AMERICA'S CRAFT STORE SINCE 1973

Michaels Arts And Crafts: Five Decades Fueling Creativity Across America

What started as a single store in 1973 has grown into a creative phenomenon. Michaels Arts And Crafts now operates over 1,250 locations nationwide, stocking everything from acrylic paints and scrapbook paper to faux florals and custom framing. Walk through any aisle and you’ll find DIY beginners next to seasoned artists, all hunting for the same thing-the perfect supply to bring an idea to life. That’s the…

1,253+

Store Locations Nationwide

1973

Year Founded

50+

Years of Creative Service

WHY TEACHERS CHOOSE MICHAELS

Supplying Classrooms Without Breaking the Bank

Running a classroom on a tight budget shouldn’t mean skimping on crayons, construction paper, or glue sticks. Michaels makes it easier to stock up with educator-focused pricing, bulk options, and a discount program designed specifically for teachers and school administrators.

Dedicated Teacher Discount Program

Verified educators receive 15% off every purchase, including sale items, when they sign up with a valid school ID. The discount applies year-round – not just during back-to-school season – so mid-year restocking doesn’t drain your supply budget.

Tiered Wholesale Pricing for Bulk Orders

Ordering 12 packs of watercolors or 48-count marker sets? Wholesale pricing tiers kick in at defined quantity breaks, dropping the per-unit cost significantly. School administrators and PTA buyers can lock in lower rates by consolidating orders across classrooms.

One-Stop Shop for Entire Grade Levels

Instead of piecing together orders from five different vendors, teachers can source everything from tempera paint and modeling clay to bulletin board borders and poster board under one roof. That means fewer purchase orders, fewer shipments, and less time reconciling invoices.

Project Kits That Actually Align with Curricula

Pre-packaged craft kits cover seasonal themes, STEM integrations, and art fundamentals – saving teachers hours of prep time. Each kit includes enough materials for a full class of 24 to 30 students, with clear instruction cards kids can follow independently.

BEGINNER'S PAINT DILEMMA

Liquitex Basics Acrylic Set

★ 4.7 · 1,284 reviews

So you’re standing in the paint aisle, caught between oil and acrylic. Here’s the honest breakdown: acrylics like the Liquitex Basics set dry fast-about 15 to 20 minutes to the touch-which means you can layer colors over a lunch break instead of waiting until next week. They clean up with plain water, no turpentine fumes wafting through your apartment. Oils, like Winsor & Newton’s professional tub

BUYING GUIDE

Your DIY Wedding Décor Shopping Checklist

Building wedding décor by hand adds a layer of personal meaning that store-bought pieces simply can’t match. This guide walks through the essential supplies you’ll find at Michaels, from foundational materials to finishing touches, so you can plan, budget, and create with confidence.

Material Durability

Wedding décor needs to hold up through setup, the event itself, and potentially hours outdoors. Check that foam, fabric, and adhesives are rated for the conditions you expect-indoor humidity, outdoor heat, or light rain.

Color Consistency

Dye lots vary. If you need 15 yards of satin ribbon in dusty rose, buy it all in one trip so the color matches across every chair sash and centerpiece bow.

Quantity per Package

Bulk packs of floral foam, wire, or pins cost less per unit. Calculate your total count before shopping so you don’t run short or overspend on extras you won’t use.

Crafting Skill Level

Some projects-like asymmetrical floral arches-require intermediate skills. Match your supply choices to your comfort level so the finished pieces look intentional, not improvised.

Timeline Compatibility

Fresh florals need to be arranged within 24-48 hours of the event. Faux greenery and dried flowers can be prepared weeks ahead, which reduces day-of stress significantly.

Budget Per Element

Allocate roughly 40% of your décor budget to high-impact pieces like the ceremony backdrop and centerpieces. Smaller accents-confetti, favor tags, cake toppers-should take up the remaining slice.

Top Deals on Fall Craft Supplies Right Now

Ashland® 24" Autumn Maple Leaf Wreath

Lush, layered leaves in deep reds and oranges-grab two with BOGO deals on autumn florals to double your door décor for less.

$19.99

Ashland® 6 ft. Lit Pumpkin Garland

Warm-white LEDs woven through felt pumpkins create instant porch charm-pair with a 40% off coupon to decorate every railing without blowing your budget.

$24.99

Recollections® Autumn Harvest Paper Pad 12x12

Forty-eight sheets of plaid, acorn, and sunflower prints give scrapbookers a full season’s worth of layouts in one pad.

$14.99

Ashland® 18" Mixed Fall Floral Bush

Velvet sunflowers, berry clusters, and eucalyptus sprigs on a single stem-buy one, get one free lets you fill vases and mantels at half the usual cost.

$7.99

Craft Smart® Acrylic Paint Set - Fall Palette

Six rich earth-tone bottles from burnt sienna to goldenrod, each 2 oz.-stack your 40% off coupon on top of the everyday low price for true deal-season value.

$9.49

Rating

0 /5

Rated 5 out of 5

Aggregated from verified teacher-submitted reviews across major retail platforms and educator forums, filtered for reviews referencing classroom or school use.

Why Educators Rate Michaels Five Stars

We analyzed 2,347 teacher reviews posted between January 2022 and October 2024 to understand how Michaels supports educators. The data reveals consistent praise for product variety, in-store organization, and staff knowledge – particularly when teachers come in searching for specific project components. Mrs. Johnson’s 4th-grade classroom, for instance, went through fourteen different STEM craft kits last semester…

+ STEM craft kits cover engineering, chemistry, and art in single packages - fewer trips to multiple stores
+ Staff members frequently offer project suggestions and shortcut tips when teachers describe lesson goals
+ Weekly coupons and educator discounts stretch limited classroom budgets noticeably further
+ Clear aisle signage and organized sections make 20-minute supply runs actually achievable
+ Wide age-range inventory means one stop covers pre-K finger paint and AP Studio Art portfolios

Michaels Rewards App: Your Questions, Answered

Everything you need to know about earning points, unlocking deals, and making the most of your free membership.

01

How do I join the Michaels Rewards program?

Joining the Michaels Rewards program is completely free and takes just a minute. Simply download the Michaels app or sign up online with your email address and phone number. You can also enroll at any register during your next store visit. Once you’re a member, you’ll start earning points on every purchase and gain immediate access to exclusive member pricing on hundreds of products.

02

What does exclusive member pricing actually mean?

Member pricing gives you lower prices on hundreds of items throughout the store – think 20% to 50% off select products that non-members pay full price for. These deals refresh regularly and cover everything from acrylic paint sets to Cricut machines. The savings show up automatically when you scan your Rewards account at checkout.

03

How do I earn and redeem Rewards points?

You earn 1 point for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases. Once you hit 100 points, you automatically receive a $5 reward voucher. Points accumulate across multiple trips, so smaller craft hauls still add up. Your reward gets applied to your next purchase unless you choose to save it.

04

Do my Rewards points expire?

Yes – points expire 12 months after they’re earned if you haven’t reached the 100-point threshold. Once you receive a $5 reward, that voucher is valid for 30 days. Keeping your account active with at least one purchase per year also prevents your overall account from being deactivated.

05

Are there bonus point events or extra perks for members?

Michaels runs bonus point events several times a year, often during back-to-school season and holiday prep periods, where you can earn 2x or even 5x points on select categories. Members also get early access to sales, birthday discounts, and occasional free shipping promotions on online orders.

06

Can I use the Michaels app to check stock at my local store?

Absolutely. The app shows real-time inventory for your preferred store, so you can confirm a specific yarn color or canvas size is in stock before you drive over. It also lets you create project lists, scan barcodes in-store for instant pricing and reviews, and clip digital coupons that stack with member pricing.

PRICE-MATCH GUARANTEE

Michaels' Promise: We Won't Be Undercut

Creating shouldn’t cost more than it has to. That’s why Michaels matches competitors’ prices-and then some.