I was drawn into this place by the amazing (and I think original) iconic film art work in the…read morewindow. At £45 a pop they were not cheap but the art was stunning and classy, making classic almost artdeco style posters for films old and new- there were even a few Harry Potter ones smidged in with classics like The Big Lebowski and Star Wars! Something for everyone there. Inside was a bit small and pokey, but has the look of an old fashioned artists' attic, especially on the upper floor. We were greeted as we entered and the staff seemed happy for us to wander around the shop and take it all in without buying anything. Some classic prints upstairs without frames available as well as a few fairy pictures and even Disney princess images at reduced prices. Well worth popping in.

You know the way your walls are looking really drab, that recent coat of paint didn't help and the…read moretatty Betty Blue poster has seen better days? Got some funky prints and one off gig posters rolled up in your attic? Maybe even some work you or an artist friend have done? There is a simple solution, pick out your favourite three or four and head down to Sheldon Framing. These are the go-to-guys for getting an image expertly and tastefully framed. I know Ikea et al do much cheaper frames but they only come in their restrictive standard sizes whereas these guys will do you a custom job so in theory any shape or size should be catered for. They are also helpful with suggesting colours or options that will simultaneously complement your image without detracting too much from it. I've had tons of posters framed up by these guys over the years and the job has always been quality. They also sell a wide range of art by local artists from contemporary to the usual watercolours etc... Pros: Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Cons: If you're getting larger stuff framed it can get expensive quickly.

Forget Me Not is a smallish stationary shop down Pottinger's Lane in Belfast city centre. I called…read morein recently to buy a 'Made By The Bride' stamp for my wedding invitations. I had been to another stationary shop and they had none left and I have to say my first impressions of Forget Me Not weren't great. I was a little lost browsing around for ideas and cards when I spotted an area where homemade cards were being displayed. I asked the owner if she had any tips for my wedding cards and she was quite hostile. I was only a little lost bride trying to make conversation and trying to get some ideas. I had just bought a stamper from another stationary shop and I asked her to recommend the best way to use it and was told I should go back to where I bought it and ask them! I later found out that she designs and makes wedding stationary and I guess she didn't want to give anything away for free. Anyway, I had to order in the stamp as she had none left and I had to pay full price up front. I don't want to rate the entire business on that one experience, as I'm sure it was just a flippant remark on her part. I just hope that maybe other brides who want to save a few pounds and are a bit stuck (as they, like me, will probably have never done that kind of thing before) experience a warmer reception.

A lovely shop tucked away, but still in the heart of the city centre, Plenty to spend your money on…read morewith my fav Tim Holtz products and some g45 paper worth checking out I found the staff very helpful

I went here for a chalk paint workshop. Imelda and Jude were both very friendly and make everyone…read morefeel welcome. The workshop was for two hours and provided an insight into a variety of techniques as well as showing how to turn standard emulsion paint into chalk paint. They are both have a wide knowledge about a variety of crafts and as well as selling a wide range of craft materials they also run a variety of workshops, either by themselves or other experts in certain fields Of it isn't nailed down I'll either spray it paint it. Worth a visit if you have any interest in a variety of crafts regardless of your level of expertise.

Atomic Collectables has a well laid selection of vinyl, magazines, comic books and various other…read morebooks dating back it seems mostly to the sixties and seventies. Sometime secondhand specialised collectors shops like these fail on the organisation front and can feel a bit dusty and stale, but this is not a problem for Atomic Collectables. Today I am full of praise.

Atomic is for the collector who wants to be a little more alternative and avoid Forbidden Planet at…read moreall costs. It holds a huge about of vinyl, magazine, comics, and little pointless figures that cost a lot of money an best left in the box if you ever want to make any of the money back. The guy behind the counter knows his locals well and it almost seems like a little bit of a hangout for the customers which gives it a friendly feel. Great little place for a nosey.

This is my go-to shop for wedding and anniversary presents…read more They carry a good range of Belleek china (vases, photo frames etc), so you can ususally find something to mark the occasion. It also carries all kinds of figurines, crystal pieces for the home and a bit of jewellery. The stock isn't really anything you wouldn't find somewhere else, but it's the only place in the Abbeycentre where you can get them, so it's a winner just for that. Beware though - it's reaaly small and really packed, so don't go in with a trolley, or a buggy (or probably a child for that matter) unless you want to be known as the bull that wrecked the china shop!

In here, you will find a cornucopia of all things sparkly and pointless, but very nice for a wee…read morebrowse. It sells the lovely Coeur de Lion and Pilgrim Jewellery - always a fan, and always tempted to buy. But along with these they seem to sell an unusual array of anything from Jamie Oliver china mugs, to decorative glass plates and cards and Swarovski crystal figurines. Don't get me wrong, I like this shop, and although I'm always afraid of knocking something over when I'm in here as its full up to the seams with items, it is a good place to shop for a gift for a Mother or sister or friend - not really a place for the blokes, well the straight ones, anyway!

My interest in art has always been a shaky one. I do remember enjoying it at school and since have…read morealways had an appreciation for the work and stunning brilliance associated with fine art. The Townhouse Gallery is somewhere I've walked past hundreds of times in the past but hadn't noticed. They actually have a stunning range of works on offer from some of the country's best and brightest things. A couple of pieces that caught my eye were by an artist called Susan McKeever. They were surrealist/minimalist works called Blue and Blue 2, I assume a homage to Miro's Bleu and Bleu Deux. They didn't really share the same style, these used blue as the dominant colour but were almost vague landscapes in the way they were painted. They were both of reasonable size and just under £200 each. A lot of the stuff on offer here is fantastic and if you are in the market to buy you're more than likely to find something that suits your budget.

More a high quality pictures framers than an art gallery as such that I had expected to see, there…read moreis nevertheless some interesting, good quality art on display in here. Among more curious items was a framed Led Zeppelin record cover with the record included. So if you want something presented in a box construction this is the place to ask - there were also some nice textile collages framed in the same way. I enquired about dealing with a very fragile picture painted on leather as for years it has sat in a cupboard while I have periodically wondered what to do about it. The owner was friendly and helpful in answering my query, adding that he was extremely fussy about his work being immaculate without a fragment or a dust speck so I would be confident about enquiring here more seriously in future. Good picture framing isn't cheap, but needs to be right for obvious reasons.

Lovely childrens toy shop. Has a traditional feel and many old fashioned toys are available e.g…read more wooden toys. Lots of bigger toys but a great selection of smaller pocket money types available. Children love visiting and looking at the toys. Many are expensive but seem tobe good quality and are toys that you dont find everywhere. Lovely for gifts esp special presents.

Initially I thought this place was an art gallery as it's got a large collection of art on display…read moreand always has a changing window display. It was only in passing the other day when I realised they seem to have expanded into doing framing as well. Or did that always do that and I completely missed it? Either way it good to see the bloke hard at it round the back when I went to get some framing jobs priced up. He was really helpful and explained a couple of different priced options for the sizes I had in mind. For what I wanted I actually got somewhere else to do an excellent job ever so slightly cheaper but if you're thinking or getting something done do call in here for a quote. Pros: Really friendly and will do custom sizes. Cons: if you're getting a lot done it will be expensive.