GLITTERING sequins, rolls of ribbon, paints, pens and shelves of art paper in a rainbow of colours.

It's no wonder Wendy Meyer describes the Paperchase flagship store in Glasgow as akin to being in a sweetie shop.

From supplies for art and craft projects to quirky gift ideas, the possibilities of endless.

The landmark store at the top of Buchanan Street is celebrating its first birthday this weekend.

"There are tens of thousands of products here that are not on the website, so people coming in see so many more things," says store manager Wendy.

One of the most popular departments is the wedding section with everything from journals and planners to save-the-day cards, invitations and decorations for the venue. Buy them ready made or customise to suit your own colour scheme and style.

Artwork in the form of framed and block prints make lovely gifts, many only available in the Glasgow, Manchester and Tottenham Court Road, London, stores. Block letters printed on a framed playing card can be used to spell out the initials of the bride and groom and use as table settings.

"We have everything from the start of planning a wedding through to all the intricate details," says Wendy. "All the extras you might not have thought of - Paperchase is good at thinking out of the box."

New this season is Getting Groomed, a planner for gay grooms. "This is great - there are so many different types of weddings now."

Elsewhere up stairs the art floor has everything handy crafters need for decoupage work.

"When you walk along here you pick up something and you say, I could do that, I could make something a bit more unusual,"says Wendy.

Some of the staff have an art school background but most are keen amateurs, like their customers. That's the point of this department in Paperchase, says Wendy, it's all about having fun.

A wedding workshop is planned in store on May 15 for anyone looking for inspiration.

THE art department includes sketchbooks, canvases, tools and paints, with art paper in varying sizes and weights.

"The art paper is a great buy and a hit," says Wendy.

The gift ideas upstairs ranges from Gillian Kyle's Tunnock's Teacake prints to Cambridge Satchels in bright colours. Unique to the Glasgow store is a yellow leather satchel made specially for Paperchase featuring the Buchanan tartan.

Pen collectors will be familiar with the elite Graf Von Faber-Castell collection, as well as the Lamy range. "They are beautiful, you really can feel the difference," says Wendy. "The best piece of advice I was given was never let anyone borrow your pen. These are worth holding on to."

Leather clutch bags, wallets, ipad covers and smart phone cases by Mimi are hard to find outside of London and Undercover's recycled leather range makes the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in sustainable shopping.

One of the store's best-kept secrets is the mezzanine area tucked between the first and second floors. A floating glass box, it has two armchairs and shelves of coffee table books to browse, on everything from food to craft projects.

Downstairs the seasonal ranges feature a nautical theme, a bold tropical print and multi-coloured lace effect on everything from notebooks and travel journals to photo albums, recipe files and bags.

"It's a tactile shop," says Wendy. "I've yet to see someone go out in a bad mood. I don't think there's anywhere else like this, you can come in and buy something for £3 and it makes your day.

"People are coming in to buy a treat for them or for someone else.

"That's why we enjoy our job, because we're helping them - and we treat ourselves a lot too."

angela.mcmanus@ eveningtimes.co.uk