Michaels

Michael’s is great for so many reasons, one of which is that they have everything good. Crafting, house knick knacks, seasonal decorations, quality frames, cameras, films. etc. ANYTHING you want to make, create or decorate you can do it with style with supplies from Michael’s. Wow, that sounded like a slogan. I’m in love with this store. If I had more free time to kill I’d do it at Michael’s. Let’s talk about the best thing about this store: the coupon codes! The discounts are real at Michael’s. Every time I go, I search online for the coupon and take a screen shot. The past one was 50% one regular priced item. (Usually it’s around 40%). I picked up a double pack of fujifilm polaroid film. Half price novelty film, there’s no going back for me. I’ll probably always buy my film here along with everything I need for life.

I’ve never been a crafty person. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, giving me glue is just begging for a disaster, and I was once taken off colouring duty for doing it «wrong». Artsy, I am not.
None of that matters at Michaels, however. This place makes me feel like I could do anything I wanted. Yes, I could make an amazing array of hand-​crafted jewelry. Of course I could become a scrap-​booking goddess! Look at all the help I can find here.
I stopped in recently to find Washi tape and was pleasantly surprised at the variety Michaels stocked. None of it was authentic Japanese tape, but it would do. I’ve been decorating my new office space non-​stop, and the tape has made my to-​do bulletin board look beautiful, just like I had hoped!
I’ve also had framing down at this location, and the custom work it worth every penny. Be prepared if you’re going in to frame something for the first time– It will not be cheap. To frame my Penny Arcade print, it was five times the cost of the print itself, but it was quality work that will last. I have no worries about it warping or chipping. It’s gorgeous now, and it always will be.

Sometimes, I get this idea in my head that I can be crafty. Now, the idea is not so far fetched but it often requires a trip for supplies (sometimes two if you mess up the first project) and that inevitably leads me to Michaels.
First thing I have to say about Michaels: Sign up for their e-​mails. Every week they send you coupons. Lots of coupons. Usually one for at least 40% off any one item. Do it. It’s a good idea.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, Michaels is a great place with lots of sparkly distractions. The prices are usually very reasonable, and if you have your coupons then you’re golden! I find figuring out where things are is a little difficult at times but there are always lots of staff around to help. They’re very helpful, and anytime I’ve had questions they’ve been able to help me figure out my crafting issues.
I think Michaels is one the best «crafting» stores we have around with a great selection, helpful staff, and good deals.

I’m no where near a crafty person, I am one of the least creative people out there. But, I had a little bit of an emergency and needed to purchase Velcro. I was unsure of where to look in the the BLIP, so a colleague recommended Michaels.
Well, here’s the issue. There are tonns and tonns of art supplies; yarn, glue, glitter, scrap booking things, you name it. I was lost. I felt like a child who lost her mother at the theme park. I didn’t like the feeling. It took me a good while to track someone down to help me; and even then it was the dude at the back behind the counter in the framing department. Although nice enough, it was too long coming. Where was everyone?
At least in my lost-​ness I was able to check the place out. If I ever for some reason need to make something, sew something, build something, make something sparkle-​y; hey this will be my go-​to place.
Oh, and I managed to find some Velcro.

I love this place, I love crafty stuff. If it is sparkly and can stick to something, I am all about it! I like to sew and make ornaments and jazzy things for gifts for friends. I also love to start a project and never finish it! Thats probably what I am best at. ask the half finished scarves and the still-​in-​the-​michaels-​bag wreath and decorations from xmas 2010!
What I don’t love however, is the pricing. Seriously — they gouge you! Half the stuff you can get at wal-​mart of the dollar store for a fraction of the price. I generally only end up there when I can’t find a sparkly thing I need elsewhere.
On an entertainment and nostalgic level, they carry Bob Ross painting gear. There is a silhouette of his afro’ed head on the bottles of paint and it just brings me as much joy as a smidge of yellow ochre across one of his sunsets… sigh.
«We’re like drug dealers, come into town and get everybody absolutely addicted to painting. It doesn’t take much to get you addicted.»
~ Bob Ross

In the world of knitting, there are «yarn snobs.» Yarn snobs deem acrylic beneath them. I am not one of these people; every fibre has its use. Michael’s has a great selection of not only acrylics, but reasonably-​priced cottons and wool blends by the «big names» in yarn. I always enjoy fondling my way down the yarn aisles.
Michael’s also has a great selection of just about everything else crafty. I can’t speak to the prices of the other items (ie, are they too high? Reasonable?), but just wandering around the store is an inspiring experience. I’m tempted to take up beading, jewellery making, scrapbooking … the list is long.
Staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they always have a coupon in their weekly flyer. I’ve never had a bad experience here and it’s a great alternative to stores like The Loop that carry yarns from smaller mills, but sometimes they’re just too expensive.

Oh Michaeal’s why can I not take you with me back to my home when I return? Already I feel the sadness of our departure, though it remains two years hence.
How I love to caress your ample selection of yarns, each soft tendril winding about my fingers and beckoning in turn. As I walk your long aisles, they stretch before me in an endless display of potential creation, and I am entranced by your loveliness. Were we not meant to be, you and I? Would that we were together now, né’er could I part from you without embracing any less than twenty of your delectable products straight to the check out line! Yet still would I find myself wanting, yearning, to toss more and more into that plastic basket of my great bounty.
Perhaps one day, Micheal’s, we shall meet in my home city.
One day…

I’m addicted to making things. I’m a horrible ‘artist’ and Michael’s is like my drug dealer who just won’t stop coming around to get me off my habit (that is of making bad art).
They’ve got all of the essentials, but you already know that. I love their selection of frames (gotta frame those incredible paintings I make!) just don’t get suckered into letting them actually frame anything for you. Seriously, if you need something framed I will help due to how hilariously expensive they are. AND I could totally bring over some of my art! We could make bad art together!
Pro tip-​If you’re getting married 1. Stay clear of their pre-​made invites. You can make them yourself for way cheaper (I did, and I’m terrible at everything remember). Also keep checking in for clearance and sale wedding items. It’s like a treasure hunt and if you’re planning way in advance you’re sure to find some previously expensive items at super low prices.

This is my new favourite store! I went to this store to look for a particular item and was pleasantly surprised and what they sold, the friendly service I received as well as the neatness of the store.
I went in for one thing and walked out with a dozen! I thought the layout of the store was great! Nice and big with a lot of great selection to choose from. I particularly liked how they have a custom framing section to the store. They had a large selection of artificial plants as well as a huge scrapbooking section! I ended up saving 40% off a great picture frame as well as a some cake decorating tools, scrapbooking stickers, a book and a few Easter trinkets.
Great store!

One great thing about this Michaels Store is the selection. I’ve been able to find things here that I never intended on even buying in the first place (which can be pretty expensive if it becomes a habit).
If you are looking for something specific, the store is well organized and easy to navigate. If you are just browsing it’s a good idea to check out the sale bins outside– most stuff is well discounted and good quality.
In addition to retail, Michael’s also provides different public craft classes each week run by their staff. You can learn how to do anything from cake and cookie decorating to planting crops. Some classes require booking ahead or a small fee for supplies, but most are free and can be found on their website.
Hot Hint: They have an in-​store Party Room for staff run birthday crafting parties. Call for their rates and reservations.

Michaels seems to have everything and then some. I have gone here on a few occasions to buy gifts for the craft guru’s I know.
I find many different items that anyone would like to receive as a gift.
I have to admit, I am not into crafts myself. But this seems to do the trick for others. The staff is good, sometimes sparse, but that is a general for all stores lately.
I did get what I was looking for, and a few extras.

They’ve got craft supplies, and lots of ‘em. Just like every Michaels ever. Sometimes you just need a place like this, so I’m glad it’s here for those occasions. In most cases I prefer to give my business to smaller independent stores, so Michaels is a last resort.
That being said I checked it out on my first trip to Bayers Lake shopping centre, and found what I needed. My concerns of the day were fabric paint, yarn and trying not to fill my basket which too much useless crap. Fabric paint was found, although the quality was definitely not the best. Yarn was also found, but same story. They carry mostly Red Heart and Lion Brand here, brands that focus on acrylic fibre and novelty yarns. Some basics are available though, and I picked up a few skeins on sale.
We had a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ experience in regards to staff here. My friend was looking for buttons and asked a salesman if Michaels had any, and he told her no, she’d have to go somewhere else. Imagine our surprise when we came across the button aisle later. Dude didn’t know what was up. In contrast, our check-​out girl was pretty great. Noticing my debit card from a west coast bank she told me she was from Victoria and we struck up a conversation. Turns out check-​out lines are my new best place to get advice on surviving Halifax winters. Go figure.

While Michael’s is indeed an arts and crafts store, you may be surprised to learn that they sell much, much more. The store also has a huge assortment of home décor (including art & photo frames), wedding decorations (ring-​bearer pillow, card-​box, cake toppers, invitations), and floral arrangements. While their prices tend to land on the steep side, they have great weekly specials, and almost every other week they have a coupon in their flyer where you can save 40−50% off any single item in the store.