Handmade High Street throws together some really great local crafters and creators of all things…read morepretty and fun. The first things that caught my eye was a crocheted rose-shaped brooch with quite a few other similar ones to keep it company. I found delight in the handmade jewellery and recycled accessories including hairpins made out of old buttons and old teacups being transformed into candle holders, which is something I would never have thought to do. They also had one of the very lovely dresses that is so identifiable as one of Rachel Burke's I Make My Day projects, which is surrounded by a mountain of handmade things to choose from like tin earrings and very flamboyant floral hairbands that are just gorgeous. I was most impressed with earrings that were fashioned out of origami designs. Some of the things in here are so original and it's so nice to see support for local crafters. One of the back shelves advertises renting a space in the store so other artists can sell their wares. As I was walking out I laughed out loud at the cute new spin on bottle top jewellery when I saw bottle tops printed with vintage pictures and resold as necklaces. I think that's a really cute and unique idea. Another item Handmade High Street currently sells is a product by Reclaimed Records, who make old records into new products like notepads and use only recycled paper. A recycled record notepad will set you back $45 but hey, you are paying for an old record. I like what this place has going on. They've got some really great pieces and I see a lot of potential for the artists who showcase their wares here.

Kath Chownston, one of three brains behind Handmade High Street, said that she wanted to provide a…read morespace for artists and craftspeople to easily sell their wares. Markets are often exhausting, subject to the elements, and aren't a very reliable way to get the money coming in if you're selling your goods in this fashion. The internet is a great way to get your stuff out there, but still, she went one further and opened a store- for the good of everyone! For her, for the people who rent space in her store, for the person who happens to pop in for a look and take away something local and unique. For the interested artist or craftsperson- the way the rent system works at Handmade High Street works is that there are small 'cubes' (shelving space) that are $20 per month. If you do larger scale work, clothing for example, and you have a rack that you'd like to have in store, it might cost you around $200 per month. The rental price is subject to how big and how much of the work there is, and whereabouts you want it placed in the store. There's some great stuff there too. The beads by Patti Pennisi made me want for the ocean, the glass work of Cairo Made That was gorgeous, and I couldn't help but want to take home some scented soy wax melts by Lisa Macnab. There's not the tired repeat of like works in there either; there's great diversity. Go in and support a new local business that supports it's locals. Handmade High Street. Remember that name.

I didn't go into this store because I wanted to buy homeware goods. I wanted to see what had become…read moreof this building - or rather, house. The structure has struck me as beautiful for years; when I was a child, this house was literally my dream house. I visited this "house" today. Because I wasn't intending to buy anything I looked at it all without worrying about price tags (though when I did glimpse a few it confirmed my suspicions: expensive). I felt like I could therefore just enjoy the store as an experience, because the homeware items, toys and antiques here are really quite quirky. I wandered about, absorbed in what felt like looking at art, and suddenly there was a bustling cafe in my face. I realized I'd become so absorbed I'd hit the base of the stairs leading to a cafe. Even the existence of the cafe seemed other-worldly; you don't see many coffee shops inside homeware stores. Unsurprisingly, I got lost on the way out. (Partly the result of embarrassment over having almost fallen onto stairs, partly because the place is quite maze-y.) A lovely staff member approached me, comprehended my dilemma and helped me. She also laughed at my self-deprecatory jokes, which is obviously the most important thing.

Blake and Taylor sell some of the most adorable furniture and home-wares that are either recycled…read moreor new pieces with a vintage edge. This store is not cheap but the merchandising and make a fun experience. This is the sort of store I can imagine myself shopping in if I ever become a 'lady who lunches' so I could invite my friends over for tea and show off my Blake and Taylor furniture. A lot of the things sold here have a vintage look that somehow manages to look modern. I think painting everything white and keeping everything free from too much embellishment is what makes things look chic rather than look like something your grandma would have in her guest room. I found the most amazing vanity at this store. It was all white with a huge round mirror and there was a cute little stool to go with it. It was adorable but at $350, I really did not need it (who really NEEDS a vanity anyway). Blake and Taylor is a treat to visit. Even if you are not a "lady who lunches" yet, it is a nice store to walk around and look at all the pretty things.

Lifestyles At Corinda offer a range of wonderful homewares and an assortment of gifts perfect for…read moreall types of occasions. Linen, crockery, pillows, decoratives, toys, kitchenware and plenty more fill up the store corner to corner. Located conveniently next door to a popular cafe, it is a temptation for most passer-bys. There is always a lot of people browsing and shopping, most of them ladies who were brunching nearby. This is the market this store targets. Ladies who appreciate boutique shopping. Every time i visit for a browse for presents I always have a chat to the ladies who work there. They help me pick out the perfect presents for my family. Always a pleasurable boutique experience.

You know a place is going to be good when it catches your eye as you have a casual breakfast. I…read morealready have pretty high expectations of Wilston, simply because I've heard countless enthusiastic rants about how spectacular it is. Abode impressed me more than other homeware stores because rather than just sticking to your run of the mill selection, this place is a treasure trove if really lovely and special things. It's very sophisticated and yet equally accessible, with nothing tacky in sight. Being slightly obsessive compulsive, I greatly appreciated the fact that everything was colour coordinated, and Abode's layout of its wares blended so well from one section to another. I was particularly delighted by the high quality leather bags and the fuzzy wall paintings that greet you as you walk in. And forget conventional air fresheners for cars, at Abode they are called car aromatherapy accessories. Brilliant. This place is the perfect blend of cute, quaint, and cultured, and I zeroed in very quickly on a Grace Kelly book I saw in a far corner. But there are other books too and handmade cards that would impress any stern mother-in-law. Plus a truly gorgeous set of tree-shaped earrings that I couldn't pull away from. I walked out with far too much but with an immensely satisfied feeling. Classic Wilston, always producing a charming little place that not many people are aware of, but that everyone should know about.

Make no mistake, Abode and Bod is a homewares store- the nose Knows. Even if the smell of scented…read morecandles hits you upon entry, it's not overpowering. It makes the perfect introduction. Aesthetically, looking at the goods in the store is like a massage for the eyes. Items are organized into certain colour tones and pallets. It may look a little chaotic but there's a beauty to this madness. Cooling hues of grays blend into warm earth textures that then flow to vibrant greens and fresh blues surrounding a table with red themed objects. Due to this arrangement, as you follow the colour swatches around the room, you are able to gain an idea of what will work in your own home. So if you're looking for a few pieces to bring a room together the organisation in Abode has made it easy for you to find something for your aesthetic. Besides to the typical homeware apparel Abode also has a wide range of items that would make great presents for a loved one or gifts for yourself. This eclectic treasure trove has everything from eco-friendly jewelry, casual ladies clothing to interesting books for coffee tables. The thing that I liked about shopping here was that the staff weren't pressure sellers, they just let me drift through and dig around until I found what I was looking for. If I had a question they were really helpful. Abode is a homely store with an eclectic and suburban arts feel to it, go visit.

This shop is like a cornucopia of strange little gifts, knick-knacks, cards, and bits'n'bobs…read more Exactly the kind of store you pop into in search of a birthday card for someone, and end up browsing amongst the eclectic gifts for at least half an hour. There was everything from teddy bears to photo frames; mugs and calendars to christening gifts; musical jewellery boxes to happy birthday banners. I can't lie and say everything was top notch, but I do recommend a potter if you've got time for a browse, or you have some time to kill while waiting for a bus. Like Mary Poppin's handbag, you never know what's going to come out of it...(or what you'll come out with!)

I would not suggest that claustrophobic people come here…read more This place if packed tightly of ornamental wares. A lot of it is hit and miss. The good thing is that if you take your time to rummage through everything, you'll probably find something that sparks your interest. If you're looking for cabinet ornaments or cute figurines of cats, wizards, or dolphins, you'll come up trumps. Wind chimes, miscellaneous items with bells and beads on them, masquerade ball masks, yep, they've got them too. It's hard to say this because I know everyone is into different things, but I have to say that I would find it hard to seek out a thoughtful, personal gift there. I went there to find a few small trinkets for people I don't really know well, but I had to get them something because we were sharing christmas lunch together. It's not a bad place to go if you're stuck on gift ideas and you need to quickly put an end to your shopping by purchasing random things just so you can turn up and have something there to give.

When it comes time to buy presents for birthdays or Christmas which is right around the corner it…read morecan some times be difficult. A place that makes this a bit easier is Essensuals in the Myer Center in Brisbane CBD. The have all sorts of great ideas and normally you can go in not knowing what you want and leave with something that you will be happy with by the end of your shopping trip. It can get a bit overwhelming because of the way that shop is laid out. It almost seems as if the shop is too small for all the merchandise and it seems that stuff is piled up. This does cause you to want to tread carefully though because you don't want to break anything or fall over ornaments. Apart from this i do like the store and tend to go there when i'm at a loss of what to get some one.

Barcode's a funky, modern little boutique in the Valley selling clothes, homewares, and…read moreaccessories. You can get some pretty awesome sunglasses, hectically cool phone covers, and some great vintage-style clocks. I'm loving how old-school alarm clocks are making a massive resurgence, and Barcode has these and more funky home furnishings to really jazz up any place. There's kind of a bit of everything in this place, so it's hard to pinpoint just one awesome feature. The way it's furnished just reeks of cool with dark floors and a ridiculously appealing chandelier that just casually hangs around the middle of the store. This is a great place for giftware with just the right amount of Valley arrogance, but not so much as to detract from its appeal. The clothes are edgy and fresh, and this store seems like it has a lot of potential. Monday and Tuesday they are only open by appointment. Find them on Facebook for a look into their stock and the Valley store setup. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barcode-Space-Australia/151544388194557?sk=wall.

It really is quite a random store, this Barcode Space. At first I thought it was a cool place to…read moreget rare imported toy figurines... But upon entering the store, I find that is has clothes, shoes as well as accessories for men and home. Now, that I think of it, it's an eclectic mixture of mans cool items. Home decor suitable for man. Clothes, shoes and accessories suited for man and everything in between suited for... Man oh man. I felt jipped. It looks like a really hip place inside and out. What I don't get, is why they only allow appointments for Monday and Tuesday? Perhaps they hardly get customers on that day, therefore it works out cheaper to not have staff working a full day unless needed? How boutique of them. If you're looking for a gift for a brother, male cousin, male friend or boyfriend/hubby, then check this place out. If they're not into the clothes, I'm sure they'll like the cool accessories or funky home decor.

I love browsing through Crystal Rose, such a beautiful shop! Yesterday, I was killing some time at…read moreWynnum and this shop was a fantastic place to do it. When you walk in, the first thing you notice is all the colours and the second thing is a relaxed, peaceful feeling. Relaxed, scented and colourful. They have beautiful artworks, full of colour and I could easily see half a dozen or more hanging in my living room. I bought this gorgeous crystal for a friend's birthday gift. They also have heaps of angels, sculptures and spirituality themed gifts and decorations.

I have friends who believe in angels and spirit guides; I like to think we're not alone, too, but…read moreeven if you don't, there's probably something for you at the Crystal Rose Gallery. Being an official rock head I'll get excited about any crystals so if not buying angels or oracle cards, I'll be purchasing a rock or crystal mobile. I've also bought small games for neices and nephews and soothing meditations here. Despite the '80's name, there really is some nice stock. There is a lovely soothing atmosphere as soon as you enter the shop and you can feel the stress fall away...