Where to Buy Craft Supplies in Baltimore: Michaels and Local Alternatives

This guide covers the Michaels locations serving Baltimore and compares them to independent craft retailers in the city, so you can choose based on selection depth, pricing, and whether you need inventory today or can order ahead.

Michaels Locations in the Baltimore Area

Michaels operates two stores within Baltimore city limits and several more in surrounding counties. The Canton store sits at 2913 O'Donnell Street, a 10-minute drive from Federal Hill and the Inner Harbor. The Towson location, at 8 Fairmount Avenue, serves North Baltimore and the county suburbs. Both operate standard Michaels hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The Canton location has street parking and a dedicated lot; Towson uses the Fairmount Shopping Center lot.

Michaels positions itself as a high-volume retailer with consistent stock across categories: painting supplies (acrylics, oils, watercolors), yarn and knitting supplies, paper goods, scrapbooking materials, jewelry-making components, foam boards, and seasonal décor. The chain runs weekly coupons in-store and through its app, typically offering 40 to 60 percent off a single item or 20 percent off total purchases. These discounts apply to regular-priced merchandise and can absorb the price premium Michaels charges versus independent retailers on basics like canvas and brushes.

Stock depth varies by location. The Towson store, serving a larger suburban customer base, carries more yarn weights and thread colors than the Canton location. Neither Baltimore Michaels consistently stocks niche supplies like archival kraft paper or professional-grade pastel sets without special order. If you need a specific product today, calling ahead to the relevant store is faster than driving.

Independent Craft Retailers in Baltimore

The city supports several independent craft shops that compete on selection in specific categories rather than breadth.

Artists and Makers Supply, located in Hampden on West 36th Street, specializes in fine art materials: oil paints, specialty papers, printmaking inks, and pigments. The staff includes working artists who know the technical differences between student and professional-grade products. Pricing runs 10 to 20 percent higher than Michaels on comparable items, but selection of brands like Gamblin, Sennelier, and Stonehenge paper far exceeds what Michaels stocks. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a lunch closure from 1 to 2 p.m. Cash and card accepted.

Chesapeake Bead Company, in Fells Point near the corner of Bond and Shakespeare Streets, focuses on jewelry-making supplies and beads. The inventory includes thousands of bead styles in glass, stone, and metal, plus stringing wire, findings, and beading tools. Independent bead shops typically charge more per bead than craft chains but offer personalized guidance on projects and source materials Michaels does not carry. Chesapeake Bead stocks Indonesian glass and Czech beads that appeal to customers making heirloom jewelry. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.

The Needlepoint Joint, on Hollins Street in the Hollins Market area, carries embroidery floss, cross-stitch kits, and canvas in depth that exceeds any Michaels. The shop runs needlework classes and maintains relationships with suppliers of heritage and luxury needlework brands. Pricing is competitive with Michaels on thread but higher on finished kits; the trade-off is instruction and a community of local stitchers.

The Paper Store operates a location in the Harbor East shopping district (Pratt Street near Fleet) and focuses on cardstock, specialty papers, writing supplies, and greeting cards. This retailer competes with Michaels on cardstock selection and price, and it runs a smaller format allowing it to curate rather than stock comprehensively. Paper stores typically serve stationery buyers rather than craft producers, so selection of bulk blank cards and art paper is narrower than the breadth you'd find at Michaels.

Trade-offs: When to Choose Michaels vs. Independent Shops

Use Michaels for supplies you buy regularly and in volume: acrylic paints, mod podge, embellishment packs, foam core, and seasonal items. The weekly coupons make Michaels the lowest total cost for broad shopping lists. Parking is easier at both Baltimore locations than at independent shops in dense neighborhoods.

Choose independent retailers if you need professional-grade materials, expert consultation, or supplies outside mainstream categories. Artists and Makers Supply is worth the trip if you paint in oils or work with specialty paper. Chesapeake Bead is the only source in Baltimore for quality glass beads if you're making jewelry to sell or gift. The Needlepoint Joint makes sense if you're learning cross-stitch and want instruction alongside supplies.

Michaels' app coupons are a material advantage for price-conscious shoppers. The app displays current promotions and allows you to check local inventory before visiting. Independent shops do not offer apps; call ahead to confirm stock, especially for supplies outside their core category.

Ordering and Pickup Considerations

Michaels allows in-store pickup on online orders placed by 2 p.m., typically ready the next business day. This option makes sense if the Baltimore location is out of stock. Independent retailers generally do not offer pickup; shipping from out-of-town bead or art suppliers takes five to seven days and may not justify the shipping cost on small orders.

For urgent needs, Michaels' same-day inventory check through the app beats independent retailers' phone system. For planned projects, ordering from specialty suppliers often yields better selection and pricing, even with shipping.

Bottom line: Use Michaels as your baseline for volume purchases and convenience. Use independent shops for category-specific depth, professional supplies, and when you want staff expertise over breadth.