The best craft stores in Singapore for all your DIY needs

Getting started to the world of arts and craft? Welcome to Spotlight, the best entry-level craft store you will ever know. From fabrics to papier-mâché, acrylic paint to beads and sequins, Spotlight is a megastore for all things craft. Keep checking for special discounts and offers – you might just score your next set of bedsheets or curtains – and even wrapping paper, ribbons and gift tags – for cheap.

Getting creative is a breeze with a DIY kit from PaperMarket. The craft and lifestyle gift shop at Great World stocks a wide and all-inclusive range of craft kits that's perfect for kids, teens and adults too. Whether you want to string together some beaded jewellery, create zany string art, or mould clay figurines, PaperMarket has all the instructions and materials packed in a handy kit for you. Prefer shopping online? PaperMarket also has a comprehensive online gift shop where you can snap up DIY craft kits from brands like Ann Williams and Kaiser Craft; designer stationery from Kate Spade New York, Ban.do, and more; art and craft activities; and other meaningful presents for all occasions.

It's hard to believe that Krafers’ Paradise started as a small scrapbooking shop. Now, it's spread across three shop units in City Square Mall, making it every crafter’s colourful dream. The neat and organised interior mirrors that of a supermarket – but loaded with art supplies like stretched canvases, brushes of all sizes, and spray paints of every colour imaginable, of course. There are also detailed plaster figurines that can be used for carving and painting.

Whether you're looking for colourful stationery, quirky home décor, whimsical gifts or nifty bits for your next DIY project, Klosh has your back. This lifestyle brand is a treasure trove of gifts – think everything from planners and cards to tote bags and clocks. It even has themed merch like Harry Potter for Potterheads. A gift that keeps on giving, Klosh champions the evolution of global-inspired designs, bringing the creations of designers around the world together under one roof.  

Is there anything you can't find at Mustafa Centre? Besides being open 'round the clock selling just about anything, this shopping mecca also stocks all your sewing needs at the basement. Here, you can find textiles including sumptuous sari fabrics and Indonesian batik.

If you've made something from the scratch before, chances are that you might've dropped by an Art Friend branch before. This go-to shop for the crafty and hands-on types stocks up on almost everything you will need for your DIY project. From felt pieces to styrofoam balls, you'll find all you need here, and at affordable prices as well. 

The Swedish-Australian store is brimmed with stationery including markers, decorative tapes, gorgeous stickers and colourful twines to decorate your DIY mood board, cards or gifts with. And with gifting comes wrapping paper, so expect various colourful papers decorated with eye-catchy designs on both sides. It also has a dedicated seasonal section like Christmas and Valentine's where you can find whimsically-designed ribbons, and decorations like baubles, garlands and snow globes.

With their name inspired by the simple game 'Scissors Paper Stone', The Paper Stone offers an affordable yet quirky stationery line. Add a splash of colour to your gifts with its brightly designed wrapping paper and gift boxes. There are also adorable stickers and tapes to adorn your scrapbook.

What started in 2007 as an online shop, Overjoyed has ballooned into a two-storey art and stationery store that offers a range of crafting materials such as calligraphy pens, screen ink and brushes – think of it as an alternative to Art Friend. The space is huge, even accommodating a mini gallery and a dedicated space to hold lettering and sketch journalling workshops.

Seasoned crafters are familiar with Golden Dragon. A one-stop shop for yarn, beads and fabric, as well as ribbons and appliques – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg – the store has been meeting hobby needs since 1949. Don’t be intimidated by the team of aunties who man the store – they’re helpful and, if you need any sewing tips, just bring your project over for them to have a look. You can also join the community of people who regularly gather at the tables beside the entrance to work on their projects but be warned: seats are limited.

Japan’s number one supplier of homewares, stationery, decorations, art materials and more, Daiso is perfect if you need craft paper and other materials. From mini envelopes with a drawing of Mount Fuji to cute cat stickers, you're going to be spending a lot of time and money at this joint. Plus you'll never have to be looking for a price tag because well, everything is $2. And even if it's not for art and craft stuff, Daiso is still a great place to go for snacks and socks. 

If you're taking your craft to the next level, Straits Art Co is the place to be. Located at the North Bridge Centre, the store stocks artist-grade supplies such as Van Gogh watercolours, a huge range of soft pastels, Colorpro watercolour sketch pads, and premium oils and acrylics.   

As its name suggests, Fancy Papers sells only paper – from basic white sheets for printing to fancy textured materials for art projects and wedding invitations. The most expensive sheets available are those with over-the-top prints, selling at $9 a pop. Fancy Papers also sells custom envelopes for $0.20 to $1 a piece, depending on your choice of paper. 

Sin Hin Chuan Kee is a family-run business that has been around for over 50 years. While it’s not the most organised, the huge shop space means that you can expect to find a tonne of ribbons, zippers (even YKK ones) and buttons in every shape, colour and size – after all, it specialises in haberdashery. Prices start from $0.10 for beads and $7 for a roll of ribbon. You can also customise ribbons according to your needs, with waiting time ranging from 6 hours for small pieces to ten days for elaborate designs and bulk orders.

This longstanding store in Bras Basah Complex is owned by two craft lovers. Knotty Shop is your go-to store for tapestry and needlework items. Whether you're looking for products related to hardanger, tapestry, cross stitches, and framing, or signing up for stitching classes, the store has you covered.

It’s ribbons galore at Kin Soon, otherwise known as Minton House of Ribbons, where shelves overflow with colourful strips of material. This family business has been in the industry since 1975, and it’s also a wholesaler for ribbons and packaging materials, where you can pick up a full roll for only a dollar. For wholesale purchases, you might get up to 20 percent off your purchase, depending on the quantity. Customisation services are available, too, with an average of one to two weeks waiting time.

Above People’s Park Food Centre is home to a variety of craft stores, probably frequented by your grandmother. Dig around a bit, and you’ll find Malin Textile, home to rows and rows of cloth – mostly Japanese cotton – printed with cute designs to attract younger hobbyists. This store, owned by Ng Mei Ling, is part of a family business that operates a few fabric shops on the same floor.

Looking for fabric to make your own bags, dresses and quilts? Sing Mui Heng stocks material from Japan, the US and South Korea, including brands like Michael Miller, Cloud 9 and Quiltgate. Fabrics do go on sale from time to time for as low as $5 per metre. The seasoned or beginner bag-maker can purchase metal frames, clasps or wires for their crafts, and there are also a range of ribbons, buttons and beads to accessorise handmade purses or clutches. If you need an embroidery or sewing machine, Sing Mui Heng is the official distributor of Brother products.

Who says Ikea's only good for DIY furniture? The home giant also carries stationery and accessories fit for all your gifting and crafting needs. While you eye on your next home addition, grab rolls of plain and quirky wrapping paper, decorative tapes, colourful ribbons and gift boxes and bags (for that special wine bottle).