One last craft-store question for you…

All things being equal I would prefer to patronize locally based merchant for all purchases, crafty or not, because their profits do not go out of state. The independent craft stores are more likely to have a selection of supplies quite different from the Big Boxes, which makes my product more individual and special. The prices can actually be quite competitive, depending on what you choose. Also, Big Box stores never seem to have the sizes of knitting needles I need, or the quality I prefer. My elderly sewing machine performs poorly with the cheap thread available at W*M*. That said, I do sometimes buy supplies at the Big Box stores for convenience - not all indie stores are open on Sunday when I need some ordinary item RIGHT NOW, and the prices are great for some common supplies. I am fortunate, in that Hobby Lobby is based in my town, so it does fulfill some of my "shop local" criteria, and they carry loads of colors in the acrylics that make hard wearing easy care afghans.

When I go to the big-box store, it's low price on common items I'm after. When I go to the independent shops, I'm looking for a wider variety/better quality of that shops specialty, and sometimes advice. So, I buy DMC floss and acrylic yarn at the big box, and go to the local needlework shop for the hand-dyed flosses and even-weave fabric to go with the DMC, the quilt shop for a wider selection of cottons, the yarn shop for wool, etc. And no matter where I go, I appreciate it when they don't get snippy when I bring in something bought somewhere else, when I'm looking for things that will work with it. I think some places don't realize that "yes- this person may have bought that DMC floss on sale at Michaels, but they are looking at $10-15 in hand-dyed floss in my store that coordinates with that DMC, etc."
It would be nice if all big box stores would hire crafters/sewers/knitters/crocheters, but I doubt that will happen, so I'm usually happy that the people who work at Hancock/Joann/Michaels here are usually pleasant, and that the stores are clean. I have to say, in defense of the big-box employees, that quite a few people who don't normally do any crafts, seem to assume that everyone who works at those stores is an expert, and then get upset when the employee says "I don't know about that, maybe one of my co-workers do". It seems rather like assuming that the person who works at the oil change place would know how to replace the whole engine.

this has been a very interesting/eye-opening series!

My goodness! There is no shortage of comments on this subject! Like so many who commented here, I prefer to support the small independent shops, but often find that price, convenience and selection draw me to the "big boxes". For me personally, shopping at an "Indie" shop is something I occasionally do for enjoyment - an adventure - a chance to explore, meander and find new things. But usually, when I need a craft item, I head to a big box because I know it will be there. And with the economy as it is, I only purchase what I really need.

Well, I'm late. And I haven't read everyone's comments, but to me, the difference is that the big box stores sometimes are so big and so impersonal I just want to get what I came for and leave. I don't see a lot of what's there because I'm goal oriented. With an indie store, I am able to browse, really see things, and am not deluged with tons of the same kinds of things. It's very nice.

It's quantity vs. quality. The big craft stores, of course, have massive quantity but each item, on the whole, doesn't seem to be as nice as the indie stores -- findings seem flimsier, paper not nearly as cute, etc. On the other hand, things are CHEAP at the big box stores.

Plus there is often that enticing 40% off coupon that I cut out religiously from the paper every week that the little stores can't afford to offer.

Molly
http://mollylee.etsy.com/
http://mollyleecards.blogspot.com/

I like that indie stores offer a variety of options specific to the owner. Each store is something new and different. Even if its a few fabric stores with overlap of product, each will display it differently and give you different ideas. I would much rather spend a little more money and support a local favorite...but sometimes I do head for the big box for convenience. A trip across state lines in rush hour traffic is hard to stomach some days.

I love to shop at independent stores, however, the one indie general craft store we had near me simply couldn't make a go of it in terms of volume of sales and covering their costs. The store always had people in it, great atmosphere, offered classes, creative parties, stuff for kids, craft nights, but then failed to get the support needed to stay afloat. I do chose to shop for quilt fabric and fabric for my cloth dolls from quilt stores since the quality of the fabric provided is so much better and the staff at my local quilt shops are really great. If I need yarn, I crochet prayer shawls and afgans, I will go big box store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels. One thing I like about Hobby Lobby is their instore brand of acrylic yarn is quite nice and affordable. However, in terms of doll making supplies, the more specailized supplies (mohair, tibetan lamb pates, fabrics, eyes, patterns, tools) those I have to get via online stores as no shop near me has the selection that really fills my needs. While I like to look at all the goodies at the big box store, I seldom buy a lot there anymore as my crafting has shifted away from the type of supplies they carry. Not to say there's not lots there to like, but a lot of what they carry is for crafts that seem too designed (there doesn't seem to be as much room for creative play) and so other than good art materials and needle work basics (DMC threads, acrylic yarns, fabric paints) the need for me at least isn't there. I also find some of my craft supplies via thrift stores and yard sales and ocassionally see something at my local dollar store that can be transformed for crafty purposes.

I think the best thing about indie stores is that they always have the "necessities" for your craft, while the big box stores only have the hot, hip thing. Indie stores also are able to cater to all levels of interest in the craft, from those who have been lifelong devotees to those who just discovered it from Real Simple.

I'd rather Indie store vs. Big Box mostly because I have this romantic idea that the owners are like-minded like me who is enthusiast of the craft. While I don't expect Cheers type setting where everyone greet me like I'm a family, I also expected that they be empathetic for newbies or willing to help brain-storm or just think thru ideas. Unfortch, on the contrary, alot of times the owners thought really highly of themselves, and thus leave alot of newbies in the dust. So much so that there's a community of anti-that particular Indie store. So, that's the other extreme.

When I travel, I happen to have good luck when I tell people I found them on the internet or via someone else. They tend to be friendlier, as opposed to me walking in... go figure.

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It's different, and better, because it's run by actual people who want to be there (rather than people who just need a job).

My indie craft store is awesome. I get to talk to the woman who owns it, and her daughter. Everyone there knows my name and they greet me by name when I come in. These people are willing to help me extensively and have taught me so many techniques FOR FREE. The store is neat and tidy.

I love it there. They are wonderful.

Unlike the people at the big box around here, who are always grouchy, always.

I love that the indie stores in my area will make a huge effort to bring in the products I ask for. If they don't have it, they'll order it for me. I love that. Once I even heard, "I know a woman who makes yarn like that, I'll get her to bring some in." LOVE that!

It also seems like indie stores have a better variety of events. Not only classes, but more relaxed craft nights, special workshops, even swaps and contests.

The shop owner runs the shop because they love it, because they're really, really interested in handmade. They talk about it all day long with the people who com through their door. The result of those conversations is that, they not only know that Sally is a great spinner and would make a great teacher, but that Sarah, Eli and Nicole are interested in spinning classes. Connections are made that wouldn't be made in a big box, and we get so much benefit from that.

With your podcast interview about this topic, it's really got me thinking about both the indie shops and the big box places.

I like the intimate atmosphere of the indies. Usually the owner herself is on site and because she's passionate (albeit somewhat burnt out) about her craft, she is willing to talk to me about my projects and share her ideas on things. The "I hate my job" cashier at Michael's NEVER even asks me what I'm working on when I pull up with an assortment of ecclectic supplies. And no one is able to answer my questions when I have them. I do take full advantage of the 40% off coupons that arrive every week and put them to good use on big ticket items like canvas and over ten dollar gel mediums, etc.

What I don't like is that the big box stores are becoming very "make in an afternoon and take" oriented. "Glue this to that and be done." or worse, "Take this mass produced sticker and put it on this made in China by a 5 year old thingy, and when you're tired of it, throw it in the landfill and come back for more."

For whatever reason it always seems that the indi store craft projects have a more timeless edge to them and that makes it well worth the extra coin I might have to spend to shop there. These day I prefer to make more timeless pieces that have a purpose rather than just make more stuff to add to my already-too-big pile of stuff (or yours!)

I also do a good deal of shopping for supplies on line. I like the laziness element of shopping in my jammies and the fun surprise of the UPS man knocking (read: Santa Claus!)

This is a very interesting question...I too live in a small town...we had a fantastic art store for a while serving paper arts people...scrapbooking, book making, cards, etc with loads of ribbon and embellishments...it was a lovely store and a lovely woman ran it...but like so many other small businesses in our area, it closed. In talking with the owner, it became obvious that lots of people visited and bought things, but just not enough to make the rent. She did all the right things in my mind...classes, great customer service, workshops, treats, sales etc...but face it, one must sell a lot of paper to pay $1200. a month rent. I really miss the convenience of the shop and the fun changing inventory, but like so many others I shopped the big box stores for discounts and cheaper prices as well as the local one...so I am not sure there is one right answer. I can say without a doubt there is an indie fabric store that far and away is better than any big box fabric store in the city I have seen and she is doing a great business...such a variety of the most popular offerings.

I live within equal distance to many big chain craft stores (I usually go to Michael's) and 5 (that I know of) LYS's. To me it's a question of quality and what I'm making. If I'm making an afghan (which means using an acrylic or acrylic blend like Lion Brand) I go to the big chain stores because they have larger amounts of the same dye lot and it's cheaper. If I'm making anything else at all (which is most of what I make), I go to a LYS or I order online from websites like knitpicks.

I'm in the Northern NJ area and I love my LYS's. They are like walking into someone's living room. The staff is almost invariably helpful and each store has a different flavor. There are inspirational projects to see and other knitters/crocheters to meet. Big box stores just don't provide me with inspiration, I feel like they drain the inspiration out of me actually. I find that if I impulse buy from a big box store I end up with yarn I'm just not happy with. Impulse buying from a LYS usually lands me with something yummy, and because the cost is higher I really make sure I like it before I buy it. Budget wise if I'm broke I can usually find nicer yarn at reasonable prices online than at any big box store.

So basically I much prefer saving up and buying natural fiber from a LYS and only going to big box stores for larger projects like afghans where I'm looking for a washable "work horse" yarn. If I lived somewhere without so many store options, I would probably end up ordering mostly online from brands I know I like and stocking up more when I go to Sheep & Wool festivals like Maryland and Rheinbeck. Blogs and Ravelry would supplement for the inspiration factor LYS's provide.

despite the fewer yarn choices (especially when it comes to wool!) i'd rather shop my big box stores in town than the local yarn shops. both yarn shops in town i've been in have made me feel like an outsider, butting in on their private shop and friends. i've never been helped other than begrudgingly, even on the slowest of days.

i buy yarn online from independant dyers and shops, but if i'm jaunting out for yarn during the week, i head to the big-box stores first. what i miss in selection doesn't bother me, and i've actually found the employees at these stores kinder and more helpful than any i've met at the indie stores here in omaha.

Hmm. I've worked for several LYS, I've worked for a big box craft store, and I currently work for a larger web based knitting company. I'm lucky that my town has so many independent yarn/fabric/craft stores. I live close in, so it's easy to visit them on my bicycle or by bus (Joanns or Michaels require trips to the suburbs). So I support those stores, because I don't want them to go away.

But I grew up in a small town. Places like that don't have the same selection of stores, because there isn't the population to support them. So it's nice that big box stores and internet companies exist, because crafters in rural areas can still get supplies. Especially since so many indie stores do not have websites.

It's nice that crafters have options. There are places to buy that really unique hand dyed sock yarn that you've been dreaming of, and there are places to buy some basic wool yarn for a lower price. I'm also a big fan of buying crafting supplies in thrift stores, repurposing supplies, and buying for Etsy. I don't support unfair business practices, I don't particularly like what big box stores and their parking lots do to the walkability of a city, but I think that there is a place for both indie craft shops as well as big box craft stores in the market.

The town I live in mainly has big box stores -- there's one indie fabric store, but it's pretty awful. Indie doesn't always mean good! I like big box stores, because I do a lot of different crafts and someone I need will always be on sale or at least I'll have a coupon. Then again, the sales people are usually completely useless aside from directing me to an aisle, if that. I've had other customers direct me to the right product or aisle in big box stores.

That being said, some of the great indie stores I go to, I can almost "hang out" as I shop. One of my favorite bead stores, the shopkeeper doesn't think of anything of pausing from restocking to show me to make a curl out of wire.

The difference is service and price. If I had more money, I'd shop at indie shops more, but I'm poor, so I'm willing to put up with the mediocre service and save some money.

I feel like the independent craft store is going to have a more thoughtfully curated collection of merchandise. Instead of trying to carry everything, they are searching for a select group of products that they find appealing and that they think I might like, too.

The people who work at an independent craft store to me seem more excited about making things themselves. They may be more engaged, they probably know the owner, and they are part of a small community of salespeople and customers. This should make for a happier, more welcoming, more informative shopping experience.

Hi there Diane,

It's been interesting reading about everyone's craft store experiences!

When I shop big-box it's primarily at Jo-Ann because there's 3 superstores within a 12 mile radius of my house. Because I work with yarn, most of the time I know what to expect when I go to any of those stores which is sometimes good and sometimes disappointing. It is always nice to be able use coupons when I want to try something new, and I have a 10% off guild card that they use on all my purchases so that's a bonus, but only after 3 years of going 2-3 times a month am I being recognized by the same employees that have worked there for the same length of time.

It's usually frustrating asking for something specific and the employees not knowing where to find anything, or asking for suggestions and being met with a blank look. That's an area where my LYS really shines- when I have a question about a particular type of yarn (even if it's not carried in their shop) they can answer my question or if they're not sure they offer to look it up for me while I'm there and if they can't, they look it up later and give me a call.

My LYS is mainly a knitting store, but they do have a couple of crochet related things, but since they know that I crochet amigurumi dolls, and that I'm *always* looking for a wool/alpaca yarn that is a good skin tone, they always ask me if there's any brand/color that I need or think they should order when I go in.

I really like that when I go there I get lot's of personal service, and if I had the time I could sit down and pull out a project and be offered coffee or tea. They know my children and are genuinely nice to them when they have to come with me, they give them scrap yarn to play with and ask them questions.

So I guess that's a long winded way of saying that I appreciate that I can get deals at the big-box stores though what I'm looking for specifically they don't always have, but I prefer the excellent customer service and natural fiber selection at my LYS.

I would rather support a local indie craft store vs a chain. However sometimes the variety and cost of the indie store does not always work for me. The indie stores that I like to shop in are not close to home. One is 1 hour away and the other is 7 hours away (when I visit my mom). I don't feel welcome in my local yarn store, plus they don't have much to choose from. I do like my local fabric store, but it is to pricey. Recently I bought a sewing machine from a local sew n vac place. They are friendly and very helpful. I am going to be taking some classes from them next month.

I enjoy shopping at the local craft store for a great selection of new designer fabrics. I'd hoped to go there to ask questions as well, but the service at my local store isn't very good. However, the local store has beautiful fabrics that a superstore can't compare with.