Fiddlesticks

The Belmont seems to be blooming with little gift shops, and this too is a winner. They have managed to cram in so many lovely things that I just want to lift and buy for myself never mind anyone else, but despite the good selection the place doesn’t feel cramped.
While they do all the usual things like ornaments, prints and the like, special mention has to go to their bags. In a typical stereotyped woman way, I love my bags, I am not ashamed! Fiddlesticks do lovely bags, the sort where friends will ask ‘where’d you get that’, and they are really reasonable. So reasonable you can treat me too! ;-)

Besides being a cosy gift shop where you can find special cards and presents for various age groups — many were directed at the 21 year milestone I noticed — there’s also a picture framing service. They also sell ready made fine art prints which are displayed upstairs along with lamps and pine furniture.
Upstairs has a completely different character to the ground level, where there are lots of silvery picture frames, bags, jewellery and small gifts including some incense sticks in lovely Chinese packaging which would have been a pretty gift even without the contents.
The day I was there a girl was being treated to a cup cake stand, a Cath Kidston one, for her 14^th birthday present. She and her mother were being well looked after by the friendly, helpful assistant.
It’s just the place for spoiling an important person in the nicest way, even with something small like bath stuff, candles, soaps and scented potions.

Fiddlesticks is an Aladdin’s cave, a tremendous treasure trove of various pretty and appealing bits and bobs. My idea of heaven, really.
I’ve been to Fiddlesticks on a number of occasions — my mum always took me when I was younger, and now I have grown to love it as well. They always a new items every time I go in, and there really is so much to look at, you could spend hours there. Old-​fashioned kiddies’ games, beautiful accessories, a stunning array of locally made cards, pictures and prints, to name but a few of the many well-​priced commodities which Fiddlesticks sell.
I was welcomed by a wonderfully friendly lady — «Are you ok there? (I nod, speechless in absolute wonderment at the variety of gifts available). Now, you just call me if you need anything, ok?». That’s what I call customer service.
I was specifically looking for (yet more) 21^st birthday cards, and when the gentleman who was also serving noticed I was searching for these, he came over and referred me to the different ones available. Very helpful indeed. I took three. All incredibly lovely, might I add.
Mrs Extremely Pleasant chatted away to me as i purchased the cards, and as I left the shop, I was left feeling exceedingly happy at my wonderful find (s), and also at the exceptional customer service I had received.
Really couldn’t recommend it more.

Fiddlesticks is one of those shops which feels quite small but has an amazing amount of things to buy! Jewellery, pictures, candles, furniture, lighting, table ware — and many of the lovely trinkets are surprisingly affordable.
It’s perfect for teacher’s gifts, birthday presents, and treats for your own self too, because you’re worth it of course! I love the big chunky bracelets and necklaces they do with lots of bling hanging off them — hearts and coins and that kind of thing. Bracelets are about £12 and necklaces £30ish so it’s affordable and they look much more expensive than that. I also have a lovely chunky Perspex ring which cost me a rather pure friendly £7 and which I wear almost every day.
Other good buys are the candles in tins. I bought one for the hostess of a dinner party I was going to and she loved it. Oh yes, must confess I bought one for myself too — cinnamon is a much better smell around the house than my boys’ smelly trainers.
There are also small pieces of furniture — mostly painted shabby chic style which I love.