Michaels

Really amazing deals for holiday decorations and crafts! I got holiday tin cans for less than $ 1, mason jars for $ 1-​$ 2, a pack of cute patterned cardstock for $ 2, and the list goes on. It’s almost too easy to grab things that you weren’t planning on buying because you’d be inspired halfway down the aisle. They have a large store space in Porter Square, so they cover plenty of arts & crafts needs. The employees were super helpful as well, and generally friendly for a busy Saturday night.
The only lack of one star is their fabric selection; they only had a handful of already cut, yards of fabric, with a larger selection of patches. I was looking more for an array of fabrics to choose from, but they don’t have much at all. I would probably just go to a fabric store in the future.

I just wanted to update that I’ve been back since my review (since I work down the street, so it is the most convenient craft store to me). The customer service has improved significantly. I was really impressed. This time around everyone was very friendly and tried their best to be helpful. I was able to find everything I was looking for that they had available. So yay! Glad to see the improvement!

So the moment I walked into this Michaels I was immediately interested in the Halloween themed items! The selection was perfect hence the four stores, but the service was great. I found some cute Halloween cupcake liners for my Halloween party! My cousin found her frosting metal tips too!
I would say this is a pretty decent Michaels for decorative items, but that’s all I was looking for. Also, shout out to the cheerful gentleman who checked us out. He made the experience so lovely!

My favorite store for buying arts n crafts for the kids (and me ;)). They’ve so many things especially for seasonal decorating! I could spend hours in there.

This place is quite amazing. Seems like it has everything for making costumes, plush toys, fursuits, flags, paper mache, poster paste, wooden puppets, plastic canvas for dividing aquariums, book repair stuff… all kinds of things. And some very nice and helpful workers there. I’ve visited the store about 3 times so far and loved it. We are SO lucky to have this store in the Porter Square area.

Looking for an unusual item that I needed for work, I ended up here. I was very impressed by the developers of this complex! The way they have made use of the space is just great. Michaels below with Star market above. This had to be my first Michaels adventure in the east coast. I have to say it’s a good size, but I have seen much larger. They were very well stocked up and of course had what I had come after. I liked the fact that there were so many employees around willing to help.

I come to Michael’s for the framing department, notably the creative and professional framing experts who won’t push you over the edge of your budget. I’ve tried a few other framing stores in the Cambridge/​Somerville area, and I keep coming back to Michael’s. They really take the time to help you pick out something that compliments your art, while keeping your personal tastes in mind. My taste can veer a bit towards the out of the ordinary end of the spectrum when it comes to art and frames but the framers at Michael’s never bat an eye or act remotely judgy (to my face at least), which I actually have encountered at other, higher end (ie snooty) frame shops in the area. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences at Michael’s and I would highly recommend this store to anyone who is looking for a framer.

A cool location for a craft store. It is right underneath the Shaws/​Star Market in Porter Sqaure. They have stairs, and elevator and escalator to get it here.
My favorite part about this place is that it is so close to where I am. They have a nice app that you can download some really good coupons to use. They have an amazing seasonal area that is always changing, and what looks like a fun lil craft room for parties.
I took a star away due to the face that it is a little hard to find an employee on the floor, if you need help finding something. Also for having very minimal cashiers on.
I suggest going over by the escalators to ring out, there usually is a bored cashier hanging out over there with no line (most of the times I have been there)

Ah, the old bait and switch. I took a piece of art to Michael’s in Cambridge for framing and received an estimate of $ 155. When I returned three days later to order the job — I had wanted time to think it over — I was told the price had jumped to $ 205. The clerk and her supervisor told me the «sale price» of the original frame had ended the day after I got my estimate. Trouble is, no one had told me that the estimate was a sale price and that it was for a limited time. When I told them I thought they should honor the estimate, they told me they wouldn’t. I took my art and left. Michael’s touts itself as the place «where creativity happens.» In this case, it was a place where deception happens.

Michael’s always has what I need and it’s close to work. So, I can get all kinds of inspired, run over there, get my stuff using the numerous coupons readily available PLUS the teacher discount (20%) and be ready to craft. I’ve always found the staff to be helpful and nearly capable of reading my mind as I’ve described parts of ideas and they’ve managed to put together what I’m thinking. I have a feeling that as the boypie grows up, I’ll be using this a lot to turn my Pinterest-​inspired ideas into reality. Yay!

Cons: Did not have pencil lead. I just wanted pencil lead. Store is very large, has 4 aisles with glitter and other kiddie supplies, but no pencil lead.
Pros: The person I asked about pencil lead was very polite and pointed me to the walgreen’s across the street. Also suggested buying a cheap pencil and taking the lead out of that. Really a very good dude, shame he has to work here.
Cons: There is no pencil lead.

This Michaels is not the biggest one out there, but it does have the highest quality selection of items, in my opinion. There are always a basketful of items I want to get, even though I don’t always know what to do with them, crafts-​wise. The weekly 30−50% off coupons make shopping here even better. Framing is expensive, but 60% off sales are always going on (even with those, it is still not cheap, but the results are really professional). Located in the Porter Square shopping plaza, there is parking, though you might have to fight someone for it. Use your phone to bring up your Michaels coupon before you descend the stairs, it’s not always easy to get signal down there.
The staff is very friendly, too.

I really like this location. It’s a Michaels, so you know what to expect. But there are a few employees I see every time I’m in that are really knowledgable and always excited to help out and it really makes this store stand out to me as having great customer service.

I’m shocked! I originally thought, what the heck will I ever need in an arts and crafts store?!
But I find myself in Michael’s about once a week or so.
First I started out buying their really pretty boxes for storage, various sizes, various shapes. Round, square, rectangular, some with attached covers, etc. All helped me get organized, and improved the beauteousness of my home environment.
They have those big, inexpensive flowered, striped, or nicely destined bags with handles. I use them for shopping, and to put my recyclable items in, and my trash. Makes my kitchen look nice! People comment when they visit. Imagine that! People commenting on my trash being attractive. lol
Birthday and Wedding gifts, wrapping paper, jewelry trees, silk flower arrangements, frames, beautiful baskets, etc have been great. Lots of sale items, and they give you a 40% off coupon every time you buy something.
I plan on going back a lot because they always get new things in stock. This huge place is filled with so many things, I’m constantly surprised as I walk up and down the aisles.
I have always had good luck finding someone to wait on me when needed, and that’s been a lot. Their sales people will walk with you all over the place if need be.
They have always treated me well, and I leave in a good mood because they are courteous, and say such nice things.
Thank you for moving to my neighborhood!
I can honestly say, I now love Michaels!

I got a few 3ft by 3ft canvases during a buy-​one-​get-​one free sale. The person working there assisted me by taping the canvases together with clear packing tape so that I’d have an easier time carrying them through the Porter Square subway station. My original purpose of stopping in here was to get a mat cut for a frame. The woman who worked there wouldn’t give me a ballpark estimate until I picked out exactly what color and she measured the piece and plugged it into the computer. That whole process took 10 minutes and it would have been better if I could have just gotten a rough estimate.

Craftapalooza in Porter Square — beautiful, clean, huge. Far and away the nicest Michael’s I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve ever left this store empty handed. Free parking or use Porter Square redline. It has Porter Square books and coffee shop above. Definitely worth visiting if you’re crafty.

You know, Michael’s is not the most AFFORDABLE craft shop around (Hobby Lobby anyone?!), but it’s so convenient. The store is nice and organized, the employees are always really polite and helpful, and I love just wandering the aisles.
Most recently I purchased some gold spray paint for a couple pinterest projects and it filled my heart with glee.

WHO KNEW THERE WAS AN ARTS N’ CRAFTS WONDERLAND UNDER PORTER SQUARE? I DIDN’T!
I needed a fake tree for a show I’m in and luckily saw an internet ad for Michael’s after I did a few searches. Michael’s has a variety of fake plants and also anything you could ever possibly need for any type of holiday decorating or day-​to-​day crafting.
The staff is friendly, the prices are good and as a non-​crafty person, it was just fun to browse and see what people with fine motor skills can play with. I will definitely be back for my set or costuming needs.

Holy Crap this place is huge … or at least for a space in Cambridge. I don’t like to shop in box store craft places but I hate to admit it … this place has everything you may need for a quick fix. For Christmas presents this year, I bought a bunch of photographs from an artist and I needed frames that would not break the bank. This place was having a sale on frames and I was able to get what I needed without having to take out a small loan. This is a good location and it has parking (next to Shaws) which is nice for this part of Cambridge. Occasionally, they have coupons in the Sunday Globe, so if you need something generic, make sure you cut it out and use it. I will still go to my small, independent-​owned specialty craft stores but good to know this location is here.

Wahoo! A Michaels in Porter! Great selection, huge store, clean and organized. I’m really happy this is finally here!