I've walked past this shop may times after work and always thought it looked well stocked, but when…read moreI went in to get gift vouchers for an artistic relative last week I was totally blown away by just how much is in here. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and there's a great range of everything artistic you could possibly need. The only problem I could see was the lack of fabric paints, but that seems to be the way in Edinburgh recently so I don't think it's much of an issue here. But wow. It's also the first shop where I have ever seen the full range of Uni Posca markers on display, especially alongside the fantastic Montana spray paints. So yeah, I have the feeling I will be going back in and spending far too much money on creative supplies that I'm really not very good with. :-D

From the owner: Art and Craft supplies.read more

This shop has almost all art supplies you may need. They also have a student discount which is a…read morepro. All the stock is very good quality and hence comes with a slightly higher price than you may find say in a supermarket. Keep your eyes peeled for notices for various art classes and art exhibitions. They have a very big selection of these amazing Japanese marker pens, which I can never get enough. The shopkeeper is lovely and chatty, and if you can't find anything, it's best to ask, because the shops small size makes it quite crammed with stuff. All in all, a great place to quench your artistic thirst for equipment, and with the student discount it makes it a bit more affordable.

For a capital city with a large art school, Edinburgh has a sore lack of art supply shops. So this…read moretiny store is one of your few options. I am just so pooped out by this shop, it only really has the basics and I find their pen and paper stocks too limiting for my needs. My main huge bug bare is the staff. They seem to have a broom up their asses and talk down to you. Aka I'm asking for something specific, I must know what I'm doing, please dear god don't patronise me in your shop. I end up walking to the art shop in the ECA as it's cheaper, has more paper stock and a couple of the staff are super helpful.

Despite some other reviews, I wanted to check this place out. I was greeted by one of the owners…read moreshortly after entering and had a pleasant conversation with her and the student who is working there while at uni. They had a nice selection of Shetland yarn that I can not get in the US. They truly were a pleasure. So glad I stopped in.

I went to this store during a recent visit to Edinburgh, despite the nasty reviews on Yelp. How bad…read morecan it be, right? Well, it was not bad at all. The ladies in there were very nice and helpful, Thank you! To all the haters out there, back off! I will be back.

Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

I really don't know why I like this place. I shouldn't. You shouldn't. No one should. It should…read moreoffend you. It's everything wrong with Japan. Over the top, offensively cute, bright sparkly anime characters of every form (as long as it's a cutesy or perverted form). Cutie House basically sells toys, key rings, ornaments, bags and jewellery, of popular Japanese characters in the West like Hello Kitty or Pukka. There is also some Nintendo and Studio Ghibli characters represented, that I can appreciate a little more. They also sell some goods relating to more popular Western animations like Nightmare before Christmas and the ever incredible cult classic, The Moomins. In my heart of hearts I still know this is all tacky commercial tat using up precious Earthly resources, but somehow its kitsch value overwhelms me. One word of warning: this shop is almost as small as my dignity after purchasing something from it. Don't enter in any greater number than one. It really is tiny. A quirky little shop that somehow manages to charm me. I imagine if I spent anytime in Japan these feelings would quickly subside, but for now Cutie House, you win.

Cutie House is super DUPER kawaii, enough to make your eyes bulge at the trinkets inside…read more This place is bursting full of bubblegum Japanese pop gifts, mainly of the keychain or small necklace variety. The walls are lined with the biggest collection of Hello Kitty and Domukun I have ever seen in my life in such a small place, and the vast majority of stock is tiny. This place is home to everything from Mario figurines and small cuddly toys to Snoopy, Chinese lucky cats and even some mini Dragonball Z figurines. Gifts are pocket sized and ususally around the £5 mark. I love the cute little baby Spiderman guys in here and when I was younger Cutie House would've made me burst with joy. A great gem to take your kids, but you'll enjoy it, too! If I ever find use for an elephant figurine, I will make room for it on my mantelpiece.

This place is heaven for all you crafters out there! As Scotland's biggest bead shop, there is…read moreliterally 100s of different kinds of beads, threads, findings, chains and charms in this place, not to mention a lot of pretty crystals and gems inside. I love that whenever I walk through the doors here I suddenly come up with about 50 things I want to make, and I can spend as long as I like perusing the beads with my headphones on (and poking my finger in everything... Yep, I'm one of those people!!) It is a bit of a hidden gem, but you can find it just around the corner from The Cameo. It's independently owned and its much cheaper than Hobbycraft, so definitely worth supporting and visiting even just for a look :) They have a huge variety of stock and they are mega chilled out in here which is great for those of us who take a little longer to make up our minds. Whenever I wear out a piece of jewellery, this is my first port of call on trying to fix it. The staff have a great knowledge on things, but I have been in and asked for advice a couple of times and they've said that what I've wanted to do is 'not possible'. Never one to take no for an answer, I picked out various findings and clasps myself both times and managed to do what I set out to, so I would say that although they are great at a lot of things, thinking outside the box on a problem is not one of their strongest points.... But don't let that phase you, you can achieve anything you set out to do and they are always worth consulting :)

What a lovely little cozy shop. The shop owner is so very sweet. She had yarn from local hand dyers…read morethat was beautiful. Left with three skeins for a project. Forgot to take pictures, sorry, but worth a stop.

Visiting from California and conveniently just about finished w small project I had brought to work…read moreon so needed some new yarn. This small shop is an amazing jumble of fantastic yarns- many not or barely available in the States. She stocks many UK yarns and some further flung but all really beautiful. The shop owner was incredibly helpful in figuring out weight and yardage I needed for a pattern. The website gives an idea of some of the selection but of course seeing them in person is always the best way to know what calls to you.

I know it's a little bit late buying diaries for 2010 now but that's exactly what I did on my visit…read moreto Paperchase yesterday, they had all their diaries of all sizes reduced to only £1! Now I just can't resist a bargain so I bought myself a pretty 2010 organiser that will come in handy for my new term at Uni and will keep me on the right track for my dissertation work. I also purchased another diary reduced to £1 from £10 and it has plenty of space for writing so I'm sure I'll be able to fill it no problem with inane ramblings and doodles. I also bought my mum a birthday card which is shaped like an no.5 Chanel perfume bottle and was very reasonably priced at £2.50, I also got a couple of graduation cards for my friends who will be joining the real world in a matter of weeks. This store is quite deceptive as it looks really small from the outside but it's absolutely massive and no matter what kind of stationary you're looking for it is more than certainly here. The staff are really friendly and I was easily here for a good 50 minutes getting lost in all the stationary but nobody seemed to bothered and I felt relaxed just taking my time to browse.

Paperchase is great for picking up cards, gift wrap and stationery when you perhaps want something…read morea little different than the usual. The store feels quite stylish and the stock definitley has that sort of hip/trendy feel. It can be a little expensive, but you are paying for nicer designs and better quality. I bought a gorgeous Wedding Album in here as a gift as well as some beautiful photo frames. I also picked up some great Christmas decorations in their January sale at a very reasonable price. I always buy my notebook and pens for uni here, probably not the best way to spend my student loan but I do like the designs. Also when I ran an event I picked up some great art supplies here for posters and decorations, and received some student discount. I bought a laptop bag here in one of the quirky designs (I think it was around £12), and after a few weeks the strap broke. I returned it without the receipt and the staff were so helpful and apologetic. The bag was out of stock but they let me choose another one, no problems. I was chuffed at the good customer service here. I always find myself going in for a browse when I walk along George Street, definitely one of my favourite shops.

Lovely shop with a beautiful selection of hand dyed yarns. Super friendly clerk. A must stop for a…read moreyarn lover

A more perfectly formed yarn shop can not possibly exist! Everything about Ginger Twist Studio is…read morecarefully thought out to maximise the space in the tiny little shop. The owner, Jess, dyes her own yarn by hand, and her waterfall of 'Ginger's Hand Dyed' is a sight to behold, almost every colour you could imagine is on the wall and it's a real challenge not to bring one home every time you visit! Not only hand dyed, there is a range of yarns, patterns, needles and notions to suit all budgets and abilities. Jess is always happy to answer questions, make suggestions, or put the kettle on for a wee cup of tea and a chat over some yarny pursuits. The shop has regular classes too where you can learn to knit or crochet as a complete beginner, or develop more complex skills and techniques. Ginger Twist Studio really does stand out in the craft scene in Edinburgh and if you're visiting the city you'd be mad not to visit this little hidden gem!

It's impossible to describe this place adequately…read more All three of the branches in Edinburgh (also on the Royal Mile and in the Grassmarket) are tiny and absolutely crammed with any type of trinket you could ever imagine. The kinds things that you see when you're in Morocco, South America or Thailand and would love to buy but know there's no point even trying to get it back the the UK in one piece. They have drapes, throws, incense, jewellery, handmade notebooks, hanging masks/purses/bags/just about anything you can think of to hand-make... but the best thing is the prices. The kind of ethnic-looking jewellery or homeware you'd happily pay loads for in a department store can be snapped up here for pennies. Don't miss... the pashminas. The amount of times people have stroked whichever of Lokaah's pashminas from my extensive collection that I'm wearing that day and asked where I got it from, and told me how they bet it had cost a bomb, has to be some kind of indicator! What's more, you can bag yourself one for as little as £2. My description of this place doesn't do it justice - you have to go and see for yourself.

Lokaah stocks traditional Indian handicrafts specially imported to Edinburgh and London stores…read more Lokaah assures us of its ethical trading standards, and regardless of whether these claims hold any water or not, the fact remains that this shop sells you the genuine article at bargain prices. Definitely come here if you're into harem pants, incense, and saris. In my opinion Lokaah is a cut above other similar shops that tend to be incredibly expensive. In particular Lokaah stocks a range of amazing hand-carved wooden figures and chests that make ideal gifts. They even accept Euros here, so stop by to unload unwanted shrapnel on lovely trinkets.