Arts & Crafts in the UK

Finding a good arts and crafts shop in the UK

An independent arts and crafts shop is a supplier and a teacher: paints, paper, brushes and canvases for artists; wool, needles, fabric and haberdashery for knitters, crocheters and sewers; card, paper, stamps, dies and glues for papercraft; clay, resin, candle and jewellery supplies for makers; kits for children and beginners; and, behind the counter, someone who knows which paper takes watercolour and which yarn a pattern means. Most run workshops and clubs — knit and natter, painting classes, children's holiday sessions — and many sell the work of local makers alongside the supplies.

The chains carry the mainstream ranges; the independents carry the artists' quality paints and papers, the hand-dyed yarns, the dressmaking fabrics and the unusual, and the advice that stops a beginner buying the wrong thing. Prices on branded supplies are close to online, loyalty schemes close the gap, and a workshop is the cheapest way to find out whether a craft is for you before buying the kit. Shops also gallery and sell makers' work on commission, and buy or take handmade goods to sell.

The listings here show each shop's reviews, what it stocks and teaches, hours and contact details, so you can see who is nearby, who specialises in art, yarn, fabric or papercraft, and where makers in your town go.

What arts and crafts shops offer

Art supplies: watercolour, acrylic and oil paints, pastels and pencils, papers, sketchbooks and canvases, brushes and easels, from student to artists' quality.

Yarn and textiles: wool and yarn, knitting and crochet needles, patterns, dressmaking and quilting fabrics by the metre, haberdashery, threads and embroidery.

Papercraft and cardmaking: card and paper, stamps, dies and inks, stickers, scrapbooking, and the supplies for wedding stationery.

Making: clay and pottery supplies, resin, candle and soap making, jewellery findings and beads, kits for children and beginners.

Workshops and makers: classes and clubs for every craft, children's sessions, and handmade gifts, art and cards from local makers sold in the shop.

Getting the most from a craft shop

• Say what you are making and your level; the shop will steer you to the right paper, yarn or paint.
• Take the pattern or a photo; a yarn shop will match weight and quantity for it.
• Try a workshop before buying a full kit; most shops run beginners' sessions.
• Ask about loyalty schemes and clubs; regulars get previews and discounts.
• Ask about ordering; most shops can get anything their suppliers carry within a week.
• If you make things, ask whether the shop sells makers' work and on what terms.

What craft supplies cost

As a rough guide, a ball of good wool costs £4 to £12, dressmaking fabric £8 to £25 a metre, a watercolour pad £8 to £25, artists' paints £3 to £15 a tube, a starter set of acrylics or watercolours £20 to £60, card and paper packs £3 to £15, a beginner's kit £10 to £40, and workshops £15 to £60 for a two- or three-hour session with materials. Loyalty schemes typically give 5 to 10 per cent back; branded supplies are priced close to online, and the advice is free.

A beginner who buys the right paper and the right brush from someone who knows keeps going; one who buys the wrong ones gives up.