Fiveways Arts and Crafts is a good all-purpose, er, arts and crafts shop. It's aimed partly at the…read moreyounger market with various kits like hama beads that you iron into shapes, pipe cleaners and big, tempting tubes of glitter. This would definitely be a good shout if you needed to buy a birthday present for someone pushing eight. There's also a good choice for adults of an artistic bent - sketchbooks, a limited variety of paints and pencils, and on the craft side of things, a good wool selection and some lovely beads, many of them in pots of hundreds rather than the one-by-one selection favoured by more specialist places. There are books on arty subjects as well, and the lady behind the counter is always on hand to discuss your current project. I happen to love sniffing round art shops anyway, if only for the lovely papery smell of possibilities, but she was raring to help and if you had a project in mind would doubtlessly be an enthusiastic and useful resource.

This fabric shop sells fabric particularly for quilting and patchwork. It's all patterned/printed…read morecottons, much of which is quite twee. They sell it on the rolls, as well as ready cut fat quarters. They also sell haberdashery, buttons and ribbons, and sewing tools like scissors and cutting mats, books about quilting and patchwork, and a few other bits and pieces. They hold courses which go on in a workshop in the cellar, on how to make things such as cushions, dolls, how to do applique and of course, patchwork. It's a good resource for hobby sewing enthusiasts.

Fans of Paperchase's flagship stores in London and Manchester might be surprised by the size of…read moretheir Brighton branch. The small square footage means there's no room for the gorgeous range of pastels, paints and art paper the shop specialises in. Instead, there's a small selection of cool and quirky diaries, travel journals, stationary and giftware at the back of the store and a large selection of fab greeting cards at the front. The stock isn't as unique as in Malarkey in the North Laines but there's still a great range of birthday, good luck, get well and condolences cards as well as seasonal ranges like Christmas, Halloween and Valentines. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Bikini range they stock with 50s and 60s pin-up girls and boys covered in glitter.

I'd never heard of Paperchase before this afternoon, but I appear to be in the minority. The store…read morewas swarming with people who must have known the wealth of Christmas decorations, cards, and gift wrap that were going to be on sale. Prices were pretty decent - I picked out a really nice 'tree topper' for £4.50. Of course, the shop isn't always centred on Christmas supplies. They have a huge selection of notebooks, loose paper, pens, fancy mechanical pencils, art supplies, day planners, journals...everything to do with paper. I also saw some office décor - picture frames, small clocks and paperweights. I'll definitely remember this shop when I need more school supplies and the Christmas rush is over.

I have noticed this shop when I have been in the Southover Grange gardens before, but I had never…read moreventured in. I expected it to be small, but actually it expands down the length of the north wing of Southover Grange House. It is a shop/gallery which sells the work of the Sussex guild, a group of designers artists and craftspeople, whose members live and work in Sussex and the surrounding area. The various artists' and designers' work for sale includes pottery, jewellery, furniture and art. It ranges in price and style, from homey crockery painted with cartoon-y chickens, to elegantly painted silk clothing, to wooden furniture for upwards of two grand a piece. The guild also runs classes, such as how to make fused glass jewellery, or turn wooden bowls, or do quilting. To inquire about courses you can telephone or visit the shop.

This shop/gallery is inside the grange next to the tearooms. There are lots of beautiful arts and…read morecrafts in there. With everything from embroidered cards and pictures, to hats, bags, clothes, gorgeous jewellery, glasswork, workwork (the wooden bowls are amazing, but you do pay for their beauty!), paintings, furniture. A lot of it is a bit out of my price range i have to admit, but its very inspiring to look round and see what people have crafted out of various materials. Its the sort of place that leaves you wanting to go home and make something!

Great olde world place for finding the odd present for a difficult elderly relative or an off the…read morewall present for someone. Quite often has a sale, sells jewellery, books, ornaments, lots of knick knacks, probably something for almost everyone. Located just outside the Arndale Centre easily accesible for wheelchairs or push chairs.

This is an olde world kind of shop that has some nice little bits. Perfect place to find the…read moregrandparents a gift, they also have some nice jewellery. They do some nice tree decorations at christmas time too. Staff are nice.

It took me awhile to find One in the House, as it's a bit further up Trafalgar than I usually need…read moreto venture. I did spot it, though, and became a fan of the small, quaint shop with a small quaint mix of items. Jewellery was mostly in silver, with dainty sets of earrings, necklaces and pendants. Other knick knacks included engraved silver key chains and candle holders. For home décor, the shop sold hanging artwork, clocks, pitchers, dishware and cosies for tea kettles. Small renovation items like knobs for cupboards and decorative tile came in several varieties. There were also a few racks of greeting cards near the back. In summary, a quaint (have I mentioned that?) shop with unique home, personal and gift items.

A charming shop a stone's throw from Brighton Station, One In The House reminds me of boutiques…read moreyou'd find in the South of France. Everything is laid out beautifully with products stylishly arranged on distressed wooden shelves, tables and old dressers. As the name suggests, One In The House mainly sells elegant home decor with a lovely line of ceramics, glassware, candlesticks, clocks, tiles and kitchenware scattered alongside cushions, wool blankets, art prints and jewellery. Everything looks antique or hand-crafted with the dominating colours being white, cream, stone, grey, silver, caramel, chocolate and wood. A great place to pick up a unique gift for a friend... or yourself.

Situated on Lewes High Street this is a fantastic gift shop that not only draws visitors in but…read morekeeps the locals coming back time and again. Its window display is always eye-catching and draws you in. Once inside you will forget time as you browse around the many different and interesting objects inside. It is the perfect place to pick up a pressie for a kid's party or find something for grandma. Past the cards, toys and gifts they have beautiful and unique items for the home that are hard to resist. They are not overly priced either. Space is tight in the shop however and may prove too challenging for those with buggies or those needing disabled access. On the whole though an innovative shop that is a great asset to the town.

What a fabulous shop. Bright Ideas stocks an array of wonderful and whimsical gifts for all…read moreages-mostly aimed at women and girls but there are a few male orientated gifts. There is a lovely little kids section with classic 'British' toys such as wooden gifts and the good old traditional craft materials too. I did not give this shop a higher mark though due to the walkways being very narrow, it's very hard to walk through the shop without knocking something over. People in wheelchairs or who have buggies would struggle to get around and the staff seem to look at customers as though they are going to steal something.

sixtyseven is a sweet little store who's remote location doesn't help with its somewhat random…read morestock. I can imagine my Mum will grow to love places like this, where you can pop to before or after visiting a tea room, and admire the handsomely put together and displayed gifts. Its one of those places that feels like its selling nothing, where everything in here is expensive versions of normal objects (like the coaster) but with a ribbon on it. While everything looks perfectly lovely, I'm just not one to buy a gift that serves no purpose other than to get put away from fear of being damaged... There are some interesting bits and pieces that may bolster a stocking, and some exquisite cards for those who love to show off or impress through stationary. But its all a bit expensive for what it is...

This is one of those shops that looks lovely from the outside, and is very nice as you walk in,…read morebutI couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy. For a start, their stock is actually fairly limited: a small range of fairly similar greetings cards, a range of art deco postcards, a small range of scented candles, a small range of very upmarket stationery, a small range of posh bath gels - you get the picture. I'm not quite sure who buys writing pads with soft, shiny gold covers? The nearest thing to a theme is that there is a selection of small, attractive, old-fashioned children's toys, with a number of the cards etc also aimed at children. (I was actually looking for a card for my teenage nephew, and there was nothing remotely suitable). It's all very tastefully done, with a feminine edge, and I was greeted very nicely as I entered. I guess it would be perfect for finding a present for that hard-to-please female friend that already has everything she needs.