For the creative minds out there, head to Green Lane where you'll find the perfect place for you…read more It's a big, green craft palace called Craftys. Whatever your talent or hobby I'm sure that you're every requirement can be met here; Craftys stock allsorts from card making to flower arranging. There are two sections within the shop, the main being crammed with stickers, decoupage sheets, ribbon, and beads to name a few. Towards the back there is a room dedicated to paper and card, shelves stretching from floor to ceiling, neatly displaying all different types and colours. We've bought the paper for our wedding stationary from here, so I should know. We've also bought some of their decoupage sheets for my Fiancée's card making Nan and not only did she love them but they also look great on her cards. The staffs are friendly and are more than happy to help you in any way they can. It's definitely worth a visit.

If you are into Arts & Crafts this is the place for you. From top to bottom this store is crammed…read morefull of goodies. Believe me if they haven't got it then it possibly isn't available and they have some great bargains. They have an on line store if you are to far away but try to visit as the fun is in touching. A brilliant shop and great staff too!!

fantastic find, quirky, full of genuinely hand crafted products, an artisans collective. The staff…read morewere helpful & friendly. Lots of choice, I found unique gifts a plenty. The building was very interesting too. well worth a look.

Readily identifiable via the kitsch 'caravan painted to look like a cottage' parked outside, this…read moreis an old power house, converted to act as a showcase for the local creative community. As such, it's admirably egalitarian; but of course, the standard and quality of the work on display is understandably 'variable'. It's always worth having a look around though. Some of the handicrafts are excellent (unless you share my aversion to carved wooden toadstools) and undeniably cheap in price, whereas some of the paintings and photos are unrealistically a bit on the high-side. Note: people don't mind paying for things they can use or wear, because they can readily gauge a value for themselves; but seemingly will only pay for 'art' if there's a name or reputation attached. The market itself is pleasant, well-lit, and warm. It's a good place to be in. There's also no obligation or pressure to buy, so don't be afraid to wander in and have a look around.

The Olive Tree is a beautiful little country craft shop in Brimstage Hall. It's one of the many…read morelittle shops in the old stable yard, but one of my favourites because it's so well decorated and laid out. The products range from handmade furniture and decorations to scented candles, jewellery, and country-style decorative toys. Think bunny rabbits, hearts, stars, and farm animals. Most of these products are handmade, either by the owner of the shop or by other local artists. This is a wonderful place to buy Christmas and birthday gifts if you're looking for something unusual and handmade.

What a gorgeous little place! I popped in here to buy a birthday card and could have stayed for…read moreHOURS and bought EVERYTHING!!! The downstairs of this fabulous establishment is full of the most adorable trinkets, gifts, jewellery, stationery, homewares and toiletries - almost too much to take in and very dangerous if one is feeling in a spending mood. I actually ended up buying *myself* a gift instead of the person I was buying the card for! Upstairs there is an interesting collection of vintage furniture and bric-a-brac but it is the cornucopia of delectable gifts and bibelots downstairs that has captured my heart. The gorgeous broaches, scarves and handbags, knitted baby clothing, mugs, keyrings, dinner mats and coasters (I bought myself a rather fabulous 'Liverpool's Most Iconic Sights' coaster set - photo below!), fridge magnets and ornaments. I was extremely tempted by the 'retro bunny with a baby's face' lamp but managed to restrain myself. The best thing about Larks is that you don't actually NEED stuff from there...you just WANT it. Because having a cubic zirconia broach shaped like the Eiffel Tower makes you feel happy doesn't it? And that's near enough to needing for me.

Definitely not a shop which was set up to appeal to boys, with a cute selection of all things…read moregirlie, this is a little dolls house style affair with lots of little knick-knacks on sale, from kitsch household items, to some really dainty, bright jewellery and a lot of Alice in Wonderland-esque tea party set porcelain cups and saucers. It's very pink in here and slightly overwhelming but you can't help but have a bit of a root around the little dressing-tables which are crammed with goodies. The kind of stuff you wouldn't buy for yourself but might appreciate as a gift, even if it is slightly tacky. They also have vintage stuff available upstairs and fun cards, it's slightly overpriced for what it is really but worth a look if you have a bit of time on your hands.

Gould's has recently moved house, it's now in the old Woolworths building as opposed to it's…read moreoriginal location round the corner. It's great to see that Gould's is still going with the likes of Ryman and Staples popping up all over the country. But they deserve it, they're great little stationers and as long as I can remember they've been incredibly helpful in every aspect of what they do. I mean this is the place you'd go as a kid to get you're Iron Brew pencil case, as a teenager to get your tip ex, as a uni student to get your folders and then as an adult to get your pens and pads for all the things you start to forget. They really are a great little shop and I would thoroughly recommend them. They sell everything stationary related, including canvasses for the budding artist in you!

I concur with the other reviewers, since they moved to larger premises (Old Woolworths) the carry…read morean even bigger range, and you hardly ever fail to find what you wanted. As harumscarum has said its easier to park in May Rd, Mount Rd or Puddydale Car Park, but they are only a 5 minutes away, and theres always space. (Naughty if you use Tesco Car park and dont shop there!)

For a split second, when I saw the name of this shop online, I thought Michaels had come to…read moreEngland. (Michaels is a fabulous, huge craft store chain in the USA.) But no such luck. This little place simply happens to be called Michael's and happens to sell a few art related items. It's mostly stationary and cards, though, and it's more of a newsagents than anything else. Nothing special here, I'm sorry to say.