15 Best Stores Like Michaels for Budget Arts and Crafts Shopping [2026]

Looking to stretch your craft budget beyond one store? Michaels dominates the arts and crafts retail space, but it's far from your only option — and competitors like Hobby Lobby, Joann, and Blick often beat its prices on specific categories (Matrix BCG). Whether you need fine art supplies, bulk party decorations, or everyday DIY materials, there's a store that fits your project and your wallet. If you also love browsing online outlet shopping or scouting affordable home decor stores, several options below pull double duty. Let's dive in!

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Summary Table

15 Best Stores Like Michaels for Budget Arts and Crafts Shopping [2026]

Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.

1. Joann Fabrics & Crafts

Joann is one of the closest alternatives to Michaels, specializing in fabric, sewing supplies, yarn, and general crafting materials. It carries a broad selection of art supplies, seasonal décor, and DIY project kits that appeal to the same hobbyist audience. Joann frequently runs 50–60% off coupons, making it competitive on price for craft enthusiasts looking beyond a single retailer.

Why it's a strong alternative:

• Extensive fabric and sewing department Michaels doesn't match
• Weekly coupons and loyalty rewards through the Joann app
• Both in-store and online shopping with same-day pickup available

2. Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is arguably the most direct competitor to Michaels, offering nearly identical product categories — art supplies, framing, floral, seasonal décor, and craft kits — across 900+ U.S. locations. Prices are often comparable, but Hobby Lobby's weekly 40% off coupon on one regular-price item is a well-known money-saving perk. Note that stores are closed on Sundays.

Key highlights:

• Large custom framing department rivaling Michaels' framing services
• Frequent half-price sales on rotating product categories
• Strong selection of fine art and painting supplies

3. Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree serves as a budget-friendly supplement to craft stores like Michaels, stocking surprisingly useful crafting basics — foam sheets, ribbon, paint brushes, seasonal décor, and small canvases — all at $1.25 per item. It's ideal for bulk buying low-cost materials for school projects, party decorations, or DIY crafts where premium quality isn't required.

Best for:

• Craft supplies on an extremely tight budget
• Bulk filler materials and packaging (tissue paper, bags, baskets)

4. Oriental Trading

Oriental Trading is a strong alternative for shoppers seeking craft supplies, party décor, and seasonal items at bulk-friendly prices — much like Michaels but with a heavier focus on quantity buying. It's especially useful for teachers, event planners, and DIY enthusiasts who need large volumes of art supplies, foam shapes, stickers, and holiday decorations without paying per-unit retail prices.

Why it works as a Michaels alternative:

• Bulk craft supply packs often 40–60% cheaper than single-unit retail
• Wide seasonal and holiday decoration inventory
• Free shipping available on orders over $49

5. Blick Art Materials

Blick Art Materials caters to a more serious creative audience than Michaels, stocking professional-grade paints, canvases, drawing tools, and printmaking supplies. If you've outgrown Michaels' hobbyist-level inventory and need archival or artist-quality materials, Blick fills that gap with both in-store locations and a well-stocked online shop. Student discounts and frequent sales make professional supplies more accessible.

Notable perks:

• Deeper selection of fine art media (oils, watercolors, pastels)
• Educational discounts available for students and teachers
• In-store locations in major cities plus online ordering

6. Walmart

Walmart competes with Michaels on everyday craft basics like yarn, fabric, paint, and seasonal décor, typically at lower price points. While the selection isn't as specialized, budget-conscious crafters can find name-brand craft supplies — including Crayola, Elmer's, and Mod Podge — alongside household staples in one trip. Walmart's craft section has expanded in recent years, making it a practical first stop for common project needs.

Key advantages:

• Lower everyday prices on standard craft basics
• Free same-day pickup and two-day shipping options

7. Jerry's Artarama

Jerry's Artarama is a strong alternative for serious artists who find Michaels too general — it specializes in professional-grade supplies like oil paints, canvases, and printmaking tools at competitive prices. With both an online store and physical locations, it closely mirrors the craft-and-art-supply experience Michaels offers but skews more toward fine art materials.

Worth knowing:

• Frequent sales up to 50–70% off name-brand supplies
• Rewards program with points on every purchase
• Carries brands like Winsor & Newton, Golden, and Liquitex

8. Minted

Minted serves shoppers who visit Michaels for paper crafts, stationery, and custom printing — but want a more design-forward, artist-curated result. Unlike Michaels' DIY supply focus, Minted sells finished art prints, custom cards, and wedding stationery sourced from independent designers, making it ideal for those who want polished creative products without doing the crafting themselves.

Key details:

• Art prints start around $20–$40; custom cards vary by quantity
• All designs come from a community of independent artists

9. Pop Shop America

Pop Shop America is a craft-supply retailer and DIY community that overlaps significantly with what Michaels offers — think kits for macramé, resin, candle-making, and floral arranging. It's particularly useful for shoppers who want curated project kits bundled with all necessary supplies, rather than buying components separately as you typically would at Michaels.

Standout features:

• Ready-to-go DIY kits reduce guesswork for beginners
• Strong blog and tutorial library supports project completion

10. Factory Direct Craft

Factory Direct Craft is a solid online alternative for shoppers seeking craft supplies, home décor, and seasonal items similar to what Michaels carries — often at lower prices. The site specializes in bulk and wholesale-style purchases, making it especially useful for teachers, event planners, and crafters who need large quantities without a trip to a physical store.

Worth knowing:

• Strong selection of floral, seasonal, and DIY décor supplies
• Bulk pricing available on many items
• Free shipping on qualifying orders

11. MisterArt

MisterArt positions itself as a budget-friendly online art supply destination, making it a practical substitute for Michaels shoppers focused specifically on fine art materials. From paints and canvases to brushes and drawing tools, the inventory covers both student-grade and professional-level supplies at discounted prices that frequently beat big-box craft store pricing.

Key features:

• Deep discounts on name-brand art supplies
• Serves hobbyists and professional artists alike
• Regular clearance and sale sections for extra savings

12. Plaid Online

Plaid is the brand behind popular Michaels staples like Mod Podge, FolkArt, and Apple Barrel paints — and buying directly through their online store cuts out the middleman. For crafters who already know which Plaid products they need, ordering directly often means better stock availability and access to project tutorials not always found in-store at Michaels.

• Direct source for Mod Podge, FolkArt, and Bucilla kits
• Free project guides and how-to resources on-site

13. Craft Commons Co-ops

Craft Commons Co-ops are community-owned craft supply collectives that function as grassroots alternatives to big-box retailers like Michaels. Members pool resources to stock shared supplies — yarn, fabric, paint, and paper goods — at significantly lower prices than retail. These co-ops are especially common in urban areas and university towns, offering both purchasing and workspace access.

What to expect:

• Membership fees typically range $10–$40/month depending on location
• Access to shared tools, equipment, and bulk-purchased supplies
• Community classes and workshops often included

14. Fiberfolk

Fiberfolk is a niche destination for fiber arts enthusiasts — think knitting, weaving, spinning, and embroidery — covering a segment of crafting that Michaels only partially serves. Independent Fiberfolk shops and online communities specialize in premium yarns, hand-dyed threads, and specialty needles that mass retailers rarely stock. Shoppers seeking quality over convenience often turn here for unique, artisan-sourced materials.

Notable perks:

• Curated selection of independent dyers and small-batch yarns
• Strong community forums and project-sharing resources

15. Sam's Club

Sam's Club serves budget-focused crafters looking to buy supplies in bulk at warehouse prices — a practical alternative when Michaels prices feel steep on high-volume items. Members can find bulk craft paper, foam boards, poster supplies, seasonal décor, and basic art materials at 20–40% below typical retail. It's less curated than a dedicated craft retailer but delivers strong value for educators, event planners, and prolific DIYers.

Key details:

• Membership starts at $50/year (Club) or $110/year (Plus)
• Best for bulk basics: cardstock, foam, ribbon, and seasonal décor
• Available in-store and online with same-day delivery options

Final Words

Whether you need bulk craft supplies, seasonal décor, or specialty art materials, these 15 stores deliver without requiring a Michaels nearby. Explore budget-friendly shopping alternatives to stretch your creative dollar even further.