Yes. I am writing a review for a stationery shop. But, if truth be told, one of my favourite…read moretimes of year at school was the first week where you got to order a load of shiny, brand new stationery items. So I guess it's coming full circle. I've had to frequent the Warehouse Stationery branch in Henderson many times over the past couple of years, now that I have become a professional student. Buying stationery supplies, workbooks and seeking copying, printing and binding services have become second nature. I really like the Henderson branch in particular, because it's always really well stocked and well priced. The staff are knowledgeable about the stock on hand and are really efficient when it comes to your order, particularly within the copy centre. Warehouse stationery is always my first stop for my stationery requirements!

Do you care where the products you buy come from? Are you a conscious consumer? Are you sick of…read morebuying stuff that lines the pockets of the middle man, and not the makers themselves? Then get yourself to Trade Aid! Where else can you go to find beautifully handmade, handcrafted homewares, where you know its source? Trade Aid is a shop that I continually support, as it's where you can find unique gift that cuts out the middle guy and benefits the artisans and craftspeople directly. The majority of the items sold are beautiful homewares, handmade cards, manchester, kitchen items, delicious coffee and chocolate, toys for children, handwoven rugs, sissal rugs, jewellery and some clothing items. I always think of Trade Aid first if I need a birthday card, a gift, or something for my house. Simply put, Trade Aid has been supporting fair trading practices, well before Fairtrade became trendy. Support them and you support artisans and workers in developing countries. The Henderson branch packs a punch - it may not be as big as the Ponsonby store, but they are SUPER friendly, helpful and always well stocked. Get yourself there! (the chocolate almonds are amazing).

This little fabric store looks like a dirty, graffitied shop from "the ghetto", typical of shops in…read moreWest (or South) Auckland. It sits near the beginning of a stretch of street rife with emporiums and cheap asian stores. The only distinguishing thing about this store are the faded paintings of hibiscus flowers. Jay's Clothing or Island Styles (I'm not sure which it is called) stocks bundles of thin pacific island prints, all crammed into this small store. If you're needing gaudy Hawaiian shirts or cheap lavalava's, this is a decent place to start. The interior is actually clean, if cluttered, and the service pleasant enough.

Burmese lady waited on us. Very courteous and even looked for more of the same fabric prints for…read moreus. Unfortunately this shop did not accept credit cards. We wanted to buy more, but luckily we had enough cash to purchase 6 meters of fabric. Prices are very reasonable. Many of the designs are not found in Hawaiian and US shops, but there were prints we liked very much. Went here during the weekday where off-street parking was easy to find. Wish this shop (and many other fabric stores) carried more kiwiana prints, including sports designs, eg. rugby. Looking forward to revisiting next time when in the area. Mahalo ~ Thank You!

Xpress Stationery is a proper stationery shop; it's not your usual chain store full of one type of…read morepencil or pen. They have things here you won't find in those places (good pastels; patterned papers), as well as a decent range of magazines. They're also helpful if you don't know quite what you'd like, and are happy to spend time with making sure you're getting what you need. Unlike those other chain stores, this place also has a small gallery space; whilst I've never seen any art here I really like, I applaud them for using their space for supporting artists.

Xpress Stationery has items that you can't get in the "mall" shops. The owner is knowledgeable and…read moreif they don't happen to stock what you need, they happily get it in for you. The personalised service is great and the art/craft supplies make gift buying very easy - gets those creative juices flowing.

Great little shop wonderful service lady appeared very knowledgeable and helpful for any questions…read morethat I had.

From the owner: Knitnstitch is a retail and online Knitting Shop selling Knitting wool, yarn, knitting needles…read morecrochet hooks, patterns, classes, knitting tools and accessories, tapestry and embroidery kits. Knitnstitch stocks quality yarn from New Zealand and overseas.

First Scene was my first point of call recently to help deck me out for my first trip to the famous…read moreArt Deco Fesitval in Napier. I did however head to the First Scene on 334a Rosebank Road, Avondale, not this one closer to the city. The Rosebank Road location has a props department, accessories you can buy, and loads and loads of clothes to hire. The lovely Miranda was our special helper (finding attire for four of us), she has worked for the company for well over a decade in several departments and is totally the go-to person! If you can't find what you want at First Scene, you are unlikely to find it anywhere in Auckland.

First Scene is New Zealand's biggest prop and costume hire company and is the first and only place…read moreyou ever need to go to get a great costume, complete with appropriate accessories, face paint and shoes. You can find everything from nurse and soldier outfits, to Mariachi costumes, Big Bird bodysuits to Seashell mermaid bustiers - First Scene is the one stop shop to a brilliant outfit and a good time! It is also possible to hire larger props such as statues, marquees and the like, be it for a themed party or to dress the set of a film. The staff are a heap of fun and love getting involved in sorting you out with the perfect get up. Prices are also pretty reasonable, with the amount depending on how intense the garments you're hiring are. One word of warning - avoid parking in the carpark. It's very small and the angles of the parks are not particularly car friendly. When possible, park on the street or around the block - save yourself the aggravation and embarrassment!

Starway Stationers is a good old fashioned stationery shop: it sells anything and everything you…read morecould possibly want in the stationery line, from single envelopes through to embossed papers. It's definitely not a fancy place, but its somehow quite comforting to know that buried under the children's scrapbooks you can find paper suitable for the fanciest occasions, along with the pens appropriate for each. They also sell mags here, including some that you probably wouldn't find in other newsagents, like all those ones pertaining to specific hobbies that you can collect up and put in custom designed folders. I might get into needlework just so I can buy these. Finally, they also have a post office service here, although be warned it's not a full one, so you can't pay bills or get car regos here, but can send parcels and the like.

YAY Kraftbomb! It's the last Sunday of every month at the Grey Lynn Community Centre on Richmond…read moreRd. This is where you bring your friends and pass some time appreciating local crafty goodness. This market is filled with all sorts of amazing and quirky crafts that are all made by the people selling them. This is where you should be spending your money people - buying things direct from the makers! Support local crafty peeps and do all your gift shopping at places like this. Parking is on the street so you may need to take a bit of a stroll. Bring cash, although there is eftpos available at a central location for the whole market. There's usually amazing cupcakes and lemonade to satisfy your hunger and thirst while you ponder over which superhero necklace you want. And there's a playground outside that you can distract your children with so you can look around without risking them touching and breaking :)

This craft market takes place on the last Sunday of every month at the Grey Lynn Community Centre,…read morewhich is right on Richmond Rd. I got a bus there when I last went. The centre was full of stalls, all selling handmade products such as jewellery, candles, cupcakes, clothing, and a heap of generally good gift ideas. Eftpos is available at the market which is always a win, especially for people like me who hardly ever carry cash. I purchased some ceramic ornaments as a birthday present which were well received. It's great finding lovely gifts and supporting someone local. There is lots of different and unique stuff here too; things that you just don't find in regular shops. If you fancy a crafternoon, you could buy a cross stitch kit that when finished would read "beards are the new black" and other such words of wisdom! If you would personally like to sell something at Kraftbomb, you can apply on their website.