I come here for art supplies. I like to think that I'm a painter, despite the fact that I only have one canvas that I've painted white and one sketch that I may or may not ever put on the canvas. My personal failures aside, Michaels has had everything I've needed, and plenty of things that I was sure I would need but have never again touched. They do an excellent job of providing a range of products for the novice to the skilled, with the prices varying accordingly. They also offer regular coupons through their mobile app that can make things downright cheap if used wisely. The staff is generally knowledgeable and helpful when needed. All of this sounds quite rosy, so why three stars? This place is just dour and depressing. Yes, they have all things crafty, but I always want to get in and get out. A better marketing theme would go a huge way. It's not that I want to spend all day in a store, but from their standpoint, the longer I'm in there, the more dollars I'm likely to spend. As it stands, this is an excellent store for all of your art and craft needs, but don't look for any inspiration here because you just won't find it. read more

So full of crafting items. Stay away during the Holidays, it is crazy and they never seem to have the line thing worked out. Staff is light if you need help and hard to find. Great deals on frames and shadow boxes especially if you use their 50% off coupons. I used to be a regular in here when I was scrapbooking my son's life but now I just don't have the time. I do come here for anything crafting I need or paint supplies. I like to try small acrylics sometimes first before I buy in large amounts. They have so many choices of paper, glues, baskets, candles and decorations. I love being crafty and this is the place to go when you need supplies. read more

Stood in line for a pick up for over a hour. Than to find out they did not place the photos in the frame as directed on two different occasions. Now, they stated they did not have directions to place the photos in the frame with the map which was completely false. I told them I would need to return with the photos to be placed in the frame with the map at a later time. I did not have them on the person originally. They stated they understood. Upon return with the photos two weeks later, I provided clear instructions yet again where to put the photos. They stated they understood and would note it. On pick up day, stood in the line for about a hour to find out the photos were not in the frame and a rip in the paper on the rear of the frame. The lady was kind and apologetic, but kept saying it was never noted originally. Yes, I agree, it perhaps was not written, but I verbally did give instructions. Mistakes happen, but I provided the instruction twice on two different days. Finally I returned the next day and the frame looked nice. I stated it looked nice, but I did state my frustration of needing to return. The trip takes me 45 minutes each direction. Again, they apologized, but stated there were no instructions to have the photos put in the frame originally, sigh..... Can we just have some integrity and claim responsibility, jeesh. read more

I really like this Michael's. The people here are nice and fast when you need something that you can't find. They've got really nice sale bins in the front after the holidays that are nice and cheap. I like them because I'm a preschool teacher and so it really helps when I'm looking for something for the classroom. They've also got a great arts & crafts area and have a great great great scrap booking section! They've got the best little stickers to add onto your scarp booking pages and such!! I like it. The parking lot spaces are a little small, and people in stupid north county should really learn how to drive their huge cars and not park all in two spaces, and their cashiers are a little slow at times. read more

This place is great! I have found that this location is much bigger than the other previous locations that I have been to. I found this Michael's to have much more in stock and since I am planning an event in June I found many things that I could use! I was inspired by a lot of their merchandise and I did not leave empty handed. I hope to be back soon to take advantage of the sales that are going on. read more

I love Michael's! They always have something I want and they always have a sale of some kind going on. If you don't see a sale, check the app or store flyer because you always can get a coupon for one item. Sometimes the line can be a bit long but again.. they have an amazing selection of all kinds of things !! Super fun place. read more

I visit Michaels pretty frequently as I'm always baking things and sometimes run out of certain supplies (decorating pens, decorative cupcake liners, etc). This particular location is not my favorite of the ones I've visited in the past (Clairemont Mesa is my fave!). It's cramped and messy, and the employees are hard to locate (other than the ones at the cashier - they seem to be under-employed?). And they're not always the most helpful as they're never really sure if they carry a certain item when I ask them and I end up having to just look by myself. I now only go here if I REALLY need something... otherwise I just wait till my bi-weekly trip down to my usual baking supply store in Kearny Mesa and hop on over to the Michaels in Clairemont Mesa for anything else that I may be missing in the crafting department. read more

Love Michaels. Wanna know why? Let me tell you. As many of us know creative expression is incredibly important. I believe that having items available for newbies...or veterans....of a project allows for so much more happiness in ones life, and in the world! I recently wanted to take up painting. Now, I am no good at painting so far but what I love is the prices. I started with 10 paint colors, and 2 wood pieces to experiment on without breaking the bank. This is so important to me--I feel comfortable experimenting rather than feeling pressure to be perfect. Also, they have so many DIY projects its stupid. I thank Michaels for supporting crafty bitches like me and my friends so that we have something to do on a Friday night when we want to opt out of the bar scene. DVR, pizza and painting on a planter pot? YES! Also--sign up for their mailing list! You will get weekly stellar coupons that will save you even more money than their regular sales. http://weeklyad.michaels.com/stores/9827/coupons Lastly, they have a fabulous bead selection if you are starting off making jewelry. Seriously, whoever the buyer is gives bead stores around the county a run for their money. Thank you Michaels! read more

Just like everywhere else these days, they seem somewhat understaffed. I visited the store and found one of the most helpful people I have talked to about my framing project. She gave me pricing on whatever I asked about, and told me about all upcoming sales that she was aware of which were much less than custom framing places and about par with Aarons Brothers. When I called the store later that day with some questions I had forgotten about earlier that day it took 20 minutes to get anyone on the phone. The person who eventually picked up was the same lady from that morning. She was once again a pleasure to work with and is the reason I will be doing my large custom framing project with Michaels! They would have gotten a 5star if they had a few more people there to help. read more

Just pickef a poster mounted on posterboard and they damaged the finish of the artwork.. They still charged me for the mount and did not offer a refund?! They said to purchase a new poster and bring in the receipt to talk with the manager about MAYBE getting my money back. read more

Probably one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever seen. This place is a disaster. The cashier that opened up to assist the one working the long ass line by himself, proceeded to count each penny in his drawer before helping anyone. It doesn't sound that bad until you realize that; a) he had two used condoms for a brain, and b) his drawer was made up of a five dollar bill and 600 pennies. After waiting five minutes for the dumb ass to finish counting the $11 (or the equivalent to his next paycheck) he had in his drawer, I eventually dropped the two items I planned on purchasing onto the floor and walked out. Let him clean it up. He obviously doesn't respect the customers, so why should we respect him? Avoid at all costs. read more

If you love to craft you will love Michaels! It has its ups and downs, but in general there is a great variety of things to buy here. Make sure you look online on the Michele's website first for the monthly coupon, because there is always one available! There also also usually a ton of price cuts and deals on multiple items here. Just browse around a little and you can find great markdowns! The reason I gave it 3 stars is because it feels disorganized and messy usually, and the lines take a REALLY long time. They are sweet employees, but very very slow. It's easier when you know what you are already looking for because stuff is pretty scattered throughout the store read more

Called 10 minutes before they opened and not only did Tristian answer, but he moved mountains to make this girl one happy customer! I shop at Michaels frequently and visit all of their locations for my creative business. Safe to say, this location is by far the best due to their can-do attitude and awesome customer service! Thanks Tristian! read more

I love Michael's, but THIS store is the worst in terms of checking out!!! I think it's great that they hire retirees, & it's not like I'm always in a hurry, BUT EVERYTIME I do go in to buy something (this time 1 glue gun), I have to wait 20 mins MINIMUM before reaching the cashier, then another 10 to finish the transaction. There's always at least 5-7 people in EACH line, this is seriously THE SLOWEST STORE ANYWHERE! I dread going here. I go once a year for ONE thing & I always end up leaving my stuff on a shelf & leaving. read more

Because of the review I read today by Cassandra L., I phoned Michael's and the Melissa mentioned in Cassandra's review answered my call in the Framing Dept. She was most cordial and gracious and I encouraged her to read that glowing review. I went to Michael's later today to receive her assistance on two large framing projects. She was AMAZINGLY patient and worked with my husband and I for over an hour until we all three were very satisfied with the result. It is not inexpensive at Michael's even with what we were told was their largest discount ever (70% on all) yet I will say the service could not have been better and we know we are going to love the finished products. Count this as another rave for Melissa and kudos to Michael's for hiring so well! read more

I like Michael's - it's a little messy and in complete disarray - but that's no different than my living room! :) I have usually found very helpful staff and they've always been really nice. They also offer framing services, but they are SUPER expensive for that. If you just want fun projects and arts and crafts to work on with your kids, here is a great spot to go and find great ideas! read more

This store is always grossly understaffed and the folks they have working there seem to have difficulty communicating. Frustrating experience after frustrating experience makes me never want to return. BTW - when they tell you that they can look up your purchases via your credit card, they mean only the ones at THAT store. Their systems are somehow not connected even though they're a huge corporation that's been in business since 1983. Get with the times, folks. It's frustrating to waste your time going back and forth because of poor IT. read more

I went to the Encinitas Michael's today and Lily was so helpful. Thank you so much :)

Michaels has a great variety of products. The Encinitas store has inconsistent service. My past 2 visits I've observed cashiers complaining to each other about customers. They seemed to have a problem with a customer who did not understand the advertised price. Well, the ads and coupons are misleading. As a customer I don't need to be waited on by someone who will soon likely bad mouth me, btw the customer they did not like was polite, it should not matter. I attempted to us a coupon and was told the item was exclude and "anyway m,am it's only saves 2.50" wait what did u say! My trips to michaels will be fewer because these staff stink. You are RUDE!!! Boo! Thumbs Down! read more

all right. i've spent enough time and money here to finally realize i am so over this store and i'm not going to return. not for all the print out coupons in the got dang world. look, i am the type to be on the side of the worker--checkers that is. what makes this michaels absolutely horrific is the management (like most other places but hey, their ridiculousness ruins everything at this particular store). today was my peak michaels moment, and i just needed one thing to finish a project with my coupon that no one bothers to explain in full even when i have specifically asked. at any rate this busy-body manager who looked like she's had a decorative corn cob irritating her sphincter since last holiday season was being so *incredibly* passive aggressive to *customers in line to check out* -- these are typically horrendous here, and i've always backed off on saying a thing because the checkers are usually blamed -- to form separate lines to each of the whopping three stands they had open today. "please form separate lines to each checkstand to make it yknow easier" well duh but yall have no room between the registers and where the horrifically organized racks of *utter crap* you've been hanging on to like capitalism crapped in your toilet of a store that you refuse to flush start. not virtually or essentially, THERE IS NO ROOM. customers MUST form a single line for any flow to be convenient FOR THE OTHER CUSTOMERS COMING INTO THE STORE. there's no customer/checker conspiracy of just not forming separate lines no matter how much the fumes from artificial spray snow makes you think otherwise. to be sure, however, it was a female manager who did ANYTHING no matter how annoying -- the male ones usually just peek out once in a while and flee back the office. have i mentioned how much the management sucks there? because here's another example: i walk in one day to see, oh wow! they have these racks of the aforementioned utter crap cleared out. new floor plan? of course there was a pack of management from some central office circling checkers like hyenas to let them "in on" a bunch of "helpful tips" they already knew, so it's not like i had much hope. but it seems that after that little charade there's MORE CRAP UP FRONT CREATING NO ROOM FOR ACTUAL LINES. the lady behind me today let me in front of her since the line gestapo squeezed us in the 3 square foot area buy the ghiradelli chocolates and i had one item. she mentioned how she hates this one and her regular spot is so much better, which is in Carlsbad. YES THANK YOU that's where i'll go from now on, good god. i didn't even realize i had such strong feelings about michaels until i started in on this review. but yknow i'm trying to build up a living from what i'm doing and if they're going to impede that, f**k 'em. read more

Why is it that Michael's calls to brooding, sullen teenagers and grumpy, whiny middle aged women as employees? I can hardly stand to set foot in here, the organization makes me dizzy, god forbid all the craft glue be in one section, it has to be in woodworking, martha stewart and who knows where else. Maybe I'm too used to shopping online - but there is way too much crap in this store, what you do need seems to always be out of stock and don't even think about asking someone who works there where it might be. An employee (wearing a Michael's shirt) actually said to me today, "I don't work here", I looked at the shirt, looked up and said, "Really?" and the reply was: "Well, I'm on my break right now". Yikes, I think they sniff the paint cans on their off time. read more

Worst Managed Store. This is the worst managed store probably in the United States. They never have enough checkers, long wait, surly staff. Obviously terrible management. Run, customers! read more

My husband and I received impeccable customer service tonight from Frank in the custom framing department. Patient, helpful, attentive, respectful, & knowledgable.. We were very impressed! Customer service has definitely gone downhill, so not only were we impressed but left knowing we made the best decision because we weren't rushed at all. We will be coming back! read more

Thanks to Ana I had a very pleasant experience picking out some stuff for my art project. She is so friendly and wanted the best for my girlfriend and i's masterpiece. Nuff' said. I freaking love Michaels. read more

Sooo annoying with coupons! Really difficult. Staff seems like they are annoyed to be there and unwilling to help out. However, the few people who are passionate about arts and crafts are very knowledgable. read more

This is the WORST Michaels don't come to the Encinitas one, spare yourself the headache.

This is an 'ok' Michaels. Mediocrity at best... I mean, they have a complete line of painting supplies, canvases, etc. They have a lot of good drawing supplies too. I did notice they did not have much in the way of wet-on-wet painting though. Lots of acrylic, lots of watercolor, but the oil supplies were somewhat sparse. I can't knock the place too much though because they have a lot of stuff in stock. read more

Love coming here to get my arts and crafts for painting and drawing. Not a big fan of them moving everything around. Can't get in and out as fast as I usually can to get what I need. The employees could be friendlier. read more

Am I the only one that has become oversaturated with the Michaels coupons via newspaper ads and emails? I can't find a good reason to go back to this Michaels. It occasionally disappoints me with their lack of sales prices, and staff who are lacking in art knowledge. The cashiers are slow (except for one), and I really hope I don't have to go back here for a while. Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas checkout lines are the worst here! read more

Other than finding everything you need afor an art or craft project, this Michael's location is probably not the best in my book. The store seems understaffed judging by the long line at the checkout stand. There were about five of us in line to pay and only one cashier was open. Oddly enough, there was a staff member straightening out greeting cards just 30 feet away from us. Maybe he thought that one cashier and five people in line was a normal ratio. I do like that I can always find what I need at Michael's, but I do wish that they had a location in between Encinitas and Clairemont. I don't like having to drive 20 minutes just because I live in the middle, that, or I could go to the one in Scripps Ranch, which again seems like a pretty far trek, especially with traffic! read more

When you need something at Michael's, unfortunately there is really nowhere else to go. It's kind of a unique niche store that carries a large selection of certain craft-type items that would be hard to find anywhere else. That said, I really hate the check out lines at this store. Whether it's the holiday season or not, I can never get out of there quickly. Maybe it's because they have to ring up 150 tiny little items one at a time per customer. For this reason, I WILL NOT go this store unless I have to (and sometimes, you have to). Another complaint: why did they get rid of the baking supplies section??? Or maybe I just can't find it anymore... read more

Love Michael's stores, but this location never seems to have enough staff and customers wait in long lines. This review is not based on holiday season either. read more

Excellent place to come for supply's. I bring my daughter here for all her needs. They are always having a sale on something. The people always welcome you with a hello when your walking around. read more

They are going to ruin themselves if they don't make the check out process faster. I dread coming here although this should be a fun shopping experience. read more

I love to just get lost here. The fabric flower selection is to die for and if you find anything that's damaged they will give you a discount and the damage is usually fixable w/ something else you can get in the store. It's totally fab. read more

Always my go-to place for crafts and class projects. Hard to ever find anyone to help you out. When I finally did they sighed like it was a burden for me to ask them their opinion on a type of glue to use. A little disappointing. read more

Yes this store looks like the crowded attic you never want to go to to clean. But... in its defense, I love Michaels because of the amount of crafty stuff I find. I am a psychologist and work with kids and an aunt so Michaels is my savior. Most times, staff is nice. I wish they had a craft consultant because when they dont know stuff, its more work for me. But like I said, it has most of the things I need for year round. Each holiday this store is packed with people doing holiday/craft projects, so it has to be good. I wish they had more craft wire silver and gold finish in different gauges, would make my life easier. But you can get good Citrine and Garnet beads cheap here. They also put periodic sales in their wedding /bridal aisle, brides have to love it! read more

I used to go to this store for all my custom framing needs and they were great. Unfortunately their main senior framer Bridgette recently left to go their Vista store and now the place has completely changed. The folks are not as knowledgeable, there are delays, less than accurate excuses and very poor management. If you are thinking of custom framing go to the Vista store and ask for Bridgette :) read more

Zero customer service...I go here often because I am an artist and often need supplies, and this is nearby. Not only is the store somewhat disheveled most of the time, no one is there to help me find items. The cashiers always look overwhelmed, and I noticed when I was checking out yesterday, that their cash register had the wrong date and wrong time on it. I think that speaks of the overall sloppiness and lack of leadership, from the top on down. On the good side, their prices are okay, but often what I need is out of stock. read more

I'm a fan of this location because the staff here is amazing!! Management is always very nice and accommodating and the staff is super helpful. I prefer this location over all of the others that I can choose from (Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, Temecula) read more