Smithsonia is an exceptional jewellers and gift shop based in Birmingham's Piccadilly Arcade. They…read moresell many things from gorgeous silver jewellery to Japanese Kokeshi Dolls and amazing sculpted pieces in ceramics and glass. There is something for most budgets in this shop and it's a great place to browse. I bought some cute button earrings for just £10 but there are plenty more extravagant gifts, believe me! You could spend forever just gazing in their windows as you walk past; there is so much to see - it must take them forever to clean! They do beautiful and unique silver rings by up and coming jewellery designers as well as pieces by established brands such as Pilgrim. Every time I walk by I can find at least 15 or so items in their window that I want to buy; I'm sure everyone else can too which is why they are so successful. Smithsonia are the longest running business in Piccadilly Arcade, they've been there for around 30 years. If you are looking for a gift then definitely check them out first and impress your loved one with something a little different.

A wonderful independent gift, card and jewellery shop. If you are looking for a birthday or…read moregreeting card that is a little different to what you might find in one of the chains this is a good place to start. Their collection is not huge but you will definitely find something a little different. They also stock fabulous gift wraps and papers. To entice you into the shop the window displays are made up of some beautiful and unique silver jewellery. Again, here you will find pieces you can't find anywhere else. If you are looking for special pieces of silver jewellery at fairly reasonable prices start with this shop. Inside the staff are welcoming and very helpful.

Although the counter top and sliding door are permanent features at Birmingham's latest cultural…read moredelight, don't expect to walk into the same Ort (German for space) twice. With ever-changing exhibitions; language, arts, maths and science workshops, not to mention live music acts and daily specials on the menu... Ort cannot really be appreciated until you've made at least one return visit. Serving a vegetarian menu hardened meat eaters may grumble, but for a light lunch or tea and cake Ort provides a relaxed but eclectic environment and offers a lot for very little (Tea from just 50p). For more information, pop in and visit Ort at 506 Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath, Birmingham or visit: http://ortcafe.co.uk/

Ort cafe is a great community cafe. Like sitting in soneone's kitchen, the teas and coffees are…read morestandard but very very cheap (and you can get fairly cheap ale, too). Ort is fantastic for the arts with a fun music scene and many activities going on every day of the week. This really is far more of an arts community than a cafe, and for that it's great!

I only came across this place whilst working in Nechells and it's a hive of activity. If you are…read morelooking for furry fabrics, black out, sparkly vinyl or fun coloured net then you will surely find the colours you're after in here. KBT is a family run business that sell a lot of stock internationally, and because of the safe, high quality of their fabrics schools and education establishments buy a lot of stuff from them. If you live locally and work for a school or third sector organisation they do scrap bags of off cuts super cheap, which is always great for art projects. The guys here are really helpful at finding the fabric you are after or making suggestions with regards to price and alternatives. You can always take a swatch away with you which has all the pricing of the fabric you were looking at. They stock a wide range of spray and fabric paints as well as velcro and cutters. If you plan on visiting you can't access KBT directly off the round-a-bout it faces but via Nechells Place.

KBT is another great secret of mine. You wouldn't come here for dress fabric, or for luxurious…read morefabrics - but instead you'd come here to browse their giant bolts of blackout fabric, their rainbow colours of velvet and velour, their sparkly vinyl on the roll, the huge range of felt and netting, and then a range of 'fun' fabrics besides. A number of their regular clients are from education - schools and nurseries - who come to get fabrics suitable for kids to work with, or who need cheap fabric to create backdrops and costumes for school productions. Because of this, they sometimes sell special binbags full of offcuts for very little money which could be full of loveliness, or could be full of boring beige (one bag I bought had some lime green pleather in it - fab!) Alongside the practical fabrics they have a fair amount of upholstery fabric, and also a big range of fabric paints, spray paints and other textile-related products in cans and jars and pots. It's definitely worth having a mooch around!

Seriously, I am shocked with the variety of stuff you can find at this Works. I was used to the…read moretiny one in Walsall, but the city centre one is massive and I can spend quite a lot of time there looking for everything that I usually don't need but I buy anyway. Things like my World Atlas map. Actually, it was in the list of things to have in my new home. I just found today and it cost me £2.99. Great deal indeed. Books, books everywhere in a very special price. And people still ask me why British people read SO MUCH. Because they have places like The Works, where you can find all kind of literature. Simple as that! Love it. Another passion I have is stationary stuff. As journalist I can resist a notebook, pens, pencils, pins...whatever else make me feel in a office lol. And if you like crafting, that is the place to go. Canvas, paper craft...everything. Even souvenirs for those who are passing by Birmingham. Mugs, tea sets and etc. It`s a bit busy there but the service is so quick and the girls serving are really friendly. you won't bother stay some minutes in a queue. I am definitely popping there more frequently from now to go. I need more books, anyway. Don't I?

Possibly one of the most underrated book and stationary stores in Birmingham. I popped in here…read moreafter Vicky O told me about the great deals they are currently offering. There's so much! I went in for a Father's Day present and came out with more for myself! Currently, they have a deal for 2 audio books for £10 and 3 books for £10. The books may not be latest out but there is still a large selection which includes the classics a large crime section. The section dedicated to Birmingham is nice as not many other places have done this. There's no puzzles that I could see but there was a large collection of other toys and games on offer. Additionally, there's a large kid's section towards the back. The prices are definitely reasonable and it's totally worth a visit for those who read a lot and enjoy new games and toys.

This book shop is located on Gosford street as the name would suggest and is in the heart of the…read moreUniversity campus. The shop stocks lots of second hand books. The range of books in there is huge and you can often find that little gem of a book! The books are usually very reasonably priced.

Narborough Hall is a gift shop in a beautiful Hall. Spread around 4 different rooms you can spend a…read moregood hour in this shop just looking around. There is something for everyone in the shop. A good range of childrens gifts, homewares, kitchen items, jewellery & cards. At Christmas they have one room for all the Christmas decorations and goodies. The staff are friendly and helpful and they do not pester you by asking if you need any help or trying to sell things to you. There are also 2 small, free car parks. Narborough Hall is really worth a visit!

This tiny place is a bit of a hidden gem if you are looking for gift inspiration…read more The entire shop is packed up to the roof with amazingly cheap books starting from £1-£2! Even the hardback books that you would expect to pay more for start at £3-£4. This is an outlet store so don't do expecting the newest releases, but there are some seriously good discounts available for those willing to spend the time looking through the shelves.

Home & garden store, Local Art and Sculpture Gallery, Garden Design studio, Garden and Homeware,…read moreGifts and Plants, First class light refreshment facilities. Situated on an A426 between Rugby and Lutterworth, the calm within is amazing and the wealth of gift ideas and quality goods for home and garden. Visit their website and read about the history of the farm and, in particular the barn itself? It's an education. An absolute must, and my main reason for visiting regularly, is the refreshment area. It really is sublime. There is a small seating area right opposite the counter which, in the colder months, has a log burning fire. There is a larger and very comfortable seating area in an upstairs lounge with mixed seating.sofas, armchairs, tables.another log burning fire which is regularly attended to. Sink into one of the cozy chairs and watch the traffic pass yet at the same time feeling, as if perhaps, you are somewhere else? An impressive array of homemade cakes etc., awaits your attention when you place your order which, even if you choose to take a seat in the upstairs lounge, will be brought to you by a member of the pleasant staff. For a light lunch you may try their delcious homemade soup with a roll? I would be happy to recommend this establishment to my female contacts as a place for the unaccompanied traveller to stop and rest a while in a spotlessly clean and safe environment. Worth a detour!!

Garden store with a small cafe, the cafe has some lovely cakes and drinks. The owner is very…read morefriendly. The shop is full of interesting products which I love to fill my home with