Our in-house creative gurus have compiled this handy guide of all the arts, crafts and textiles shops in Oxford, including many independent outlets. It's pitched at people who already have an idea what want to do, so absolute beginners might want to start here for simple, creative DIY projects. Even if you struggle with drawing stick men there are things here to tempt you to get creative.
And for anyone whose crafting space has got a bit out of hand, you may like to know there is a professional Declutterer in Oxford who specialises in Creative Spaces, Nadia of Clear the Decks. See her website or check out her podcast for ideas, or book her in to help you unearth the desk, and perhaps clear your creative blocks into the bargain.
Materials: General
Assorted Stationers
Oxford boasts many of these, including independent treasure-trove Honest Stationery (Cowley Rd) and Pen to Paper (London Rd) which will sell you any colour of writing paper and matching envelopes under the sun. Then there are chains: Ryman's on Queen Street is pretty good with enticing arty materials as well as the more mundane officey things. A little further down Queen Street is the now ubiquitous, but ever lovely, Paperchase. WH Smiths on Cornmarket also sells some craft supplies.
Materials: Textiles (mostly)
If you are looking for books of knitting/crochet/sewing patterns, try Blackwell's Art shop, Oxford Yarn Store, or Masons in Abingdon.
Oxford Wednesday Market, Gloucester Green, Oxford OX1 2BU. Map
Weekly. Has a cloth and haberdashery stall. Fabric is increasingly hard to come by in Oxford, but Abingdon, Thame and Kidlington all still have cloth shops.
John Lewis, Westgate Centre, OX1 1PB.
Decent haberdashery, including fabric, all the sewing basics, and some nice kits. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and if you end up describing your project to them at any length they may even ask how it's going next time you go in!
Oxford Art, Craft and Gift Shops
If you want ready-made crafts, art or gifts, these shops will help you out. For the highest concentration of useful browsing shops, try the Covered Market, Little Clarendon Street, North and South Parades and the beginning (town end) of Cowley Road. Click here to find these on our Oxford Map.
Aidan Meller Gallery, 13 Turl St, Oxford, OX1 3DQ. Map
Tel: 07495 193269
Art gallery in Central Oxford specialising in Modernism.
Alice's Shop, 83 St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1RA. Map
Tel: 01865 723793
Lewis Carroll souvenirs, Alice memorabilia, other gifts.
Arcadia, 4 St Michael's Street, Oxford OX1 2DU. Map
Tel: 01865 241757
Gifts, wrapping paper, cards, second hand books, prints.
East Oxford Farmer's Market, East Oxford Primary School, Union St, Oxford OX4 1JP (behind Tesco's). Map
Saturdays, 10am - 1pm
Usually has at least one stall of jewellery, cards, textiles etc. Some of the cakes border on fine art too.
Fairtrade at St Michael's, under St Michael's Church, Cornmarket, Oxford OX1 3EY. Map
Tel: 01865 722505
Ethical, fairtrade clothing, food and knick-knaks.
Sarah Wiseman Gallery, 40/41 South Parade, OX2 7JL. Map
Tel: 01865 515123; open Mon 10am-4pm, Tue-Sat 10am-5.30pm
Contemporary, modern British painting, jewellery, ceramics and textiles.
Shop @ The Old Fire Station, Gloucester Green/George Street, OX1 2AQ. Map
Tel: 01865 263990; open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm
Fine 'home grown' creations from Oxfordshire/Southeast-based artists, from original prints and jewellery to cards and zines.
Museum of Oxford Gift Shop, St Aldate’s, OX1 1BX. Map
Tel: 01865 252334; open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm
Items inspired by collections in the museum, prints, greeting cards, traditional toys, condiments and preserves, local history books, Mini memorabilia, and work by local artists and craft workers. Profits go to museum and community activities.
The Windmill Fair Trade Shop, 104 London Road, Headington, OX3 9AJ. Map
Tel: 01865 236944 Email: [email protected]
Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm
Independent shop selling fairtrade, ethically sourced, recycled and environmentally friendly (including Ecover refills) products.
Prints and Posters
Sanders of Oxford, 104 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BW Map
Tel: 01865 242590
Specialist print shop, both antique and contemporary, also sells maps, engravings and views of Oxford.
Blackwell's Art & Poster Shop, 27 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BS. Map
Tel: 01865 333646
Books on the visual arts, posters, cards, calendars and diaries. The main Blackwells sells good wrapping paper.
Isis Creative Framing, 2 Northampton Road (off Abingdon Road), Oxford OX1 4TG. Map
Tel: 01865 203420 / 01865 247625
Picture-framers making and selling ready-made frames, prints and mirrors.
Covered Arts, Covered Market, Market Street, Oxford OX1 3DY. Map
Tel: 01865 249955
Extremely helpful picture framers, who can advise about the best way to mount and frame almost anything, with the possible exception of politicians. They also have ready-framed art on display.