photo credit: sonjaartisania

click here for part one of the city guide :: vancouver, bc

For part two of our Vancouver, British Columbia city guide, we visit the Main Street and Fraser / Kingsway part of town for a few of my favourite spots for crafty supplies and indie craft goods. Like any busy city, there may be a shop or cafe that is missing from the list. Please feel free to leave a comment below with your suggestions!

Collage Collage – 621 Kingsway

Focused towards children aged 3 to 12 years old and those young at heart, a one stop shop for supplies, books, kits, handmade goods and workshops. Check their website for special events and art installations.

Spool of Thread Sewing Lounge (above) – 101 – 649 E. 15th Avenue

One of the only places in Vancouver for modern and Japanese fabrics. Workshops and drop in sewing stations are also available.

Ruby Dog’s Art House – 623 Kingsway

Good selection of altered art and books, collage, mixed media and vintage ephemera. opening days + hours are limited, check website for details

Bird on a Wire – 2535 Main Street

Filled to the brim with handmade delights, owner, Karen is passionate about supporting local artists by carrying handmade creations within a 100km radius. You can find lots of local work from artists such as Firefly Notes, Earthgirl Aromatherapy and a cagey bee to name a few.

Dandelion Emporium – 2442 Main Street

Super sweet shop filled with handmade goods and indie craft finds.

photo credit: traceylikesyou

Regional Assembly of Text (above) – 3934 Main Street

Find lots of handmade goods by owners Rebecca and Brandy including a button making station, letter writing club and the lowercase reading room. Check out my write up on DIY Vancouver Granville Online.

Three Bags Full – 4458 Main Street

A knit shop filled to the brim with lovely yarn such as favourites from Two Sisters Stringworks formerly known as Yummy Yarn and Sweet Georgia Yarn.

Devil May Wear – 3957 Main Street

Owner and designer, Stephanie Ostler, hand makes her own clothing, lingerie and accessories on-site. Check out her wares and other local artists’ goods at the newly expanded store 2 blocks down from their original location.

Plush on Main – 4296 Main Street

Run by two sisters, Plush on Main is a studio / work room at the back and retail shop at the front. As of early this year, they carry locally made gifts from almost twenty artists mostly from the lower mainland and comprised mainly of women.

Flaming Angels – 4307 Main Street and Adhesif Clothing – 2202 Main Street

Both past Got Craft vendors, each store carries an eclectic mix of locally handmade, vintage and eco-friendly clothing, jewelry, accesories and home decor pieces.

collage collage : photo credit unknown

honourable mentions for local handmade finds + a quick bite to eat: Barefoot Contessa – 3715 Main Street (2nd location on Commercial Drive), Twigg & Hottie – 3671 Main Street, Les Faux Bourgeois – 663 E. 15th Avenue, Two of Hearts Clothing & Boutique – 3728 Main Street, Congee Noodle House – 141 E. Broadway (cash only), Rhizome Cafe – 317 E. Broadway, Mr. Lee’s General Store & Haberdashery – 109 W. Broadway, Urban Source – 3126 Main Street, Solly’s Bagels, Bakery & Deli – 189 E. 28th Avenue (it’s all about the cinnamon buns), Hawker’s Delight – 4127 Main Street, Bead Freaks – 4412 Main Street, Goldilocks – 2833 Main Street (lumpiang shanghai), coffee shops – Our Town, JJ Bean, Bean Around the World