First of all, this place has a really good website as well as a good shop so if, for some reason,…read moreyou can't find what you are looking for, definitely do go home and try to find it online. The site is really easy to navigate. The staff in the shop, to get back into the thing that I am actually meant to be reviewing, are lovely. They all seem to be quite passionate about art and crafts, though I realise that that seems to be an odd statement. They all seem to enjoy art and crafts greatly is perhaps better? The prices are really good and the range is just fantastic so you're almost certain to find what you need. I did, as it happens but the staff are so good that I'm sure they wouldn't mind helping you out if you were missing something,

Now I'm not at all a crafty individual, however I can't deny that this shop even touches an…read moreartistic part of my soul. They have a massive selection of craft items such as ribbons, lace, stickers, stamps, and the most beautiful, delicate paper. The staff here are friendly, and even better are willing to offer advice on how to create specific items using these products. In particular I'd recommend this place for those of you who are clever (and frugal) enough to make your own cards.

Knitting is sexy, did you get the memo? I did. I got it the first time round when I was living in…read moreLondon and the V&A were holding knitting-related parties. I bought Stitch & Bitch and got some needles and red wool and tried to knit. I was rubbish. You Tube didn't exist in my world back then. In the last year, thanks to You Tube video lessons and some real knitters I can knit. Not brilliantly. Not fast. But I'm on my way. Knitting is cool for the second time. Just google Yarnachy Swansea if you don't believe me. All ubercool knitwits need to buy, beg, borrow or steal wool. Charity shops are good for getting odd balls for stripy things but for bigger projects you need to head to a specialist shop. The Wool Pack can help you, they sell a myriad of wool types as well as patterns, needles and other useful knitting get up. Get sexy, learn to knit.

Good selection of items, always find what I'm looking for. Staff nice and helpful. Can get single…read moreitems when needed and not have to buy in bulk.

Crafty Sew and Sew has the dubious pleasure of being located directly next to the ultra pink adult…read moreshop Passion Online at the Newport Road end of City Road. Whilst this business has opted to carry a cheeky little name that may occasionally raise an eyebrow or two, they have definitely been upstaged, in the controversy stakes, by their immediate neighbours! In many other ways this is the ideal location for this old-style craft shop. It is surrounded by fabric stores, many of which are within a minutes walk from Crafty Sew and Sew, and with companies like Calico selling sewing machines, and Butterfly Fabrics carrying some fabulous materials, as well as some really large fabric stores with phenomenally extensive stock ranges like Fusion, Crafty Sew and Sew couldn't be in better company. All of these businesses support the fundamental drive behind Crafty Sew and Sew, offering patrons of the shop plentiful choice where fabrics are concerned. Crafty Sew and Sew offer a good range of craft items and ready-to-make kits of all descriptions. A visit to the shop is an inspiring experience, and the people that work there are only willing to help. If you are looking to take up a hobby, but are not sure of which direction to go in, I advise a trip to this little Pandora's Box of delights. The advice you will get will be invaluable, and the choices available are impressive, and cater to everyone's budgets.

We wanted to buy things for making a necklace. For Mother's Day. I was looking after a child that…read morewasn't mine or perhaps I might have encouraged the Mother's Day present thing more towards the edible. We went to Carole's Crafts, it was close and you can park. The shop's not huge but they've managed to cram quite a lot into it. We found beads and elastic and even a clasp and a very nice glass leaf thingy. I can't really vouch for artistic integrity of the final product but luckily mothers are usually grateful for any handmade trinket by their beloved offspring. Lot of stuff for paper craft, quite a lot for basic jewellery, not so much fine art supplies or sewing crafts. This used to be located inside the actual garden centre but has moved out and over to the other side. So turn left when you turn off the main road.

I have been visiting Carole's Crafts for a number of years now. In fact, spend that much I should…read moreown it! (he!he!). Always get a smile and a warm welcome from the girls, and it's a joy to go there. Always cheerful and happy to help with any problem and they know their stock. If they had a coffee shop within their premises then I would give it 5 stars and browse for longer! So well done you 'orrible lot!! and see you soon.

This is the place where the hole from the polo mint ends up…read more Recreate is an Aladdin's cave of scrap, stuffed full of things that sparkle and crackle, plus cheap as chips arts and crafts stuff to boot. With boxes and boxes of industry offcuts from see-through acrylic sheets to extra long cardboard tubes. The Recreate motto is "Reduce, re-use, recycle" and that's just what I did on a recent visit, purchasing a carrier bag full of soft drink 'can pulls' aka 'dragon scales' for a quid. Recreate also offers a hire service, equipment includes a badge making machine, giant Jenga, parachutes, a smoke machine and more. You will need to become a member to hire equipment but it only costs a quid for schools or individuals. Recreate is great for Wombles and those in search of material for an art project. Fill up a colourful customised trolly and pay with a pocketful of change. Just watch out if you're a magpie and leave plenty of time for scavenging and thinking up weird and wonderful uses for the odds and sods you'll find. Top tip: Sign up for the Recreate online newsletter and get alerted when the latest 'goodies' come in. Open Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 10am - 5pm, Wednesday 10am - 5pm, Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm

The Beads Nest is a lovely little bead shop occupying a prominent position in the Wellfield Court…read moreArcade. It is a small business run with loving care by the owner / manager, Vivienne Whitty, who is eminently knowledgeable, and ever enthusiastic. There's a great range of beads in the shop, with everything from dolly mixture sweet beads to Venetian and Czech glass, as well as a good range of findings and other jewellery making supplies. But you will find an even bigger collection on the easily navigated website, where you can also buy on-line. Nevertheless, I recommend a visit to the shop. It's in a pretty little mall with a great café, and the assistance you'll get from Vivienne will be invaluable.

Despite being rather on the small side, this shop contains a rather lovely selection of beads…read more The Beads Nest provides all the essentials for jewellery making along with a diverse range of beads of all different sizes, colours and styles, as well as strings of beads and a few ready-made pieces. It's not quite the treasure trove that Clare Grove Buttons is, but there is still plenty to choose from, and a lot of the stock is different so it's worth looking in both stores. As with most shops of this kind, there is plenty of assistance available, and The Beads Nest is rarely busy. Personally, I prefer the bigger bead stores in the city centre, but for anyone who makes a lot of jewellery, this shop is handy for grabbing the essentials, and there's always the possibility of finding something here that you wont get in town.

Like Caban, in the Pontcanna / Canton area, at the other side of town, Paperweight stocks a broad…read moreselection of Welsh greetings cards to compliment the ranges that are in English. And it's not just about endearing themselves to the locals by pandering to a whim. There is a very serious demand for goods written in the Welsh language, ranging from books, magazines, cards and instruction manuals etc... The Welsh are determined to keep their language alive no matter what, and the growth rate that it's experienced since consciously deciding to preserve it has mushroomed. I am half Scottish, and have often heard people bemoan that Scottish culture is being diluted because the native tongue is in decline. But there's not such a clear intention up there to preserve it. In Wales there is no doubt! Everywhere you go you see evidence of the Welsh being fiercely patriotic; every shop, every pub and public place, and of course, within people's homes... and there's a lot to be proud of... the Welsh do things pretty well. I have respect for this, but what really makes me love the Welsh is their warmth and sense of community. Maintaining the language, very probably, is helping to keep communities together. Paperweight also stock wrapping paper and tags, stationary, and a small selection of funky gift ideas for the home, as well as accessories like key fobs etc...

A card store which has a nice variety of generic cards available. However they absolutely excel on…read moretheir selection of Welsh language cards. The variety is without a doubt impressive, and I guarantee that any Welsh speaker (or perhaps non Welsh speaker) will be truly satisfied, especially when it comes to the age specific cards. They also stock wrapping paper and gift bags, though not enough for my liking. I do love the small and large dishes available to purchase, which are covered in pictures of either; popcorn, marshmallows, smarties, or strawberries. These are very good value for money and I know for a fact that Urban Outfitters sells them at a far dearer price.

Craft in the Bay really is a beautiful shop that encompasses all that has changed in the Bay…read more I often wonder around in the brightly lit, all glass store as it is almost a gallery rather than a shop. There is some fantastic sculptures on display is well worth a visit just for that alone. There is also a more traditional part of the shop that sells vases and smaller items, all seemingly hand made as far as my uneducated eyes can tell. Staff are also very friendly here and are always willing to detail a sculpture for you and help in any way they can. Always a pleasant experience upon visiting here.

This modern glass and wood building housing an art and craft gallery showcases contemporary work by…read moremembers of The Makers Guild in Wales, and also hosts a changing programme of national and international exhibitions. Only the best Welsh talent can become members of the Guild, as membership is by rigorous selection - so the work on display is of a very high standard. All of the exhibitions are free to explore, and you can also buy pieces of art and craft, ranging from ceramics to bags and even furniture. Kemi' s Café is housed next door to the gallery, overlooking the Millennium Centre, and is open from 8.30am-4.30pm serving up quality, wholesome food.

I'm a sucker for arts & crafts and creativity in general and Craft Works ticks all the boxes. This…read moreshop is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and one of the best in Bristol if you discount the likes of Hobbycraft. From the outside you might be forgiven for thinking this is a frivolous, girly shop for bored housewives and old ladies but oh how wrong you would be! There is a large selection of sketchbooks, drawing paper, paintbrushes and Daler-Rowney paints - all essential for art students and established artists alike. The store itself is lined with cards and displays that have been created using products from the shop, such as decopache kits, rubber stamps, ink and stencils. The only thing that limits the possibilities of the products in this shop is your own imagination. Price are reasonable and there is also a framing department at the back of the shop where you can take in your masterpieces to hang with pride.

Craft Works is probably the largest shop of its kind in Bristol. Stocking everything you can…read moreimagine, (and then some), for those with handicrafts in mind. Reasonably priced with knowledgeable staff on hand to explain what everything is for, Craft Works is creativity made easy. They even host workshops in the evening. They also stock resources for those of us who can't quite decide what hobby would suit us best, or for those of us that would like to be a bit more creative but aren't exactly sure how. A full range of magazines is available with comprehensive advice on hand. And just for the record: I'm in the market for a knitted toilet roll cover with a Cindy-type doll miraculously emerging from the middle. There's a commission in for anybody who can master the skills required to make one. I'd like it in shocking pink. Get enrolling now!

There are not many button shops left in the world. This is sad…read more Claire Grove has been open for over 25 years as has become one of those well loved local establishments that has a stream of people goggling in the window. I would urge you to go inside. There are buttons from all over the world. Big, small, dull, colourful, fabric, glass... You name, you can buy it and sew it on to your jumper. They're a great idea for sprucing up tired items of clothing. There's also a wide variety of beads on offer. This is a fascinating shop which will throw something new at you every time you have a look around. Certainly worth 5 minutes of you time.

Unfortunately I'm not the most of artistic of people, nor do I have the patience to make my own…read morejewellery, my best mate on the other hand is obsessed and is constantly dragging me into this shop. As Tanya mentioned there really are buttons galore here, which you really just can't help looking at. When it comes to the beads available, they're rather traditional (think wooden), but I think it's rather nice that this place can still survive in this day and age. As Tanya said, you should really check this place out for yourselves, and who knows when the buttons on my Karren Millen coat fall off for the umpteenth time (inevitably causing me to loose them), I might be brave enough to buy some buttons from here and sew them on myself.