Hi there friends, I’m a little bit early again this week, because I’m early to bed this evening and my polls are posted manually. Anyways, a new weekly poll is up. If you are like me and kind of live in a crafting bubble, it’s very interesting to see what’s reality for fellow crafters. The whys, where, when, what and how much are questions that I’m always curious about and evidently, so are you. I have to say, I’m surprised at the answers! This week is a new poll. I’m always curious where people buy their craft items since I’ve noticed that many local craft stores have closed. Further, is it my imagination or are the craft aisles at Walmart and Target shrinking?
You can see the results of any previous polls by going to my Crafting Poll Archive Page. Have an idea for a multiple choice poll that you haven’t seen before? Feel free to send me a message through the contact tab at the top of the page.
Have a great week!!
It’s not you; was in Target just this afternoon and the formerly whole aisle + was barely 1/2 of 1 side of the aisle!
You are right, those items are shrinking! A lot. And most of independent stores are already closed. But I hate buying online and paying shipping or ordering way too much $$$ worth. I simply don’t have it to spend. Plus, I want to see the item in hand before buying!! I just hope the box stores keep up – my local Joann’s have just grown tremendously but Michael’s is still way too small in the scrapbooking/cardmaking area!!
Hi Becca another great poll..I do my shopping on line as there is only one craft shop where I live and they are so very expensive. I also watch out for coach trips to the craft shows….hmmmm always have a big spend then!!
Love Sheila xx
I buy most of my crafting supplies from Stampin’Up! and Hobby Lobby. There is a scrapbook/stamping store nearby but their items are half again as much a the chain stores. Hobby Lobby and Michaels have great coupon offers for the high priced items too. Occasionally I pop in to Walmart but usually its for a Martha Stewart punch.
Is this where I answer your poll?? :o)
I like to shop where I can take advantage of sales, discounts, and coupons. Michaels and Hobby Lobby are close enough to go a few times a month. I also enjoy Joann’s Fabric, but they’re more of a drive for me. I do often purchase from them online, though because of their sales, but only when I can order enough to earn free shipping (usually a coupon code out there if you search.)
For new, hard to find, stuff the retailers don’t have yet, I like Blue Moon Scrapbooking, & yourscrapbookstore.com. Their prices are fair, and blue moon offers free shipping, while yss discounts a bit. I also like Mollyssquare.com for daily deals on new stuff, like the new spellbinders.
well, maybe that was TMI? but there’s my shopping for you. :o)
Jennifer
I do not have one source I go to… other than Michaels, Target, Jo Ann’s and Walmart, there is not much out there…so what I do if I see something I just have to have I google it and try to get it for the best price I can find. I love the many blogspots that post where they get their items…so sad to see the little shops closing…
i run to Michael’s and Joann’s for the basics. I have a wonderful store about 30-40 minutes from me “The Queen’s Ink” in Savage Mill, MD and a local scrap store Photo Scraps not too far away. Have visited Hobby Lobby on occasion and like this store very very much.
whoops, didnt see the poll to my right! sorry
Oh dear. Tough to select only one. I shop at all the “big box” craft stores (I’m fortunate to have all 3 that you mention within 10-15 minutes from my home!), but I also shop online quite a bit, and I also shop through my very nice Stampin’ Up demonstrator (she’s an absolute doll!).
And yes, the craft sections of Wal-Mart and Target have shrunk to nothing.
Yes, most Walmart have reduced craft items to almost nothing. Walmart has also removed fabric from most stores. Local mom and pop craft stores are gone in my area. I can drive 30 plus miles to several other stores. Joanns and Michaels are the most popular , however they are so routine.I do love the 40% and 50% off coupons they offer. I love variety. I order a lot online and do not like to pay shipping and do not like waiting. There is a great Ben Franklin store about 50 miles up the hill. I’m in California and you would think we would have it all easily available. Joanns that is closest to me carries only a limited number of Spellbinder dies. If I drive 30 miles that Joanns has a larger variety of Spellbinders. I wish there was a local store where I could find the hard to find and buy it and be able to spend my time crafting rather than driving.
This is a difficult question to answer because one answer doesn’t fit. I participate in a monthly Stamp Club with my local SU demo. However, SU doesn’t sell stuff from Tim Holtz, Spellbinders, DCWV, and etc. Since I am not a demo for SU, I shop where i can get what I want. We do have a local stamp store — however I am afraid they will be going out of business soon. There are a few scrapbooking stores but they are an hour — or more — away. I set aside money every month to attend two stamp/scrap conventions that come nearby. I order from on-line stores, “deal of the day” web stores, and i go to the Big Box stores (Michael’s, Joann’s, and AC Moore) for some things. I rarely buy from Wal-mart or Target because they do not have a wide enough variety of craft products. So I buy what i want/need from where i can find the particular item, and hopefully where I can get the best prices.
BECCA AS I DON’T HAVE EXTRA MONEY, I SHOP WHERE ICAN GET
A DISCOUNT AS I HAVE TO WATCH HOW I SPEND. I LIKE TO SHOP ON LINE, IF I CAN GET A SPECIAL OF NO SHIPPNG. OR ANY OF THE’
STORES IN TOWN, JO-ANN’S ,MICHAELS, ETC. LIVING IN A SMALL
TOWN PUTS PURCHASING HERE AT A LOW. IF ONLY WE COULD
SHOP ONLINE AND NOT PAY SHIPPING-WHAT A WONDER.
CYNTIA
Again, hard to choose just one answer to that. Could have answered all of the above. I purchase a lot online, have gotten some good deals on discontinued ink pads and papers on Craig’s List, lots of Spellbinders on Ebay, and my SU demonstrator for the majority. We are blessed with Joanne’s, Michaels, Ben Franklin nearby, and a number of scrapbook stores.
You are sooooooo right….Walmart and Target craft aisles are slooowwwly getting smaller!!
I have one small local store which carries lots of items not carried at Michaels or Joann’s. She does charge a little more but I like to support her when I can. I don’t want to see her go out of business. She also gives lots of ideas and techniques. I never shop at Walmart or Target since they both stopped carrying more than a handful of supplies and no stamps. Also, our Michaels has cut down the number of stamps they carry. I buy SU from my DIL, who is a demo. I will shop online or ebay if I can find a good deal and the shipping is free or very low. Other than that, there are no other places locally that I can buy from. We do not have Hobby Lobby.
Do you actually read our responses? As I have asked you the same question at least 6 times in the comment area, plus used your contact form.
I shop online, and at A C Moore (like Mike’s a but a bit cheaper and I think a better supply in paper crafts) and mike’s but only with coupons and clearance items. I occasionally get to one of the Joanns within driving distance, but it is not that great in the paper crafting department.. I want to check out the other one, as I have heard good things, but it is a bit further away.
I also order from SU…but am looking for a New SU demo.
We used to have a wonderful scrapbooking store locally, was bought out, changed a bit and moved right smack in the middle of the tourist and high price zone. I haven’t been in there since. There is another one about 45 minutes away, but I do not like most of the paper lines they carry…most are geared really to children, young children, and even though I have not gotten to those pictures of my children yet, I have been gathering supplies for years, so i am not buying any “child use’ paper right now.
I have also done several boxed round robins of crafty stuff, which have been cool, and I have been the lucky winner of several give away boxes of crafty stuff!
we finally have a target near by but haven’t gotten in there.. I have purchased some items from walmart, especially if on clearance.
Where do you shop? I would say you do not have to shop much, being on so many DTs, you are given most items, correct?
:)
Susan
Betcha can’t pick just one! LOL!! I know you said pick the one that fits best, but I shop where I can get the best buy. So, that means a mixture of places… so can’t really say exactly where I buy the “most”. I do shop local big box stores and only buy with coupons or equivalent sales, but they just don’t have “everything”, so online shopping is also huge for me… and that includes ebay as well as places that either provide very good sales or very good regular prices as well as free shipping.
I voted :from “local” big box stores. My local HB, Michaels stores are one and a half hours away. We travel there with coupons in hand. If I find a number of things my husband uses a coupon also. I have also been able to find a few things in Hancock Fabrics – no Joannes around.
Jean McGee
Hello Becca,
I agree, the Target and Walmart aisles do appear to be shrinking! I especially miss the things I could buy at my local Target which I don’t seem to be able to find, (like pretty floral stickers, which I love to use to make simple cards.) But I must say the majority of my shopping is at Michael’s, (so close, and on my way home from work!) and sometimes JoAnn’s. I love Michaels cause I get to use my coupons!
I try to shop my local stamp and scrapbook stores as much as possible. Things are a bit more expensive, but I would rather give my money to these wonderful ladies than to big corporations. I shop at Michael’s and JoAnn’s sometimes – I do love the coupons. I very seldom shop at Target and never shop at Wal-Mart. I also try to find things made in the USA, but that is getting almost impossible in the embellishment and tool areas.
I am evenly divided. I hit Michaels and Hobby Lobby every two weeks when they have good coupons. My sister is an Stampin’ Up! demo so lots of money goes there. Then the rest is a variety of online resources, large and small!
I try to buy from my local Scrapbook 101. However I do go to JoAnns & Hobby Lobby & use coupons when I can. It seems when ever I go to J.A’s. & think I’ll use one of their great coupons the stuff I want is already on sale. I, too, have noticed that W.Mart has cut way down on their craft supplies. So many things are not sold in the stores,so I do shop on the internet too. I would love to shop ar Michaels, but it is quite a trip from my home.
Thanks Becca, for sharing all your wonderful talent with us.
mary l.
I shop online because we live 2 1/2 hours from any large center and our local stamp store closed 5 years ago. I go to Michaels when ever I get the chance (maybe twice a year) but I find their prices high unless you have a coupon. A lot of the stores I used to go to when we went to the city have closed in the past couple of years. Thank goodness for online shopping or shopping would be sporatic.
I agree that the craft aisles at Walmart and Target are shrinking and I don’t even waste my time looking for craft items there. I enjoy learning where the design teams on the net get their products and I buy there when the price is right. You’ve led us to many great places! I’d love to support the local, smaller independent dealers more, but in this economy, COST DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The %Off coupons or free shipping at the larger craft stores really helps to keep my hobby going and I’m fortunate to have most of them close by!
As a rule I like to purchase from a scrapbooking store-there are several within a 30 min drive in various directions from where I live, I don’t buy on line as I don’t have a credit account and haven’t learned to buy using other means as this could be very dangerous to our bank account ;) I used to save and purchase at the craft shows around Melbourne but for some reason this year they haven’t happened as they usually do and the few that have been held are when I have other commitments and I have also noticed that the department stores are shrinking their craft sections which makes it very hard for people like me and a lot of seniors in my area who don’t drive
I voted big box store, but a fair portion of the time I go online, especially for Copics.
I shop most of my stuff online, as I´m living n a very small country, where there´s hardly any craftstores left at all anymore. We just have one big chain, who has stores in 7 of the biggest cities here, but they´re also so crazy expensive, that it´s impossible to pay the prices unless it can´t be found elsewhere. Unfortunately our goverment has made a differenced tax and vat on everything here, and all they see as unnessecary items is charged totally insane, and as all these things are categorized as luxus it´s very high taxed, so the one online store we have here, who even has any of the popular brands, have to charge about 70$ for a MS around the page set of punches, so even we have to pay the outragious postage, it´s still much cheaper to buy it from the US, if we just don´t buy for more than 50$ at a time, else we´ll be charged tax and vat of that too, when it arrives here, plus a very high fee to administrate the taxes too, so we have to use what we can get, when we can get it, so our best way to get craftstuff, is if we have friends abroad, who we can get to catch things for us and mail them here as “gifts”. But it learn us to use, what we have on hand for many things, that´s for sure, cause noone can afford to pay the outragious prices for everything here, and that´s probably also why, we almost haven´t any craftstores left here anymore, cause people can´t afford to buy it there, so they can´t make a living out of it anymore.
I´m so lucky, that I have a friend from here, who´s married to a US man, so she usually brings me loads of stuff , when they´re here to visit her family, else I wouldn´t be able to get much at all, I´m afraid.
Sadly neither of our LSS were open for long. Their prices were so very high people simply couldn’t afford them. Wal-mart and Target have little to offer. K-Mart doesn’t have a craft section at all. We only use credit cards in emergencies so I never shop on line. I am on a very tight budget so I shop for things I Need at the ‘big box’ stores when they have % off sales, clearance sales or I have coupons. Our ‘big box’ stores here are smaller and have less to offer then those in Seattle and the surrounding area. I save my pennies and once a year on a big holiday weekend when I know there will be sales, I make the three hour drive over the Cascades and treat myself to a day of shopping for fun things I want.
Blessing Bernie
Unfortunately Hawaii doesn?t have Micheals (boo, hiss, cry), but I find that I can get what I want online. Thank goodness for the internet and Ebay!
Goodness…I have a local scrapbook store less than a half a mile from my home. You can imagine how often I stop in at that place…lol And, the owner is great! She carries everything new on the market, offers 20% off every purchase and, for every $100 you spend, she gives you another $5 off. The $5 off you can ‘bank’ and use towards a larger (future) purchase. And, also worth mentioning are the classes she offers and the guest designers she has at the store. Most recently, it was Jenni Bowlin teaching a mini book class. I also shop a lot online, specifically at Red Lead Paperworks and Alpha Stamps. Both of these places have really cool stuff!
I order almost all my stamps online. I can’t get the ones I like locally but I do buy paper etc at HL or Michaels or local stamp stores but our last big stamping one is closing also. Such a shame, we’ve lost two really good ones in the past year.
I am very fortunate to have a Michaels, Joannes and Hobby Lobby in my area. And they are the super stores. So I shop there with coupons…I shop at AC.Moore when I visit my parents 3 hours away. Then I have 2 online stores that I get what I cant get in the local stores. The 2 best local scrapbook stores, although overpriced, closed in the last year. But I didn’t buy much as I got better deals online. And since I design for a kit club, I get the best deals from their online store, plus the latest and greatest products in our main kit. Like I said, I am pretty fortunate in my choice of suppliers!!
we have a local stamping store which is very convenient for stuff i want/need right away for a project. besides she works very hard at keeping her prices low. then if i am going to fresno (about an hour away) i will go into michael’s and/or joann’s with coupons and i always check my sunday ads for what’s on sale to stock up. rumor has it they are opening a hobby lobby in fresno soon.
Most often Hobby Lobby and Michael’s for the same reason everyone else does….coupons! This is a very fun hobby to be involved with but can be expensive. I live in a nice-sized city where we have several great dedicated non-chain craft stores and occasionally they will publish their own coupons. Most of my paper I print off in sizes I need. After years of digital scrapbooking, I have literally thousands of dollars worth of “paper” that I browse through and print on cardstock for my projects. Sometimes I need something nicer and will splurge but with so much available in my own files, this is where I go first. Speaking of nicer, I wish people would be nicer and would keep their nasty comments to themselves….referring to a post about 15 posts up…..you are wonderful and provide me with much inspiration!
You’re not imagining that WalMart and Target have cut back on craft supplies. While they weren’t my “go-to” places, it was nice to know that I could run up to WalMart in a pinch for cardstock or other items. Even though I selected LSS as an option on the poll, I also rely heavily on JoAnns, Michaels and Hobby Lobby due in part to sales and coupons as mentioned by other commenters.
Hi Becca,
Every Sat. I go to Michaels and AC Moore. The reason for that is you guessed it the coupons. Your right on about Walmart, it is like they did away with all the scrap booking supplies (well most of them). I didn’t buy too much there anyway. Just adhesive and sometimes some stickers. But since they are only down the street it was nice to be able to go and get something if I needed it in a pinch. I do shop a lot on line I like Ellen Hutson’s the classroom, also MFT, papertry ink, Donna Downey and of course Ebay and some other shops.
I voted for on-line because that is where I do most of my shopping. The local craft store AC Moore rarely has anything I want to purchase. Besides I keep the smaller guys in business which is a good thing. As always Becca, TFS!!! :-D
Joanne’s is closest, but a small store with limited items. Pretty good on cards/scrapbooking things. I have to travel to HL& ACM and even farther for Michaels, but I really don’t care for that store at all, even WITH a coupon. I check for items online. It’s too bad they don’t charge ACTUAL shipping instead of a flat percentage of your order. To purchase a $4 item that’s heavy and pay 3x that amount for postage cancels the deal for me. Get real, sellers! Becca’s blog is bad news – so many new items and such beautiful ideas. Hard to resist the bird cage, for example!
Morning Becca,
Nope, not your imagination – my Target barely carries any crafting stuff now nor does Walmart. I think online shopping has come to dominate as well as the bigger specialty crafting stores like Michaels, Joann Fabrics here on the east coast and Hobby Lobby and Archivers and such out west. With money so tight these days the bigger specialized stores can offer better prices…I guess anyway.
Hey Becca,
I can’t vote in the new Poll – it is showing the results and no where to cast a vote? I went to the poll page where all of the polls are listed and it shows that it has ended already? Hmmmmm
I live in Eastern Ky and it is at least 1 hour to the nearest Hobby Lobby, but we are getting a Michales in Oct. still a hour away, but you do what you have to do for your craft. The last time last week I was in Target in Lex. Ky there wasn’t any scrapbooking items. I guess they have stopped also. but there is a michaels right across the shopping center, Big lots is sometimes a good place.
I work 2 stores down from Hobby Lobby, so I am there quite often. Michaels and JoAnns, not so much…… Once a year I visit 2 girlfriends in the Canton Ohio area and go to Archiver’s and a few other local, not chain stores. One is Hollows where cardstock is $.20/lb, so I really stock up!!!! THEN, I do order a lot online. I work retail…so ordering online is so much easier for me…+ I can find what I want at 6:00 AM with my first cup of coffee. I have a friend that sells StampinUp, and though I do not buy that many stamps, I do buy dies and embossing folders. I have 1 drawer where I put new things when I buy, so when I feel the urge to purchase anything, I go to that drawer and can shop without leaving my art room!!!
I have completely emptied my art room in the past 2 weeks, waiting for a new floor to be put in this Wednesday, so I have really found a lot of “surprises” that I had forgotten about. Can’t wait to have everything back in place with a new worktable, specific stations for CuttleBug, small sewing machine, etc. I moved a lot of cardmaking supplies to my bedroom and closet so I could continue to make cards.
Anyway, I really enjoy reading everyone’s comments about shopping.
MaryAnne
You are correct that Walmart has cut way back on crafting supplies. We have a smaller older Walmart in my town and it is down to maybe 1.5 aisles. The whole back corner of the store used to be dedicated to crafting and sewing- no more. I was in one of the superstores in a nearby town and their section wasn’t mcuh better. I am fortunate because in my area we have AC Moore, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby Stores as well as a couple of scrap/stamp stores. In spite of that I have started getting more things on line because there are some things not available in the stores. I am thankful to have so many options.
My main source is the wonderful store Bonnidée in Pointe-Claire, QC. I owe my start in card-making to Bonnie, the owner. She, quite frankly, changed my life and my first loyalty is to her. I use online shopping as my backup.
As a single mom of 2 young ones money is tight and I buy my stuff from a lot of different places. I am lucky enough between where I work and live that I have all 4 of the big craft stores (usually only shop w/coupon). however; no local craft stores. Plus I am a hobby demo for SU and get a lot of my things from there, and I LOVE to buy on line if I can get a good deal with no s/h. There are several awesome ladies that do there best to keep prices like Susana’s and she always includes a small thank you, which I love!! I also like Tab’s and several other sites when they have a special and free s/h. Also there are several that have special daily deal which is how I was able to get some of the new stuff at awesome prices (like new spellbinders). Sorry got carried away! but if you really hunt you can find great deals and it helps alot to have great blogs like yours where you give us ideas so we use what we already have to make fantastic cards and projects. thanks so much!!
I love ‘hands on shopping’ the best, and always find something to buy with the coupons at Hobby Lobby , Joanne’s, and AC Moore. But I have done this long enough that I have all of the basics, and I am most interested in the things you can’t find there. For the latest Spellbinders, Just Rite stamps, etc, I have to order on line. Even then, I always make use of their sales or 40% coupon specials, and pretty much stick to the vendors that offer them. I used to be close to a scrapbook store, but couldn’t bring myself to pay full price for things, so I didn’t really buy much.
I like the selections at Scrapmart and U Cut At Home, and their monthly coupons.
I shop EVERYWHERE- but I selected “big box” stores since I have a Michaels, Joanns AND AC Moore ALL within 3 miles of my house!!!! I also ship a lot online as these stores do not have many of the specialty stamps or papers I use. Also, I do use EBAY for cricut carts and Overstock.com for miscellaneous items such as ink and ink refills.
Being handicapped and electing not to drive, I do most of my shoping on-line. I love the conventions and look for items that make my challenges easier. I have recently discoved Office Max for some great solid colored cardstock at a rather decent price. But our scrapbook stores close to my lower Michigan home have closed – so internet is helpful.
Becca, I had hoped to take part in this week’s poll, but my reply isn’t an option. It’s actually a combination of some of them – online, e-bay, etc. Anywhere that I can find a better deal! LOL :-)
I shop a combo –
**My SU demonstrator (Card Club)
**Online, well because my Local store and “big box” store don’t carry the stamp I want
**My Local Scrapbook Store
**The “big box” Michaels/Joanns – mostly for bling, MS punches, or ATG adhesive – don’t know if you consider Archivers “big box” or Local, but I shop there too.
**I also shop at a Paper Warehouse that also carries scrapbook items – mostly for reams of smooth white & vanilla cardstock or metallic cardstock – I check out the scrapbook area because I made the trip for the cardstock
Will say I prefer SU and the Local store, but have to go online because they don’t carry what I want.
I shop at the “big box” stores, mostly Michael’s and Hobby Lobby plus a large local craft store. But now that I’ve started oil painting, I also shop at a local art supply store that carries all kinds of supplies plus has free demonstrations! I feel very fortunate to have these sources. And I also use online, especially when there’s free shipping deals!
There is absolutely nothing at Walmarts except “Elmers”. Love coupons from JoAnns and Michaels. Shipping $$$$$$$ is outrageous for on-line products. Just last week, I ordered something for a special project, and the shipping was $8.50 for $3.00 worth of items ordered. Will not be shopping on line.
I see that many of your readers shop the big box stores. These are most likely the same people that will say “all of our scrapbook and stamp shops closed up.”
I can’t stress how important it is to support your local small businesses.
Shopping only big box stores like Michaels and Joanns as well as shopping online is what puts all the small businesses out of business.
PLEASE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.
I am so lucky to have a wonderful local Stamp Store “Crafty Capers” that carries lots of the newest stuff. I just have to tell her what Becca is doing and low and behold she seems to find a supplier and wha la I can try to do a Becca card. The large box store is here but I just love my local gal as she will custom order stuff. I do a small amount of shopping on line but the cost of shipping is out of this world and I only do it when I can’t wait for my local girl to bring it in.
love your Father’d day card, who is TPC stamps? never heard of them and that is a gorgous stamp. re your poll, i shop using all methods but mostly internet because i’m mostly homebound due to disability and can only go real shopping when someone is with me and that is difficult. besides there aren’t any LSS stores around and the big box stores don’t have much in place so end up internet shopping w them as well.
Since I live 50 miles from HL & Michaels I have to shop mostly online. When I take Bruce to the doctor I get to run in HL or Michaels every so often but mostly I shop online. My Walmart certainly sucks as far as scrap supplies. They used to be fairly good but I don’t even go down that isle any longer. Rats! Oh, the poll thingy would not work for me this am, will try again later.
We’re kind of lucky as have Hobby Lobby, a big JoAnn Fabric and Michaels within 10 miles from our house. But a real craft store is about 30 miles away and a bigger one is even farther. We used to have several in town but like you said, all have closed. Darn! So shop for a lot of things on line and love the yearly Michigan craft show near Detroit. Edna
I try to shop the local scrap stores, although many are closing. I live in So Cal.
Scrapbook Garden in Huntington Beach, Scraparazzi in Whittier, and Stamp Fever in Orange are the favorites. I do order on line and of course buy at the shows and conventions.
You need an “All of the Above” button. I like to support the local stores – they have wonderful classes and guest teachers. While there are no locals in my town, I routinely travel up to 80 miles for a good class. Most of the stores have frequent buyer cards, and I’m a favorite customer in 3 or 4 stores. I also buy lots of SU. I’ve already bought most of what Michael’s and Hobby Lobby carry, but still manage to find something with my 40. And of course, I buy on line. The ladies in our stamping group often combine an order to take advantage of free shipping. E-bay was great when I first started stamping, but it is an addiction I try to avoid. Finally, there are great “parking lot sales” at local stores – just shop from the trunk of other crafters. (My family thinks I should just say no, but there is always something new!)
Hi Becca, first I saw some of your cards in person and I was thrilled, I was at the Buffalo Scrapbook Convention, beautiful cards as usual. Now I shop on line which I love its so convienent and you can see so much more plus they get the new stuff sooner. And then I shop what I call my holy trinity, AC Moore, Michael’s and JoAnn. They are about 5 miles apart so if I hit one I usually hit them all.
Yes Target and Walmart have shrunk. Way too much.
Becca,
I see the results of the poll but no where to vote??? strange
But I am lucky enough to have a local store where I can get all the latest products. And the owner will order anything we need. In addition, we have Michaels, Joanne’s and Hobby Lobby close by.
I live at Hobby Lobby…love that store! Michaels is my next choice only because it’s farther away. I do a fair amount of online shopping for things I can’t find locally.
Since we live in the “boonies” I do most of my shopping with my SU demonstrator or online. Your Feedblitz blogs help me see ideas and then I can broaden my shopping experiences (oh my!). We do have a local Michael’s and are getting a Hobby Lobby in August which are good for generic things. I am fortunate enough to have a group of friends through church that I stamp with. We have an SU demonstrator and we keep each other informed of new techniques and ideas. Also, we do lots of looking online, especially at Splitcoast Stampers for techniques and card ideas. My friends and I attend a stamping convention in OC,MD and we also go to York, PA to a stamping store. We try to be very proactive about our craft.
I would have to vote for every one. I shop everywhere. We have a great craft chain that is from the area in town, and I shop there all of the time. There is a really nice little scrapbook shop in town that carries a lot and I try to support them, too. Walmart for their cartridges for the cricut. There is an Archivers an hour away and I stop whenever I am close. I buy from ebay and I am always looking at things on line and buying from them, too. The bottom line is I am a “making things” junkie.
Hi Becca- tried to vote but the start and end times of the poll are the same, so I couldn’t vote. I did want to weigh in though. I have been an online shopper for many years.
All the big box stores are at least a 40 mile round trip for me- and of course in opposite directions.. Since gasoline here is about 4.00 gal., even if I have to pay shipping (I try to avoid, if possible) it is less than wasting gas and the wear and tear on my car. There are no LSS anywhere close at all. I find it frustrating to make the drive only to find out they don’t have what I need.
I keep a running list of items I want or need, and maximize by ordering as much as I can from as few online retailer as possible. I would never pay 8.50 shipping on a 3.00 order, for example.
I have (nicely) emailed online retailers that charge exorbitant shipping to voice my displeasure and to let them know they will not be getting any business from me.
I do not carry balances on my credit cards, so only order what I can pay in full on the next statement.
The best part is that when UPS, FEDEX or our mail lady brings my orders-it’s like Christmas!!!!
Becca- thanks for the Becca bit on seam binding. I ordered 200 yards on Saturday- exciting to start making custom colors myself!
I could not get into the poll this morning. But you can add me to the ‘shop online’ one. Michael’s, HL are far from where I live and do not carry the really nice PP. And I did notice that Walmart has scaled back considerably on crafts.
I like Charlene see results but no option to vote?
I do the majority of my shopping/purchasing on-line as you can find a greater selection. I do have a stamping store in my area and they do a wonderful job of staying current with merchandise but space is limited so selection isn’t always as varied as I find on the internet. Thank you for all of your creative and imaginative post, you are truly one in a million.
There’s no option for all of the above! I shop a little bit everywhere, except the scrapbook expo one, I’ve never been to one.
Becca, you are so right! The craft aisles at Target and Walmart are shrinking. I live near Tucson, a fairly good sized city, and we only have two local scrapbook/paper craft stores. So much of my shopping is done at Michaels and some at Joann’s. The Joann’s store nearest me is quite small and doesn’t have a very large selection of paper craft supplies. So I do most of my shopping at the closest Michael’s and local scrapbook store and they are both about 15 miles from my home.
Add me to the ones that couldn’t get into the poll…I spend about equal amounts between my Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator (used to be one) and my local Archiver’s store. The other big boxes get a smaller share depending on coupons and what they have in stock. And yes, I do agree with you…I couldn’t believe my local Target stores. Most of them are down to 1
Yuppers Target and Walmart are going fast on elimination of strapping stuff.
I couldn’t get into the poll either. Target and Walmart are not on my shopping list. They never have any sales on craft items and they each carry next to nothing. I shop Michael’s and Hobby Lobby most of the time. Joann’s doesn’t restock items once they are sold. We do have a great locally owned stamp an scapbook store, Simple Pleasures, in Colorado Springs, about 45 miles away which I do get to once in a while. SU is probably my biggest source of supplies. Great quality!
Well guess I better learn to spell. I meant scrapping stuff.
Becca – there’s an apparent glitch in the poll, unless I’m not seeing things correctly this morning. There is no way to vote and the start end has it ending yesterday a couple minutes before you set it up. Hope you get this message and the several others that make mention of this.
Hmm.. I can’t vote..
Hi Becca–I shop mainly online–especially one little store that on the whole has fabulous prices and bargains. We do have a little store in our town and I guess that is the second place that I go. Wal Mart is the third but not often since I have to drive 1 1/2 to 2 hours to one! I used to do Michaels but their prices are so high and once again 1 1/2 hours away–only once in a blue moon now.
Beautiful Card, as always. I buy from Stampin up and Michael”s and JoAnn’s. Where ever I can get products on sale.
Cheryl
I have a great independent store here in SW Indiana. The Corner Crop, the owners are fabulous about finding a requested item for inquiring customers. What a fantastic treat for me! The we also have the usual Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joanne’s (wish the would update their papers…some have been there for 5+ years ugh!). However I stil go there regularly. Target doesn’t seem to want to keep the craft deparent alive anymore. Sigh…
I am sooo fortunate! I live 40 minutes from an Archivers and am so spoiled it seems like too far to go unless there is something really special going on there.
Why? Because I live within 3 miles of JoAnn’s and Michael’s. And, about 2 blocks from Hobby Lobby! I know many of the clerks by name because they are used to seeing me 2 to 3 times a week…
Such a deal, huh?
There is no option to vote only the results. I shop at my local stamping store. It is wonderful. The owner will order anything I want and I try to support her because I’m glad she is there. I occasionally go to big box stores but my local stamping store is closer. I do order on line if I want a certain item that my local stamp store does not carry!
Primarily I shop online….I am very aware of price when I do this. I like Hobby Lobby & Mike’s but often don’t have the stamina to walk those very large stores. I watch the ad’s and also check their websites. Target carries almost nothing these days. I would prefer to shop locally, but not always possible and no small stores in my area. I have purchased nearly all my stamps from Stampin’ Up and some from TLC….my SU demo, Bev is terrific and has monthly Stamp Camps as well.
what I really want to know is…what does your day look like? I’m currently working two jobs to pay for my sons college costs. I’ll be able to retire in a few years, but I can’t begin to figure out what my days wil be like if I dive into my paper/fabric/bead collection when I have more time for making things. I’ve been crafty my entire life but never really had enough time to do everything I want to do….how do pros like yourself organize their days
in terms of where I shop I have shifted to online store and computer based communities rather than local shops. we only have one local store left and I find that my interests have exceeded her four walls.and so has my patience with her since she is rude most of the time. if a local store owner wants to diss her customers behind their backs, she doesn’t need customers. with online shopping I get what I want when I need it, have greater selection of cool stuff, spend less money (even with shipping) and don’t have to deal with unhappy souls who are st ressed out by their traffic. I find my creativity to be quite a joyful experience for myself. I’m an introvert and it shows, huh?
Wow! What a response! I too would prefer shopping locally, but have noticed that most of the stores are cutting back on the scrapbook style craft supplies. I love shopping at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, JoAnn’s, WalMart and Target. I too have noticed that WalMart and Target have really cut back on what they carry. I have also noticed that Michael’s seems to be reducing the amount of scrapbook style items seems to be shrinking.
Michael’s is just about the only store here in Billings, MT that carries Martha Stewart items and that aisle is shrinking every time I go in. I am especially upset to go into Hobby Lobby searching for things like Spellbinders and Cuttlebug and find they never seem to bring in the newer items. How long can you sell the same things over and over when the population doesn’t really seem to change. So, sure they are losing money in the craft department because their buyers aren’t keeping up! If they are losing money, they will stop carrying the products. What a vicious cycle!
I have taken to shopping more and more online, even though I despise having to pay the extra for the shipping. When I can use coupons at Michael’s, JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby and not pay shipping, that really hurts. I do search carefully for the online stores that have specials and occasionally coupons to compensate for the shipping. And I do lots of shopping at HSN where they offer special pricing and sometime free, or discounted, shipping. What can we do?
Hi Becca; I live in NJ. I buy most of my crafts from A.C.Moore and Michaels. I really miss the Rag Shop. They closed their stores years ago.
I find that not all Walmart Stores have a fabric dept. and their crafts are
minimal. I enjoy reading your blog and always look forward to seeing what you will come up with next in your card making. Be blessed.
I totally agree that the craft aisles are shrinking. I’m having to buy more and more things online.
Hello Becca,
I wanted to vote but for some reason I cannot get into the section I was going to vote on. So I am telling you here. I shop at a local store which is owned by a very nice lady who has just about everything you could want. And the best part…..if she does not have it and she has a soucre to purchase it from, she will get whatever you need in the way of scrapbooking or card making. She started out small in 2004 and she has continually grown. Most stores like JoAnn’s close to here have a limited supply of items and our does not carry Spellbinders and some of the new Doily dies. Christy, (the owner of the local store) carries most all the Nestabilities and she gets new items every week!! You also get assistance from her on making any of the items she has on display. If anyone in Ohio wants to go to a great privately owned well stocked store they need to go to Christy’s Main Street Memories in New Concord, Ohio. Her store is well worth the trip. Thanks for asking what we prefer.
Hugs, Linda
The local Stamping and scrapbooking store went out of business, so now I order from the internet or get supplies from stamping conventions. A few standard items come from Hobby Lobby, AC Moore or Michael’s. Joann isn’t in this area. KMart has nothing in crafts. Walmart dumped the craft aisle here and Target never did have much.
I do get some stuff from a regular art supply store but this area has turned into a stampers and scrapper’s desert.
Sad.
Linda in SC
I buy my supplies anywhere I can find them (and love when I have a coupon to a store) – Michaels, Archivers, Jo-Ann, Local stores, on-line (but usually only ones with reasonable shipping costs and coupons or specials). Sometimes I see something and think that looks interesting and I get it and put it in my stash…..sometimes that the most fun to use later.
I do 99% of my craft/stamping shopping online. I would like to patronize our local stores but don’t have the patience to wait for items to come in or have to be lucky to be one of the first when stuff comes in. Besides, even with the shipping costs, I can find everything I need from the webstores…and cheaper that locally. So when YOU feature any new or interesting product that I just have to have, it’s so easy to let my fingers do the walking and the online shops are just seconds away. Cheers…….Marilyn
The Poll feature is not working. It simply shows who voted, but no buttons to vote.
I buy most things on line, however I occasionally buy things with a coupon at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. I only have a small Joanns and they have next to nothing for card/scrapbook makers.
The poll locked me out too!
I shop at Michaels and JoAnns and make use of coupons, always. In this ecomomy, I save every way that I can. Working at Michaels, I often get the first look at clearance and mark downs. I use many of the dollar items also. Every time we get new stock, I quickly buy whatever dollar items I may be able to use. Usually, when they mark the ribbon down, I get large spools for a dollar!! Our store in Clermont is constantly adding new stock to the scrapbook area. They have just enlarged the Holtz area and redone the stickers. Hopefully they will keep adding items.
I’ve had the honor of working at both the big box and the local craft shop in recent years. When management changed at the big box and put less focus on the customer I left. Unfortunately the big box did end up putting one of our smaller shops out of business. I now try to get everything from the remaining stamp shop in town. It’s a bit more expensive but the service is great. I’ll even order items on line through the shop so she can group orders and get a little something from it. The lady who owns the shop is a designer and her work and ideas are priceless.
I purchase a majority, 80%, of my items online. Like so many others, I wish my local scrapbook store had more since I enjoy seeing the new papers in person & I want to support local small business people.
Michael’s is a hit or miss. Hobby Lobby is a 30 minute drive. Joann’s local stores are the pits for crafts but the online shopping is great. Coupons that can be used in the store or online really help. I don’t mind shipping rates based on weight. But when it is based on the $$ spent, that irks me no end.
I am lucky I have a scrapbook store within 20 minutes that has great prices and always getting the newest papers and tools in. I do order online too a lot. I look for sales and things I just love that I cannot get at the scrapbook store. I love to shop sales online! Of course that’s how we get “stashes”!
The poll shows who already voted, not able to vote. I buy from all the categories, but I buy most of my stuff through my local scrapbook/stamp store, Archivers and Stampin’ Up!.
I buy my card making supplies through local/owner-on-site shops to help them stay in business, although Stampin’ Up does get quite a bit of business from me as a dear friend is a demonstrator. My scrapbooking needs have dwindled as I have a massive supply on hand and two years ago switched to primarily digital scrapbooking with a little hybrid thrown in for fun. Who wants to go without glitter in their hair and glue on their fingertips? I shop online for stamping products and download digital scrapbooking materials several times a week as well as upload finished pages for printing. Awesome way to scrapbook!
Still no way to vote the poll so I’ll mention here that I primarily buy at Michael’s or JoAnn’s. They maintain a pretty constant supply of the same stuff, though, so for new and different things like a larger variety of Cuttlebug folders and Nesties, I do shop online.
I have checked daily to see if the glitch has been corrected on the poll site but it’s still stuck at 491 entries and no place for us to vote.
Hi Becca,
Greetings from Tipperary, Ireland. I am crafting for a short while and love it. I get most of my supplies at An Siopa Bui In Spiddal Co Galway, and also on line. I love nesties, embossing folders, and stamps although I am a mere beginner in the latter technique. I love the techniques you yourself use, your tutorials, our daily bread designs and am working towards buying some of the ODB stamps. The papers you use are divine
I know your polls are ususally open longer, but this one seems to be closed after only one day. I tend to buy online for the simple reason that I can get the most for my money.
Add my name to the list of those who could have selected just about all of the shopping options. I’m fortunate to have a small, but pretty well stocked scrapbooking store right in town, and another only about 20 miles away. Plus Michael’s and Joann’s are both local also. I like to shop with local businesses when I can, but will go far afield (at least electronically!) if needed to find what I’m looking for or for a wider selection of options. And I travel by car each week for work, so am able to scout out other vendors along my path. One thing I’ve been really trying to do is to put to use supplies I already have at home… altho they are frequently not specific to paper crafting, it turns out I have quite a number of things that cross over for card making quite nicely!