Tash tori is brilliant. Towns like Lewes so often have cutesy little shops to buy crafting items…read morewhich are overpriced, precious, and usually have one quite rude woman who just wants your cash/ you to leave. Tash tori isn't like any if those places. For a small shop it has almost everything a crafter might need in small amounts. If you ask any of the staff for suggestions about some weird project you're working on, from making a card, to colouring the face of a puppet, they'll come up with very helpful suggestions, and you can tell straight away that they aren't offering you the highest priced option for the sake of it. It's the best arts and crafts shop I've found outside of America, and certainly one of the best in the Sussex area.

This arts and crafts shop on Station Road seems to be fairly well equipped in terms of art…read morematerials; they sell various different types of paints, pastels and coloured pencils, etc. In terms of craft materials, the focus seems to be on smaller craft items, such as foam shapes or coloured beads to be used in card making. They stock a few balls of wool, some coloured papers and cards, stickers, and so on. It doesn't appear to be terribly expensive, and they also hold some events/classes there; there was a poster in the window advertising an upcoming card making demonstration.

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!

If you can't be bothered walking across town to the main Paperchase, this small subsidiary of the…read morestationary and art supply store is tucked away on the first floor of Borders, between the Fiction department and Starbucks. There's a condensed selection of the giftware they sell in the East Street store - namely, candles, tea-cups, travel journals and recipe books - as well as a small selection of greetings cards and wrapping paper. The cards seem to have been chosen with a mainstream customer in mind so there's less camp and kitsch and more polka dots, kittens and golfers. Still, a good place to run in if you need a last minute card.

This little Paperchase store, cunningly situated in Borders, en route to the Starbucks, is a great…read moreone stop shop when you're in desperate need of inspiration for a gift idea. Well, actually gifts for girls mainly , if you'll pardon my sexism. You'll find decorative/cute/kitsch/flowery/pretty cards, stationary, diaries, stickers, decorations and random things like teas sets, sewing kits, glasses cases...

Excellent shop stocking a wide variety of Gift Cards, Seasonal Goods, Gifts, Helium Balloons,…read moreeverything you could need for that special occasion. Well worth a browse!!

Clinton cards has a wide range of cards suitable for all occasions. They also stock teddies,…read morecalenders money boxes and a few other similar bits. I've always found what i've needed whenever i've visited, although I sometimes find there is too much choice and spend ages deciding! Prices are reasonable and on a par with other well known card shops with good quality cards etc. Staff are quiet and unobtrusive unless you ask for help, in which case they'll advise you accordingly. Parking available in the Arndale Centre car park at a cost.

This shop is in the Arndale Centre so you have to pay to park, they have a wide variety of…read moredifferent cards for any occasion you can imagine, mugs, key rngs, teddies, calendars, and gifts available. You really can find something for everyone here.

I love this tiny home accessories store on two level in Brighton. The owner was very friendly…read more Apparently, all the products on sale are from Japan & Scandinavia which explain the mutted yet simple clean lines of the product. The immediate feeling of zen as you enter the store.

Very professional and experienced sellers. Give you free help with your machine and are thorough…read moreand engaged. Range of machines from budget to professional prices. The sort of service that is rare these days.

Artist and sculptor Nigel Emery is based permanently here creating bespoke, one off pieces for the…read morepublic to pop in, have a good look and then hopefully buy! Its a great place to spend some time looking around as everything is so interesting. A lot of the art is acrylic on canvas which I think always looks best to me. Gives it plenty of depth. My favourite is a piece called 'Cows', really sweet cartoon like cows on a beautiful coloured landscape. There's so much in here that will look good on your walls.

Great little shop run by the resident artist Nigel. Service is really friendly and low pressure…read more The shop stocks original art as well as a good mix of home wares from vases to furniture. Well worth a visit if you are passing through or dont live too far away.