The Willow is in downtown Exeter. I love checking in. I recently went by & checked out their…read moreHoliday delights! This place has a bit of everything. It's tasteful & my cup of tea! Beautiful items for home & other!! Julie is a downtown Exeter Business Owner. Always pleasant, helpful, & easy to chat with. I go to a handful of business's in Exeter. Julie is a definite plus. There's something for anyone with fine taste!! I absolutely love Exeter & got to know a few area business owners. The ones I met are very kind & Julie is 1. This is a shop of distinction! You'll always be able to find a gift that is top notch!! Willow has fine people that are knowledgeable & always willing to answer any inquiry. I highly recommend The Willow for this Christmas or anytime of the year. Superior taste. Merry Christmas to Julie the owner of The Willow!!

Very cute store with home goods and gifts. Well curated and worth popping in. I loved their goats…read moremilk soaps and cards. Bought a Thich Naht Hanh book for a friend of mine.

Really lovely staff and instructors. I have taken a lot of classes here over the years and found…read morethem to be informative and fun. Great place for a unique, handcrafted gift. Another gem in downtown Exeter, NH!

Don't have a medical emergency, they won't do anything to help you or even put credits towards…read moreanother class. They just take your money and tell you to deal with it, or just still come in, even if the doctor advised against it. Extremely unprofessional and unwilling to accommodate in the slightest. I guess they got their money, so they're not worried beyond that. I specifically asked if they could get me into literally any other class so I could still come here, but they refused all of my attempts at reconciliation.

The Button Factory Studios are a collection of artist studios about 1/2 mile from downtown…read morePortsmouth. It's not the only mill building to be converted into artist's studios, but I think they've done the best job. More than any other similar building, when I'm walking through the halls of this place I just want to chuck it all and pretend that I can paint. Or draw. Or make furniture. Or maybe jewelry. You get the idea. Just being around all of the creativity in this building (actually several buildings) is habit forming and I want to be a part of it. Every year they have a weekend called Open Studios. Many of the artists open their studios to the public and other artists rent space in the hallways, and they'd all be happy to sell you whatever they've made. Since this is during the holidays and it's in a fairly artsy community, it's popular. Parking is horrible, it's hot inside, and you won't get anywhere in a hurry because of the crowds, but the stuff you'll see is amazing. I have no idea what the day to day issues of working in this space are. I don't know if the owner keeps on top of things, I don't know who pays the heat or picks up the trash. All I know is that this space is one of the coolest and most creative spots in a very cool and creative city, and there's a waiting list to get in so having a studio here is probably a terrific thing.

Nothing brings me more joy than being able to see what other loyal art laborers have for exhibit…read more The old button factory has since been converted into a labyrinth of artist studios (inspiration, color, and life around each corner). Once a year, the artists open their studios and exhibit their work to the public... ~~OPEN STUDIOS is usually the first weekend of December (2011: DECEMBER 3 and 4, 2011 OPEN STUDIOS! 11-5pm!!!) admission fee 0$~~ *Several of the artists offer classes (painting, sculpting, quilting, etc). *My favorite studios to visit: Emma Ashby (an increeedible wax artist - her work breaths life and brightness), Erin A. Ellis (an aspiring childrens book illustrator who has created this adorable creature: the chubbikin), Jen Murray (wonderfully talented photographer - - - great to keep in mind for wedding planning couples, or collectors of unique prints), Sarah Minor (painter of canvas floor cloths), and Roger Goldenberg (crazy awesome, 3-dimensional paintings!). *For SALE??!!! Yes, some works are a bit...costly, but these are pieces which will last a lifetime (and then another...and another). Spread the love, invest in art! Just when the holidays are shifting into fourth gear, it's a wonderful way to spend an early-December morning. Great (brilliant!) people, a unique space, and (of course) enough artistic eye candy to light your own wee inspiration candle.

Folk BOUTIQUE Modest…read moreselection of nice casual clothes and some correspondence supplies. The staff was very polite and professionals. Everything was pricey... like $6 for a dozen paperclips and $100 for a blouse or pair of slacks.

i love folk! i love supporting small businesses! folk has a great selection! Everything is well…read moremade and specially chosen by Amelia, she owns Folk and has spectacular taste. if you come from out of town you can get souvenirs! if you've never been to folk you should go! i have been to folk 100 times! by Scarlett Downs

What an awesome little studio! There's a ton of unique and interesting pottery, really friendly…read morepeople, and a really friendly little dog who like to have her back scratched. You can't help but feel like you're home when you're here.

I love this little studio. I love that you can see the workspace as well as the gallery space. I…read morelove that there's NPR playing in the background when I go in, and I love that the owner recognized me from one visit to the next a couple months later. I'm always able to find a unique, original piece to give as a housewarming gift or other small present for someone. Plus, the resident dog is small and cute and makes me happy. Hooray for local businesses.

The Art association organized a wonderful art walk on Sept. 9th. What a pleasure it was to walk…read morefrom studio to studio meeting all the local artists! From Art on the Hill, to the Red Door everyone was friendly and welcoming. Thanks for the great evening!!

The Kittery Art Association is an interesting collection of artists and their work is displayed in…read morea beautifully renovated old building that's a bit hard to find for the first time. I'm enough of a troglodyte that the best part for me were the really unique greeting cards upstairs. There's quite an assortment of work, mostly paintings.

Tulips has moved to 62 Market St, about 2 blocks away from their old location. Things are still…read morebeing set up but it's a cute space and it's looking good. As someone who hates to move, I have to congratulate the owner on getting everything together so fast! I think this is the space that used to be "The Tub Shop" and this may be the only store on that block of Market St. that I haven't been inside. If you're looking for something crafty with a Portsmouth theme, the selection here is really good. Of course there's a lot more than that inside, and you should check it out for yourself.

Found *the* perfect gift for my creative, quirky and wonderful mother-in-law at Tulip's. They carry…read moreart, pottery, jewelry and will definitely be a gift must-stop the next time we find ourselves in Portsmouth... which will hopefully be sooner than later.

Driving along a main road in search of our breakfast stop, we passed by Claudette's, not realizing…read morethat it was in her home. My mom and I were up for the weekend and we were intrigued by some pictures found online, so we decided to add a stop to our agenda. When we arrived, there were a few cars there, so we parked near them and a door that we assumed was the entrance. When we entered we were overwhelmed by the amount of products, followed by the amount of space that was dedicated to crafting. I wouldn't think that so much stuff could fit so neatly into one person's home. The first few aisles are lined with charms for necklaces, bracelets and other needs for crafting projects. There were rows of beads, gems, and other fun goodies. I found a bunch of wreath making supplies, a room of flowers and a room of ribbon...and some Christmas items. The owner is a super nice person and I can only assume that she was "the" Claudette, since I never did ask her name. My mother and I were just so excited speaking with her and checking out the craft samples that she and her family had made. This place is for the true crafter. One who isn't afraid to spend their time looking through thousands of items just to find that perfect piece. Though I'm sure if you ask, you will be told right where you will find what you're looking for. I did not see any scrapbook or junk journal type materials. Because the business is in the lower portion of a home, I would assume it is due to climate control. Did I mention that the prices are quite reasonable? I left with a full bag of so many fun things that I just can't wait to dive into. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday, so be sure to plan accordingly. Mom and I are already planning our next trip.

It is the best, She has a lot of crafts and is very reasonable prices!…read moreThere is a big assortment of ribbons, silk flowers, Christmas decorations and a lot more!!!!!