I love visiting shops which sell arts and crafts. I especially love it when the artists are all…read morefrom the local area. This shop is displaying art made by people from the Ard's Peninsula and is run on a rota by the artists themselves. As you would imagine in a seaside town the art is very much themed around the sea and the local countryside. There were some beautiful earrings and necklaces made from local stones and shells which were very inexpensive indeed. There were also some beautiful drawings of the sea, boats and the marina. Lots of little pieces at decent prices. The lady who was on duty was really nice and she let me get on with it while she sat on the windowsill having a smoke and chatting to her neighbours - a very relaxed feeling and a truly unique little store!

Oh boy, oh boy…read more.. I'm one of these people who always wanted to be artistically creative. My mum can paint, sketch, knit, crochet, and all the rest of it, but unfortunately I didn't inherit her arty farty genes. Stick men and colour co-ordination is really the height of it for me. Well, at least my stick people will be well dressed... Thank goodness for Craftworld, a haven of every possible kind of art form known to man. To my delight, this includes those colourful beads which you place on a random plastic shape, cover with iron-proof paper, and iron. Cue excitement. I actually made one of these a number of years ago. A blue and red place mat in the shape of a star which sits on my desk. Craftworld appreciates the lesser forms of art. Happy days. If you're not one for fusing together beads (and let's face, apart from a five year old and myself, who really is?), do not fear. Everything from dolls houses to thread, from glitter to polystyrene shapes can be found in Craftworld. There's a lovely wee wedding section at the very back too. Lovely jubbly.

This place is unbeatable for everything craft, ribbons, buttons, wool..everything…read more I had the very frustrating experience of going here to pick up stuff everyday for two weeks before my wedding...men beware it may just dooo your head in unless your the president of your local sewing club. Prepare for a busy stuffy room with way too much choice!!!!

Well, wouldn't you know? My sister has only been off the entire summer (from the middle of June to…read morebe precise), but still she leaves it until the day before she returns to school to decide she needs a new pencil case. Typical, just typical. Furthermore, she informs me of this decision in the middle of Saintfield, where there is one stationery shop. It's called 'Treasures', and will attempt to meet your greetings cards / stationery / gift needs, sort of like W H Smith, only not quite. I have to give Treasures its dues though, it didn't do too badly at all. My sister was provided with a decent range of pencil cases and tins, and had it been any other customer, there probably wouldn't have been an issue, but this *is* my sister we're talking about. No, tins weren't an option. The pink Hannah Montana pencil case was a no-go (perfectly acceptable, given that she's eighteen), and the X Factor one wasn't even considered. The others were either too big (remember those super-sized ones which you fit your foot long ruler and scientific calculator into? No? That was just me then...), the plain ones were too boring, and the coloured ones just weren't happening. Sensing both our frustration (mine at my sister, my sister's at the lack of desirable pencil cases), the two sales assistants asked if we were ok. "Just looking, thank you," came my retort. We certainly weren't going to be buying anything at this rate... Convinced by my response, they continued their conversation about the pleasant heat of the day, and we continued our quest for a suitable pencil case. You'll be glad to hear my sister did find one eventually (though it took her long enough). Can't fault Treasures for trying...

Tates Treasures is one of Saintfields jewels, the selection of cards is unbeatable and the owner…read morewill always do her utmost to find exactly what your looking for. In the stationery and crafts she will advise you as to what best suits your needs. I love this super friendly shop and their amazing selection.

Visited the Craft Room today after lunch in the courtyard. The shop is up external staircase &…read morethrough doorway entrance to room on the right. Not a lot of space but lots to see, touch and handle. From knitwear to scarves, from wonderful photographs to magical robot lights everything is handmade by local artists. We bought some baby knitwear for a newborn great nephew, lovely little booties, mittens and bonnet to match in eggshell blue. William was very friendly and helpful and we will certainly return.

Forget Me Not is a smallish stationary shop down Pottinger's Lane in Belfast city centre. I called…read morein recently to buy a 'Made By The Bride' stamp for my wedding invitations. I had been to another stationary shop and they had none left and I have to say my first impressions of Forget Me Not weren't great. I was a little lost browsing around for ideas and cards when I spotted an area where homemade cards were being displayed. I asked the owner if she had any tips for my wedding cards and she was quite hostile. I was only a little lost bride trying to make conversation and trying to get some ideas. I had just bought a stamper from another stationary shop and I asked her to recommend the best way to use it and was told I should go back to where I bought it and ask them! I later found out that she designs and makes wedding stationary and I guess she didn't want to give anything away for free. Anyway, I had to order in the stamp as she had none left and I had to pay full price up front. I don't want to rate the entire business on that one experience, as I'm sure it was just a flippant remark on her part. I just hope that maybe other brides who want to save a few pounds and are a bit stuck (as they, like me, will probably have never done that kind of thing before) experience a warmer reception.

A lovely shop tucked away, but still in the heart of the city centre, Plenty to spend your money on…read morewith my fav Tim Holtz products and some g45 paper worth checking out I found the staff very helpful

Ards tourist information is a centre with a difference. Sure, its got a wealth of guidance on where…read moreto eat, shop, sleep and go in Newtownards, as well as various other towns and cities in Northern Ireland. Naturally, there are the gifts and souvenirs available in a typical tourist information centre, and helpful, friendly advice from those in the know. "So, what's different?!" I hear you cry. Yes, yes, I was getting to that bit. A stunning array of locally produced arts and crafts are available for purchase - jewellery, glassware, china, pottery and the like. And when I say local, I mean local. Like twenty minutes down the road local. Beautiful, beautiful stuff. Not only this, but the centre collaborates with the creators and innovators behind these delightful goods, holding displays and classes for the general public to watch and participate. One such event is "Meet the Maker", which exhibits the likes of Karl Harron (a glass artist), Mike Miall (a woodturner) and Jan Campbell (a textile artist). Fascinating. Furthermore, he art centre is well equipped, with studios, galleries and meeting rooms all for use for this sort of event. Ha, bet you weren't expecting that! The name did kinda give it away mind you...

I'm not from Newtownards. I just blew in with my fiance a few years ago but I've been living here…read morelong enough to think i know everything about the blooming place. Ha ha - I don't. I'd never even been into the tourist information center until earlier today and without sounding like a maniac - I was blown away. Yeah! yeah! like all your bog-standard tourist information places they sell tea towels covered in maps of Ireland, attractions, sheep and Guinness. This is not however the cream on the Newtownard's Tourist Information cake. Go in deeper into the back of the shop to discover the wonder that is the arts and crafts section. Local artists from all over the peninsula create and display items in the display area. There are amazing ceramics, paintings, jewelry and sculpture. I couldn't believe it - all this has been under my nose all along. Seriously, I was blown away by all the free brochures about the area, the play area and the friendly, helpful staff. If you need to know anything at all about places to stay or eat anywhere in Northern Ireland then call in here.

Happens every month in The School house Holywood. Located up the hill from the maypole…read more Happens second Sat of the month. Great choice of local crafts. Not a gauge market but the quality is superb. Selling things like candles,food,clothes and gifts. They pick a charity each moth to collect entry donation at the door.