My lord, i love crafty shops. This is like a mecca for…read morecrafty people! I've shopped around for various craft supplies and hobbycraft isn't as expensive as i thought it would be, it has the added bonus of being all under one roof. I don't agree with previous comments that it's a shop for lazy people, if you are short on time then it's the best place. Smaller more personable hobby shops which are lovely will inevitably be more expensive and smaller in size including options for stock so it depends what you are after. i used to buy online from independent sellers but you do get less for your money and if you are intending to sell your items you create like i do, every penny makes a difference. Another good place to check out is local garden Centres, would be surprised the things i've found! They sell an abundance of Christmas crafts, ribbon, buttons, pendants, beads, modelling craft, decoupage, flower arranging, kids crafts and art work, cake decorating icing/ materials and that's just down stairs! It does get very bust on weekends, deducting a star for the times i've had to wait in the que for half and hour or more. They do seem to lack the correct number of staff in my opinion but the staff they do have are helpful as can be. If you are just starting off looking for a new hobby or unsure where to go with some craft ideas, just go for a visit, your not obligated to buy anything. You'll get 1001 ideas and inspirations :)

Hobby Craft is basically a craft shop for lazy people, who don't really take craftwork that…read moreseriously. For if they did they would almost certainly shop around and get things cheaper, better and more specialized. For what it is though (craft shop for lazy people) it is pretty good as they have a wide selection of materials and pretty much everything you need under one roof. I have to admit using this one in particular as it is nice and big and I know they will have the specific item I'm looking for. If only the prices were that little bit cheaper. Sorry, scrap that, if only the prices were a lot cheaper, it would be a pretty good chained store. As it stands at the moment it is quite frankly a rip off.

Are you arty or crafty? Are you into beads or jewellery or embroidery threads or frames or paints…read moreor glitter or ribbons or lace? Then at Creativity you'll be in good company. Creativity is an independent art and craft supplies shop, and they stock everything in their tiny shop, all of the above and much much more. Anything you can't find you'll probably be able to order from their website.

Creativity is an art supply shop just off Whiteladies Road. It's got things like beads and cloth in…read moreabundance. As well as plastic stuff they've got some more exotic bits and pieces, including semi-precious stones and crystals. A good place to get a bit of alternative or DIY jewellery. An absolutely essential for for my friend that's into costume design. They've got an extensive supply of textiles and ribbons, as well as everything you'd ever need to do with knitting and needle work. Cards and stamps are the other thing they mainly do. If, like my mum, you like to make your own cards, this is a great place to come. Somewhere for the enthusiast this does its various little niches in a lot of detail.

A great store to pick up bargains especially novels. I've been quite surprised as sometimes you can…read morepick up sensational bargain novels. I've even found a few 1st editions here - didn't realise that until I got home with my bargains! Their cards are great value especially the ones with no message - the notecards. It's so easy to print your own message in them & at often £1 for 10 cards - one heck of a lot less expensive than buying ready made cards - often they look better too! I usually pop into the Works & invariably come out of there pleased with my purchases. I REALLY should go to the library more often - could save me a fortune!

Not a bad book shop. The are at the cheaper end of the market, and don't pretend to be anything…read moreelse, which means that you can pick up a bargain novel, documentary or biography. They also sell stationery, and a few musical instruments and some art supplies, and a lot of children's books. You can also pick up seasonal items such as Christmas Cards, Easter Gifts and Halloween Bits. They do not stock a full range of book titles though as you would find in for example borders, or water stones, so if you are looking for a specialist or particular book, you would probably be better off going somewhere else.

I don't know what it is about art shops that make me want to spend all my money, sack off my job,…read moregrow a goatee and start painting again! Do one rent, sod you bills, who needs money! And this shop is no exception. I went in today for some more practical bits & pieces and didn't think I would find anything useful at a reasonable price (for some reason this shop has a reputation for being quite pricey) but I was very pleasantly surprised, not only did I find a great selection of the sketch books I was looking for, but the prices were very reasonable and I bought a pen. If it is possible the man who served me was too helpful. I mean as I walked in the front door the sales assistant was stood right in front of it and asked if he could help, which is fine, I said I was just looking, then he asked again and sometimes, especially in lovely little art shops, you just want to potter around looking at all the bits & bobs. Nevertheless he was very friendly and being helpful isn't a crime.

Bristol Fine Art is a one of those really good shops that i probably have walked past a hundred…read moretimes without realising it was there. I first noticed it when we were in the 2 hour queue for the Banksy Exhibition . We were feeling creative and wanted to try out our graffiti skills so went in search of somewhere that sold Spray Paint. Weirdly Bristol Fine Art didn't sell any which was disappointing, nonetheless we had a snoop around and they sold some really great arty stuff. Prices were pretty reasonable and I have since noticed that they have started to stock spray paint. A great shop to pop into for any arty things, but also for some great gifts as they sell crafts too.

In a world where things are getting increasingly automated and less personal, it's refreshing to…read moresee independent businesses rising out strong above the rest. Having only been in the area since June this shop, run by a six strong craft collective is a unique glimpse at the production of some beautiful products. I think it's the shop split in half that makes Fig such an enjoyable place to poke my head in: half the shop given to racks for gifts and cards and the other half to the in house artists. I asked the always friendly staff what it is that stood them out above the rest. They can't stress enough the importance of products being hand crafted, on the spot. They say it's a very refreshing and unique approach to their work. Pop in and see for yourself.

Not to be confused with Sage, a shop of a similar name and nature a few doors down, Fig is a great…read morelittle find on Gloucester Road, choc-a-bloc full of beautiful arts, crafts and handmade delights including greeting cards, prints and jewellery. Made up of a small collective of local designers and artists, Fig is a fantastic place to go for gifts but also for inspiration to brighten up your own home. The felt embroidery of underwater scenes by Katy Tarling and quirky prints by Jane Orme are some of the highlights while the greeting cards are charming but at around £3 each are a little pricey. Although the listings on the website say this shop is only open Thursday to Saturday I recently popped in on a Monday morning so it's worth stopping by if you're in the area a the beginning of the week as opening hours may be changing.

This lovely old-style arts shop is one of my favourite in Bristol. Cheap, cheerful and stocked to…read morethe brim with useful arty essentials. It reminds me of when I studied at Art College - smell of acrylics, hard to manoeuvre around and filled with brushes, paints and canvases. The staff are very warm and welcoming, so if there's something specific you're looking for - they'll be happy to help. Quite far from the city centre, but great for locals to Gloucester Road.

Great little art supply shop best visited for their canvas which is always on offer and with plenty…read moreof choice on sizes and styles. The shop is in that lovely higgledy piggledy style that all art shops should have, and packed with ll the pens, pencils and paints you need.

Now now I have only given this two stars because it is not to my taste! But that is not to say it…read moreisn't a useful shop and supportive to artists of Bristol - which it very much is being a co-op and that should be highly applauded. However. This is a street of cool galleries and kitsch shops and it isn't what you would expect. I have been inside a few times over the years and I have never found anything to make me stop. Maybe I'm fussy. Maybe I just like my art more abstract than cute. Personally, I think this is a place to take mums (at the risk of getting a clay cat in hilarious posture for your birthday). Please, go, visit, make up your own mind and write a review here!

Theres a fantastic variety in the Potters shop. I would say it has a brilliant customer service,…read morepeople were helpful with purchases, and could always offer advice. Theres always something there that catches my eye and personally I find it great for gifts for any occasion.

Great place, lots of room and they have everything you will need for starting back at school. Staff…read moreare willing to look for the stuff you want and answer any questions.

A huge shop over two floors with everything you need for back to school…read more A good selection of art supplies that are a bit pricey but good quality. They sometimes have offers on books and CD's and the staff will always tell you if you are missing out on saving money.