All craft roads lead to Playtime--an unassuming yet remarkable arts and crafts supply store in…read moreArlington Center. As a gifter, I don't fully understand how I didn't know about this place before, but I'm so glad I do now. I went for a family project recently when closer craft shops didn't have what we needed. There's an abundance of arts and crafts supplies here, housed in two interconnected basement rooms, along with an impressive paper and picture frame selection (among other items) on the first floor. The atmosphere is one of a kind--more like an arts-and-crafts boutique curated by the owner, with items you won't easily find together elsewhere. Because of the sheer breadth, some categories (like fabrics, for example) have a smaller variety, which is just an observation, not a critique. Ribbons are unrivaled. If you don't have time to wander, ask--the best part of our experience was the owner, Carol, and the staff (thank you, Lilly). They are wonderfully kind, patient, and creative, offering thoughtful, gentle advice for your projects and genuinely care about their customers. Tip: There's a parking lot in the back or bus 87 drops you off right in front, literally. Highly recommended local business.

How in the WORLD have I lived in Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge for decades and not known about…read morethis place. A friend recommended coming here w/ my mom to look for yarn for her knitting projects and my friend prefaced that this place was the BEST for any type of arts, crafts, decor, etc. Well, WOW!! And funny enough, my mom used to go to this store when she was a little girl in the late 50s-60s to get Nancy Drew books. She said it was EXACTLY how she remembered as a kid. I was awe struck by everything this store had. I will definitely be making this place a regular stop for gifts for people and for fun. Forget going to places like Michaels. Come to this local, family-owned business which I guarantee will have whatever you are looking for. It's an incredible place.

I did some Christmas shopping here after having dinner on Moody one winter night (that felt like…read morespring, or maybe it was just the wine. . .) The women were so friendly and will tell you about the artists that make different pieces, from local to south american talent. They lovingly packaged up the choices I selected after an hour was spent shopping and chatting. I left feeling educated about where the art I purchased came from in addition to feeling good about supporting real talent, the artists as well as the owners of this boutique. Their selections are reasonable priced yet unique. The Password to success: Say "YES!" at the counter when checking out and you'll get 10% off!!!

I was disappointed with the service at this store. A lady working there told us, "this place is for…read moreskinny people," and then laughed. The comment made me feel awkward and uncomfortable, so we decided to leave. I think customers should be treated with respect regardless of their size or appearance. Overall, the items in the store were okay, but the experience with the staff really affected our visit.

My daughter was asking for a simple silver ring after her friend showed up with a snake ring at…read moreschool. She was looking at some rings online but I was unsure about the quality and I always prefer to support local business. First we stopped by a different store in the center and they did not have any good quality rings so we kept going down mass Avenue towards the Heights until we got to the Artful Heart. I remembered from buying a sun hat at their old location that they had a good selection of jewelry. The location is about the same size as the old location. Maybe a tiny bit smaller. I would not necessarily call it a gallery, although they do have some pieces of art. It specializes in costume jewelry and small gifts. Lots of the jewelry is not quite my style, but my daughter was able to find a simple silver heart knot ring for about $25. While we were in the store, the person behind the desk was very friendly and sweet. One of my favorite songs came on the radio and it turns out it is one of her favorite as well and she has seen them live. Bottom line is that I would recommend the Artful Heart Gallery as a good local shop for purchasing gifts for people who like jewelry (including yourself!).

The Artful Heart is the successor to whatever gift shop previously occupied this space. I've been…read morepeering in the window at the "opening soon" sign for several weeks and finally as I wandered by today with another in tow, they were open! According to the owner, they've been open for more more or less 3 days. Both she and the other two ladies running the shop (one was her daughter?) were extremely pleasant and helpful, and invited us to their "grand opening" cocktail party on Friday. I don't know if I'll go, but if you read this in time and want to check them out... I am sure you are invited too. The goods are a mixture of OOAK art, art prints, unique 'gifty' things, scarves, pottery, and lots of jewellery. The concept behind the store seems to be a mixture of showcasing local artists and selling regular but unique goods. It's a little Etsy-ish, although I don't think you'll find anything as outrageous or weird here as you would on Etsy. I did not look at or enquire about the prices of the art, but everything else seemed to be roughly in the $20-$100 price range depending on the item... for instance, I bought a necklace that cost about $60, but a similar but less elaborate version of the necklace (pendant only) was somewhere around $20. The store reminds me a little bit of Firefly Moon, but with a better location and a slightly better selection (not to condemn FM in any way- they are a lovely store as well). My first impression is that I like them and I hope they flourish in Arlington Center.

I have ordered online from Make and Mend twice. Both times, the products were as shown, clean, in…read moregreat condition and were shipped promptly. I look forward to shopping there again, and I highly recommend it!

Gifts at Peppermint Place is absolutely adorable and supports a great cause!!…read more I stopped in on a whim trying to waste time before an appointment. They had really cool glass pieces hanging in the store front and I was looking for a gift for my super artsy bridesmaid. They sell local art, jewelery, crafts, knick-knacks and furniture - some even made by residents of Beaverbrook (a non-profit program for adults with disabilities). In fact, the store itself is a training module for its residents with developmental disabilities,helping them transition into the workplace with some confidence and skills. Everything is unique and I would highly recommended bringing your business there. Why not get some totally awesome art and do something good while you're at it?!

They have a lot of different things and at good prices. Last year I went in right before Christmas…read moreto do a little gift shopping and I managed to find some cute things to give as presents and a little something for myself. If you like stores like 10000 villages, you should check this place out.

I love this little store. It's the second - 4GoodVibes store, with the other in Somerville…read more They have all different local vendors selling things: Kids clothes, home decor, Book Wonder books and comics, food gifts, and other fun stuff. The vendors at this store are different than Somerville, so check both stores and find a unique gift - for a friend or yourself!

4GoodVibes has become a Medford institution. Family own and run by Medford sisters, they now have 3…read morelocations, hundreds of vendors and great selection of handmade local crafts, foods, treats and products for home, men women and children and also pets. My favorite are the BookWomder book store inside, great selection of Medford, Massachusetts and Mustang wears, as well as wonderful handcrafted earrings and candles in tea cups. It's a must visit when in Medford.

Kudos to Curate for braving the pandemic and bringing a new gift shop to Cushing Square at a…read morechallenging time! It's conveniently located in the heart of the Square near Savino's, Ovenbird, and the Spirited Gourmet, my other favorite neighbor businesses. Curate is a bright little shop with a variety of classy and fun gifts, stationary, and home items that change with the seasons. I usually pop in to buy a card and a chat with the owner. I've found gifts for hosts, housewarmings, and occasions in between. I especially like their candle selection, many of which are soy based. They carry amazing scents from a small business in Rhode Island, with candles and lotions that smell exactly like the seashore. After a cousin fell in love with one of them, I bought a bagful at the end of the season clearance to treat relatives to a scent party. They also carry British Christmas crackers when in season (like now!). These are so hard to find! The crackers (beautiful wrapped cylinders that pop open when pulled to reveal little gifts) delighted my family when I brought them to our holiday gatherings last year. (Note that crackers contain a tiny amount of gunpowder and technically can't go on a flight, something I had tried before...!) Curate's products tend towards the classy side with mid to higher prices to match. Sometimes I just go to poke around and see what's new. They have some baby gifts and customized items for Belmont and Watertown, but if you want a wider selection, I would go elsewhere. The owner has also kindly offered to order things that I couldn't find directly in the shop, but I haven't tried that option yet.

I found a very thoughtful selection of gifts and items I wanted for myself at Curate. The…read moreshopkeeper was personable and friendly but not intrusive. I look forward to seeing what other treasures are offered from this shop.

Gather Here is much more than a typical fabric shop, it's a vibrant community hub for crafters in…read moreCambridge. True to its name, the store fosters a warm, inclusive environment where people can gather to create. They stock an impressive range of high-quality fabrics and supplies from famous brands for sewing, knitting, embroidery, and other fiber arts. Beyond just selling materials, their real standout feature is the fully-equipped studio space available for rent in the back. This area contains professional-grade machinery, like industrial sewing and embroidery machines, that most people don't have at home, allowing makers to tackle ambitious projects at very reasonable hourly rates. The staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and supportive, always willing to help beginners or offer advice to seasoned crafters. This community focus extends to their extensive schedule of workshops and classes for all skill levels, which aligns with their mission to be a welcoming space for everyone. Whether you need specific supplies, access to specialized equipment, or friendly guidance to start a new hobby, Gather Here is an invaluable and inspiring resource for the local creative community.

I was able to discuss with the owner about attending a class in their place. I found the place…read moreclean and inviting. If you are looking to find sewing materials, machines, etc I would check this place out. Two thumbs up!!