Get Crafty (Hobbycraft)

Member Name: Littledreamer

Product:	Hobbycraft
Date:	03/09/08 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge range of products, great ideas leaflets, large stores, gives inspiration,good for kids pressies

Disadvantages: Some items can be found cheaper in other stores

I discovered Hobbycraft a few years ago when a friend took me in there as she wanted some cross stitch packs. My local branch is at Sixfields retail park in Northampton and it is really big with two floors full of pretty much every craft item that you can think of.

It is nicely laid out in sections so you can easily find what you are looking for, but if you are not sure, there are always plenty of staff on the shop floor that will help you out. It is a nice place to just wander around, although I always find it is really hot in there!

A few examples of items that they sell are sewing items, wool, beads, sequins and embellishments, haberdashery, glues, iron on patches, rubber stamps, card making equipment, model kits, loads of things to make your own wedding things such as table decorations and invites, photo frames and surrounds, glass painting kits and loads of different papers and cards and so much more. I could go on all day.

The upstairs section concentrates mainly on the models and make your own kits. There are loads of model trains and kits that you can paint or build with extra kits to build up your collection. There are also things like little soldier and army figures.

There have been many times that I have been in Hobbycraft for a few bits and come out with so much more than I went in for because it gives me inspiration to start new projects. There are loads of leaflets dotted around the whole store with "how to" ideas on which are simple step by step guides to doing simple projects such as making jewellery, decorating t shirts, making special cards and loads more. They update these regularly so each time you visit the store there are fresh ideas to try.

Some of the items are probably more expensive than if you were to buy them at other places. For example, you can pick up packs of paper and glitter pens at poundland or Wilkinsons and they will probably cost you a lot more at Hobbycraft. If you love to look around craft shops though and want a huge range of products to look at or to give you some ideas then Hobbycraft is a great place to visit as you can get everything you want in one store and the choice will not be restricted like it is in cheaper shops that do not specialise in craft items.

Summary: A one stop shop for all your arts and crafts needs