Michaels

Michaels has a very helpful, creative man in its picture framing department. I have worked with him on a number of projects, and he has great suggestions. And the prices for framing can’t be beat. Thank you, Michaels!

I usually get my framing done at Hobby Lobby, but chose Michaels this time because of the selection of frames.
I got the frame added my original photo, and had them dry mount and mat the photo. Sounds easy enough… I picked it up today with great anticipation figuring I paid 30.00 more for this process then at Hobby Lobby… They opened it and it looked great. I got home and went to hang it and seen a note on the back telling me they do not recommend using wire… WHAT?
So first off there was no wire, and the little hangers that were on there were dollar store garbage, I’m used to very rigid strong ones. But I was still puzzled as to why the didn’t recommend wire then I noticed that there was no additional backing after the dry mount except the paper. I could not believe it. Usually it’s photo, dry mount board, then rigid board, and finally paper. Not at Michaels, they skip the rigid board, and are afraid the center wall hanger will pop through the dry mount board and paper so the «don’t recommend» hanging it like the 99% of the world… Cheap, cheap, cheap, and it was 30.00 more…
Never again… They lost me…

The key to Michaels is coupons. I end up buying a lot of frames here. If you have a coupon, you can score a frame for much less than a similar frame costs at Target or the like. That’s the good news.
The bad news is the checkout process: it takes forever. There’s always a line, and the line always moves slowly. You have been warned.

It’s a Michael’s.
They have a ton of craft stuff and that’s consistent with any fabric place.
I’m going to talk about the framing services.
I had an absurdly long painting framed there. You need a coupon, since they mark up and train you to go with a coupon.
It turned out ok. The cost was cheap and the framing was cheap. When you’re in a bind and need something framed for a show or just preserved, it’s an option.
I saw the work on paper warp and won’t be back. I’ll likely have to reframe it in the future. I was told it’d be fine. I’ve worked in a museum. I know what will happen and I’m prepared for it.
They also only insure art up to $ 250. So, if you have an expensive piece, don’t go here. The risk is just too high.

I’m a pretty big fan of Michaels.
I could wander their aisles for hours,
waiting for the inspiration to hit me.
I usually end up finding way more than I could ever possibly need
(or afford)
but thankfully they end up having sales on a lot of the stuff I pick up.
Their yarn selection isn’t half bad,
I always find new colors and textures that please me.
Their service on the floor is pretty decent,
however, I feel like time comes to a screeching halt
every time I get in line at the cashier counters.
Seriously!
There is always a problem with their credit card machines
or some customer is pitching a fit about some kind of sale.
I don’t know what it is,
but I usually spend just as much time in line at the register
as I do wandering around the crafty wonderland.
Thank god I have a soft spot in my heart for their merchandise.
Michaels, ya do it for me.

I hadn’t been to this Michaels in a really long time. I ran in on my lunch hour to get another skein of glow in the dark yarn which they were sold out of so I didn’t actually get what I needed. I think that is my biggest problem with Michaels. It’s not the store to go when you are really needing something. It’s the store to wonder in and pick up random things when you are brainstorming a project. When you are half way through a hat and run out of a specific color of yarn you had bought at a different Michaels a month earlier you have a 0% chance of getting that yarn at a different Michaels. I also went in there with a coupon which was only good on non-​sale items and never used it as everything I looked at was on sale. Can’t really be pissed off that all their stuff is on sale — but I do find it a challenge to use a coupon at their stores. Probably because I am a knitter. I should just but a set of needles every time I go in their with a coupon since those are rarely on sale.
This Michaels feels a little small and it was a little cluttered. I tried to zip around the back of the Yarn aisle and was stopped by a ladder and a bunch of stocking stuff that an employee just walked away from. And when I went to check out the cashier was kind of slow and she seemed annoyed that I got in her line. I wasn’t sure which line to go to and apparently I should not have chosen her line. Definitely not my favorite Michaels. I would hit the one in Eagan or the one in Sunray before going to this one.