My favorite shops and where I go if I get a few hours to myself are, Second Use [3223 6th Avenue South] and Earthwise [3447 4th Avenue South] in SODO, Ballard Reuse [1440 Northwest 52nd Street] in Ballard and I'll stop by a few of the Goodwill Stores [6400 8th Avenue Northwest], my favorite goodwill is in Ballard ;) I also absolutely love the Fremont Sunday Street Market [3401 Evanston Avenue North]t, year round, this is just a fun market to visit and you'll always find new gems in the under cover/antique area.
My favorite's are, Jo-Ann Fabric [2217 Northwest 57th Street], The Home Depot [2701 Utah Avenue South], Lowe's [2700 Rainier Avenue South] and Michaels [15600 Ne 8th St, Ste D-4, Bellevue] for basic off the shelf supplies (they have several locations around the Seattle area).
Fremont Sunday Street Market [3401 Evanston Avenue North] is one great place to sell your crafts, it's every Sunday in Seattle, I also know there are a few Urban Craft Uprising [] shows each year, lots of a variety of street markets throughout the summer, check out festivalnet.com to see what other shows may work for your art/project.
My all time favorite is Purple Café [430 106th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue] in Downtown Seattle. Sand Point Grill [5412 Sand Point Way Northeast] near the University area and sweet and savory Pie [3515 Fremont Avenue North] in Ballard (I always get the mince pie or chicken pot pie... )
Mighty-O donuts [2110 North 55th Street] in TangleTown and Trophy Cupcakes [1815 North 45th Street] which has several locations around the city.
Feeling a bit old here, but frankly it's my local pubs, each neighborhood seems to have a few great spots, a dive bar, a yuppy pub or wine bar spot and a brewery/family place.
If I was going to craft outside, I'd go to Discovery Park [3801 Discovery Park Boulevard], or take a ferry and craft while watching the amazing view!
Crafty people are all around in this city! I think everyone has a bit of a crafty bone, I seem to meet the craftiest people at the same stores I shop for supplies at ;)
For something quirky, check out the Fremont Troll [3405 Troll Avenue North] :)
For a souvenir, pick up some smoked salmon, a dozen Trophy Cupcakes [1815 North 45th Street] (if you can keep yourself from eating them all!) and Weedle on the Needle book is a great book for a kiddo gift. Something made from driftwood is always a great buy too.
Honestly I get inspired where I love to shop! Second Use [3223 6th Avenue South], Earthwise [3447 4th Avenue South] and Ballard Reuse [1440 Northwest 52nd Street] are my mainstays! Second Use and Ballard Re-use also have great websites showing customer projects that are a great inspiration too!
The water is great for inspiration - get out on the Puget Sound if you can, we sail around the area and the city is so gorgeous from the water! You can take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island to get a taste of the water and great town of Winslow on Bainbridge. Discovery Park [3801 Discovery Park Boulevard], is a great place to hike and get on the beach but still be in the city. Also, I do love Pike Place Market [85 Pike St] ;)
The Fremont Troll [3405 Troll Avenue North] in Fremont is always a great spot to get a picture, you can walk to the roll from the Fremont Sunday Market when you go visit that :) also, West Seattle is a great spot to get good pictures of the city, and a visit to the Space Needle [400 Broad Street] is never wasted! gorgeous views all around.