Ben Franklin Crafts & Frames

For about 6 years I have been a customer of Ben Franklin’s store in Grass Valley and I never had any questions or problems until one recent transaction. I was in need once again of having a frame and some artwork matted. I was wanting to match something that they had framed 4 years earlier and so I removed it from the wall and noticed that the mat was out gassing. It’s a process where poor quality mats fog up the inside of the frame and also the glass and damage the artwork you are trying to protect. I really didn’t think it would be a big deal as it was so obvious that it should not have happened on a wall where many other mats and prints were displayed without problems. I brought in my new artwork and thought they would take care of it at the same time as they were cutting the mat of the new one. I was negatively surprised by the lady that ran the frame department and how vicious she became toward me, at one point telling me it was because I had used a cheap frame and glass. When I pointed out to her that I had purchased the glass and frame there, she stated that I should have known better than to buy the cheaper frames ($ 90.00 including mounting). She acted like she had been personally trained by Attila the Hun. No, wait, let me take that back, as Attila the Hun might come after me for slander. It was then that I asked to speak to the manager, a tall, thin man with little personality who told me «how long do you think we would stay in business if we returned everyone’s money or replaced products they were unhappy with». In closing I would like to say I was a professional photographer for most of my adult life and have a degree in that profession and I have ordered hundreds of mats during that time and have never seen out gassing on acid free mats, and have never even heard of out gassing from «cheap glass or frames».

Ben Franklin is a great craft store with new product coming in everyday. They always stay up to date on what’s trendy and cool. They also offer great classes. If you have questions the department heads are unbelievably knowledgeable. They also have a sale once a month on the last Wednesday. And lastly, if you’re a knitter/​crocheter, they have the best selection of yarn and needles I’ve ever seen! Go be crafty!

Great selection, typical craft store prices, overall very knowledgeable staff. The only reason I’m not giving them a full five stars is because when I asked one of the young girls who works there why there wasn’t any Wi-​Fi in the store, she looked at me like I was crazy and said in a rather snotty tone «we don’t have… WI-​FI.» She then rolled her eyes and walked away. Now, as a Mom of four, I wanted to slap her right then and there for showing that level of disrespect, but I held my tongue, my back hand and my temper. The funny thing is that the only reason I wanted to use my phone to go online was to check in on Unilocal!So there ya have it folks. Don’t try to use Wi-​Fi in the store and for Christ’s sake don’t ask anyone why you can’t! Other than that, shop away.

Wow. I wish I would have discovered this place sooner! I always seek out art supply stores when my husband and I travel. We were visiting Grass Valley on Valentine’s Day and came across Ben Franklin’s. I was blown away by the selection of supplies they carry. Home décor, fabric, yarn, craft supplies, professional art supplies, scrapbooking supplies, mixed media supplies… They carry items I haven’t been able to find at some of the big chains in the Roseville area that I thought I could only get by ordering online. They are a little bit pricier then some of the bigger chains, but you can’t beat the selection. I would rather pay a bit more then have to go to multiple stores to find the same items. It is definitely worth the drive from the Roseville area. I can’t wait to get back there!

I spend a lot of time here, mostly in the yarn department, which is excellent (and even more appreciated now that the only other yarn store in town is closed.) But several times, I’ve ordered a special order which they lost, and once I came in months later and found the yarn I’d ordered in the bins. When I mentioned that I’d placed a special order for that yarn but had never received it, I was practically told that I should have re-​ordered it (I had…) That has happened more than once, so as good as their stock is, their behind-​the-​scenes systems need some serious fixing. Likewise, as often as I’m in there, they still require my ID each time, and their return policies date from before Noah’s Flood — you have to wait two weeks before you can get a refund if you paid by check. Hello???
I’ve had a few things framed there. They have a nice, if small, selection and did a good job. They also have an extensive selection of pre-​fab frames.
So they are well-​stocked, and their staff is friendly, and they have interesting classes. But they need to update their operations to remain competitive, especially now that there’s a new Michael’s in Auburn.

Arrogant, uncooperative, stuck in the «it’s the policy» mode. Don’t even think of paying for your merchandise with a LOCAL check and attempting to return or exchange. The store has a 1960s policy of making you wait 14 days, yes 14 days for your check to clear. It hasn’t taken 14 days for a check to clear since the days of the Pony Express. More like 14 hours, at most. On top of that they have a 30 return policy for in essence you have a window of 16 days to return merchandise. Needless to say they have lost my business.

One of the great things about this area is an arts & crafts store, and Ben Franklin does a great job at that. Even if you’re not into that, you just might be when you leave. They have endless things for every day hobbies and other stuff you might not have thought of to make a simple task shine. And even as a guy, I found a huge selection of material to choose curtains from, which I made myself. Too much to list here what else they stock, just go and ask one of their happy employees. Thanks to everyone there for the help!

I love this store! I much prefer to drive up from Marysville, than have to waste my time wondering around the 2 chain craft stores in Yuba City. I can literally spend hours in Ben Franklin, getting everything I need for the projects already in the works and getting inspired for more (way too much more)! I thought the customer service was fantastic. On two occasions, I would casually say to my daughter, «Hmm… I wonder where the _​_​_​_​_​_​is…» and a store employee overheard and offered help. That’s unheard of!
And for those who don’t know, it’s not just crafts. They also have a huge art supply department with real art supplies for real artists. And framing. And fabric. And yarn for days.
So yeah, Ben Franklin is awesome. Just ask the people who price their merchandise. It’s not cheap and as far as I can tell, coupons are not their thing.

New to the area in June and wanted to do some crafts. I found Ben Franklin store customer service 100%. I have been in their stores many times and receive the service with may I help you, are you finding everything, if not just let us know. I can’t tell you how I appreciate this kind of attitude. I didn’t have to play hide and seek. Great job.

Confused if the good reviewers have been outside of GV. the place is… whatever. Nothing special more expensive than if you went to Roseville I found that the staff was AWFUL. like candid camera awful. Especially one staffer in particular who told me he was too busy to answer a question. I think this place doesn’t value customer service and is happy just being the biggest craft store in town. I’d urge them to train their staff and value customers more. Wait until a chain comes into town this place will be shut down because of their prices and horrible horrible customer service.

Getchyo craft on.
Friendly and knowledgable staff to help with any of your crafting needs. even man-​crafting!

The best place to get the creative juices flowing! Thanks for the variety of classes, especially for the kids!

Great custom framing. I’ve brought everything from small simple jobs to 4′ x 5′ works of fine art and they’ve done a great job. Both patiently helping me pick out a matte and frame and doing the actual framing work. Also appreciate their going out of their way to provide extra service above the basic job. Custom framing is an expensive, meticulous craft and they’ve done an excellent job with everything I’ve brought.

Is it weird to be this enthused about a craft store? Their fabric selection is phenomenal! Their displays are really inspirational and they are certainly stocked in everything you’d need for a fabulous project. They are right up there with some of the best fabric stores I’ve been to and they keep beautiful gifts and décor in stock. I make it a point to go to Ben Franklin whenever in Grass Valley.

I seriously cannot go in here too often without leaving with tons of excess little things that I really don’t need. Somehow I was able to walk in here one day last week and walk out without buying anything — but! I was on a mission. :) I love this store. They have great sales and a great selection! Honestly? I like it better than Michaels.

It is my dream to one day win the lottery so I can buy an entire Ben Franklin store.
We recently moved and my craft-​making items took up 5 large boxes. I blame Ben Franklin for this.

Holy crap… this place has a better yarn/​needle selection than the JoAnn’s superstore by my house in Concord. They carry upscale brands of yarn (I spotted Mini Mochi, swear to dog), every size and type of Clover/​Takumi knitting needle, as well as tons of books and odd notions, including acid dyes. Needle felters will also be pleased by the hand-​dyed roving, small roving samples, needles, etc. It was like an LYS packed into… a Ben Franklin.
There’s also what I’d call a «gem cave» as they stocked the walls and tables of a good twelve by ten foot space with beads and stones. Seriously, 270 degrees of beady goodness.
I was simply blown away by the selection here. Service was great too, as one girl asked to help us, and others put out that generally friendly air that puts you at ease if you need to ask for help with anything.
And yes, I will be hitting this place up every time I visit my grandparents now… JoAnn’s is dead to me!
P. S. I rated moderate because although I saw few sales, the prices of the items I was familiar with were very competitive.

Amazing scrap booking selection. It may be small in space but they have everything you could possibly need! Stickers, rubons, ribbon by the foot, embellishments, card stock, foam, and tons of pens! They have a lot of space for scrapbooks but their selection was minimal when I went in. They allow you to use their die cut machine with paper you buy in the store, they may not have a ton like some Sacramento stores but its free and they do have a lot of useful patterns. You can use fabric, foam, vellum or paper on their machine too!
Staff is helpful even when they are busy. I go here every time I’m up in grass valley because the employees as well at the other shoppers are extremely nice. They also are able and willing to order something special in for you. They are very good about calling you when it comes in too!
They’re prices are identical to specialty scrapbook stores as well as craft stores. They also do not take out of town checks, no problem for anyone with credit or debit, but the lady in front of me wasn’t able to pay.

As soon as you walk into Ben Franklin this urge of creativity takes over your body. I’m usually not a crafty person on an everyday basis but going to Ben Franklin brings that kind of person out of everyone. I once bought a water color set and paper so i could paint… i don’t paint.
If you have questions or want to know where something is there is always a ton of employees working and most all of them can help you find what you want or need!
It’s a little expensive but I think most craft stores are.

I regret the day I ever walked through Ben Franklin’s doors. That same day I quit Target cold turkey and turned into a full blown crafty head case. Now Ben Franklin takes ALL of my money, without remorse, I might add. Thread, ribbon, fabric, paint, canvases that are a l w a y s on sale, ink, buttons, needles… need I go on?
Ben Franklin = Crack
Ben Franklin is to me as crack is to Amy Winehouse. Get the picture?
*Note: the only reason I did not award my dealer with the coveted 5 star rating is because their fabric runs between $ 8.50 and $ 9.29 a yard. Damn, bitches!