Michaels

Re: Michael’s Custom Framing; Mark
If you wish to have a piece of artwork or photography professionally matted and framed for a price that is reasonable and with a creative eye for complementary colors and textures that will make that item a treasure on your wall, I happily recommend that you meet with Mark at the Custom Framing Department of Michael’s Arts & Crafts in Preston Village (Preston and Rayburn Tollway/​121.)
This past month (January, 2016) I had several pieces of artwork (originals and museum prints) framed by more than one of the DFW framing shops in order to compare the work of different framers for myself. Michael’s provided the best quality for the best price.
Mark, whose past experience I learned included design and framing for at least one major hotel chain, had excellent ideas, spent time letting me try out several combinations of mattes and frames and proved to me that he knew exactly what he was doing. He did not mind receiving my straight-​forward questions and listened carefully to some strong opinions from this customer. He was very responsive and knowledgeable and also made it financially reasonable for me to have more items framed rather than fewer. (I also went in with the Michael’s coupons for framing. Mark helped me make my discounts go as far as possible.) His suggestions were great, his taste impeccable. We had some back-​and-​forth «tryouts» of assorted mattes and frames using their computerized system to let you literally «see» the final product and, in two weeks’ time, I had several breathtaking art prints ready for display.
This was one of the best experiences I’ve had with a framing professional from any of the several cities in which I’ve lived.
May I make a couple of suggestions to you as you consider custom framing services?
1. Understand that custom framing requires an aesthetic talent as well as technical skills. It costs money. Don’t tell yourself that you can have Grandmother’s turn-​of-​the-​century wedding gown ever-​so-​perfectly mounted with museum-​quality protective elements and shadow-​box framed for $ 100. Be financially realistic. Get several estimates if you are unsure of what’s realistic.
2. Save up your to-​be-​framed projects (this will also give you time to evaluate whether you really want custom framing or not), find out when the best custom framing sales/​coupons will be offered and bring more than one project to your framer when you decide the time is right. This way, if you are getting a discount on a certain manufacturer’s frames, you can have some fun with different frames from the same maker but all at a discount.
3. Custom frame the special, pass-​down-​to-​the-​family items. For items which will — realistically — go into a file/​memories album (or Goodwill) in 30 years (posters, diplomas, etc.), pick out a standard frame (particularly when the frames are on sale) and DIY or ask the specialists at the custom framing center to consult with you re: mattes that they could cut and then add to the frame you chose to complete the job.
4. BEFORE you go to any custom framing service, use the Internet to seek out images of artwork similar (or even identical) to your print or painting. Art museums and auction house websites are full of good — and sometimes failed — examples. Compare how others have had similar works mounted and framed, then decide what you like and how it should agree with the surroundings.
5. Go into the Custom Framing Service with wall/​room measurements, finishes, wall/​room colors and a general idea of what you want as a final product. e.g., Framing a light-​weight item to be hung on painted drywall is NOT the same as framing a heavier item to be hung over the fireplace with a masonry background. Let your framing specialist know about special conditions and suggest the best equipment to use for hanging your artwork.
6. Michael’s is equipped with a computer program which can show you how the entire project will appear when finished. This is a terrific tool. Don’t be afraid to try more than one combination of colors, textures and/​or different dimensions for the matting.
7. Enjoy the process!
Thank you, Mark and Michael’s!

Typically I have been very pleased with the service and selection at this location. Today, however, I was supremely disappointed. When I arrived at the store, after having called ahead and requested specific items to be placed aside and being assured that they were indeed in stock and would be, I was informed that the sales representative had forgotten to do so, despite assurances the items I needed to complete a project would be ready for pick up just an hour following my call.
I received a lame excuse that they were busy, as though my time trucking halfway across the city during afternoon rush-​hour traffic was irrelevant. No one ever even offered to order the items I needed for pick up at a later time. Guess who’s ordering from Amazon tonight?

The employees at this Michael’s made my shopping experience horrible. I get that it was the day after Christmas and they didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to be there either but I needed to pick up some poster frames for the hubby. I asked the young man at the frame counter for help and he responded «ill get to you in minute, I’m right now». Nice attitude buddy. I think he saw the look on my face because he stopped chit-​chatting with his coworker and actually came to help. Then I stood in line to pay and there was a line. Two cashiers were ringing up customers and the other two were just standing around talking about their holiday. My cashier wasn’t very friendly either, I had a question about the sale frame and she didn’t know what was up and couldn’t be bothered to find the correct answer. This will be my last time shopping there. It is too bad because this Michael’s is well laid out and a lot more organized than other locations.

When the super «uncrafty» person that I am needs something «crafty» once a year, I always hit up Michael’s. It’s obviously very overwhelming for my kind of people. So much to choose from, but I figure more selection is better than no selection, right? It also makes me feel like I want to MAKE EVERYTHING! But then my memory of things I’ve made looking similar to the «Pinterest Fail Blogs» and my bank account stop me. Yes, things are a tad pricey here. I suggest that if you’re looking for something pretty common, check elsewhere first. My friend wanted some of that chalk board spray paint stuff and she bought a couple cans at Michaels for about $ 12 each. Found them a week later at good ol’ Wally World for $ 5 a pop. However if you’re looking for something hard to find or unique, Michael’s is the spot. They always have sales associates walking around the place and are always offering their help and suggestions. Another good deal, I almost always see coupons available in the Sunday paper and I believe if you sign up for their email club also. My friend (chalk board spray paint girl) is a teacher and can flash her ID for a small percentage off. Pretty sweet if you’re in the biz.
Overall. this is a clean, well-​organized store, staffed with some very friendly people. I recommend it!

I’ve been to this location several times and I“m suuuuuper disappointed in the staff. Not only is it non-​existent, they aren’t helpful. Today, I spent a long time looking for a jewelry cap in the bead and jewelry area before I decided I was going to humble myself and ask for help. After I scoured the store, I found this heavy-​set dark-​haired woman for assistance. Without even trying to help me look, she just told me the general aisle it would be on — the same one I’ve been looking at without her help. I was going to be spiteful and throw all the beads and accessories on the ground and make the employees pick it up, but I resisted. After I collected my breath and composure, I went to look for her again. I found her talking to another employee about non-​work related stuff. Seriously — she couldn’t take the time to do her job and help me find the piece I needed and she couldn’t ask the person she was talking to for assistant!!! Horrible service. Once I saw her I put all the beads on the counter and asked her to put it back on the shelf since I had no desire to make jewelry with the pieces I selected. I tried talking to the cashier about it in the front and she didn’t even offer to help me look for the item. I am NEVER coming back to this location again. I’m going to spend my money at the Hobby Lobby close to my house or drive further to a different Michaels. The Frisco Michaels off of Preston, store #9901 is HORRIBLE!!!

Michael’s is a great craft store. They have a mix of selection with everything from kids to adults… to adults who don’t exactly know what they are doing… Seriously something for every craft for every person. The staff is very friendly and very willing to help-​either with a suggestion to improve your project, or project ideas for the future. Their prices are decent and if they don’t have something, they are more than willing to tell you where you can find it. Today, I was looking for tiles (I’m about to make these awesome coasters), and they were out. Instead of making me wait for their stock to be replenished, they suggested I look at Lowes or Home Depot. I appreciate the honesty and not trying to take advantage of my loyalty to their own store.