OT - Rave about Michaels

I've been enjoying my last vacation day for the year, today.  I headed over to Michaels (craft store) because they had a grand opening sign and new michaels sign.  What a pleasant surprise!  It was COMPLETELY redone.  Everything was so open and orderly and had a great flow.  I so enjoyed walking up and down all the isles.  If you are into beading they have re-vamped their bead selection 200% and now offer individual stones, which gives you alot more flexibility if you are like me and only need to purchase one of two special more expensive stones becuase you are making a pendant or earring set.  :)  About my only two complaints is that they reduced the yarn selection and completely took out the thread used for crocheted doilies and tatting.  I did pick up a new yard to fiddle with, and talked with a fellow shopper who told me that A.C. Moore in fredericksburg has a much larger yarn selection and that Ben Franklin wasn't too shabby.  Oh and they didn't have one stitch of fall merchandise left other than one end cap.  That was dissapointing.  I was looking forward to getting some new silk flowers, but will have to remember to get my fall colors earlier next year.  They are already ramping up for Christmas.

I also went by Penelope and picked out a few new pairs of silver earrings.  I was overjoyed with the customer service, especially considering my experience at the jewelers last week where the owner insulted me twice.  It just goes to show that more expensive stores don't necessarily have more class.

I hope everyone who crafts can take time out to head over to Michaels and see the new store!

I have not been in Michaels in ages!  I will have to check them out.  I wish I were more "crafty" but life is too busy.  I love scrapbooking and photography!

 

Penelope is one of my fav stores...especially for the silver jewlery! 

I so want to get into scrapbooking but can't justify the cost of supplies for something that I know will end up in my bins and bins of UFO's (Unfinished Objects).  I am a great idea person or planner, but lack the follow through.  I am the queen of unfinished projects.  Nate always rolls his eyes when i come home with a bag from Michaels.  LOL

I love Penelopes, it's nice to go to a one place that has such a nice selection of different pieces.  I also get alot of silver at Kohls during the 65% off sales.

Lauren,

Scrapbooking is awesome!  I used to sell the stuff for Creative Memories and am thinking about doing it again.  I love to get myitems at a discount...that's why I started selling Mary Kay,too!

If you shop on sale and get an idea together BEFORE starting, you can do one book for about $15-20 plus the cost of pictures that you use.  Let me know if you are interested and I will help you get started.

Another trick is to find someone that you can do it with and then you share the cost of certain items (like punches and stencils).  That way one person buys one and the other person buys the other and you swap them out.

I have TONS of things!

I used to work with a lady who did all her scrapbooking at local store weekend crops.  That way she was able to share and use everyone tools and the store used to make that cutout machine available (I don't remember what it's called).  I love going through the scrapbooking isles and looking at all the do-dads.  But honestly it's almost overwhelming becuase there is so much to choose from.  :)

Hey Lauren! Where is this new Michael's at? And I have never heard of this Penelope? But if they sell silver jewelry, you'll have to share more of your experiences with them and fill us in on where they are locates too! Thanks for the tips!

I go to the Michael's at Virginia Center.  It's the same location, just the store was redone.  So i guess it was more like a Grand RE-opening.  :)

Penelopes is in that same plaza, in a strip of stores adjacent to Rt 1, it is next to the Menswear store.

Although I don't have a Michaels close by, I do like to go there occasionally. I like the scrapbooking section. What do you "bead"? Is it complicated to make your own jewelry? That sounds like something my daugther would enjoy. Me too!!!!

Take care, Penny

I have tried my hand at a bunch of beading projects to include - making earrings (usually drop style with a couple of beads and a wire ear hoo****asionally I try something more intricate with silver wire), making pendants (focal bead on a cord), bead weaving (seed beads and thread - think native american bracelets), and then I do alot of crafts that I add beads to (ornaments, pins, etc.).  I just love beads.  I wish I could buy them all.  Inevitably they all end up in the UFO box though.  LOL.  The nice thing about a pair of earrings is I don't need to keep my attention for long.  :)

Show your daughter these links:

Bead & Button Magazine - www.beadandbutton.com

They have this annual competition and I swear the pieces are like pieces of art.  These people are SERIOUSLY talented.  See entries for 2008 at http://cs.beadandbutton.com/bnbcs/photos/beaddreams2008/defa ult.aspx


They have free project ideas and more (simpler) free project ideas can be found in the beading section of www.michaels.com

Personally I HATE Michael's cuz it sucks my bank account dry!! LOL  Ben Franklin does have a nice assortment of "stuff" but careful...they are rather pricey.