NYC’s best: Craft stores

If you don’t have the energy to DIY, let one of these artisans in the gallery to the left help you deliver the same effect.

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Soho

Femmegems
Fledgling jewelry designers cruise this girly DIY chain and premade bauble shop for ropes of turquoise stones (beginning at $40) and peridot briolettes ($52 and up)—all artfully arranged in ornate gold frames. After you’ve selected the materials for your piece, you can assemble the design at the shop’s communal table or pass them on to the knowledgeable staff to finish. 280 Mulberry St between Prince and E Houston Sts (212-625-1611)

Pearl Paint
Though this sprawling, perennially packed art store is best known for supplying Currin wanna-bes with canvases and oil paints, its nearby annex—just around the corner from the Canal Street flagship—is dedicated to loot for crafty types. Scoop up jars of glitter ($1–$4), laminators ($48) and BeDazzlers ($20) for guilty-pleasure rhinestone fixes. 42 Lispenard St between Broadway and Church St (212-226-3717)

Purl
You won’t find any itchy acrylic at this venerable Soho spot: Sisters and co-owners Joelle and Jennifer Hoverson fill their airy knitting-centric boutique with a kaleidoscope of vibrantly colored yarns spun from natural fibers such as silk, bamboo, alpaca and cashmere. You can also snap up crochet and felting kits as well as books on creating anything from afghans to bikinis. 137 Sullivan St between W Houston and Prince Sts (212-420-8796)

Purl Patchwork
For folks who would rather cobble together a quilt than a playlist, this textiles depot—just a few doors down from its older cousin—brims with an eye-popping array of Liberty of London prints, retro calicos, paisleys and even kimono-inspired high-thread-count cotton. Grab a pattern for a tote ($10–$15) to replace your weathered carryall. 147 Sullivan St between W Houston and Prince Sts (212-420-8998)