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.

Located in a far-too-easily-missable part of Stockbridge, this gift shop and studio is well worth…read moreseeking out. All the usual suspects of the art and craft world; photo frames, toys, jewellery, cards, candles, homeware and a grand selection of papers and things that glitter and sparkle. I was told that they also host birthday parties or just a relaxing, different evening for a few friends to get all DIY-ey in a more sophisticated environment than places that are only aimed at children (why do they get all the fun?) Staff are friendly and enthusiastic and really want you to get creative. I'm looking forward to getting messy!

This is a little art and craft shop tucked away from the usual Stockbridge strip and it's well…read moreworth the extra trek to find it. They're more an arts and craft studio than a gift shop and judging by what they sell it's the perfect place to bring your kids to for an hour or two. Paper mache, paint glitter and sparkly things are the order of the day and I can see how kids go mad for this stuff. It's certainly brought out the kid in me. I saw that they had some interesting classes coming up, badge making, card making and the like so it's worth checking out what's coming up when you're there. They also host birthday parties and I could see 10 kids sitting around the large table getting their art on. All in all a great place for adults and kids alike!

This pottery situated on the further edge of New Town is more an artists studio than just a shop…read morethat sells pots. It was started by a Janet Adam about twenty years ago, and along with several other potters, she makes and sells the most beautiful pieces! I've been aware of the more typical clay pottery, but the finished products are so expertly done and refined, it's difficult to believe they've been wholly hand made. The pots vary dramatically from one potter to another, and they're so intricate I couldn't imagine them actually being used for anything practical! We're now on the verge of the festival period, and for the next month or so, it'll be possible to head over there and see exhibitions of the artists at work! However, I'm more keen to get some one on one tuition, which they offer, as I can imagine it would be heaps of fun!

There are 6 potters working out of this little shop and all with different mediums and styles so…read moreyou are sure to find something you will want to take home. Their price are not bad and they even have a seconds area. Good place to find something for a gift or new for your own home.

This is the real thing, folks. Don't waste your money in the tourist shops - find Calzeat where…read morethey have all wearable items in lavish Scottish wool. I went a bit overboard and purchased wool items for myself as well as gifts. I felt like the prices are reasonable for what you're getting. Gorgeous scarves and blankets here. The large wool scarf I bought for myself literally saved my life while we were in Scotland. It was no more than 35 degrees the whole time. Although I prepared for cold weather, the cold in Scotland is very humid and penetrating. It didn't get through my Calzeat scarf though. I was toasty warm with my beautiful keepsake from Edinburgh. Thank you to the lovely woman working here who dealt with our thousands of obnoxious American questions with grace. We very much appreciated your assistance. No parking here; find a spot down the way and walk up. Totally worth the trip.

I didn't realize this was a major chain until I got home and looked up the address for the business…read morelisting. It definitely doesn't have that feel to it at all. I'm in the process of re-doing my bedroom and i've been window shopping here for weeks. They have some lovely throw pillows and blanket - a bit of out of my price range (a throw blanket will run you around £70) but lovely nonetheless. What I have had my eye on (and was surprised to find) were the scarves. I'm learning very quickly that umbrellas don't work in Scotland. Yes, i'm the gal that spent her first few months constantly battling upside down umbrellas. Since this epiphany, i've been stocking up on warm hats and scarves to brave the colder/wetter/windier weather. This place has a nice selection of scarves at decent prices (about £15-20 to start), in cute neutral colours. I even picked up a scarf to send home to the mother unit when I first popped in. Helpful folks. Warm weather survival scarves. All in all, not a bad place to poke your head in.

Cute little art supply shop!…read more It does what it says on the tin: it's an art supply store. It carries a good number of high end artsy bits and bobs. Sure, this place is a little pricey, so I wouldn't pop in for every day stationary or office stuff, but if you're looking for something in particular, it would be a good place to pop your head in. I went in seeking sealing wax... because yes, I happen to find wax sealed cards delightful and was happy to see they had a few options. Again, tipping towards the higher price side of things, but they had real wax sticks and not the plasticky "hot glue gun" wax seal knock offs. Kudos. They also seem to have a variety of prints and canvases downstairs, but I must admit, i've never ventured down. I usually run in here in the midst of some crafting emergency, so there isn't much time to snoop. Service has always been friendly and helpful, if a bit quiet.

From the owner: Henderson Artshop has been established for over 45 years and offers a full Bespoke Framing Service…read moreas well as an array of art materials and Scottish prints.

WOW!!! I drove past…read morethis shop on my way to Inverness, and I had to park to go and have a closer look. It was so f***ing cool!! It is a charity shop for save the children, but completely unlike all the others I've been in before. I felt like I was in the gift shop of an art gallery, everything is kitsch and retro, and the colours are amazing. The whole shop is decorated brilliantly and it looks like something out of the movies. Upon further investigation, I found out that the shop is owned by TV retail advisor and Save the Children Ambassador, Mary Portas, and it is infact a designer charity shop. I didn't know you could get them! I plan to spend an awful lot more time in here.

In agreement with Emily, I did a swift double take when I saw this place!…read more Towering above its neighbours in a gorgeous old building, Mary's Living and Giving looks more like a pretty boutique than it does a charity shop. Essentially, it is - boasting secondhand designer clothing and accessories, it's got some chic and often retro offerings. So you can get a snazzy outfit for a dinner party at an absolute steal of a price! With its creaky, varnished floorboards and warm lighting, it feels as though you're in Monsoon rather than in a charity establishment. The pictures toward the back of the shop remind you of who you are helping, however, making finding a bargain in Mary's an ethical choice! Gok Wan would be all about it!

A unique one of a kind art studio / gift shop in the heart of Stocky…read more The art tends to be Edinburgh / Forth focused with great originals, prints and cards of well known (and less well known) landmarks. They also have a great selection of local artist post and gift cards.

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.