Pretty good selection, high prices, but what do you expect? Service is good I went in for paint, but of course got lots of other stuff too read more

Great crafts, local store with everything you need very helpful pleasant staff full of Ohana spirit love this place

Ben Franklin is Hilo's version of Michael's on the Mainland. I mean, why shop for your arts and crafts at a place named generically Michael when you can doily up, confetti, and glitter glue your way to someone's heart by going to a store named after a Founding Father? This large store holds a lot of supplies you may need for any type of project you might want to start. I was looking for little cellophane gift bags. We found them easily and they had several cute designs and sizes with decent prices. read more

HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts - Hilo - XMas tree with food ornaments - Art Supplies Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Very impressive display of craft material and supplies to keep any crafter busy without missing a beat. And if you can't find it I'm sure the worker will be able to help you find it or recommend something for you to uses. read more

If there's one thing I'm known for, it's being crafty. Popsicle stick houses, popsicle stick angel Christmas tree ornaments, popsicle stick cross Christmas tree ornaments, popsicle stick picket fences for my popsicle stick houses. You get the idea--I basically do it all. And where better to supply my passion projects than Ben Franklin Crafts? This is and has pretty much always been the go-to arts and crafts spot in Hilo. They carry all of the essentials, from full-size canvas painting supplies to the most random little knick knacks that you might want to stick together with Elmer's Glue (not that there's anything wrong with that). They even had (and still have?) their own public access TV show for a while! On what I would call the fringes of downtown Hilo, Ben Franklin is pretty much right in the center of town, but parking shouldn't ever be an issue, as they're one of the few places down there that have a full lot. The only time it really gets tough to find a spot is when there's some event going on down town or if it happens to be the holidays and half the lot is being taken up by Christmas trees (great for hanging popsicle stick ornaments on, btw). To sum things up, if you're into arts and crafts, this is absolutely the place to be. If you're in Hilo and you can't find whatever art supplies you're looking for at Ben Franklin, you're probably better of just looking online, because they have by far the biggest selection around. As for me, there's never been a popsicle stick art installation I haven't been able to put together with supplies from Ben Franklin. And I think that really tells you all you need to know. read more

My go to for anything Floral or Crafty in Hilo. Selection is pretty good but can also be limited due to store size. The staff are very helpful, read more

Being easily attracted to shiny things, I was particularly in love with the racks of glitter paper. I'm not a crafter but when forced into it for a work project I turned to Housemart after not finding what I needed at Target, etc. Staff at Housemart was excellent and helped me find everything I needed with a smile and feeling of aloha. BTW, if you are not a crafter, this place will blow your mind with all the strange and cool products and gadgets you didn't know existed. Also, RIBBON ! read more

HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts - Hilo - glitter cardstock - Art Supplies Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Ben Franklin is always a great place to visit. When I'm in HIlo, I try to stop off to see what's new. I find each store does have different items that aren't in the other stores so it's fun to see what's new. The staff is very courteous and helpful and they do have crafting experts on staff in case I have a question on scrapbooking or glass etching or beading. If you come, plan on spending at least an hour or more to see everything. read more

HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts - Hilo - Big store with lots of crafting supplies! - Art Supplies Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Used to go here for some odds and ends stuff but the prices for certain items have quadrupled. Forced to go to Walmart and Ace Hardware now. read more

I bought some art materials from them, a few days later their new ad showed that materials I had bought was on sale, so I decided to return the materials and get them for the sale price. I asked one of the cashiers if I was able to make that transaction... she paged her manager and her manager said I'm not able to do that. So I said "okay I'll return the items I bought... then I'll purchase them again so I can get a sale price" then the cashier said "yeah you can return them but come back tomorrow for the sale price" Then I told her but the sale is going on now. She looked confused to why her manager couldn't give me the sale price and said just come back tomorrow. She did a refund on the items I bought, I left the store and told my husband who was in the car waiting for me what I just encountered, I then told him if he could go and buy the same items I had just returned... he did, and got the sale price lol ‍ who was that stupid manager thinking I'm free the next day and can come into town from Mountain View... disappointed! read more

I used to be a crafter when I lived in Hawaii. I have four sisters, you do the math on why I was a crafter. Visited this place after 5 years...everything is still the same, never changes. Visited the store during the holiday season. LOVE their product line. How they sell different items to make one craft item and you can use it to make other stuff. Well, I guess that's how crafting works. Other than that, the workers here are very helpful and knowledgeable. 5 stars! read more

Customer service here is 70/30. Most are super helpful and nice and I love them. I'm leaving a review for the other 30% who are annoyed that you ask a question about their product or have to open one of their lockers. It's very uncomfortable. It makes me really not want to go there anymore even tho they have the products I need. read more

Best craft store in town, hands down. All the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable as well. There is a ton of variety, I could come in and spend hours just looking at everything. Prices are very reasonable! read more

Love coming to this store for all my craft supplies! From Rhinestone's to Pearl's, Scrap booking to Wedding Supplies! They got it all!

I'm so happy that we have a well-stocked art supply store in Hilo. People are super helpful. I love stopping here whenever I'm in Hilo - watercolor paper, brushes, paints, pencils, stencils. read more

Mary gives excellent customer service. She took the time to help me find what I needed, gave me great ideas when I was stumped! I will always seek Mary for help. read more

Not just a frame shop, but a great little art supply store. A nice cross section for just about every hobby: paper crafting, knitting, painting, embroidery, beading, & silk flowers just to name a few. I found a nice little selection of washi tape. If u spend more than $100, I highly recommend you join their club, which will get you 10% off everything for a year. read more

Lots of choices. Gail has a craft club card that gets discounts and specials! There is a ton of different arts/craft/beading/framing products. Also, there are project ideas all around the store that reflect the season or an upcoming celebration (school spirit week). read more

Great place. My wife is learning to make leis on YouTube and found their website. While visiting Hilo we had to visit the store and stack up on their unique lei making yarn. read more

Had better stuff than Maui's one!! the temptation to buy everything was definitely there

I was blessed with exceptional customer service from the manager personally. Didn't get his name, but he was very knowledgeable about how to do something artistically unique + recommended the products I needed. Very knowledgeable gentleman. He event told me what I could find from competitors. I'm his fan now + love the store with loyalty + gee, crafts are fun! read more

I would love to give it more stars but just can't do it. The checkout is so inconsistent, it reminds me of going through the TSA line every time I go in. Some of the folks working there are waaaay to serious with the club card quirks while others actually want to help you. They have a good variety of products, but very expensive which is unfortunate. read more

Really great place to get art supplies. Went there to get everywhere in search of a huge poster for a banner and didn't find it until we looked at Ben Franklins. If you're super crafts and want to try different things you might be in jeopardy of wanting to buy everything in there to craft things with. It's a great place and the workers are really helpful and friendly. read more