This shop used to a great selection of craft items, and was a good independant stationery shop -…read morenow it seems to focus more on dolls houses and miniature furniture, which, if thats what your after, then great - this looks like a specialist shop for it. The chap who owns it is very friendly and knows what he is talking about - often attends local craft fairs.

Brighton Sewing Centre is situated on an out-of-the-way backwater of the North Lanes, just up from…read morethe bustle of Gardner Street. It stocks a wide variety of buttons, fastenings and other assorted haberdashery, and its prices are more reasonable than the chain sewing shops, although not quite as good as the rock-bottom Fabricland. It does have a wider selection however, and some of the buttons are designed locally. The real strength of the shop lies in the larger purchases of sewing machines. The left hand wall is entirely given over to sewing, overlocking and quilting machines, from the intermediate to high-end budget. The staff are happy to demonstrate and let you try out machines, and for a relatively large purchase, it's reassuring not to be pressured to buy anything there and then, but instead to be encouraged to try everything within your budget to get an idea of the range available, and then to be given the opportunity to go away and think about it. The shop also runs sewing classes in the place across the road, from beginner to advanced. There is an introduction to quilting, and a class where you can bring your own machine to get acquainted with it. All in all, this is a friendly, well run shop with a useful and reasonably priced selection.

I come here every now and again to buy embroidery thread to make friendship bracelets -- don't…read morelaugh or I won't make you one. I find the prices reasonable, the staff very friendly, and for the most part they have what I'm looking for though on occasion their color selection can be a bit limited (not much in the way of grays). They also have sewing machines, ribbons, fabric, and pretty much everything else you might imagine a sewing centre to have. If that's your hobby, I can't think of a better place to go in Brighton than here! The only caveat is limited hours (I think they might close as early as 5 pm?) so you're better off going during your lunch than after work... or of course waiting for the weekend.

This craft shop has nearly all you could possibly want for your crafting needs. They offer craft…read moreworkshops and all up-to-date ideas/products. Unfortunately, the service isn't always perfect and maybe a little too local(!); if you're a regular I am sure the proprietor is fantastic but as only an "every so often" customer they often dont give you the time that you need. Giving money to a local shop will always be a priority for me, so in my opinion it is good local shop to spend a pound or twenty.

Selling a lot of prints and the kind of prints that would finish of an interior decoration from…read more'changing rooms' or similar television shows, Leoframes are located just up from the main shopping streets of the North Laine. Aside from buying a print or photo, there are also a wide range of frames on offer. The establishment also offers professional framing services and you would be able to create a bepspoke room with complimentary frames of any paintings you wish to hang. They also offer restoration services, though I guess that this service is a touch more situational. I'm not sure that the majority of Brighton's student residents will have a collection of oil paintings needing attention. The prices were not for those on a budget and this shop seems to cater for the commuter crowd with London budgets. Worth a look if you are flush or have a budget that allows for more up market decoration.

I felt quite bad stepping into Leoframes, because as soon as my feet entered inside, the owner…read morepandered downstairs like an eager puppy dog hoping for a sale, and I had no intention of buying anything, I just wanted to have a look around. What I saw was tempting though. There's a lot of great prints in here of various designs, in various sizes, which would look good on many a bedroom wall, and suit a plethora of different palates. You'll also find old and modern photos of Brighton, which are kinda cool. Prices were a little much for me, but are competitive for this type of product.

This is an awesome shop! I have bought many things from over the years here, and they have all been…read moreexcellent products! Just yesterday I bought myself a Conspiracy Theories book and a crossword book for my mum. The staff are always polite and there are some amazing deals in this shop. It is located in the middle of the The Beacon (arndale) which is extremely helpful. This is an extreme hotspot for kids as The Works sell latest trends and toys. Overall, this is an amazing shop in a perfect location.

Awesome shop, full of bargains and thinks that never cease to amaze me, or think "wow, I REALLY…read morewant that." Only thing I would say is, if you see a bargain then buy it. You can't be sure that it will be there the next time you visit or if they will get any more in.

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!

Cissy Mo is one of those cute shops it's fun to wander around but you rarely see anything you…read moreactually want to buy. I don't know about you but I really don't have the space or the inclination to get a stuffed Ugly doll, an Union Jack tote bag, a multi-pack of plastic moustaches or lipstick plasters. The only thing I find vaguely tempting is the plastic necklace of Haiwain flowers and I already have two at home!

Is it just me or does Brighton have a disproportionately large amount of shops who are all trying…read moreto cash in on 'kitsch' a few years late? They seem to present themselves as the answer to all your gift buying troubles, as if the word 'gift' inherently requires an item which is plastic, gimmicky and fundamentally useless! About 10 years ago when you couldn't buy anything frivolous or fun in England, Cissy Mo would have been novel, but these days we've got all the useless tat we need thanks, so who is still buying plastic kitchen utensils that look like they belong in Yo Sushi,? I realize my tone is harsh, but it really does perplex me- is anyone actually happy when they receive a comedy dustbin or a hoody-shaped ipod holder? I just don't think present buying could get more impersonal... They have an alright selection of cards, some of which are actually quite amusing. What I do really approve of is the gorgeous Liberty make-up and wash-bags they are currently selling- they look extremely out of place in all their floral glory, but for the very first time I was tempted to make a Cissy Mo purchase.

I walked in to Clarke's Stationers this morning with 100% confidence that they would have…read moreeverything I needed to create my arty homemade Xmas cards. Red card- check. Glitter glue- check. Gold and silver pens- check. Will my cards look like they were made by a 5 year old? Yes, probably, but at least they will be made with love and quality stationary from Clarke's! Clarke's is great- its one of those extremely satisfying (if you're a stationary geek like me) shops, nay, emporiums, that stock EVERYTHING your little stationary-loving heart could desire. I had to make a hasty exit before I started buying completely unnecessary items like rubber stamps and embossed card sets! If you need card, coloured paper and envelopes, diaries, or arts and crafts supplies, this is the best place I've found. Downstairs they have a massive collection of pens and other standard stationary items. Upstairs they have all manner of coloured and patterned paper and card, as well as sketch books, watercolour paper and huge (A3, A2) sheets of backing card. So whether you fancy embarking on an arty project, or simply need a pritstick, Clarke's is the place. They also have a photocopying service available.

I've always loved stationary stores. Clarke's in the North Laines is a big one, with aisles upon…read moreaisles to look through. Oooh, paper. Of course, the shop offers more than just notebooks and loose sheets; there are organisers and planners, large and small calendars (including a grippy wall calendar!), binders and diaries. Arts and crafts supplies are also available - this is the first place I've seen pipe cleaners in ages. Common art supplies like coloured pencils, oil paints, canvases and here, along with craft projects like paper mache kits, knitting accessories and a variety of felt and fabric pieces for make-your-own crafty ideas. There's a copy centre on site, which is handy, and although the prices are a little higher than some chain budget stationary shops, Clarke's does offer a 15% student discount when you show your student card. I'll probably be back for term two school supplies.