Frame of Mine is a gallery and picture framers located on the Lower Ormeau Road. It's not often you…read morecan say a visit to a shop lifts your spirits - however, you can say this about Frame of Mine. I can't imagine anyone would visit this shop/gallery and not love it. Maybe I'm slightly biased as it displays the sort of art I love; contemporary, bright, fresh, illustrative, lowbrow and by local artists. You'll find original art, prints, sculptures, ornaments, jewellery, mugs, novelty items, posters, stationary and cards here. Alternatively if you have a piece of art you can get it framed here too. The perfect spot to pick up an original gift for a friend or relative. Or just pop in for a browse - I think you'll love it...

I like funny stories. Funny haha or funny peculiar - either will do. Of course, the unparalled…read morefunny story contains these two aspects; the best of both worlds. The funny haha bit of this story is really that I know nothing about art or framing. I'd like to think I'd know a good frame when I see one, but that really couldn't be guaranteed. The actual painting or photograph is an entirely different story. I really haven't got a clue. This story one circles around a painting of a building in Toronto, which apparently is quite a good one. Of course, I wouldn't know. This painting came to us through a friend of my dad's. He'd picked it up in a charity shop and thought of us as he did so. It replaced a dodgy old picture of something-or-other (having not really had an interest in art, I'd never really paid attention you see), and looked quite well in our hall. Until (cue the funny peculiar part), it fell off the wall, completely randomly, and the glass cover smashed. Thankfully, someone who knows a great deal more about art and frames are Sheldon. The exceptionally friendly lady told my dad and I that she could have the glass replaced with 3 hours (at a very good price, might I add), as well as providing us with a new cord to hang the picture with. There was me thinking we'd need a new frame and everything, but thankfully not. Interestingly, the lady didn't believe there to be anything wrong with the original cord. Mmm, strange. Less than 3 hours later, a phonecall came through, alerting us to the fact that our picture was ready. They had even stayed open slightly later than usual to accomodate us. What nice people. The new glass looked...sturdy, and the picture has remained in tact for 2 months, so we're pretty hopeful. If, by any chance, you should have any picture issues, the lovely people at Sheldon will happily get you sorted. Despite my lack of knowledge of art etc, I never doubted the expertise of this lot.

Sheldon gallery is based in Newtownards and I have used this shop on several occasions. As a…read morepainter who likes to give away my attempts at art I often use the shop to frame my pieces. They have a wide selection of different frames, in different colours, thicknesses and materials. The ladies who work there are all very experienced and they will sit with you to help you choose just the right frame. They do a very clean neat frame, which doesn't cover up the edges of the work - sometimes this happens in other places. The job they do is well worth the price, which I find is reasonable for good service. Sheldon's also sell art by local artists as well as prints, cards and other decorative items. I enjoy calling in for a browse, to pick up ideas and have previously purchased artwork for a good price in their excellent sale, which seems to be on all year round.

Located at the crossroads of Middle Road and Upper Woodburn Road, this is a decent sized little…read moregallery which offers a range of beautiful artwork from the local area. In addition they also offer a portrait framing service. They hold occasional 'receptions' throughout the year to showcase different works of art. There is a small car park outside which would allow for approximately 10 cars to park.

Everyone who works there is amazing. The food, delicious. Everything Amazing…read more Would fully recommend to anyone They think a lot about their coffee, it is incredible.

Hi there folks, this coffee shop is beautifully presented and friendly atmosphere also sells…read morehomemade produce and crafts, next door is the village gallery run by Trevor he will give advice on picture framing and sells artists materials.

The Picture Gallery on Queen Street just looks cheap. It's been there along time and I'm always…read morepraising independent businesses but the framing business hasn't been over run by any type of corporate machine just yet so I don't think The Picture Gallery can use that as an excuse for its tattered facade and silly pictures it sells. It really does sell a lot of silly pictures. It can be read (vaguely) painted on the shop front that it deals in classic Irish art but that doesn't appear to be what it sells at all. Instead all you can see covering the walls are silly sketches of footballers, wrestlers, MP's and way to many pictures of Elvis. This did work to our advantage when for a birthday joke we got our friend a picture of the Undertaker (which was framed....), but come on, why does a shop selling that exist?

If you want to see pictures crammed wall to ceiling with average Northern Ireland local views then…read morestep in here. For some reason I once got a photograph framed here in a so-so transaction as I noticed greasy finger prints on the inside of the glass when it came back. I'd have been grateful too if they'd let me know when the picture was ready as they said they would. The price was not outrageous but I'd try another picture framer in future.

The Wicker Man is a lovely traditional gift shop on Belfast's busy High Street. The company was…read moreestablished in 1994 in the hope of promoting local businesses and selling local art work. Nowadays the store sells work from artists in Ireland both North and South. They sell some intriguing items including beautiful Beleek pottery, some gorgeous Celtic jewellery, as well as work by some enterprising local artists. You can find work by Carrick artist Thomas Joseph, Belfast artist Gary Anderson as well as the exceptionally popular Anna Nielsen prints. The jewellery sold here is really gorgeous, it's very well made and you should try here if you're interested in buying the likes of a claddagh ring or a Celtic knot brooch. The stock is in no way limited to the usual array of touristy nick nacks, even I shop here if I'm after a particular work of art. But for those visiting the Emerald Isle you can choose from a huge range of typical Irish souveneirs. For something different they also have some beautiful picture frames and clocks. If you've never been here before and are a fan of our great wee country then you should definitely not miss it. The staff will greet you with a warm welcome and make you feel more than comfortable. Great shop, great stock, great prices, great people!

We finally found yarn in Belfast! In the heart of the city we were lucky enough to pop in out of…read morethe rain and get dessert and coffee at College Street Cafe! Don't miss it! The walk on over to Wicker Man for some beautiful boucle yarn!! We all grabbed a few balls!!

For a while I have wanted to find an everyday sort of picture framer that is reasonably near me but…read morenot in the city centre. Finally, I think I have found that framer on the Woodstock Road. Tom West do all that you might expect of this type of business and have a selection of familiar views and photographs on show, including one of a place that's close to my heart but rarely photographed except by me so far as I know! There are various posters and local picture books on display. The girl in the shop was exceptionally pleasant and I can honestly say I look forward to returning in future.

I was drawn into this place by the amazing (and I think original) iconic film art work in the…read morewindow. At £45 a pop they were not cheap but the art was stunning and classy, making classic almost artdeco style posters for films old and new- there were even a few Harry Potter ones smidged in with classics like The Big Lebowski and Star Wars! Something for everyone there. Inside was a bit small and pokey, but has the look of an old fashioned artists' attic, especially on the upper floor. We were greeted as we entered and the staff seemed happy for us to wander around the shop and take it all in without buying anything. Some classic prints upstairs without frames available as well as a few fairy pictures and even Disney princess images at reduced prices. Well worth popping in.

You know the way your walls are looking really drab, that recent coat of paint didn't help and the…read moretatty Betty Blue poster has seen better days? Got some funky prints and one off gig posters rolled up in your attic? Maybe even some work you or an artist friend have done? There is a simple solution, pick out your favourite three or four and head down to Sheldon Framing. These are the go-to-guys for getting an image expertly and tastefully framed. I know Ikea et al do much cheaper frames but they only come in their restrictive standard sizes whereas these guys will do you a custom job so in theory any shape or size should be catered for. They are also helpful with suggesting colours or options that will simultaneously complement your image without detracting too much from it. I've had tons of posters framed up by these guys over the years and the job has always been quality. They also sell a wide range of art by local artists from contemporary to the usual watercolours etc... Pros: Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Cons: If you're getting larger stuff framed it can get expensive quickly.

I am in no way an art buff. I'm not an art anything in fact. But I do like to have a look around…read morethese places, even just to seem a little cultured to the store assistant who can obviously seen through my nods of appreciation. From the outside it looks a little more commercial to other galleries in the area. It always has advertisements in its windows, stating silly pointless things that you should already expect to find in a gallery (not signs saying 'pretty paintings!' but close enough). The price range clearly shows that the stuff here really is for someone who wants to make a serious commitment. Paying 4/5 hundred pounds for a painting the size of my palm is the biggest commitment anyone can make in my opinion!

Eakin's my favourite art gallery on the Lisburn Road. A lovely little family run gallery spanning…read moretwo floors of a red brick townhouse. Specialists in contemporary Irish art they also have some pieces from the past as well. You'll find a range of Artists' work here including George Callaghan, Brian Ballard, Neil Shawcross, Dean McDowell, Louis le Brocquy, J B Vallely and Terry Bradley amongst others. I always call in for a look when I pass Eakin. Yesterday I visited to view the beautiful, stylised, atmospheric paintings of George Callaghan. His harvest sunset paintings are mesmerising and I adore his 'Purple Haze' landscapes. A beautiful exhibition for this time of year as we near the end of October. Prices vary, ranging from smaller works for a few hundred pounds to larger paintings for a few thousand. If I win the lotto I may one day be able to buy instead of just browse! The owner Brian Eakin is very welcoming and their website's kept fully updated with all current paintings listed. However nothing beats a stroll through Eakin Gallery to see the paintings in the flesh.