Michaels

I’m not crafty. But thanks to Pinterest and Michael’s, I can fake it ’til I make it.
Usually — usssssuuuuuuaaallly — they have what I need. And when they don’t, they generously offer up nearby suggestions of places that might. That’s very old school Macy’s of them; customer service at it’s finest, if you ask me. Speaking of which, I’ve never had a problem with the employees here. They’ve always been very, very nice and helpful. Even if they don’t know where something is (example: a tall, older gentleman once did laps with me around the store as we looked for something he swore is in this aisle… no that aisle… maybe this aisle? In the end, I’m the one who spotted it.).
I think the thing that irritates me the most about Michael’s is the price. I’m always shell-​shocked when I purchase something simple — like a bag of sand — only to find it costs what it does. I do appreciate the random and unexpected deals Michael’s seems to offer. The first time I shopped there, the lady cashing me out hooked me up with some insane percentage off that had to do with emails and the day of the week and the lunar eclipse or something. Whatever, I’ll take it. Since then I’ve looked for other great deals, but they’re always for something very specific (all the 3×5 canvas you can shake a stick at, giant wooden letters between T and W, brown colored yarn, candy nuggets in the shape of skull heads).
From marketing booths to super cool themed events, though, Michael’s has certainly helped me look like a rockstar (not without some creative thinking on my part, a big budget, and a cup of delicious coffee to accompany me into the lion’s den that is the place!).

A
whole
lot
of stuff
The first Michael’s Arts & Crafts open in Texas around 1976. Since then it has spread throughout the country and into Canada and now operates over 1,000 stores.
This Michael’s is similar to the rest with zillions of different items for every conceivable arts or craft project. Most of the stores are also very seasonal and during the holidays offer special items and weird things for just about anything you can think of.
I like this particular store because it is large, clean and has very friendly and useful staff. There is just so much stuff that it can be difficult to find certain obscure items, but the employees that were asked always knew exactly where to find what we were looking for.
A wonderful store for crafty and creative people. If you can’t find what you need for a project in this store then it probably doesn’t exist.

I have been to our local Michael’s several times, about two or three times a year. Allow me to sum up my findings.
Selection: Michael’s has a large selection of craft supplies for just about any craft you can think of. Baking, scrapbooking, photography, painting, floral decorations… EVERYTHING. Their store has a very good selection of commonly used and needed items, and it’s almost always in stock. The store also has MANY of the items you find online, so you can go in and put your hands on something you scoped out online.
Pricing: Eh, not bad, not great. You can get most things cheaper online (not the Michael’s website), but they do have coupons in their sales flyers frequently up to 40% off one item. However, they do not have any sales flyers in the store, so if you don’t print it out ahead of time, you’re screwed.
Employee knowledge: If you can find an employee, they generally don’t know enough to help you. Granted, there are more activities in one building than a single person can be expected to have mastered, but shouldn’t they at least be able to find someone who can answer your question?
Customer service: I always have to wait in a line, but the cashier is generally friendly enough. A for effort on their part.
As a whole, the store is great (if you know exactly what you need) and affordable (if you plan ahead and bring your coupons).