Your Guide to Stores Like Michaels: Where to Get Your Craft On
Hey there, fellow craft lover! If you‘re anything like me, walking into a Michaels store is like entering a magical world filled with endless creative possibilities. The aisles upon aisles of colorful supplies, the seasonal decor that always gets me excited for the next holiday, the potential to learn a new skill at any of their fun classes – it‘s pure bliss! But as much as I adore Michaels, I‘m always on the lookout for other great retailers to fuel my insatiable crafting addiction.
So, whether you‘re a loyal Michaels shopper looking to branch out or a crafty adventurer searching for your perfect retail match, join me on a journey through the world of stores like Michaels. We‘ll explore all the best spots to score supplies for your next masterpiece!
Overview of Michaels
First, let‘s talk about what makes Michaels so amazing. As the largest arts and crafts retail chain in North America with over 1,200 stores, Michaels is like the Disneyland of crafting. They offer an incredible variety of supplies for every type of creative pursuit, including:
- Art supplies (paints, canvases, brushes, etc.)
- Kids‘ crafts
- Floral and wedding supplies
- Yarn and needlecraft materials
- Bakeware and cake decorating tools
- Seasonal and holiday decor
- Custom framing
- And so much more!
One of the things I love most about Michaels is their commitment to helping customers save money on crafting supplies. They‘re known for their frequent sales, daily deals, and awesome coupons. Plus, their rewards program offers perks like exclusive discounts and bonus coupons. It‘s like they know the way to a crafter‘s heart is through their wallet!
Major Arts and Crafts Retail Chains
Alright, let‘s dive into some other big names in the arts and crafts retail world. If you‘re looking for stores with a similar vibe and product selection to Michaels, check out these chains:
Hobby Lobby
With over 900 stores nationwide, Hobby Lobby is like the cool aunt of the crafting world. They have a huge variety of supplies, but their specialty is home decor. You‘ll find tons of cute wall art, seasonal decor, and party supplies in addition to all the crafting essentials. One unique thing about Hobby Lobby is their weekly ad, which always features a 40% off coupon for one regular-priced item. It‘s a great way to save on those big-ticket crafting purchases!
JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores
Formerly known as Jo-Ann Fabrics, JOANN is another major player with over 865 stores across the US. As the name suggests, they‘re the go-to spot for all things fabric and sewing. But don‘t let that fool you – they also have a fantastic selection of general crafting supplies, home decor, and seasonal items. One of the coolest things about JOANN is their focus on education. Many locations offer classes for sewing, quilting, cake decorating, and more. It‘s a great place to pick up a new skill or hone your craft.
A.C. Moore
With over 135 stores along the Eastern Seaboard, A.C. Moore is like the friendly neighborhood craft store. They have a similar product mix to Michaels, with a little bit of everything for every type of crafter. One area where they really shine is in kids‘ crafts – they have a great selection of affordable, easy-to-use kits and supplies that are perfect for little hands.
Art Supply Stores
If you‘re a serious artist or just love playing with higher-end materials, you‘ll definitely want to check out some art supply stores in addition to Michaels. These retailers specialize in professional-grade tools and products for fine artists, illustrators, and other creatives.
Blick Art Materials
With over 60 retail locations and an extensive online shop, Blick is a mecca for artists of all kinds. They carry a mind-boggling array of supplies for drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more. One thing that sets Blick apart is their knowledgeable staff – most of their employees are artists themselves, so they can give you expert advice on products and techniques. They also have an impressive selection of papers in every size and texture imaginable.
Jerry‘s Artarama
Jerry‘s is another well-known art supply retailer, with over 20 stores plus a comprehensive online shop. Like Blick, they cater to fine artists with a curated selection of high-quality supplies. They‘re especially known for their own brand of affordable, artist-grade products, including paints, brushes, and canvas. If you‘re just starting out with a new medium or want to stock up on the basics, Jerry‘s brand is definitely worth checking out.
Fabric and Sewing Stores
For all you seamstresses, quilters, and textile artists out there, these fabric and sewing stores are must-visits. They offer a more specialized selection than the big craft chains, so you can find exactly what you need for your next sewing project.
Mood Fabrics
If you‘re a Project Runway fan, you‘ve definitely heard of Mood. This NYC institution is famous for its incredible selection of designer fabrics, but did you know they also have an online store? Their website has a dizzying array of apparel fabrics, from luxurious silks to funky prints. The only downside is that their physical stores (in NYC and LA) have a much smaller inventory than what‘s online. But if you‘re looking for that perfect statement fabric, Mood is totally worth a browse.
SAS Fabrics
This Phoenix-based chain is a hidden gem for sewists in the Southwest. They have a thoughtfully curated selection of apparel fabrics, quilting cottons, and home decor textiles, plus a good variety of notions and sewing tools. But what really makes SAS stand out is their customer service. The staff is super knowledgeable and always ready to help you find the perfect fabric for your project. They also have a loyalty program where you can earn points towards future purchases.
Specialty Craft Retailers
One of the great things about crafting is that there‘s a specialty store for practically every niche and interest. These retailers may not have the broad selection of Michaels, but they‘re perfect for finding unique supplies and connecting with like-minded makers.
Stamps-N-Lingers
If you‘re into rubber stamping, scrapbooking, or card making, Stamps-N-Lingers is a must-visit. This family-owned business has nine retail locations in Florida, plus a great online store. They carry a huge variety of stamps, papers, inks, and embellishments from all the top brands. They also offer frequent workshops and classes where you can learn new techniques and get inspired by other passionate stampers.
Woodcraft Supply
For the woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts out there, Woodcraft Supply is like a candy store. With over 75 locations nationwide, they specialize in hardwoods, turning stock, veneer, power tools, and everything else you need to create beautiful wood crafts. They also offer classes in woodturning, furniture making, and other techniques. Safety is a big priority at Woodcraft, so their staff is always happy to answer questions and share best practices for using tools and equipment.
Other Retailers with Craft Offerings
In addition to the specialty stores, there are plenty of other retailers that carry basic craft supplies. These probably won‘t replace Michaels for a dedicated crafter, but they‘re great for picking up last-minute supplies or getting the kids into crafting without breaking the bank.
Big Box Stores
Walmart and Target both have decent craft departments where you can find basic supplies like paint, glue, and construction paper. They also tend to have a good selection of kids‘ craft kits and activity books. The prices are usually pretty reasonable, and you can grab your craft supplies while you‘re doing your regular shopping.
Dollar Stores
Don‘t sleep on the dollar store for craft supplies, especially if you‘re working on a budget! Stores like Dollar Tree and 99 Cents Only often have a surprising variety of crafting basics, like paintbrushes, stickers, and floral supplies. The quality may not be as high as what you‘d find at Michaels, but for kids‘ projects or one-time-use items, the dollar store is totally the way to go.
Online Craft Marketplaces
Of course, no discussion of crafting retailers would be complete without mentioning the wonderful world of online marketplaces. These websites are a treasure trove of unique supplies, vintage finds, and one-of-a-kind handmade goods from independent artisans around the globe.
Etsy
Etsy is basically the O.G. of online craft marketplaces. With millions of active sellers, it‘s a go-to destination for finding supplies, tools, and inspiration for practically any craft imaginable. I especially love Etsy for sourcing hard-to-find items like specialty beads, hand-dyed yarns, and vintage ephemera. The best part is being able to connect with and support independent makers from all over the world.
Amazon Handmade
In recent years, Amazon has gotten into the handmade game with its Amazon Handmade marketplace. Like Etsy, it allows artisans to sell their wares directly to customers. The selection is smaller than Etsy, but it‘s a great option if you‘re already an Amazon shopper. You can find some really beautiful craft supplies, like hand-carved wood stamps and artisan jewelry findings. Plus, many items are Prime eligible!
Putting It All Together
Phew, that was a lot of info! But I hope this guide has given you a good overview of the different types of stores like Michaels and how they can fit into your crafting life. Whether you‘re a die-hard Michaels fan or just starting to explore the wide world of crafting retail, there are so many amazing places to shop and get inspired.
Here‘s a quick cheat sheet of when you might want to check out each type of store:
- Major craft chains (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JOANN, etc.): For one-stop shopping and a wide variety of supplies
- Art supply stores (Blick, Jerry‘s Artarama, etc.): For professional-grade materials and expert advice
- Fabric and sewing stores (Mood, SAS, etc.): For apparel fabrics, quilting supplies, and sewing tools
- Specialty craft stores (Stamps-N-Lingers, Woodcraft, etc.): For niche supplies and connecting with other enthusiasts
- Other retailers (Walmart, Target, dollar stores, etc.): For affordable basics and kids‘ crafts
- Online marketplaces (Etsy, Amazon Handmade): For unique finds and supporting independent artisans
I encourage you to explore a mix of different store types to see what works best for you. And remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity shine! Happy crafting, my friend!
