Do better Michael's. I understand you have become the Walmart of craft stores, but I am always hopeful. I have wanted to take an "in-store" class or sign up for a craft session with my 9-year-old daughter for a while now. Finally TWO "in-store" crafts looked interesting: Woodburned Snowflake + Yarn-Wrapped Cardinal FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 pm TODAY. When we walked in I was excited to see the craft table was still set up for the days crafts (see attached photo from today), but not an employee in site. So I walked over to the front where two employees stood talking amongst themselves as there was NO OTHER CUSTOMER in site to help. When I asked about doing the craft, that was clearly still setup on the table IN FEONT OF THE STORE, the longhaired brunette said, "aw, not right now, there's only 10 mins. left and we don't want the cleanup." Seriously, I cannot believe the laziness. I am So disappointed in this customer service especially since I asked about the craft at 3:44 and it was supposed to go till 4:00pm today! DO BETTER MICHAEL'S. At this rate, I don't want to spend any money at your stores. read more

I just wrote this letter to Michaels, corporate: I'm writing to report the appalling behavior of one of your store clerks by the name of Gonzo. I was checking out with my two young children and there was some confusion about the usage of a coupon. The lady helping me did not know how to apply it so she called GONZO over. After discussing (and acting totally put out), and not understanding himself, I just agreed to apply a 20 percent coupon and go. Amongst all the discussion and confusion, I did not pay for my last item and he says "Were you planning on stealing that?!" in front of my children, the lady cashier and the other customers. I said "Oh, I forgot but you don't have to accuse me of stealing it ($13!), of course I'm going to pay for it. I asked him why he would say that instead of just saying "you forgot to pay." I told him he owed me an apology and he said "I just call it like I see it." I love Michaels, but GONZO should be fired. What an atrocious attitude, during the holidays nonetheless. Dude, get a life and take your anger out at a wall! My 8 year old daughter asked me "why did he accuse you of stealing my toy?" I complained to the manager who was working in custom framing who was extremely nice and appalled herself. I hope Michaels takes appropriate action to either discipline or train GONZO. read more

This review reflects my experience with the custom framing department. I recently brought in a limited-edition, signed and numbered print I purchased from a rare book dealer (the print is a poem, signed by an author who is now deceased). I had saved up for a while to have the odd-sized collector's item framed and thought Michael's would be great due to their 60% off coupon. All was great until I went to pick up my print. It was clear that the work had been damaged. I could see numerous creases all along one edge of the print, as though someone had scrunched it up somehow. Needless to say, the print is irreplaceable and I was disappointed. I'm giving the review 2 stars only because the staff did their best to make it up to me and resolve the issue. No one ever questioned my report of the damage - in fact, the associate who had originally taken my order and taken possession of the print vouched for me and told her manager the print did not come in damaged as it now is. They took the print out and tried to remove some of the creases, but the damage was already done. I was refunded my money - all of it - and given my framed, yet slightly damaged, print back. read more

Huge store. Got help in the aisles when we were looking for something specific. Plenty of parking. However, when we got to the cash register, they wouldn't take our coupon for 50% off that I got from their website. They said that the coupon was only good for regularly priced items. I didn't think to print out the 25% off coupon for sale items. But when I looked at my receipt after I left, I didn't see any mention of a sale price. I have to question whether the item we bought was truly on sale. The price was not identified as a sale price in the aisles. Hmmmm .......... By the way, if you're driving from the south to this congested shopping area, take the 7th Street exit off the Nimitz and drive up Frontage Road, make a right on Grand, and a left on Mandela Parkway. A hassle free way to get there. read more

This was my first time in a Michaels store. I have used Beverly's, Party City and Party Warehouse before for my crafting, party supplies. I came here for poster and picture frames. There was a 70% off sale on an adequate line of frames and I got what I needed. There is a large variety of food crafting, garden decorations, arts & crafts items for sale. I look forward to returning to shop for my next project. read more

Every single time I go here the shelves don't have price stickers on them and just have the papers for the employees with all the barcodes sitting around, so I have to carry it around that aisle and try to match the barcode with the items. Then at checkout, there is always only one person and they're either on the phone or dealing with lockers, and despite being the only person in line it takes over ten minutes for them to acknowledge me at all. Not to be a Karen but literally every time? Then something is always scanned wrong and has to go thru the return process. 3 times everything I described has occurred. I don't need to be waited on hand and foot, I just want to be able to go in, see prices, and buy items. read more

My review is for their custom framing services, not the retail crafts store. I've had good experience buying arts & crafts supplies at Michael's, but I need to warn you that their framing services SUCK!! I took my beautiful new original screen print to Michael's for framing because I had a coupon for 55% off. I think they're basically always offering this kind of discount, so their prices for custom framing are low, but the quality of the service is correspondingly bad. First, they have a pretty limited selection of frames as compared to small, independently owned framing shops. Second, when I placed my order, the person helping me talked to me about my choice of frame, color of mat, and type of glass. He didn't ask me about the width of the mat I wanted, which I guess he was supposed to have. So when I picked up the finished order, it was GIGANTIC, they had put a really super wide mat around the print that looked ridiculously big and out of proportion for the size of the piece of art. The framed picture was so big that it would have looked completely stupid hanging on my wall. They were nice enough to re-do my order for no charge, and even discounted me back a little bit for the overall size of the re-framed piece, since I had paid for the size of the gigantic atrocity. But they took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to re-do the framing job --three and a half weeks, when I was originally told it would be done in two weeks. So in total I waited for 6 weeks for this framing order to be done correctly. I don't care how cheap they are, I'd never go there for custom framing again. My advice is to go somewhere else and pay more -- sometimes quality is worth the price. read more

I love Michaels and love their prices. I learned that there is a teacher's discount. Yay. Staff is always helpful and store is well organized. Parking is great. read more

Shanna, Evelyn , Kenneth! You all are angels. Thank you for all your help and kindness on my latest shopping experience in your store

I am currently in the process of throwing my friend a Baby shower and micheals was a place I chose to get the games and gifts. I am a very maticulous person and I take my time. I had a Cart full of goodies and I planned to take my time to look around a little more, only to find out that I was being followed by staff, never once did they ask if I neded help. They were peeking around corners and fake straightening up isle that were already clean. I spent over 200 hundred dollars this last Sunday, upon checking out the manager asked me if I found everything ok L.O.L One thing I hate is to be treated like a crook. While they were watching me, the Little chinese lady had a jacket full of goodies... read more

I always feel like I'm going to come out as the Asian Martha Stewart every time I go to this store. It's not the best of the chain, but it usually has what I need for my latest projects. First area on my project radar is always the yarn section. They have a pretty good selection of the not too expensive yarns here. Somehow, the yarns I want are never on sale. Next stop, the notions - double pointed needles, circular needs, stitch markers... not a huge section, but for the more common items, they usually have it. Lastly, I must stop by the cross-stitch kits. I bought my first kit over 10 years ago and I've been hooked since. Lots of patterns to select from. Beginner to Advanced, there will be something you'd like to complete and hang on your wall. All in all, this is a decent store. I've been to others that are much bigger and better stocked, but in a creative pinch, this is the closest one and I've been able to get what I need. read more

I particularly like this Michael's because it's big but not empty. Always fully stocked and has so many more option than some other Michael's locations that I've been to. Staff here is always nice and willing to help you make the most bang for your buck with deals and coupons. Just a little short staffed at all times. Therefore if you need to ask something you have to go all the way to the cash register and wait for that one cashier is done ringing people up. read more

I love me my Michaels. I come here for anything crafty. Knitting stuff, t-shirt making stuff, gift making stuff, etc. I can come to this store and accidentally stay for hours. Just browsing the isles makes me want to pick up a new hobby. read more

I was literally here for 3 hours today. It was my first time here at this Michaels but we had to buy a lot of items for an upcoming house party. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the little variety of items they had here. But hopefully we were able to get most of the items we needed, including a lot of rose that were on sale at 70% off. read more

Lots of great craft items. If you can't find it here, you can't find it. Their holiday crafting projects are awesome. And they even have classes! A great place to go to for sequins all the way up to the biggest craft project! read more

This place has a huge huge huge selection of stuff. It's like the K-Mart of craft. In need of that special item to deck out your halloween, mardi gras or burning man costume, this place will have it. Selection was great, the service was friendly and helpful, and checkout was fast. What else can you ask for in a store? read more

Much improvement since the last review. They got rid of the problem workers and replaced with others that actually value a job. Employees that actually would not roll their eyes if you stop them for a question. Always stocked with things you need. I specifically go for the baking/cake decorating area and they always have what I'm looking for. Parking lot is getting more packed though.. I guess everyone's been bitten by the craft bug.. read more

This place is known for its employees being treated like crap. Don't expect good service. This is a discount self service art supply store. Just like I do at the demonic Home Depot, I help myself and expect nothing from people. Actually some of employees have been very helpful, and I have been able to save a lot of money. They have coupons after coupons. One coupon expires but immediately the next coupon comes. It's a bit of work to follow the coupon, but if you manage the coupon situation, you save a lot of money like I have been. They always have 40% or 50% off on a regular priced item. This save a bit if you need to buy something expensive. Some of items here have better prices than any other places. Unlike normal-ish store, there isn't much service. For instance, if an item I need to buy is out of stock, I am not able to place an order even if I offer to prepay for the item in full. So, when I see that item, I just buy all of the stock just so I have it whenever I need it. Once the item is out of stock, even God doesn't know when it's going to be restocked. "Self service" here. read more

I love Michael's! It is one of the best places to get all your scrapbooking needs! And what makes it even better is that they now sell the Martha Stewart collection. Yes, I know, she is overrated...but I still love her stuff. Another reason why I love Michael's is the 40% off coupons they have. You never have to buy anything full price!!! read more

Corporate Michael's is getting the hint - FINALLY, more scrapbooking supplies to appeal to the masses! I hadn't been to this location in years, but I recently took a visit and was quite impressed by the remodel. The scrapbooking section takes up half of the store (at least). They carry newer and trendier supplies (including my beloved American Crafts albums and refills) - and I can't find this stuff at my local Michael's! Darnit! So I'm hoping that the remodeling at the Emeryville location is just a test run to see how successful it is and that the concept will spread to all of the Michael's locations across the country. Minus a star for the high prices (it's better if you have a weekly 40% off coupon)... Boo on the restrictions for the coupon use too! read more

I love the fact that if you have any craft project you can pretty much supply it by 1 trip to Micheals. Its in a good location so if they don't have what I am looking for its not a big deal to run accross the street to Jo-Ann Fabrics, Target or OSH for extra supplies. I love the coupons in the Sunday Paper - usually a good deal. Only thing, is bring your patience. They still have not figured out how to get people through the register line quickly. No matter what time of day I go. . .slow as molasses! read more

I wasn't very impressed with this store, especially considering the size! I would say that most of the goods here are scrapbooking, silk flowers, frames, jewelry and kids' crafts. I was looking for yarn and other trinkets to create a crochet amigurumi character. The yarn selection was very limited, especially in the light yarn department, which is what I needed for the little dolls. Needless to say, I walked out of there with less than half the items I need to finish my project. So only about 1.5 aisles of yarn, no fabric, no doll making supplies. I must be spoiled from living in the Midwest where we have a huge craft centers that usually include sewing centers, too. read more

Decent arts and crafts supply store. The layout is kind of weird, but I think that's partially due to the holiday section dominating a lot of the store at the moment. It's hard to find an employee to help...I had to wander around most of the store before I found someone to answer my question. And they still weren't all that helpful. They seem to have a lot of coupons, so most likely you can get a discount on your purchase. Just look around the internet or sign up for their email list. read more

Love to craft, but some times its hard to find what i need all in one place. is the case here so i do like this location. parking is ok this store is larger than others, the yarn selection is great, but a little pricey. but some times you get 40% off cupons. i also visit the baking section , also have a pretty good stock here but some items are harder to find like bags and what nots for treats. i will come back as i am an avid crafter. read more

Came here for planner decor - organized - lots of stickers (2 whole isles) - expensive stickers - washi tape prices were ok The line to pay wasn't that long. There were around 7 people. I waited for quite a bit, around 20 minutes. The cashier was taking their time. Good overall. read more

Ordered online for store pick up. The cashier made me wait in the 20 minute line with everyone else.... which defeats the purpose of ordering online. read more

Plenty of parking. They have a liberal return policy - so it makes it easy to buy a couple items and try them out (i.e. for centerpieces etc) and return unused items that aren't working. I think their bead and jewelry area is pretty interesting - they seem to keep up with trends in crafts and arts. read more

I'm a baker and when I'm in a pinch I can find quite a bit of supplies at Michael's... including cake boxes! Unfortunately they don't branch out beyond the Wilton & Duff Goldman brands of cake decorating tools, but I can't hold that against this particular store as they're a retail chain. Regardless, if you've somehow found yourself without gold luster dust the night before a 50th anniversary cake is due... they're open until 9pm. Head on over! I haven't done much shopping here for other crafts, but it looks to be pretty well-stocked with scrapbooking, framing, painting, and jewelry-making materials. A huge kid's section too... Over the weekend I saw they had a "Create Your Own Molecule" kit. How many other stores can say they sell a "Create Your Own Molecule" kit?? But with the decent product line and all the time & money I've spent in this particular store, their customer service too poor to be overlooked. Like, I'd almost use a curse-word to describe it, except I swore to myself I'd never curse on Yelp, so I'll let you do it: It's pretty [insert curse word of choice]. Most of us have worked retail at one point or another. We all know it's hard and relatively-unrewarding, and I can imagine that the staff there probably endures some shady clientele. But whatever is going on at that store is no excuse for simply not giving a [insert curse word of choice here too] about the customers who are actually trying to business there. read more

For the longest time I have thought that when I was going to the Michael's over in Bayfair that it was not ever as good as I remember this one here in Emeryville. I used to spend hours perusing the aisles and rows of Michael's in Emeryville, this one that I am reviewing, and always being able to fill by cart of lustfully with ideas of crafts and all kinds of projects to fill my time and make my Mondays and Sundays in to Fundays (the rhyme doesn't work with the rest of the week, but I'd like to think those days would be included in my artistic frenzy as well)! Upon coming back, I was disappointed. It WASN'T BETTER than the one in Bayfair at all. It seemed to be lacking many things. The small aisle devoted to doing clothing work and T-Shirt designs and all that seemed smaller and less to do. I don't know why, but I think it's because the one in Bayfair has totally redone itself. And now Emeryville pales in comparison. If I had to choose which one to go to, esp to find SOMEONE to help me, I would go to the one NOT in Emeryville, which is the one I am reviewing now. I love how the other Michael's has a much longer bigger selection of low-priced dollar items for fun art projects that are quick and easy and can be bought multiples of so that a groups of artists can do the work together at a fun get-together. The Emeryville Michael's focus seemed to be on scrapbooking, which was the central theme of the entire store. Everything else was in a ring around the various papers, scrapbooking material, tools, cutting tools, stamps, stickers, inks, and picture framing for such things. I didn't like the layout and how narrow and small the aisles felt, because no two baskets could pass easily in a narrow aisle like that! But the one cool feature of this store is that it usually has more than just one register open, and it has little mini-carts to push around if you don't want a full-size cart. Those are nice. But they don't carry much. It's the prices that are a turn-off, and when I went to find a blade that would cut my stencils, I found 2 different brands and models of blades small enough to be dexterious with. But I could not find the holder for either one. I asked someone who worked there and he could not locate them either, which rendered them both useless. I was a bit miffed and upset. Well, the jewelry section was very nice and large, which is superior than the other store in Bayfair by far. So if that's your thing, go down to Emeryille. One thing I like about Michael's overall is that they offer FOR FREE little sample idea book pages around the store for the artist that wants something to do but isn't sure how to get ideas of exactly what to do or how to do it. So, my thoughts on improving the store? Less focus on all these scrapbooking things and children's strange toys that don't seem like projects at all. Like bins of wiggly gel-filled squish balls. What kind of art project is that? It seems more like a "play with this kid while the grown-ups shop. (And SHUT UP while you do it, please.)" read more

Basically, I go here when I am too impatient to wait for something I could purchase online for cheaper (shipping cost included!) and if I have a coupon to use, because it's only about a half of a mile from my apartment. The updated store layout is nicer than many other Michael's, but the prices are still higher than most other art and craft supply stores in general, and the attitude of the staff members certainly leaves something to be desired. I have yet to come across a pleasant employee, or one who hasn't acted as if I am inconveniencing them simply by making a purchase. read more

Good selection, good parking, good coupon deals. My only complaints: It is just way too hot in this place.. I almost fainted last time. It is always hot no matter what the weather is outside. And there is always a line. Always. Keep a couple checkers in front please! Anyway other than those two things I do love Michaels. read more

I love Michael's! I am guilty :(! I try to support local art businesses but their 40% off coupons are too hard to resist. I've been going here since I could remember. I've done so many art crafts here and bought my partner a college diploma frame. They have a lot of fun 1 dollar cheap fun things like a small spongy cat that grows into the size of my hand. It is only $1!! It grows in 4 days and it is fun. Looks like Cheetos puffs at first then grows into a smooth cat again. I've bought a picnic basket from here as well. It was 50% off! TIP: The staff members here are super helpful. There are always long lines so don't expect it to be a quick run to the arts and craft store. COUPONS: Use your cell phone (be green) or print out the coupon (tree killer) or use scratch paper :3 People! Overall, Great place to get most of your art supplies. read more

Michaels - $1 Sponge Cat :3 grows in 4 days. Small lil thing to a cat that is the size of my hand. - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

Staff was slow and unhelpful when I tried to figure out when my curbside pickup order would be available.

I use Michaels strictly for the framing of my concert posters, so that is what this review reflects. I see the bad complaints about customer service, etc. All I can say is, where else can you get a $350 frame job for $160? It'll take 2 weeks, but they do great work and some framing associates really have some great advice. I've been to boutique frame stores and walk out with a knot in my stomach after throwing down 3 times as much as I pay here...for the same quality work. DON'T FORGET YOUR 60% OFF COUPON!!! read more

I love this store! It is a quick fix place to go to when I'm looking for scrapbooking materials. I shop here often so I know they are limited with their stock, however, when I need something quick, i.e. refill pages, pens, glue, a paper pack, etc. I know I will find it here. Sadly, the customer service is not as good as it should be. Most of the employees don't know a thing about scrapbooking so you should know exactly what your looking for and its function before you walk in. I usually do, so I can over look the lack of customer service. Overall, I love Michael's and will continue to shop there as long as they are here at this location. read more

What a great place to shop! Fabulous selection of paints (Faber-Castell, difficult to find), other artist supplies, books, etc...and aside from the endless array of hobby inspirations, there are shelves and shelves of bakeware items for gourmet tastes. Excellent service...friendly and helpful. Last week, I accidentally left a package on the counter, did not notice until much later, then called and was told, "Yes", It's here"....when I went back a few days later, a lovely young lady named Grace stopped what she was doing and immediately went off to retrieve the lost package. It is a rarity today to experience great service like this. read more

I wasn't planning on writing a review, because let's be honest, it's just a Michaels lol. But after seeing all the recent negative reviews, I'd like to balance the scales a little! The store was clean and well organized, and not too many people in it. I asked for help finding something and the girl I asked was really nice and knew exactly where it was. The girl at the cash register was quick and courteous as well. Again, it's nothing crazy, it's just a Michael's, but I hardly think it deserves any 1 star reviews. read more

Nice selection of items but incredibly rude staff. As I was checking out with a large purchase, including 15 glass vases, the checker stated putting all the glass, unwrapped, in the same bag. Concerned they would all break, I asked if she could wrap them in paper. Not only did she seem super annoyed and also shocked but interjects saying "all of them?" And then grumbled out some thing about it taking a long time. Not impressed! read more

Need craft supplies or framing? Better go somewhere else. I've had the misfortune of this Michaels being the closest craft supply store for four years now and every time I go I am dissapointed. Crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitching/embroidery are my biggest hobbies and whenever I need something for my project, this Michaels somehow doesn't have it. Their yarn selection is awful and their embroidery floss stock is even worse. Both sections always look like they haven't been organized or stocked in weeks. Count yourself lucky if they happen to have something you need when you need it. Their framing department is terrible. I've taken three things there to be framed and will never take something there to be framed again. The first experience was pleasant, but the second experience someone decided they wanted to try and help hide a dirt spot on my project and they ended up making it worse. This last framing project I took to them was a doozy. They never called me to tell me the project was ready and a month later I came to the store to ask for an update and the framing was incredibly crooked and a hair was very visable underneath the glass. They said it would be fixed in a week, and when I showed up a week later it hadn't been touched. Another month went by and when I called for an update, they couldn't find my project. To make a long story short, it took three more phone calls for someone to find my project and give me an update on it. After three months, three visits, and countless phone calls, I finally decided to ask for my project back and for a refund. One thing to note is that the employees that I've interacted with have always been extremely polite and helpful. The issue with this store has to be terrible upper management. The El Cerrito Jo-Anns is far and the journey is wrought with much traffic, however that store is always wonderfully organized and stocked with everything that I need. If you need any craft supplies, and especially embroidery floss, you'll have way better luck there instead. read more

I love coming to this Michaels. It is always very calming when I am here shopping. The employees are always kind. They always tell me about deals that are going on. The last time that I visited to purchase a friend some supplies. There was a deal going on that I had no idea about. The cashier told me the item was on sale if I go online for the coupon. She pulled the website up quickly and scanned the coupon. I had a HUGE savings that day! THANKS KHAILIA! read more