A trip to my local Michael's craft store
UPDATE: You can now also shop for a smaller but very nice assortment of the Martha Stewart Craft Line at Walmart, as well as many independent craft stores. The tools are the same, but their handle colors are green at Walmart, as opposed to the white handles found at Michael's. I have added a few photos from the trip I went on to Walmart a few weeks ago to launch our new Celebrate line.
After my trip to the DMV last week, I decided to pop into the nearby Michael’s crafts store in Brewster, NY. I wanted to see how the Martha Stewart Craft line was looking and to inquire how it was selling. I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The display was neat and tidy, as was the entire store and Jeanne, the Assistant Manager, informed me that sales were brisk. My company launched this beautiful and functional line at Michael’s in May of 2007 and it is indeed, popular. It includes all sorts of materials for use in paper crafting and scrap booking. There are lovely paper designs, beautiful embellishments, and practically designed tools. There are also binders and storage systems to help keep everything organized. And I love the fun kits to help make your parties and other occasions memorable and festive. I hope you can visit a Michael’s and check it out.
From Walmart
From Michael's
The entire aisle is very attractive. I love this display.
so many shades of shimmering glitter
beautiful labels in many shapes and sizes
This is Carmen, the lead sales associate in the general crafts
department. She has a 10 year old daughter, who used this adorable
Monkey Party in a Box for her last birthday. It was a hit!
all sorts of craft glues
many kinds of practical crafting tools
very cute alphabet flash cards
a vast palette of pens
party kits
archival boxes
ribbons galore
more useful 'occasions' kits
big and beautiful archival albums
rows and rows of useful tags, labels, and beautiful embellishments
Look at this gorgeous paper flower you can make from a kit, of course!
Russ & Daughters, one of my favorites!
Edible flowers in my garden
Sharkey had a little accident
A fun trip to the DMV
Haircut time for the donkeys!
Martha! I DO love your crafts line!! its SUPURB!! I hope to see new products introduced because they always keep me creating! (Especially the food storage boxes!)
I have EVERY issue from #1 to present and would like a "Martha" way for storage, to coordinate with the ribbon holders I have in my craft room from your line! Thanks! Hope your summer is going well!!
I do hope you have more storage solutions as well! How about some storage for your Living magazines?
Posted by: Jeffrey | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Martha -
I have to say that must be the most well stocked Michael's I have ever seen. Every time I visit my Michael's store your section is always picked over. I guess that's because your stuff is so popular. I think I need to fly to NY to visit that store instead!!
Love your blog, I check daily.
I even used one of your links on my blog earlier in the week. It was about eggs and how I paid $6 for 18 of them recently at my local supermarket. I blogged about how I needed to raise my own like you do. Someday....
Posted by: josie | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
michael's must have seen you coming and spruced up the row. My local store has never looked that organized or that full. But the glitter shelf looks like my house. I think I have every color, it is the best glitter out there! We want some new craft items too....
Posted by: Claudine | July 24th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Love the crafts! We have purchased lots of them over the months and we are looking forward to the new items for the upcoming holidays.
Lianne & Paul
Posted by: Paul | July 24th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Martha, your line of glitters are the BEST!
Lovely fine texture and wonderful subtle colors.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | July 24th, 2008 at 12:40 am
It has been forever since I have been in Michael's. I will have to go check it out. I really loved the line of cook ware you had at K-mart several years back when I was needing new pots and pans. They have been the better than others I have paid twice as much for.
Posted by: Karen | July 24th, 2008 at 12:52 am
*sigh* if only I had the $$...the wonderful things I could do! What a fabulous craft line!
blessings,
Mary
Posted by: busymama | July 24th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Now if only you could craft the time for me to play with all this yummy stuff!
Posted by: Patia | July 24th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Martha - a year ago we bought one of your archival albums with extra acid-free inserts. Since then we've been looking for more inserts. Our local Michaels has been out of them since last August - and you can't buy them online. Any ideas how we can get them? Did you stop making them?
Posted by: stephanie | July 24th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Hi Martha- Very Pretty! Thanks for showing your displays of stuff. Am glad to know about it.
You do sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
much, can't believe it.
(changing the subject, omit from this article please~ am praying for you to be a grandmother, Lord willing. : ) Saw Alexis on Oprah and wish the best for your family. Jen
Posted by: Jennifer Fancher | July 24th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Martha, I am a huge fan of yours from Sweden.
How about you coming to Sweden to conquer the market here?
Your craft-line is absolutely amazing. I also love your online shop.
Posted by: Senja | July 24th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Wow Martha none of our Michael's looks like this. We have 3 of them one in Wayne, the other in Clifton and one in Paramus and none have it displayed like this
Posted by: tA Carbone | July 24th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Hi, Martha,
What a line---as you say, beautiful and practical. Unfortunately, we do not have a Michael's in our area. Thanks for the tour.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | July 24th, 2008 at 6:38 am
I always purchase products in your name. I inherited a home this yr. and I decorated it all in your line.
All decorated from the paint on the walls to my new "Martha" furniture.
Posted by: suemare | July 24th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Your craft supplies are simply the best. We also have Michael's here in Canada and it's one of my favorite places to go to either to shop or simply just to browse.
Posted by: Maureen | July 24th, 2008 at 7:08 am
As always, the products that bear your name share your simple, yet functional and beautiful aesthetic. What I particularly like about this line is that it offers individual items for the crafter with more solid ideas, and then the kits allow even those who are intimidated by the notion of crafting to have some guidance and feel what an amazing experience it is to make something unique with your own two hands. Kudos to you and your team for designing such a wonderful, functional, and accessible line. Too bad Brooklyn, NY doesn't have a Michael's in sight. I'd love to see the whole line in person and pick up some supplies.
Also, I must say that I love how you photograph vignettes of your day. What interests you and catches your eye demonstrates how creative people observe and are affected by the world around them. Thank you so much for sharing your observations with us.
You rock, Martha. Seriously.
Posted by: Annie | July 24th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Hi Martha - what a great display in Michael's. I wish our store here in South Jersey looked like that. Your products are great, good quality and priced right. When are you going to start a Holistic pet food brand?
Posted by: Ann | July 24th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Martha, I stopped by my local Michael's over the weekend. I was excited about seeing your craft line. I wanted to create my own Thank You cards and Sympathy cards. I found your section right in the front of the store, however the display is nothing like your photos in the blog. I hope all Michael's will expand on the Martha Stewart line. I thank you for the inspiration you have provided and all the wonderful teachings. I credit you for my renewed interest in sewing and various other creative endeavors. Best Wishes.
Posted by: Paula E O'Brien | July 24th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Hello Martha!
I like these "field trips" of yours! With your busy schedule, I don't know how you do it, but I love the photos and comments! Fun! I was at my local Michael's the other day as well. Your display was, just like in Brewster, neat and tidy (in St. Petersburg, Florida, by the way). I wasn't as familiar with your craft supplies as I am your Macy's and Kmart lines, but now I certainly am! I'm glad you took a photo of the ABC cards. They are SO cute, and when I saw them, I grabbed them. I'm going to take a few of the letters (J and R for my initials, as a start), and have them framed for my bedrooom. As I am a teacher, I'm going to get another set, laminate them and put them in my classroom. Thanks once again for the great products!!!!
Posted by: Jeff | July 24th, 2008 at 8:33 am
These are great products. It looks like the store is much better stocked than my store in Levittown. I'm envious.
Posted by: T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types | July 24th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I *love* the Martha dept at my Michaels. I can spend HOURS looking and dreaming of all the crafts. I want to buy one of everything!
We used four of your Monkey Party in a Box items for my daughter's second birthday this past weekend. Everyone commented on the decor, especially the invites and adorable monkey-in-a-party-hat cupcake picks!
Thanks for making our world a bit sweeter, a bit more beautiful.
Posted by: Tisha | July 24th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Always the best supplies! Love everything!
Posted by: Kate | July 24th, 2008 at 9:11 am
My Michael's, in New Jersey, has a great Martha isle. Sometimes it's a little messy, but I usually get there later in the day, after a lot of people have been sifting through it!! I love all these crafting supplies but, for me, only for special occasions. What about sewing crafts? Patterns and notions for clothing. You're a smart and practical dresser. I'll bet you could come up with a great line of patterns for everyday clothing with loads of wonderful little touches to make them special. People would be lining up just to get your buttons. When the economy starts to pinch, we all still need to get dressed everyday!!
Posted by: Sally | July 24th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Yikes... I wish my Michael's store was as stock as the one you visited. I love your glitter and your ribbon and your seasonal items. Every product I have used is far superior to other brands.
Posted by: Angie D from Ohio | July 24th, 2008 at 9:40 am
The Brewster store is always clean and well stocked. I live in the area and frequent it often.
Posted by: lori | July 24th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Martha, funny you mention this, I always stop at the Brewster store when I go into the city from the Southeast train station. I was there recently, it would have been nice to see you in person!
Your attic crafts room inspired me to turn my own third floor attic area of my brownstone into a crafts room (when it's not also functioning as a guest retreat). Many trips to Michael's have occurred as a result
Posted by: Vanessa | July 24th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Martha:
I don't live anywhere near a Michael's store. I live in Phila.. I love what I saw in the pictures. Can you start a line of craft products with A. C. Moore please? I live near an A. C. Moore. It's the only place I can go for craft supplies.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | July 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I had to chuckle!...I wondered if you'd find your products in your local Michael's store neat-n-tidy with everything in their places, especially if you just happened to "drop in" unannounced. Our local Michael's store MScrafts department is always in such disarray...I guess from everyone scrambling to get what they want. Then, (you'd be proud of me!) all I want to do is "straighten up" but realize they pay their employees to do that! (I'm a mess!) (an organized mess, though...) =^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | July 24th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I have a set of the alphabet cards, because they were just too classic to pass up. I don't even have kids, but I love the cards! (But they were $16.99 in Canada, not the $9.99 I see on the label in your photo! Please talk to someone about that!)
I also have one of the large scrapbooks and only use CD labels and envelopes by Martha Stewart Crafts for labelling my CD projects.
It's a fine line of goods. And your packaging designers are top notch.
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | July 24th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Your Michael's store looks amazing, and I agree with another commenter - the store must have had advanced notice that you were coming! The local store here in Chico, CA is always a disaster, including the Martha Stewart line which is only approximately an eight foot section. I wish I had the selection that your store offers as well. I've purchased a lot of what's available here and have made some incredible gifts for family & friends (like the family tree project in the shadow box frames that was featured on your show).
Posted by: Jasmine | July 24th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Martha and/or blog staff...you should see the abysmal display of your line of crafts in Alpharetta, GA @ North Pt. Parkway Michaels. Not like these photos here.
Posted by: e | July 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am
What fun for the Michael's employees to have you visit!! I too love your craft line. The kits are fantastic. The glue is the BEST and holds the wonderful glitter that is like pixie dust beautifully!
Posted by: Jenny B. in Sycamore, IL | July 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am
What a beautiful store with your craft line! My Michael's store in Lynnwood Wa looks nothing like this. Supplies are always low & it's hard to get what I want. It took me weeks to get fall colors to decorate pumpkins last year. So..looking at your store makes me wish ours looked like that! :>)
Posted by: Lori | July 24th, 2008 at 11:51 am
How do you do it all??? You are AMAZING!!! I LOVE the new craft line!
Posted by: A Farmer's Wife | July 24th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Martha, I do love the high quality of your products and know that when I see anything with your name on it I have found the best for my dollar. Thank you!
Posted by: Raven Klausen | July 24th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Hi Martha, What a beautiful display of your fantastic craft line at that Michael's store. I have to agree with many of your other commenters that the Brewster store display is more beautiful than our stores south of Seattle. I'm watching your segment on the Amish Friendship Bread. A friend of mine makes this every year and gives me some. It is delicious! I'll get her recipe and compare it to yours and let you know if it is the same. I love your blog, your show and everything you do for us. Thanks!!!!!!! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 24th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Idea for you: It would be great if your beautiful 12x12 storage box could have the front bit come down somehow (velcro?) so when you're working you're able to drop that down and see the colored paper in your box without digging around inside. I have your items shipped to me in Auckland from my family in Missouri!
Posted by: ChrisK in NZ | July 24th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I'm so glad that now I can get some of your craft line at Walmart. That's a good thing!!!!Nan
Posted by: Nan Ashby | July 24th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hello! I was in Walmart last week, they must have just put out your products, everything was fully stocked and looked untouched. I was so excited, I came home and blogged about it. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out. There's also a photo.
http://brionesandco.blogspot.com/2008/07/martha-stewart-create.html
I love all of your products. Thank you for making amazing things for us.
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | July 24th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Your craft line is FAB! I love the glitter especially, I usually have to order my glitter special for my creations but yours is super fine and love all the color choices, thanks for offering up quality materials. Can't wait to see additions to the line.
Sita
http://www.silverspoonscraps.com
Posted by: sita | July 24th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I concur with some of the sentiments here that my Micheal's is not that well stocked and frequently disorganized. I will, however, be stalking Wal-Mart for your craft line, since Wal-Mart was nice enough to discontinue their fabric departments. I knwo Wal-Mart is strict on neatness--at least, mine seems to be. And heck, I do like the green stuff better, like the citrus juicer from Macy's.
Amy in Houston
Posted by: Amy | July 24th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Even the bottles and packages are pretty! I love your crafts line. I've always loved your ideas, and now it's nice to have a handy source for the materials, too!
I promise you it's popular gear down here in North Carolina....our Michael's store often has nearly-bare shelves in the Martha section with a "more coming soon!" sign!
Posted by: Amy G | July 24th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Hoping in the car right now before it closes.
I CANT WAIT!!!!!
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las Vegas, NV | July 24th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
WOW I have to say If I wassbn't on a budget at the moment (spending too much money on fabric) I would go shopping. Your line looks so crisp and clean! And so affordable!
Posted by: Tiff@Three Peas | July 24th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
OH PLEASE make sure these supplies make it to the stores in Australia. They are gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: Kerry in AU | July 25th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Hi Martha,
Thanks for the information!
I think we love home decor about just as much as you do!! So glad I found your blog
Emily
http://www.materialgirlsblog.com
Posted by: Emily | July 25th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I've been a big fan of your craft line since it came out. I'm particularly fond of the color choices for the card stock. Beautiful!
Posted by: patricia | July 25th, 2008 at 2:04 am
I am so delighted to know that your craft products will be displayed at Wal-mart. I do have to agree, for the most part, Wal-Mart really keeps their stores well stocked and neat, unlike K-Mart. I always loved your line at K-Mart - but half of your beautiful items were always on the floor, or they were out of stock and poorly displayed. The Michaels I went to was always a mess, and did not present your items well at all. I hope that more of your wonderful products become available at Wal-Mart. I absolutely love how you have brought back vintage items (such as refrigerator jars), and put a modern twist on them. Good for you Martha! You are a inspiration to all of us! Thank-you for providing a class act in the discount world! You set the standard - inexpensive doesn't have to be "cheap"
Posted by: Cindy from Williamson Georgia | July 25th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Just wanted to let you know that the Winston Salem, NC Michael's has a display of your line and it's equally impressive. It's right at the front of the store and gets your attention immediately. It beats everything around it and not nothing compares.
Posted by: Anna | July 25th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I absolutely love your line of craft supplies at Michael's. I'm a regular Michael's customer, and the quality of your items versus others in the store is unsurpassed (the display was quite tidy in my local store as well). I especially adore your shimmering glitter. I can't tell you how many beautiful household decorations and gifts I've made using them.
Posted by: Jessie | July 25th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I went to Michael's in Knoxville, Tennessee last night just to see the new line. The display was great! Very similar to one in your pics. I loved the entire line. Can't wait to start using it!!
Posted by: Jessica Ownby | July 25th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Just wanted to say that your craft line is amazing. I just wish my local store had a bigger selection:) Thank you for your quality products.
Posted by: Kate | July 25th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Oh M, I can't get enough of the glitter....funny story....
Okay so I neatly organized all of my bottles of glitter on a shelf in my scrapspace my hubby built me, and I was gleefully searching through what would be the "best" color for my project. well I opened the cabinet door and started browsing when I accidently moved something that bumped a SEALED bottle of glitter off the shelf and onto my stone counter. "Pop" the lid sprung off upon impact and "POOF" a 1/4 of the bottle of glitter made its way to the top of my head , down my face, my shirt and onto my hands. My husband was sitting at the desk on the computer and looked and me and said, "I can't help you clean that up." Boy did we laugh! Anyway, that is my glitter story....but I must say, I LOVE, the stuff. Nothing like a little bling on my projects.....
I have a card I just made on my blog where I used your butterfly punch and glitter. Love it!
I stroll the isles at my Michaels , Walmart and Archivers....Something Martha always goes into my basket! Thank you!!!!
Posted by: Tilda | July 25th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Martha, I truly love your craft line at Michael's but I have one request. I noticed at Christmas time that the "felt" in your kits was entirely synthetic. I for one would happily pay more if the felt was at least 50% wool. It would really make the finished product so much nicer. Thank-you!
Posted by: Stacy | July 25th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I have GOT to get myself to Michael's ASAP. Everything looks beautiful and really inspiring too. Congrats!
Posted by: Sarah | July 25th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Having moved from Dallas to very rural southeast Missouri almost three years ago, WalMart has become my only option in many many circumstances unless I'm willing to allot a day for a road trip to more urban (and urbane) shopping experiences -- I'm about 100 miles from the nearest Michael's and 200 from Whole Foods. I lived in Dallas for 35 years and in all that time never entered a WalMart there, so it's been an adjustment. . . . I can't tell you what a welcome surprise it was recently to find Martha Stewart products in the crafts section of one of my local WalMarts.
Posted by: Debra | July 25th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
You gave Michaels just the boost it needed, I love all your new things there! Well done martha!!
Posted by: Marie | July 26th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Hi Martha!
I love your line at Michaels, but I agree with many of the above posts. The Martha Display in San Diego (I don't go to all of the stores) is always in disarray and out of items. I would buy one of everything if I could. I love your blog!
Posted by: Amy in San Diego | July 27th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I actually work at a Michaels store and I have to say that our store's MS Crafts display usually looks even better than the store shown in these pictures. Our entire store is always very neat and tidy...it is important to us to keep our store attractive and organized. Martha's products are beautiful and many customers like them. Our store is also always quite well stocked with Martha products. Michaels is on an automatic replenishment system so most items should usually be in stock unless many customers have been purchasing them since our last truck. The MS Crafts display had a reset a few months ago so it is possible that some items were being discontinued and that is why there were empty spots. There is one thing I find comical about the above pictures. In the first Michaels picture, we can see the "Cherish" sign falling down...in a subsequent picture, a store employee has fixed the sign with a zip-tie. Martha must have pointed that problem out!
Posted by: MatthewUND | July 27th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
And from the sound of those who attended CHA-S, your upcoming fall/winter products will be a big hit as well! I kept hearing how everyone loved your Halloween products.
Best wishes.
Posted by: Susan | July 27th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Hi Martha,
Thank you!
I love your craft line at Michaels! My fiance and I are getting married this September and are incorporating a lot of your things into our wedding including your new Seaside collection. It was like you created the perfect stuff just for our wedding
Posted by: Melissa | July 28th, 2008 at 2:26 am
I just bought your quartz glitter, glue, maple leaf paper punch and sepia writing pen yesterday from my local Michaels!! I made cards to invite each of my closest friends to be one of my bridesmaids (and idea I found in a previous issue of martha stewart weddings). I love the products and can't wait to purchase and use more of them!
Posted by: Megan | July 28th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
As a crocheter, I am thrilled that you promote crafting of all kinds on your show and in your magazines. I shop at Michael's often and am glad that your craft line is sold there. For all of us crocheters, knitters, and yarncrafters, I hope that your craft line expands to include yarns someday. Good quality, artisan yarns are such a joy to work with and I know that your products are always the highest quality. Here's to hoping for some Martha Stewart yarns soon...
Posted by: Stacy | July 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I went to our local Michael's here in Craig and El Campo Las Vegas and found your display to be just as immaculate as the one you've showcased. It was fabulous. I was like a kid in a candy store. Love yah!
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las Vegas, NV | July 29th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Wow, the Michael's where I live is horrible. I want to look at all the wonderful Martha stuff but I refuse to rifle through all the stuff thrown all over. Martha, can you please make a visit so they shape up??
Posted by: Bridgett | July 30th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
It looks just like my Michael's. And I would know, I spend enough time there
I think I have just about everything pictured. Your glue is my favorite!
Posted by: MIssy | July 30th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Martha,
It is great to see your products at Walmart. As a transplant to the Northwest Arkansas area, this is where I do most of my shopping and now I can get your craft supplies there too. I hope to see more of your quality products and elegant designs on the shelves in the near future.
Posted by: Annie | August 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Martha - just came across this entry! It was so funny - I'm walking through Walmart (alone) and see some punches on display - (now I begin talking to myself out loud) - OMG! these look like Martha Stewart Punches! At this point a lady is standing next to me and I'm excitingly explaining to her that your craft products are now in Walmart - she looked at me strangely and moved on. I added to my Martha Stewart Craft Collection with some more punches and glittery stickers.
I teach scrapbooking classes at my house and have used your glitter and punches during some of our projects. Yep! the ladies from class went out and purchased what we used.
Thanks for blogging! Love all the photo's you take!
Linda Black
http://celebrationmoments.typepad.com/
Posted by: Linda Black | August 28th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I enjoy a shopping trip to the Michaels here in Lexington. It is hard to just run in the store for "just one thing". I do mostly jewelry or fiber crafts. I am just starting to do some altered art stuff so I will sure check out your line of papers , etc when I am in there next week.
Posted by: lisa brawner | November 15th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Martha, I watch your show a lot. I love your procucks very much. I try to gat as many tools as I can, but my husbad and I are on a very tight buget due to be retired. (Believe me thses are far from the golden years!) I have alwasy's wanted to go to one of your shows. I am hoping that maybe one our five children would by my ticket. (This is in my book of things to do before I die)
Sandy Borden,
Posted by: Sandy Borden | February 19th, 2009 at 6:37 am