As a child I was not allowed near scissors. Not even the plastic safety ones. Not because of the…read moredanger aspect, it was because I held them so awkwardly that it drove my Mum insane. "How is it that you were smart enough to read and write at 4 but still can't cut paper?!" she would lament. Ok...so I'm not crafty. I still can't cut or sew a straight line to save myself. I didn't get that gene passed down from Mum. So she's the real reason why I come here. This place is like craft-mum-crack. She can't get enough. Yarn, ribbons, thread - I see 10 types of string and Mum sees all the possibilities for the beautiful things she could make. For the grandkids that I also haven't produced for her (sorry Mum!) Still, I can see that the things here are beautiful and unique. Having been invited *cough* dragged *cough* to visit many a craft store in my day, none have been filled with so many vintage knick-knacks and girly delightful things. So if your Mum gave you the craft-gene or you're present shopping for something unique, navigate your way through the Nicholson Building and check out L'Uccello.

Where do I start? If you are in to any form of craft,…read moresewing, fabric or paper design - you need to pop in to this place. Head up the stairs in the Nicholson Building on Swanston, you will not be disappointed. L'uccello stock a huge range of goodies from Liberty, Winterwood, and real vintage Parisian markets / couture suppliers. Everything here is beautiful as well as useful, you will not leave empty handed - You have been warned!

Needed a strap and buckle solution for my camera pouch and was wrapped that I went to Lincraft…read more Ashley was amazing and the guy that took my call and understood my needs was great too. I'll be back great friendly service good range.

I am just learning to knit and the staff was so welcoming and helped me find all of the supplies I…read moreneeded.

Morris and Sons are a bit of a one-stop-shop for your yarn needs. They do have one of the most…read moreextensive ranges of Noro yarn around. The upsides of Morris and Sons: - great sales! You can get some real bargains - great membership program - knowledgeable staff The downsides: - city location doesn't have a cozy vibe - they can get super busy so you may need to wait for advice - some of the yarns are pretty pricey - wait for the sales! They have a new updated website that offers online shopping too!

Let me preface this review by saying I run a fashion label and we use M Recht for a range of…read morehaberdashery supplies. You can shop here as a retail buyer (ie. purchase in retail quantities rather than wholesale) but it's primarily a wholesale / commercial outlet. M Recht stocks everything you can possibly think of that is fashion related that isn't actually fabric. Buttons, zips, shoulder pads, bra wire, thread, measuring tapes, toggles, ribbon... you get the idea. If there's a very specific type of item you're looking for (say, an denim button with a red enamel coating) you're better off going somewhere that specialised in it. If you need something fairly generic though, it's a great place to go. The staff are really helpful and they have product across many price points. We use them for denim zips that 'lock' when they're closed (so your fly doesn't fall down) and 'unlock' when you intentionally undo them. If you're in the industry and you use a local manufacturer, they deliver daily to most places for about $5.

Sticky is an artist-run and focused initiative that facilitates and promotes zine culture in this…read morecity. It's an amazing concept: you can go in, use their resources, pick their brains and be blown away by the wealth of incredible artists and artisans working in the zine realm. Sticky have a lucid idea of who they are as a collective. Their mission statement says: "By bypassing the conventional gallery system, Sticky redefines the notion of a retail environment as a non profit arts space dedicated to Australian and international zine culture." And in doing these things, the institute allow the proliferation of this otherwise underground and often off-kilter art practise -- a great thing for any city. Any gripe with the place would be that it is cramped and can feel a bit exclusive at times. I've had slightly mixed experiences with staff, but they're mostly volunteers, so there's no shortage of passion.

Zines, the DIY behemoth that excites photocopiers, writers and artists alike has a home in…read moreMelbourne. Situated beneath Flinders st as one enters the train station, one will find every surface adorned with self-made paraphernalia, complete with badge machine, stapler and photocopier for the budding Zinester in all of us, Sticky is an institution.

Are you a creative person? An artist? A painter? Someone who loves craft or just a good ol' doodler…read morelike me? If you love getting lost in your craft and you live in the South Yarra/ Richmond area, get acquainted with Arthouse on Swan Street. It may not be a large store but it sure does have a pretty good range of materials from pencils to inks, crayons, paints, pastels, clay and modelling items, canvasses, sketch pads etc. The funny thing is, every time I go into this store, I feel inspired to create something original. Whether it's a collage, homemade cards, a sketch or painting, just being around the creative materials and energy, makes me feel like I can take on the world - artistically. And that's what I do. Sometimes, this results in a really good art piece and other times, it's plain ugly. But the important thing is I have a good time creating and getting lost in my choice of art. Call it creative therapy if you like and with Arthouse just near my house, I can do this anytime.

Lovely store with a good range of art supplies and often has really useful specials. Recommended!read more