Michaels

I come here when I need some crafty stuff (obviously). They have the standard craft items with nothing too special. The people who work here are friendly, but only if recognize them first, and sometimes they’re not too helpful. The prices are pretty fair, and unless it’s the holidays it’s not too crowded. If you need something quickly, check it out, but if it’s specialty or you’re going to need a lot of help, maybe go somewhere else.

My 8 year old avid cratfer loves Michael’s, AC Moore and JoAnnes Fabrics — and we visit various locations of each. This one has Deplorable service. (Average for cleanliness and vairety/​price of items — but Non-​existent service).
The manager had no idea what «washi tape» (crafting/​scrapbooking tape even was and said that they did not carry any «colorful» tape for scrapbooking — only clear tape — but she said we could «try in aisle 3 A» — so we did and there was a HUGE display of tons of the stuff — so we snapped up a few rolls.
Odd, odd, odd place.
But they’re near our home — so w’ll be back.

The Hammacher Schlemmer of the hobby and handcraft world. They have literally everything. Little things one can’t buy anywhere else are there. I went looking for magnetic backing paper, they had it. Custom picture frames, they had it. Non-​standard hangers, the same. I love this place.

I’ve been shopping at this Michaels for years and was never really disapointed when getting my scrapbook supplies or melting chocolates for baking. Since I have picked up the hobby of baking cupcakes, I frequent their baking isle more often. They came out with this great line of cupcake liners that are adorable and cheep compared to the same prints you find online for tripple the price.
The past 4 times I’ve been to this location –all within a month (and one trip to their location in Exton) — their shelves have been wiped empty of the majority of liners. Everytime I ask if I could get some assistance as to when I could expect these in again, I was told the only thing I can do is just call ahead. Frustrating, especially since you can’t purchase these online and I live downtown. So after striking out 4 times, I am now forced to puchase what I’m looking for from a random baking site online that charges $ 3−4+shipping for 50 compared to the $ 1.99 for 75 at Michaels.
This fail is making me want to open a super baking supply store in the area– 1 measly isle for baking supplies isn’t cuting it!

Maybe teachers force school projects on me to build character, because as guy I always feel alienated in craft stores. This store is no different. Two stars for experience, one more for having what I needed. I called first to make sure, even though the clerk who answered my phone knew the answer to my question she asked, «How may I direct your call?» This bugs the nit-​picky me because I had already directed my call effectively…
Either way this store probably has what you need… in fact it’s overstocked with upper middle class needle-​pointers and self proclaimed jewelers. So if that’s what you’re after… to each his own.

I really had to be a handy woman one night before going out to party so I came to Michael’s.
First, do not expect someone to assist you through the hundreds of thousands of art & crafts supplies. Since this is a store I do not frequent, I made a mistake thinking I could get in and out. Very wrong. I passed what I was looking for three times before I asked for assistance. Maybe it was my fault.
Anyways, I got what I wanted, headed for the checkout quickly only to move slowly through the line. The woman in front of me decided to ask for additional assistance while checking out. Very inconsiderate considering there were about five people in the line I was in.
So yeah that knocks a star off. The woman working there should have asked her to seek help with the woman who was helping no one at all only steps away from the register.
End of ranting story, I found what I needed for cheap, only after asking for help from two employees and waiting in line for 15 minutes.
Not so arts & craft? Beware.

You can not be more middle America momlike than stopping at a Michael’s Arts and Craft store.
Craft paints? So many colors.
Design your own picture frame? Too many choices.
Découpage? I thought that was a technique performed by French prostitutes. My mistake.
I needed to get yarn. I found a Michael’s in Springfield. I entered hoping I would not see anybody I knew. There were many women in elastic pants with short frosted hair and sensible shoes. I tried to blend but red hair and a black sundress, well, I tried. I almost felt like I would have to show mom ID to buy my yarn.
It is large. It hastons of stock but not as many choices if that makes sense. Like, you need stampers and they have five stampers. Buttons, glue, paint, brushes, how to books, and toys– for some reason a whole row of Crayola inspired toys and arts supplies. There seems to be a push here to perhaps have more items of a higher price point than pushing the googely eyes.
It’s adequate, what else needs to be said?