The last Sunday of every month the Railway Station is home to some of the coolest designers and…read morecrafters that you can find in the city. Jewelry, clothing, art, baby attire, pottery, accessories and (yes!) they even have guys stuff too. It's a bit overwhelming for a first timer. So here is my Portobello Survival Guide: I really haven't seen a difference between arriving early or late. However, bring $2 for admission and if you're public transiting it, get off at Science World. There's a shuttle that picks you up from Station Street and Terminal running every 20 minutes. Or there's a big parking lot to park in. Nourish your body and your brain - you don't want to get lightheaded looking at a cool necklace or bracelet or while trying something on. Luckily the crepe stand outside tastes as good as it smells! I always make sure I've had my coffee beforehand - too many things to touch and feel once I'm inside! Make the rounds with stealth effectiveness. My "circuit" takes me from the entrance way straight down the first row and then moving my way to the back skirting along the wall. In the back there is a room on the right that I hit up before I zig zag through the 4 aisles in the middle. I then find myself back at the entrance. If executed properly, you won't miss a thing. Just be careful to note the very back window-wall of pretty things as you zig zag and the front row of stalls as you make your way back towards the front. Be a market star and bring your cash! Most of the vendors love it more than credit. I've noticed that lots more have their own credit equipment. There is also a communal debit/credit stand near the window-wall at the back. You'll be directed to pay there if you make a credit card purchase from a vendor that doesn't have their own. There's also an ATM machine, just before you start the zig zagging. Every month brings new designers and artists with different wares, so a frequent trip is a must do! And, if you're lucky like me this past weekend, you'll can find a great deal, like Two of Heart pants for $25! (They were marked down from $100...I'm a girl who likes to shout out my good finds) I also like to ask what boutiques they might be sold at -just in case I'm not into an impulse buying mood.

This market started out optimistically as a venue for local artists to sell their work and get more…read moreexposure. Unfortunately the high priced tables and poor marketing has driven most of them out. All that is left is off-the-rack, end-of-line sales from local stores and jewelry. Lots and lots of jewelry. Last weekend the public turn out was minimal and they didn't even sell all their table space so they had to cordon off part of the station. Lame. For the gals, it's good for some fashion, jewelry and knickknacks. For the boys, even metrosexuals like me, not so great.

In contrast to the substandard customer service I received at the Granville location of Opus Art…read moreSupplies on May 15, the Coquitlam location of Opus Art Supplies was excellent. The staff there were friendly, helpful, down-to-earth, and approachable. It really highlights the difference in management between the two stores.

Friendly staffs that are willing to answer any questions you have. A bit smaller but have most…read morematerials and pretty well stocked. Alright prices and good quality supplies. A couple parking spaces right outside on the left side of the store. More street parking if you walk down the streets a bit. Not hard to find but at a corner at the interaction of the road. Sometimes they have discounts for members too. My go to store for art supplies are the Langley, Downtown and this Opus.

I have mixed feeling. I felt something different this time. What they sell are same as before but…read moretoo tidy. Maybe under new management? I mean it looks like regular dollar store more that previous fun loving "Trendybucks". I used to like to browse this store to find a gem. But this time, it looked very ordinary. It's sad for me.

I like how their plant selection just gets bigger and bigger! They have some show stoppers by their…read moreKing Edward Street window. They also carry kitchen and home items. It's packed in there, a bit of everything. Random but also intentional. You have to go in to experience it. Service is generally good. Value is also good. No complaints here.

Make it show is one of the largest Christmas craft fair in Vancouver!…read more I enjoyed shopping and browsing at so many vendors who offerscraft, accessories, infuser, and foods! Especially food section is one of my favorite. There are so many unique creation such as lobster oil, East Indian fusion desserts, plant based products, boba, and more! I highly recommend this craft fair. So many vendors, so many experiences!

Saving my clams for next year! This place rocks for providing gifts, decor and munchies of local…read moresubstance. So, I won tickets this year but would gladly pay the entry fee which is ever so reasonable. My little heart was swollen with pride at the creative folks using their noggins to produce quality fare for our fair city. Local gins, bourbon chipotle rubs, lights, signs, plants, artistry of every measure, leather goods, drawrings...if someone can imagine it, it's probably here in some permutation. I love the idea of Make It and would like to rent space/tools myself sometime. The food trucks outside certainly don't hurt (wink!).

While the main inventory at Pretty Up reads rather monotonously (plastic beads, glass beads, metal…read morebeads, and stone beads) curious shoppers will find many other cute items. There is a nice collection of gel candles (priced at around $10) that suspend miniature scenes within them. I found a good gift of an ocean-themed candle here. The large beading section is a bit haphazard, but offers a different variety than available at Country Beads. I'd go to Country Beads to create classy, lasting jewelry and to Pretty Up for fun, cheaper jewelry. That's not to say you can't find something to meet your style at either. And when you're done creating your treasures, you can check out the adorable jewelry boxes available too.

Pretty up beads has a nice collection of beads, from metallic, plastic and other fabrics and…read morecharms to all the colours of the rainbow. It's a cluttered, busy-and-beady environment, I really like it though. I don't make beads or wear beads, but I think for crafty people it could be really great. And the kids love it. The best part is that it's in a trendy part of town, so you can go out after and eat, drink and be merry.

service is by far the most engaging in the city, The selection is something to be noted as there…read moreare items from every part of the globe and originality is a staple here. Prices are excellent and supporting local is just good stuff to do!

A hippie paradise! The owner has so many stories and an item to match each one. Good prices, a fun…read moreexperience. Definitely stop by if you're in the neighbourhood.

This is the cutest pottery studio and coffee shop duo. I love that I can walk in and grab coffee…read morewhile I paint or shop. They have such cute pottery to buy too and the coffee is really good!! The staff was so kind showing me around and being patient when I wandered around for a while before ordering. The items are expensive but handmade and so many different artists to choose from so you can select what price range you are looking for. I would say for the experience and vibes of the place it is well worth the money.

Lovely friendly warm and inviting. They have drop in, one day and ongoing classes with engaging…read moreteachers and now they have a coffee shop as well.

Old Faithful is one of those shops that is merchandised so well where if you remove something off…read moreof a shelf someone else could tell exactly what you moved. I have been to the Old Faithful shop many times and it hasn't disappointed. It is very true to their theme of artisan, home-made or well-crafted-and-the-woodsy-bent items, which speaks to a particular customer. Some may love this shop and others may find it expensive and too specific to integrate into their personal style. I appreciate the care in the selection of the goods and the kindness of the employees. The first time I was in the shop (being overwhelmed by the visuals) I just bought several journals. When I got home, I realized that I wanted more and ordered them by phone because they don't use their website for special orders. They were very nice and when the package arrived, it was beautiful. Brown paper package, tied up with string... no kidding. This time I bought a huge wool blanket that I thought I could fit in my luggage (I couldn't) and it made a perfect gift. The thing about the blanket purchase was how much banter I had the the employees while I was purchasing it. While we were talking, THEY referenced that I had bought the journals the previous year. What memory. Their attention to detail gets me every time. I will always go back to Old Faithful when I am in Vancouver... whether or not I can fit what I buy into my luggage.

This shop is really really really cool. It is a great place to buy someone a gift. Everything here…read moreis like Japanese themed. They have a lot of stuff good for a home. This place is definitely expensive, would not recommend if you're broke, I'm not though. But yea I bought a soap shaped as a fish. I thought this was the coolest thing ever, I've never seen that before. Yea I paid $50 CAD for a soap. Yea that's absolutely ridiculous and yes you can call me stupid BUT at least it's cool though, amirite. Also, it smells good. But yea it's a gift, however I think I need to come back here and buy one for me. I think this is one of the coolest shops in gastown, this isn't a place you're going to read a review for and go, you just kinda walk into it like I did. Also, this place has really good books, I ended up buying the same book I saw here on amazon for half the price. But hey, at least I bought that fish soap.