I'm 60, a painter with a BFA from SAIC, have been an artist for 40+ years. I came to this store to…read morere-up my entire palette of Golden fluid acrylics and maybe pick up some of the new OPEN acrylics while I was at it. We were first stopped just inside the door by one friendly associate who welcomed/greeted us and recited a long menu of store specials and their back to school sale, and if we need help she's right over there at the counter for us. We were like, ok, got it, thanks! I knew what I needed and just wanted to see the colors I was buying in person, so I start shopping. Less than a minute later here's another associate, another WELCOME here's ALL our sales and our BACK TO SCHOOL SALE and if you need ANYTHING we're right over HERE by the counter! Okay, I said, thank you, that's great. I smiled and again I tried to start shopping. Another thirty seconds and here's another associate who gives me, AGAIN, the welcome/sales sales sales/we're over HERE by the cash register if you need anything! (Where ELSE am I going to go look for assistance? The deli next door at Whole Foods?) Unable to concentrate on selecting my paints, I went to give my husband the three things I had managed to pick up and was stopped by another associate who gave us both the same sales speech AGAIN. It was as though the entire shift was actively preventing me from finding the materials I was there, cash in pocket, struggling to buy. Yes, I did start getting terse and snippy when I was just repeatedly approached with the very same canned spam sales pitch by multiple ridiculously aggressive associates, because it was incredibly annoying. Maybe they thought I was shoplifting? One associate who had already given us the sales speech and apparently taken offense at my manner then approached me when I was by myself (of course) still trying to look at the Goldens. In a voice dripping with contempt, they slowly and deliberately gave me the same speech yet again. That's not creepy or confrontational, is it. Refusing to make eye contact with them, I squinted at the tube in my hands and said again, great, thanks, got it. We were in the store for maybe five minutes, seriously, for all of that. The contemptuous confrontational person came to the door while I was outside waiting for my husband, and stood with phone in hand, watching me with a little smile, seemingly texting. So on top of all that I'm sure I'm the new Karen on some sad social media site somewhere. And then we drove to the Schaumburg Blick, which is awesome with associates who are allowed to speak normally to customers and let them shop, and I bought all the rest of my paint there.

Still a great store, but uh. Guys, update your voicemail! "As we head into Covid lockdown..." Not…read moretimely!

Carlson is the best. They were prompt, professional, patient and nice. Through no fault of theirs,…read moreit took five visits to get the window to work. Again, this was through no fault of theirs. The window is great. The price was reasonable and Jerry, the professional that was sent, is a capable and friendly man. Thank you.

The first attempt to fix a broken window resulted in another broken window. Second attempt the…read morewindow was re-installed incorrectly and internal parts were damaged. The window has finally be re-installed with missing parts and now no response in communications from management or owners.

My friend introduced me to this place. We had signed up for the holiday ornament class, which you…read morebook and pay online. I never had and didn't know it was working with Glass pieces. Very new and different activity in the suburbs. They have the tools and supplies needed for decorating your ornament. An instructor is there to help go over some instructions and assist. The instructor helped cut glass pieces, if you don't know how. There were many precut pieces; triangles, square, rectangles, circles, sweater, stocking, gingerbread figure, etc to choose from. Many different color beads, rods, etc. The instructor and staff are very friendly. Already signed up for another class next year with some friends.

I live in an over 55 Community & recently started going to the Glass Arts Club here…read more In order to finish a project I needed COE90 and searched every craft store I could find. They sold glass, but had no idea what I was looking for. Several friends said I had to go to Ed Hoy's-- I would think I was at a Disney World of Glass! What a helpful & informative experience. I'll be back!!

Went for a work party on a Friday afternoon. When we arrived the space was inviting. Kayla and…read moreMeida immediately greeted everyone with a lot of enthusiasm. They are very organized and clean. They explained everything very well, and even helped when needed. It was an amazing afternoon. I highly recommend stopping in.There are a ton of projects with a wide array of colors to choose from.

Love my project still have some touchups to finish and poly it. This Lazy Susan project was a joy…read more I'll be back for sure.

What a great place with great service! I'd been eyeing a beautiful, gold, paper clip necklace for…read moremonths, and when the owner sold out of them, she made an extra one on-the-fly so that my friends could purchase it for my birthday. I LOVE it and wear it every day. Thank you, Bench492!

Great selection and courteous customer service! They are really well staffed for a weekend…read more They have awesome sales, you can do many crafts for low cost. We went for a specific item which they were out of stock but we found it at another location. Special Shout to Denise... we had a full blown toddler tantrum. A customer was so rude and said shut up to my granddaughters crying. Denise quickly apologized and said we should not be embarrassed because this is a typical age for a toddler. It only lasted 3 minutes and she put herself to sleep right after. Thank you Denise for being so kind.

We were planning to decorate for Halloween and decided to check out this store. It's packed with…read morealmost everything you could possibly need! It's a one-stop shop where you can find all the decorations you're looking for. So convenient and well-stocked!

My attention was drawn by the paper dress in the window. This is a lovely stationery boutique on…read moreGlen Ellen's Main Street. There's an inviting selection of greeting cards, invitations, journals and small gifts.

This store is a real gem! I am visiting from CA and was in the mood for a shopping spree and this…read morestore delivered! Lots of options for cards, pens, pencils, stationary, journals, planners, and odds and ends. I purchased a few items and the prices were reasonable.

This is such a nice shop to go in to find different items from area artists. There are all sorts of…read moreartistic styles to choose from and priced to sell. The people working there are attentive without being too involved with the shopping experience. It looks like they also offer classes in the space if that is what you are looking for.

Recent oil paintings by local artist, Pat Armbruster. My website is patarmbruster.com. Virw more…read morepaintings and charcoal portraits there.

(A review for a kid's birthday party) If you're tired of the…read moresame old kid's birthday party spots... the Kid Empires, Ball Factories, and Get Airs... then check out Whim. The kids are going to love it! We had my daughter's 8th birthday party here recently and all the kids had so much fun! Gretchen, the owner & host, has a cozy studio and checks all the boxes for a party: she has decorations, provides coloring sheets, and has the perfect balance of fun, understanding, and authority that keeps the kids on task and having fun. While booking the party you get to pick the project (from a few choices). Day of she walks/teaches the kids through every step of the creation. After, she fires the clay and you pick it up! It was such a delightful experience having a birthday party here that I will be recommending it to others as much as I can. Thank you for the great time, Gretchen!

Fiancé and I decided to get two take home clay kits for a date night. We had a blast! Can't wait to…read moredo another! Gretchen is very informative, responsive, and professional!

If you are into crafts this is your store. Check out the framing area in the rear of the store…read more They offer many options and I found the unique one for my project!

When it comes to framing I usually think that Michael's has the market kind of cornered but it's…read moretime to try some other (non-big name) shops after my recent experience. I needed some very simple mating for two prints (really nothing fancy, just basic) and had them made. Much to my dismay, upon getting them home, one fit and the other didn't. I returned to the store to have the issue fixed. The guy was nice about it and even agreed to mount and insert into the (very cheap) frames I already had given the mistake. But then things took a turn for the worse... A week went by and I heard nothing. Returning to the store, I happened to be in the area, I chatted with the framing department and, ultimately, the manager (?) - escalation on their side, not mine - and he was not very pleasant. In fact, he was down right combative and in-my-face about the fact that the work was not done and that I should simply wait for a call. Long story short, I did get a call and ultimately picked up my pieces - they look great by the way! So I'll chalk this one up to a stressful time of year and (other... :) ) frustrating customers.