Incredible art store. I was blown away by how well stocked the store is. I loved the top floor with…read morecool crafts and unique art gifts to purchase. The second floor had every art supplies I could dream of, and the bottom floor was an amazing selection of paper and canvas. Truly a great art store for all

Incredible place, but dangerous at the same time as you could easily spend a lot of money in here!…read more The first time I popped in was when I needed a few items for an event and I thought I'd gamble on Fred Aldous having the stuff I needed - they did! Anything you need for arts & craft or decorations they have it and with some good choice! I've now been in a few times when I need to pick up bits and bobs or essentials for work i.e. scissors etc. Loads of interesting present and gift ideas in here as well so if you're out and about birthday shopping or it's coming up to christmas - I'd say Fred Aldous is a great option with some similar style stuff to Oklahoma! Most of the stuff here is well priced and I've always been fairly surprised that my total wasn't higher when purchasing as I think the interior and style gives off an expensive vibe but really it's good value for money! A short simple review for a top NQ shop!

You can't go wrong with Blythes. A Manchester art student staple, this store has saved me countless…read moretimes. The staff in here are extremely knowledegable and will even order in special materials and papers if they're out of stock. They've got just about type of paint from Winsor to Newton and Rembrandt paints, brushes, chalks, gouaches, water colours and graphic supplies and a large range of papers and canvases. I've bought specialist 300gsm paper in here for a menu project and special mounting glue. I had help with the measuring and cutting free of charge and advice of mounting my images. I highly recommend this store.

Blyth Art Shop…read more Blyth's Art Shop seems like a serious sort of art shop for serious sort of artists. Everything is very ordered, neat and clinical. They've got great ranges of paints, pencils and pens, as well as a downstairs section with artist accessories like folders, paper and even natural light bulbs so you can paint in natural light late into the night. There's two or three staff around to help you with any queries you might have in my experience they've usually got the time and patience to help you out properly. I can't help feeling that Fred Aldous across Stevenson square isn't just lots more fun, more well stocked and generally more exciting though.

The Richard Goodall Gallery is a music lover's dream…read more Spread over two floors, it's an awesome, contemporary art gallery that specialises in limited edition music posters, giclee and screen prints and photos. The front room houses an exhibition space - where Kevin Cummins, Ronnie Wood and Leonard Cohen have all exhibited work! - and the backroom and basement is stocked with thousands of prints in browsers and wall frames. Artists include Tara McPherson, Leia Bell, Jay Ryan, Emek, Print Mafia, Kendra Binney, Small Stakes, Aesthetic Apparatus, Frank Kozik and The White Stripes own designer, Rob Jones. If you're already logging onto RG's website to check their stuff out, sign up for their newsletter to recieve news of special signings and forthcoming exhibitions.

I was in awe of the Richard Goodall Gallery on Thomas Street in the trendy Northern Quarter of…read moreManchester. They have the most amazing style of posters that i have seen. They have everything from retro movie and music posters to contemporary art and sculptures. Even if you're not planning on buying anything its just a cool place to browse these super cool posters. Most of the posters was around £40 to £85 in a frame. I especially loved the back to the future poster!

For the creative minds out there, head to Green Lane where you'll find the perfect place for you…read more It's a big, green craft palace called Craftys. Whatever your talent or hobby I'm sure that you're every requirement can be met here; Craftys stock allsorts from card making to flower arranging. There are two sections within the shop, the main being crammed with stickers, decoupage sheets, ribbon, and beads to name a few. Towards the back there is a room dedicated to paper and card, shelves stretching from floor to ceiling, neatly displaying all different types and colours. We've bought the paper for our wedding stationary from here, so I should know. We've also bought some of their decoupage sheets for my Fiancée's card making Nan and not only did she love them but they also look great on her cards. The staffs are friendly and are more than happy to help you in any way they can. It's definitely worth a visit.

If you are into Arts & Crafts this is the place for you. From top to bottom this store is crammed…read morefull of goodies. Believe me if they haven't got it then it possibly isn't available and they have some great bargains. They have an on line store if you are to far away but try to visit as the fun is in touching. A brilliant shop and great staff too!!

Gorgeous creative space with 20 plus studios bursting at the seams with unique, one off pieces…read moreranging from jewellery to artwork. I LOVE this place, they showcase a lot of local talent. There is a cute coffee shop that sells the usual tea, coffee, cake and small plates so it's perfect for a coffee and a browse. Fun Fact: Back in the day this used to be the local fish market, the original features including the tiles still remain in tact. On some days I swear you can smell residual fishiness but that could just be my mind playing tricks on me!

Angela's absolutely right, this place is so easy to miss. When I first happened upon this place by…read moreaccident, thankfully after I'd hauled Lex G all over the Northern Quarter in an attempt to locate Teacup she still had the energy to spot this gorgeous, adorable building and say, 'What's that?' Me being the investigative yelper that I am said, 'I have no idea. Let's have a look.' Thank goodness we did, because I thought places like this only existed in small towns, at Cedar Farm (a beautiful little crafts-driven farm with shops in Mawdesley that I highly recommend... ahh, my rural homeland radius) or in Brighton. Literally, I felt like I'd stepped into somewhere along the seafront in my brother's resident city, because the last time I saw open studios and handmade jewellery for sale, I was indeed in that picturesque place by the sea. From the outside the building is pretty, but when you walk in it really takes your breath away. Delightful little exhibitions, artists at work... I instantly made a mental note to bring mothers here, mine or in-law, the next time they're in Manchester as they love places like this. The centre has such a lovely quaint feel to it, and goodness me, tranquil? I couldn't have felt more tranquil had you tipped a load of Kalms tablets down my throat and given me a Slanket and a chocolate Horlicks. And whether you're naturally a chilled out person or slightly neurotic and over-organised like myself, no doubt walking in here will instil in you a sense of calm that you'll struggle to find anywhere else in Manchester. The work for sale is exceptional, and I myself was instantly attracted to the wall hangings comprising of collages of iconic Manchester photographs, such as street signs, buildings, bands, restaurants and so forth. I could have stayed in here for hours.You're bound to come home with something special and unique here gifts-wise. Cafe Aromat has its own website and looks absolutely mouthwatering, so I promise that when we pop in again I'll get some munch there and let you know how it is. I know, I suffer for my art don't I. *Winks.*

An absolutely brilliant lttle craft shop selling fabrics, wool, buttons, silks, crafty things to…read moremake cards, kits to do tapestry, make cushions etc. It also stocks a huge variety of unusual beads and charms with which you can make jewellery, as well as all the wire, earring backs and hooks you could possibly need to do this. The staff are lovely and helpful and have a wide range of experience of doing crafts themselves so are very knowledgeable. I could spend hours in here trying to choose between things to buy.

Second time I went to York and I found this place. Amazing! A crafters dream! They sell card making…read morethings, felt, ribbons, beads they have a good selection of felting wool too. This beats Manchester by far!

Let's get one thing straight first. I love stationery. I enjoy stationery I don't even need. If I…read morehave to do a lot of writing, I prefer tipped pens as opposed to ballpoint, in as vast a variety of colours as possible. Now, we all know we can get multipacks of these at the local supermarket or pound shop, but it just doesn't feel quite the same as purchasing something from the bevy of office supply loveliness that is Paperchase. One thing you'll always notice when standing outside this humongous, triple-floor branch in the centre of Manchester is not the Big Issue seller, although that might make you feel a little guilty for overspending on that eraser shaped like a flower or that Dalmatian print stapler. No, the biggest wow factor is the window display. They darn well make the most of it. And it's seasonal too, whether it's that phrase that strikes fear and depression into the hearts of children between the ages of five and sixteen and teachers everywhere, 'Back to School', or Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day... Paperchase will always via the medium of magical window dressing find a reason for you to buy stationery. I'd seriously recommend this branch over any of the weeny little concessions in Kendal's or Selfridges. You've got way more choice. But this isn't just a place for quirky little diaries, fluorescent pink post-its, pencils in every colour of the rainbow, stickers, iPod covers, damask wrapping paper, furry pencil cases and heart-shaped calculators. There's so much more. It has one of the biggest and best greeting card selections I've ever seen. There are gifts aplenty for the friend who has everything. There are home storage solutions. Pretty boxes. Lunchboxes. Tupperware. You can even buy pet supplies. Little random toys for stocking fillers. Toddle on up the stairs and find an entire floor dedicated to art supplies. There's even furniture, clocks, mirrors... I could go on. But I won't. Go see for yourself. I'm telling you, you'll walk in with the aim of buying a simple mobile phone cradle for your office desk and you'll come away with five different photo frames in five different shapes. You have been warned...

Now January has started it's only a matter of days before retailers swap their discounted Christmas…read morecards for Valentine's Day cards! One of the best places to go looking for cool cards and wrapping paper is Paperchase. They stock sweet, witty, playful and kitsch cards from a variety of designers and a brilliant array of notebooks, journals, address books, recipe cards, pens and stationary. This being their biggest store in the North West, there's also good quality paints, pastels, paper, card and brushes for artists upstairs. Before you get too carried away and fill your basket full of goodies - check out the prices as some of the Japanese papers and pastels are pretty steep.

I remember girls being obbsessed in this place when I was younger…read more Situated on the 1st floor of mild rebellion central, Afflecks Palace The Bead Shop specialises in beads (don't) & jewellery making supplies. Not only that, they also run beading classes for all levels throughout the week & stock a wide range of beading kits, semi-precious stones & Sworovski Crystals. So much like cracker dealers, they lure people in, get them hooked, then simply cater to demand. "C'mon man, just a few more pink flower beads...." "I think you've had enough." "Dammit I'll tell you when I've had enough!!"

This place is wonderful. I remember coming here at the age of 13 and thinking this shop was the…read morefuture. Obviously others thought the same thing as its still going strong. The concept: spend hours choosing coloured beads, choose a lace/string, make a fabulous and unique necklace/ bracelet. I have to stay away from this place as a grown adult now to avoid walking out of the shop looking like I am polly pocket. Not to say you cant make stylish pieces for grown-ups it's just my tastes in beads seem to be similar to that of a ten year old!

This a gem of a shop wheither you are totally hopeless at sewing(like me) or a real expert(nothing…read morelike me!) you will get fantastic service, great advice(if needed-never forced on you) loads of fabric and patterns to choose from and a very friendly welcome. I am rubbish at anything crafty but occasionally need things from here. The level of service and welcome is exactly the same wheither you are buying something like wunderweb by the meter(I do this a lot!) or fabric and pattern for a dress. The lady that owns it is really helpful and listens to what you want rather than trying to sell stuff that you don't need. For a few years they have also had fancy dress items to buy such as hats, chest wigs(!) funny wigs and wings. That side of the business seems to be expanding but the fabric side of the shop is still going strong. This is a friendly, well run business with a real interest in helping their customers.

If you ever take a ride on a bus, you are bound to overhear little old ladies rant on about: A) the…read moreprice of a good piece of tongue ( cow tongue from the butcher's you mucky lot) and B) the lack of haberdashers any more. They obviously haven't discovered Bon Fabrics in Urmston Town Centre- perhaps one of the last of a dying breed. This is a proper material shop where reams of cotton and voile are cut to order in front of your very eyes. And there are buttons!! Now, buttons are the bane of my life; I don't know why but if there is a button around, you can guarantee that it will pop off in my presence. Maybe I am the David Blaine of the haberdashery world? Perhaps I just magic them off clothes by mind control and without laying one manicured finger on them. Well whatever it is , I ALWAYS need buttons and Bon Fabrics comes to my rescue. There is something strangely comforting about standing around yards of fabric and bales of wool. It might be a latent repressed memory of being a contented baby stuffed into home- made matinee jackets and bootees by my talented Aunty Joyce. Who knows? It is certainly not my intention to patronise the older generation at all. Knitting is now a Hollywood craze and a birdie tells me that Gwyneth is a bit partial to a knit one pearl one. Bon Fabrics does not just cater to those in the twilight of their lives, it has a whole array of fancy-dress outfits for children and adults. You can barely move in this shop at Christmas and Easter time when harassed mothers are forced to make outfits for their little darlings' school plays and Easter Bonnet Parades. I particularly like Bon Fabrics at Halloween when my inner vamp ( or vampire) starts bearing its fangs. Whether I require a wig, facepaints or other accessories, this shop will have it. Service can be quite slow as the ladies who run the shop like to give their undivided attention to their customers for as long as it takes, and no disrespect, but it CAN take a long time. This can be a touch frustrating when all you need to buy is a yard of ribbon for 50p. I would not say that the owners are brimming over with amicability either. They are serious sewers who rarely crack a smile. However, I have returned here again and again- well I always need buttons. P.S. try saying haberdashery when you have had a few drinks- I seem to say have a daiquiri. Odd that!