away my attempts at art I often use the shop to frame my pieces. They have a wide selection of different frames, in different colours, thicknesses and materials. The ladies who work there are all very experienced and they will sit with you to help you choose just the right frame. They do a very clean neat frame, which doesn't cover up the edges of the work - sometimes this happens in other places. The job they do is well worth the price, which I find is reasonable for good service. Sheldon's also sell art by local artists as well as prints, cards and other decorative items. I enjoy calling in for a browse, to pick up ideas and have previously purchased artwork for a good price in their excellent sale, which seems to be on all year round.

Did you ever walk away from a shop with a good feeling because you were treated well and got a…read morelittle bit of a bargain - well I have from Ink World. I am making Order of Service booklets at the minute and it is using up a lot of ink and so I've been in and out of this place several times over the last few months. The man who works here is really friendly and helpful - he advised me to bring in my old cartridges and that it would be cheaper to refill than buy new. He also gave me a discount the first day I went in and so obviously I keep calling back. They stock all inks for all computers as well as other stationary items. The waiting time for a refill is about ten minutes so that is quick and they cost much less than if you buy new - the only draw back is that my computer doesn't recognise when the refilled cartridges are empty or running low which a brand new cartridge would. I'm really glad I found this convenient and friendly little shop.

Used a few times now , friendly helpful service even on phone enquiries . Keen prices too . small…read morelocal shops rock

Wow, I can't believe I'm the first to review Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen. My husband and I were…read morepart of a tour group, and the kitchen was one of the stops. I would have to say it was a highlight of our trip! First off, Tracey and her husband are the kindest, most welcoming hosts. We immediately felt comfortable in her lovely home. We were served delicious tea and coffee, scones and soda bread. The butter and jams were to die for! Tracey had a demonstration on how to make soda bread, and then let a few participants make their own. I was surprised how easy it is to make soda bread, and then how tasty it is! Yum! We make pancakes and waffles at home, but will now add soda bread using our leftover buttermilk to the mix. There are a few items for purchase, so we got an apron. I wish I had gotten a tea towel with the soda bread recipe now. Definitely recommend a stop at Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen. So worth it!!

This is a must visit! The lovely Tracey invited us into her home and showed us how to make Irish…read moresoda bread, then we made our own. The experience was hands on and lots of fun. Tracey also had tea and coffee, and more bread and homemade jams for us to enjoy. I will absolutely return here the next time I am in Ireland.

Ards tourist information is a centre with a difference. Sure, its got a wealth of guidance on where…read moreto eat, shop, sleep and go in Newtownards, as well as various other towns and cities in Northern Ireland. Naturally, there are the gifts and souvenirs available in a typical tourist information centre, and helpful, friendly advice from those in the know. "So, what's different?!" I hear you cry. Yes, yes, I was getting to that bit. A stunning array of locally produced arts and crafts are available for purchase - jewellery, glassware, china, pottery and the like. And when I say local, I mean local. Like twenty minutes down the road local. Beautiful, beautiful stuff. Not only this, but the centre collaborates with the creators and innovators behind these delightful goods, holding displays and classes for the general public to watch and participate. One such event is "Meet the Maker", which exhibits the likes of Karl Harron (a glass artist), Mike Miall (a woodturner) and Jan Campbell (a textile artist). Fascinating. Furthermore, he art centre is well equipped, with studios, galleries and meeting rooms all for use for this sort of event. Ha, bet you weren't expecting that! The name did kinda give it away mind you...

I'm not from Newtownards. I just blew in with my fiance a few years ago but I've been living here…read morelong enough to think i know everything about the blooming place. Ha ha - I don't. I'd never even been into the tourist information center until earlier today and without sounding like a maniac - I was blown away. Yeah! yeah! like all your bog-standard tourist information places they sell tea towels covered in maps of Ireland, attractions, sheep and Guinness. This is not however the cream on the Newtownard's Tourist Information cake. Go in deeper into the back of the shop to discover the wonder that is the arts and crafts section. Local artists from all over the peninsula create and display items in the display area. There are amazing ceramics, paintings, jewelry and sculpture. I couldn't believe it - all this has been under my nose all along. Seriously, I was blown away by all the free brochures about the area, the play area and the friendly, helpful staff. If you need to know anything at all about places to stay or eat anywhere in Northern Ireland then call in here.

This isn't just any Post Office. Oh no, this is the Comber Post Office. Complete with stationery /…read morecard / sweet / toy shop (i.e. Scribbles), it's totally reminiscent of old school Post Offices, where you had the massive card selection, with a few notebooks / envelopes etc. This one even has a retro wooden writing desk. Love it. The Post Office section is right at the very back of the shop, hidden from view. There are tons of cards in front if this, and they take up the majority of the shop, with the stationery section at the right hand side, and the sweet section at the front. However, it was the toys that interested me the most. I guess I shouldn't really refer to them in that way - these are collector's items, and cost a little bit more than the present you bought your five year old nephew for Christmas. We're talking model cars and other modes of transport (spotted a 1960s Bat Mobile model), as well as an array of fluffy Teddy bears and other stuffed toys. In a Post Office. Love it times two. Despite not being a collector of either of the above, I definitely feel it's a fitting time to allude to Enrique, and say "Baby, I like it"...