Sequin Heaven!! (Fred Aldous)

Member Name: barbara107

Product:	Fred Aldous
Date:	27/03/02 (562 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: supreme stock of craft items

Disadvantages: stairs

Fred Aldous, Fred Aldous, Does that name mean anything to you? Well if you live in or around Manchester and enjoy handicrafts then those words mean “I have died and gone to Heaven!”

I was born in Manchester in 1960 and the shop at 37 Lever Street, in the city centre was opened not long after, so as far as I am concerned it has “Always” been there.

Lever Street runs parallel with Dale Street, and the shop itself is just after the corner of Stephenson Square. From the outside, looking down the narrow steps you really would have no clue as to what delights lie behind those doors.

What is infact behind those doors is over 10,000 different items from Raffia, Glitter, Wire, Tissue Paper in 100's of colours, feathers, felt, sequins, silks, wools, fur, fabrics, lace, netting, paints, crayons, foils, the list goes on and on.

Quite often when you want to carry out a craft project a kit seems to be the easy option, but they can be very expensive and you are also then stuck making what is infact someone else’s ideas come to life, however a trip to Fred Aldous will give you the opportunity and inspiration to bring your own ideas to life, as you can by all of the items you need separately and in the quantity you require.

Not only does this little Aladins cave sell everything you could possibly want but there are classes and demonstrations frequently in progress. The demonstrations are free and you can also book to attend a two hour class (which costs just £5.00.) In the past I have attended demonstrations on Decoupage, Paper Making, Card Making, rubber Stamping and Glass Painting.

A friend of mine who recently started making her own greetings cards ( and making quite a lot of money by doing so!) Was amazed when I took her there as to the range of items on sale. Even though the company itself was established in 1886 they are at the forefront of art and design, which is why I think they have re
mained so popular and are still going strong after all these years!

A lot of the staff who work there are from the Aldous family, one of whom has worked for there for almost 50 years, I have always found hem very helpful and knowledgeable, but not at all pushy, which I think is really important if you just want to go and have a really good browse around.

Their website which is www.fredaldous.co.uk also gives instructions on lots of projects that can be undertaken and caters for all ability levels from the youngest of children to the more expert adult crafters.

They are also very proud of the fact that their crafts and products have appeared on many many television and film sets, and that they often receive visits from makers of programmes like Changing Rooms, for not only products but ideas too!

For those that are not able to visit the shop you can E Mail for a free brochure and can order on line, but for those that can I would highly recommend a visit, especially with children during the school holidays, you may just spot something that will keep them engrossed for hours to come!


You will need to take care going down the narrow steps to the shop, which can be difficult for older people or those with a pushchair.

I have always found Crafts very therapeutic and a trip to Fred Aldous seems to me like an escape from the real world, so if you feel the urge to scrape some foil or mould some candles just pop in and let your imagination run wild!

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