Tucked down a side street from RMIT's maddening architecture, Melbourne Artist Supplies can feel a…read morelittle like a bat cave. The artificial light contrasts with the sunshine streaming in the roller door, so your eyes may take a second to adjust to the wonder that awaits. All manner of art and craft supplies inside, with friendly staff who know what they're talking about. The prices march the quality, and every now and again a sale will have the place crawling with crafty types.

Neil's is packed with art goodies. The staff is very friendly and willing to help. They've got a…read more10% discount for students too! Definitely recommend them.

From the owner: Neil Wallace Printmaking Supplies, in the heart of Fitzroy, Melbourne, is housed in a historic…read morebuilding which was formerly a Rechabite Church. Neil Wallace Printmaking Supplies has been supplying printmakers and artists with quality printmaking and art supplies throughout Melbourne for over 30 years. We have a wide range of materials to suit beginners through to advanced practitioners.

Over the last decade I've had a lot of my own paintings framed here because they do affordable…read moreframing - frames can be very expensive. I could mention their range of molding and mattes but over the years I have also learned to trust Bill's judgment on the choosing the right frames and matting. There are important differences in the framing of a watercolor, an oil painting or a cross-stich and these guys know how to frame each of these things properly.They do a lot of framing of football jumpers and other souvenirs that require deep frames and careful mounting of the objects. There is a showroom where they have examples of their work and framed collectibles. Out the back is the factory area where they do the actual framing. I have recommended them to friends and seen plenty of excellent examples of Arty Farty's frames - they have also remarked on the great prices.

Arty Farty Frameworks are my local. they're efficient and well priced! I'll be using them again.read more

Crafting needs? Check. Fabrics to choose from? Check…read more At these arts and crafts places, I usually find myself sticking around the DIY area. No, they didn't have the photo booth props I was looking for. They've got loads of random stuff. A great place to come if you have a project you are working on. It's also I good place to find something you didn't realize that you needed or wanted. I give them a thumbs up for their friendly service. Located conveniently across from Northland, but in another shopping strip, with limited parking.

From the owner: Spotlight wants to help the creative crafting community be inspired with new ideas and craft muses.read more

I absolutely love this place. Such a rainbow of colors. They have various pop ups and different…read moreclasses you can do, such as screen printing, porcelain jewellery and textiles. They have also opened the Store Room next door which stocks an array of Harvest goods, like gorgeous pillows and quilt covers. I'm addicted!

I recently had a birthday party to attend; one of my husband's uncles who I've only met a couple of…read moretimes, which was unhelpful when trying to think of a gift. It has always fallen on me in my relationship to purchase presents no matter which side of the family it's for, and because I like to make a good impression and show that I care about my in-laws I was pestering my husband about what we should get, which was hopeless because he didn't give a toss, apart from the free BBQ and drinks the party offered. So I ventured into Wild Cards and Gifts, thinking I would get something generic such as a nice engraved flask, something gifty that didn't require personal knowledge of the receiver but would show I was thoughtful enough not to have just chucked some money into an envelope. I was quite taken aback by the variety of valuable giftware on offer, the typical flasks and shining glassware, special occasion wine glasses and signing keys. There was also a wonderful assortment of great homewares like ceramic and handcrafted, beautifully painted vases, and I'll be back to get myself some of the carved wooden Asian style products. And for footy fans WC&G have a vast selection of special edition, framed posters etc. While I was there I recalled the only helpful advice my husband had given, which was that Uncle Billy was a Hawthorn fanatic. It came to me as I was admiring a massive framed picture of a leaping Buddy Franklin in front of goal at the MCG. The engraved plaque at the bottom described the game, competitor and date but I didn't even bother with the details as I picked it up and had it specially wrapped at the counter while I paid. This store had just made the impossible gift the easiest present I'd ever purchased! I didn't even need to get home and wrap it, and by the look on Uncle Billy's face when we gave it to him I believe he has a new found favourite niece-in-law!.