When Tableau first caught my eye I had two contradictory thoughts. Firstly: oh look at that nice…read morepainted iron table that would look lovely in the garden. Secondly: why is there another shop in Headingly selling seemingly pointless ornamental objects? I went in to check it out and see which initial thought would pervade. They have quite a few bits of furniture that are very attractive, expensive but original such as a white painted iron bench and a similarly crafted coat stand. Decorative things hang from the ceiling that would suffice as gifts for mothers or girl friends who like pretty, hand-crafted things and can overlook their pointlessness. There is hand-made jewelry and some interesting prints, including a Jack Vertriano print. I particularly like the tiny glass pigs for sale. This shop is a bit more sophisticated than others of its kind in Headingly/Hyde Park selling gift items but they do sell fairy lights.

Tableau is a gift shop that I'm actually willing not to whinge about! The exterior is very tasteful…read morewith a muted forest green painted front and minimalist stainless steel lettering. The large windows display their pretty wares. Upon entering it's quite difficult to categorise their products as there is such a range. Mainly decorative home ware. There are small pieces of furniture, clocks, fairy lights, plant pots, lanterns, watering cans, ornaments, bobs and bits, bits and bobs, pretty things and lovely items. What I must say is I just LOVE their greetings card selection. Small it may be but perfectly formed it certainly is. The cards are very unusual and with a vintage and quirky style. Though I always make cards for my family I found a few that would just make perfect mothers' day cards...could I really give her two? I might have to they are so pretty! Now I'm not easy to please when it comes to cards so waxing lyrical about a shop's card selection feels rather out of character! Now gift shops and I generally don't get on, but Tableau really is different with its own character and style. Definitely a place to hunt for a present for mums or female friends who like to beautify their home. What the hey...I'm a fan!

Sharing the Success is a government funded programme which aims to regenerate areas of Leeds. There…read moreare many projects using the programme to create new jobs, enhance prospects and develop businesses in the city. An active example of a business within the scheme is a stall in Leeds Kirkgate Market called How Bizaar! Described as a business stall where ideas come to life, it offers local people a twelve week stretch to sell their wares, to gauge the public interest of their product. It seems like an excellent scheme to be involved in, the opportunity to gain entrepreneurial astuteness, receive business guidance and exposure. Some of the businesses that are exhibiting their goods currently, include Vicky's Crafty Arts who presents photographs in a more accessible way, rather than being stuck in books which are rarely browsed. She displays them via scrap booking, card making, and can make paper mache products to order. There were a ready made array of them when I visited the stall, they are vibrant in colour and seem almost African-inspired. Sanashzak offers a range of ceramic plates and bowls, at very affordable prices. There were also greetings cards, screen prints and various handbags made from recycled materials. Angel Silk stocked many silk scarves and ties, celestial in colour and soft to touch. Mim's Couture was my favourite section of the stall. This business designs dresses, and the style and quality of them are fabulous. Often using unusually patterned fabrics, the hems are at playful lengths and the product screams of total originality. Mim's Couture also offer a complete dressmaking service for formal events, with wedding and prom dresses available. There would be no danger of somebody else arriving in an identical outfit if you attended a social event in one of these creations! There are many more businesses brandishing their wares on the How Bizaar! stall. It is a brilliant way for local people to raise the profile of their product, with the guidance of a supportive and interactive government scheme. Well worth a visit.

How Bizaar! is a brilliant idea, giving small businesses the chance to display their wares for 12…read moreweeks for free!! This gives them the chance to make their ideas a reality and encourages them to assess their creations, selecting the best ones for their small area of the shop. By having a stall for 12 weeks in the market they are able to test the popularity of their products and gain customers who may spread the word. For shoppers it is a unique experience, with a dozen or more shops within a shop, each selling unique and beautiful hand made products. My personal favourite (whose name I'm afraid to say I've forgotten) sold cute vintage-look dresses that appeared to have been re-made from second hand garments, with many floral fabrics and button fastenings. Mim's Couture was also very memorable with unusual ball gowns and skirts in striking fabrics. Apparently it is going to be moving into a nearby stall, so its experience of How Bizaar must have been a success! There were also many other lovely bits and bobs including bags, glassware and jewellery. If you're looking for a unique gift look no further! And you'll get a nice warm feeling knowing that you're supporting a fledgling business that's just finding its feet. Despite Leeds Kirkgate market not seeming the most sought after location for a new business selling unique hand-crafted items, when I was browsing the shop there were several people who stopped by for a look...and if other How Bizaar! businesses followed in Mim's Couture's footsteps and opened a shop nearby, just think what a thriving bazaar of unique independent businesses Leeds Kirkgate Market could become!

This is rather sparkly and shiny affair is The Wharf. It must be pretty difficult to stand out in…read moresuch buzzing little market towns, with gift and knick knack stores all over the place. However, The Wharf manages just fine to fit into a more boutique style gift store, which means it offers something a little different to the other shops. It has a range of really cool handbags, which aren't particularly to my interest, some pretty cool gift cards and really classy looking silver jewellery. As well as that there were a few really nice looking vases, but unfortunately, nothing really quite 'me' enough to open my purse. Still, if it sounds like your kind of thing then perhaps it would be worth the visit!

Mainly spangly, shiny silver jewellery this open plan shop was bustling with activity when I went…read moreand luckily for a small shop had plenty of staff on site to help with customer enquires and serving people at the till so there wasn't a backlog of customers clogging up precious space. There are interesting handbags, and a small selection of boutique cards. Nothing particularly inspired me in here I am more of a fan of chunky 'ethnic' style jewellery and since I passed up the opportunity of bulk buying in India I try not to look too closely at what is available here because I simply have to kick myself.

Opulent Design is another of those quaint delights within Ilkley. It seems mostly to be a gift…read moreshop, although home wares feature heavily too. Inside it is literally like a magpie's dream, immediately to the left as you enter the door is a glass cabinet area filled with shiny - beautiful jewellery, necklaces, earrings and such, which had the air of an indie designer. The shop is literally packed with cabinets and tables of goodies, I was actually worried about knocking things over with my bag! As well jewellery there were games, pottery items, ceramics, wicker baskets, ornaments and all sorts of knick-knacks and exciting little bits. My favourite items worthy of noting were the little cloth owl and kitty purses, by 'Cotton Zoo' and a cat's bum tea-towel holder (honestly, that's what it is!) which, curiously, won 'gift of the year'! A seriously exciting and cute shop, well worth a peek.

As I walked into this shop I made a bit of a din by jangling all the wind chimes that hung above my…read morehead at the front of the shop. Opulent Designs is quite large for a gift shop and sells a strange but delightful mishmash of gifts, jewelry, cards and novelty items. The front is very colourful and clearly geared towards children with one wall full of toys. There is a lively feel to the place - The Beachboys were playing as I was browsing. I was intrigued by the table holding only 'The Beano' themed things, from note books to coasters to thermos flasks, having never seen anything quite like it. Further into the shop there is an area selling cosmetic gifts like little bath bombs in the shape of cakes and ice cream shower cream, in ice cream flavors - mint, vanilla and chocolate! There is also a wide range of jewelry and some smart silver picture frames on offer so Opulent Designs covers most bases when it comes to gift ideas from children to your Granny to your friend that is getting married and has things for all budgets!

I always feel like I've walked into somewhere luxurious when I walk into the Market Cross! The…read morestaff are helpful but discreet (I hate being pounced on!) and the range of jewellery, gifts, china, figuirines and photo frames is impressive to say the least. You would be hard pressed to not be able to find a decent gift within your budget hee. The staff are professional and are more than happy to recommend a gift / item dependant on your budget or the occasion. New lines are always available so there is always something new to look at. Credit/debit cards welcome.

The quintessential place to buy an elderly relative a card that would receive appreciative sighs. A…read morelarge quantity of twee sentimentality has been injected into this shop and although the style does not comply with my own, The Card Room does provide a more intimate, local setting in which to purchase this style of card. Alongside the vast array of aforementioned cards, there is a random miscellany of gifts. Ranging from handmade jewellery to calendars, umbrellas to clocks, and photo frames to keepsakes, The Card Room has the bagatelle market covered. There is an entire baby section at the rear of the shop, and whilst I was there recently, a staff member was expertly guiding a gentleman around the selection of photo memory books for babies. The man in question did not take much encouragement to proudly announce that he had just become a Grandfather for the first time, regaling his assistant with her name and weight. It was a touching moment to overhear! If you were wondering, the baby was called Amber. The Card Room is a perfectly adequate shop in which to purchase a fairly conservative range of cards and knickknacks. Although I doubt I would make the detour from the city centre to visit the shop, for certain recipients, I would consider the trek.

The Card Room is a pretty standard gift shop selling a huge range of reasonably expensive cards,…read moreand loads of gifts. Gifts include rather cute sort toys to mugs, drinking glasses, picture frames, decorations, hand bags, umbrellas, clocks and placemats. The shop is quite large with products well-displayed and the staff are friendly and helpful. Like most gift shops, the majority of items are quite expensive, but if you like gifty paraphernalia you're likely to find something to fork out for.

Another one of those shops that sell 'everything', Mega Goods Store displays its wrae on the…read morepavement, and as we've come to expect, they consist of plastic bins, buckets, containers, and small plastic children's chairs...and a few mops thrown in for good measure! And er, toilet rolls and footballs! Inside they sell loads of stuff for the home including crockery, a small selection of toys and a fair few colouring books (takes me back! I was almost tempted to buy one!)...and some huge gold painted gilt frame mirrors for £25. Yes prices here are cheap, which probably reflects the quality...but it's not as if it has pretentions of being a top quality up market home ware shop. What you see is what you get. Mega Goods Store is cheap and cheerful, but it sells many handy bits and bobs that you didn't even know you needed!

I find this jewellery shop a little confusing. The shop itself isn't decorated like you would…read moreexpect a jewellery store to be. It looks a little budget and off putting from outside. However, when you get inside you see they stock really nice items at fair prices. They are helpful and friendly too. You don't feel like you shouldn't be there (i often feel this way in expensive jewellery shops!)