For the creative minds out there, head to Green Lane where you'll find the perfect place for you…read more It's a big, green craft palace called Craftys. Whatever your talent or hobby I'm sure that you're every requirement can be met here; Craftys stock allsorts from card making to flower arranging. There are two sections within the shop, the main being crammed with stickers, decoupage sheets, ribbon, and beads to name a few. Towards the back there is a room dedicated to paper and card, shelves stretching from floor to ceiling, neatly displaying all different types and colours. We've bought the paper for our wedding stationary from here, so I should know. We've also bought some of their decoupage sheets for my Fiancée's card making Nan and not only did she love them but they also look great on her cards. The staffs are friendly and are more than happy to help you in any way they can. It's definitely worth a visit.

If you are into Arts & Crafts this is the place for you. From top to bottom this store is crammed…read morefull of goodies. Believe me if they haven't got it then it possibly isn't available and they have some great bargains. They have an on line store if you are to far away but try to visit as the fun is in touching. A brilliant shop and great staff too!!

This is one of my favourite independent craft shops, I like it because its like an Alladins Cave…read moreinside with lots of interesting items to browse through. Everytime I visit I always find something I didnt know I needed! The shop itself is clean and bright and the stock is new and continually stocked up. The staff are helpful and you get the impression they are passionate about their trade and know what they are talking about which is an added bonus! Ive bought things from them in the past and they have always asked me if I knew how to use it. This is the kind of service you dont get in the larger stores. Its the kind of shop I look forward to visiting and am happy to part with my money in!

This is a brill crafts shop, they have almost everything you could want, if they have'nt they will…read moretell you and try to find you an alternative or order what you need. The staff are very knowledgeable and keen to help, dont be frightend of asking there advise, they always want to help. Lots of starter kits especially at this time of year and there not bad prices, great for stocken fillers.

A must for emerging and established knitters, Purlesque is a gorgeous boutique that sells beautiful…read morewool, yarn, buttons and crochet books. If you haven't got the patience or fingertips to stitch yourself, they also sell adorable hand-made bags, accessories and homeware. I love the mix of DIY jewellery, tote-bags, scarves and cushions but it's the knitted cupcakes and tea-cosies that I have my eye on. You bring the jam and scones, I'll get the kettle on...

This is a lovely little haberdashery store. The staff here are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable…read more Amongst the goodies on sale there is wool, yarn, buttons, jewellery beads, crochet kits, knitting patterns, bags, cushions, fabric and scarves. Everything is arranged neatly and the shop is a joy to browse around. This is a great little shop for when you're feeling a bit crafty :)

I was browsing online to find a good online supplier of quality knitting wools, and this sites…read moreoffers the best Louisa harding, Rowan and noro knitting yarns.

What a gorgeous little place! I popped in here to buy a birthday card and could have stayed for…read moreHOURS and bought EVERYTHING!!! The downstairs of this fabulous establishment is full of the most adorable trinkets, gifts, jewellery, stationery, homewares and toiletries - almost too much to take in and very dangerous if one is feeling in a spending mood. I actually ended up buying *myself* a gift instead of the person I was buying the card for! Upstairs there is an interesting collection of vintage furniture and bric-a-brac but it is the cornucopia of delectable gifts and bibelots downstairs that has captured my heart. The gorgeous broaches, scarves and handbags, knitted baby clothing, mugs, keyrings, dinner mats and coasters (I bought myself a rather fabulous 'Liverpool's Most Iconic Sights' coaster set - photo below!), fridge magnets and ornaments. I was extremely tempted by the 'retro bunny with a baby's face' lamp but managed to restrain myself. The best thing about Larks is that you don't actually NEED stuff from there...you just WANT it. Because having a cubic zirconia broach shaped like the Eiffel Tower makes you feel happy doesn't it? And that's near enough to needing for me.

Definitely not a shop which was set up to appeal to boys, with a cute selection of all things…read moregirlie, this is a little dolls house style affair with lots of little knick-knacks on sale, from kitsch household items, to some really dainty, bright jewellery and a lot of Alice in Wonderland-esque tea party set porcelain cups and saucers. It's very pink in here and slightly overwhelming but you can't help but have a bit of a root around the little dressing-tables which are crammed with goodies. The kind of stuff you wouldn't buy for yourself but might appreciate as a gift, even if it is slightly tacky. They also have vintage stuff available upstairs and fun cards, it's slightly overpriced for what it is really but worth a look if you have a bit of time on your hands.

Discovering Tapleys was a happy mistake. I was wandering along the Village and suddenly, there it…read morewas. What, an artsy/gift shop that I didn't know existed?! Pure delight. This little shop is a mixture of painting and other art supplies, stationary items and cards, and gifts. It's really cute, and so girly. Lots of great gifts for females, babies, and children. They also have sundry fun stationary items like autograph books and pretty notebooks, and quite a variety of paints and other supplies for painters. I would highly recommend this shop. The lady is very friendly, and I had a good chat with her and another customer while I browsed.

This is a gorgeous place - recommended that you visit shortly after payday ! Stocks the most…read moreunusual writing implements, cards, wrapping paper, jewellery, soaps, china, scarves, handbags and other gifts as well as business stationery at competitive prices. Irene and all her staff are most helpful and couldn't be more pleasant; they take time with every customer. I love this shop !

The delapidated shopfront, displaying the kind of paintings you wouldn't mind hanging on the most…read moreprominent wall in your house, would just be a quirky feature anywhere else, a facade that would vanish the moment you step through the door. Not here though. This is Smithdown, mind. Inside Greenbank Galleries, the ruination continues. Shattered remnants of picture frames lie piled up against the walls like Leonardo da Vinci's cupboard, or the Louvre after a doodlebug hit. The man who works in/lives in/infests the building seemed deeply suspicious of my mere presence in his shop but the frameworking he did for me was done to perfection so I should just hush ma mouth.

I know nothing about the art world or the framing of pictures, prints ect but I ventured in here…read morewith a friend one day and found myself strangely fascinated by the store. From the front it looks small and almost grotty but I instead chose to label it as authentic which perhaps is being kind.If I'm being honest this place could do with a good refurbishment but perhaps if this happened then it would take away some of its' history and its' authentic charm. Inside there are hundreds of frames, some grand and some small as well as there being numerous pieces of art by local artists in some cases available for sale. I cannot say that I came away from this establishment with any greater knowledge of the art world but I certainly enjoyed the chance to view the store. If your in need of a picture professionally framed by people who care then try Greenbank Galleries I bet you will enjoy it.