If you’re anything like me, craft stores are the equivalent of a hardware store for some of my other friends. I would say Amen. But I do know a lot of women who just simply can’t help themselves when it comes to stopping at a hardware store. But for me it’s a craft store. Anytime I’m in another city my radar goes off and I instantly can spot the craft stores, whether they be large national chains or small mom-and-pop stores. I do like to visit those “mom and pop shops” when I’m in other cities just because it’s fun and I fully support small businesses!

So yes craft stores are my jam!   I’m familiar enough with the stores that if you had to go there and pick something up I could tell you which side of the store is on and probably which aisle and where on the shelf it’s located. It’s a skill, I know. You’re jealous. Lol

There’s definitely some differences between craft stores, some of them carry more textiles and fabrics, while others focus a bit more heavily on home decorating. So depending on what I need will determine which craft store I’m going to run to.  Okay I drive. But I drive relatively fast and can’t wait to get there!

There’s also a plethora of online crafts stores that I like to shop at for very specific items. Depending on the time frame for when I need something and how much of it I need will determine if I’m going to order online or if I’m going to have to go somewhere in person.

Craft Stores versus Hardware Store, Insider Tips!

Now here’s where hardware stores come into play. Let’s say you’ve decided you want to start painting wide metal washers and turning them into necklace pendants. Go to a craft store and you’re going to spend $4-$5 for maybe 2 to 4 washers. 

Go to a hardware store and you’re going to get a significant discount on those products. Because in a hardware stores mind you’re using them for some kind of construction-related purpose and that makes them cheaper.

I actually get one key ingredient of my dirty pour acrylic paint activity at hardware stores. Floetrol is sold in large gallons and is predominantly used for painting walls.

However when it comes to acrylic dirty pour art Floetrol is a key ingredient in helping the paint smoothly spread across your canvas.  I can get it on amazon for about $25 but at a hardware store I can find it for as little as $14.   It’s a significant bargain!

The dollar stores are also a great place to find some pretty easy buys! They’re not technically considered craft stores but when you’re looking for some crappy stuff and you are on a budget it’s a good place to start. 

They have a decent amount of paint and crayons and your generic craft materials but they also have a specialty craft section that usually has unique things like wood cutouts that you can paint and hang. They have a good selection of glitter paint or glitter glue. If you’re looking to host a fun little party with a small craft activity I highly recommend checking out the dollar section first.  

Some of the dollar type stores also have good deals online. You can order in bulk and save a lot of money and most Of the time you can easily spend enough money to get free shipping and they deliver straight to your door! However if you’re not spending too much money you can have it drop shipped to the nearest physical store and pick it up for free.

Craft Supplies: Coupons, Discounts and Details

It’s really hard to tell who’s going to give you the best deal. You really have to be familiar with the stores that you shop at and their pricing and the frequency and types of sales that they promote. Frequently in Michaels craft store will throw out a 50% off coupon. Jo-Ann’s Fabrics does a really great job of stacking coupons on top of your teacher discount or your military discount or your 4-H discount.

Let’s talk for a minute about craft stores discounts. Make sure if you’re an educator or a first responder or in other capacities that you asked what kinds of additional discounts they offer. Right now Michael’s and Jo-Ann’s are my two favorite in-person craft stores because their coupons, discounts, and their loyalty programs are really good. 

Hobby Lobby over the last decade has become increasingly disappointing. They have reasonable sales and good purchases quite frequently. However their openness about their political affiliations and outward support for certain political affiliation is truly disgusting. The way they treat their employees, certain medical coverage that they refuse to  provide their employees because it goes against their religious beliefs, and their very obvious lack of representation for other religions besides their own makes it an easy decision to not shop there for me.

Additionally in the last 2 years, during the pandemic, they have not kept up with the times. They do not offer online ordering, they do not offer curbside pickup, and they’ve gotten rid of their coupon program. This really has taken away any desire for me to shop in their stores anymore. 

The best thing you can do is familiarize yourself with the local places that you shop. And track when they have sales and what their coupons and discount programs look like. Also picking your favorite online stores and making sure you’re familiar with what they offer, when they have free shipping, if they do bulk shipping, etc.

A couple of my other favorite online stores include discount school supply, S&S, and Oriental Trading.  Be very careful if you’re ordering for the beginning of the school year or the beginning of the summer. Several of these online stores tend to get backed up or have items that are currently out of stock because everybody’s ordering for their programs. Ordering in the off-season seems to be the best way to go. 

Whether you’re a big National chains shopper or you like to hit the mom-and-pop places, keeping yourself educated and abreast of what local and online stores offer is the key to beating the craft store game. 

Happy arting!