Geoff's is no longer the in-the-know Auckland hipster's secret. Go here on Halloween and you will…read moresee what I mean. Luckily, Halloween only happens once a year but year round Geoff's is the place that truly does have everything. I am most often here for random products like baby oil ($6 for a small bottle of branded petroleum by-product at a supermarket? $2 here), fabric dye, art supplies, sewing stuff and what must be Auckland's cheapest fabric. No offence to Spotlight, but go here first if you need anthing crafty. There's ribbon, cotton, buttons, sparkly bits, belt buckles, bra pads, googly eyes, appliques, patches.... on and on and on. The fabric selection is no small part of the shop and the pricing fairly freakin ridiculous. You'll also find toys, costume jewellery, probably Auckland's biggest range of wigs and "ready-costumes" for adults and kids, as well as such essential props as tiaras, plastic swords, feather boas, cowboys hats, gloves, face paint and garters. There are paints, brushes, canvases, dyes, sketch books...... You can even buy paperbacks, hardware, kitchen equipment, candles and it just goes on. What I love most about Geoff's is that it has been around as long as I can remember and as far as I know, Geoff himself is still around too. My kids love coming here with a handful of coins and leaving with treasures and so do I. The staff are awesome and Geoff's is such a wonderful reminder to me that some things don't ever change, they just get better with age.

This place is AWESOME. Recommended to me by a fellow sewing friend, I decided to check it out…read moretoday. Walked in the door and thought wow, this place is a bit...crappy. But then I walked in further, through the narrow door and into a huge space, filled with all manner of crafty supplies! I was there to buy interfacing, and buy it I did - 5m for $5! Incredible prices. I also got a zip for $1.05 and a belt buckle kit for $1. The prices are insane, even cheaper than what I paid living in the US. I saw some gorgeous fabrics in there, too, but I'm trying to watch my fabric budget right now so I sadly left it behind...for now. The woman who served me was really friendly, carefully rolled up my interfacing and asked about my projects. I can't wait to go back and browse their fabrics some more, and they will definitely be my go-to place for notions, too! I didn't explore the rest of the shop too closely, as I had a sick husband in tow, but they have a huge range of paint/art supplies, party supplies, incense and other trinkets, and heaps of other stuff too.

What a way to run a business!!!! Hoping to buy some supplies for my upcoming art class I rang your…read morenumber several times but all I got was the answerphone, so in the end I left a message asking for the location of the shop. The day later there was a message left on my phone, so on Sat. I made the trip from Pukekohe to Howick only to find the shop closed and no explanation why ,even though the web site still said they were open. The girls in the shop next door said that several people had been enquiring but they had no idea why the shop was closed. Please keep your web-site updated and leave a message on the door. I shan't be making that trip for nothing anytime soon. Joan A

Paints, brushes and canvases galore, Art supplies is filled from top to bottom in the best array of…read morecolours you've seen since that HP Inkjet Printer advert. I'm not much of an artist, but I know good paint when I see it. They also have some great gifts, including face paint, glass and mug painting kits to colour the hours away. If they don't have what you're looking for, then they'll order it for you. Their website is really useful too if you want to take a look at what they have before visiting. It also has some artist tips for those determined to master the talent. Tucked away in the Meadowlands Shopping Centre, you may be travelling out of your way to get there (unless you're a local), but I doubt it will disappoint.

Good service. Great selection and knowledgeable staff…read more Went for painting items and they had everything needed

What an amazing craft store! Knitters, spinners, weavers, artists and quilters will consider this a…read moreone of a kind place to just take in the variety of products and goods here.

A fabulous shop with everything for artists of all abilities. Quality products, friendly and…read morehelpful, and with staff that know what they are talking about! What else would you want?!

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.

David's emporium is your one stop shop for everything! Here they have tools, paint, art supplies,…read morecrafts, material, nick-nacks, appliances, wigs and my favourite.....dress-ups! It's at David's you are able to find anything and everything suitable for a party, or if you're after something on the cheap. Located on Cavendish Drive in Manukau, it's only really convenient if you're in the area. There is plenty of onsite parking available. I have been here a number of times to pick up bits and pieces with my boyfriend, who is really in to art. He finds that they always have great sales on their canvases, sketch books and cheap paint brushes that he might need for touching up. Here I have managed to purchase lint rollers and a foot exfoliator, both of these cost next to nothing, I was very impressed.

I hoped I wouldn't end up in a Robert Harris café when I was looking for this small art supply…read morestore. Over on Symonds St, in a handy location to Auckland's university students, is Gordon Harris. They acknowledge their target market by offering you a student discount on purchases. Sadly the staff are also part of this target market, so the service is lacking, virtually non-existent. I'm sure it doesn't take 3 staff members 15 minutes to choose the shape of a minor display sign. The friendlier staff of Whitcoulls, Queen St were happy enough to bring this shop to my attention when I couldn't find what I needed in their store. And really, the only reason for visiting Gordon Harris would be if you can't find what you're after in your local stationary store.

It's that captive audience thing again. AUT's art school is just there on St. Paul's St, and they…read moreneed art supplies. In my first year of design I spent hundreds of dollars at Gordon Harris, and I was a cheapskate. I shudder to think how much you'd spend if you actually bought the nice things they have on offer. How nice are the nice things? Pretty nice. As someone who's into this stuff, I know the glorious sensation of a new, high-quality brush, and I know that this comes with the associated price tag. That's fine. I can't hassle the range, and I can't hassle the prices. They're both fine. But still, there's just something about Gordon Harris that feels ... it feels like they're not trying. I mean their range is fine, but it could be better. And their prices are fine, although they could be cheaper. But why should they? With a steady market and no competition, why should they try? They can just chug along and students have to buy their scalpels and black card regardless. Gordon Harris: as good as they need to be.

Super helpful staff, a great array of things that you just don't find anywhere else. Takes me back…read morein time which is fun. Always my first choice for materials, wools, sewing notions, so the list goes on. I am a repeat customer and will stay that way. Cheers to Ikes! Lin.

Sure they sell a wide range of homewares, sewing supplies, dress up costumes and everything in…read morebetween. Ikes used to be the place to go if you needed a proper sized flag of your home country. For $10 they had a huge selection of international flags behind the counter. When I was there last week I couldn't see any indication they were selling these anymore. The place looks quite run down and messy, I'd rather shop at the Look Sharp Store in Albany for costumes, party & craft/sewing supplies.

I think I may have just found my new favourite gift shop - introducing Matchbox Studios!…read more Matchbox Studios originally started up in Wellington three years ago, where they are a large art and crafts store plus an art gallery. I recently discovered them on Instagram and saw that they were opening a store in St Kevins Arcade on K'Road (full of exciting things). I was so thrilled because it is a seriously awesome shop! It is a haven for all things colourful, whether it be art, jewellery, stationery, books, candles or homewares! I loved everything I came across in Matchbox, but here is a taste of what you might find: - Funky colourful cards (for example the Koala dressed in a Hawaiian shirt) - Range of art prints, including skulls (yay!), famous people, grumpy cat, etc. - The Beatles tea bags (check out the picture!) - Candles and soaps (all with very nice scents) and - Colourful cups, straws, plates and napkins - perfect for picnics or parties at home, plus so much more! The shop assistant was friendly and she was really happy when I signed up to their mailing list. How could I not - everything at Matchbox is fabulous and fun! So, if you need a gift or want to decorate your room with bright colours, then I highly recommend you visit Matchbox Studios today - I am sure you won't be disappointed!