I think I am an Official Michaels groupie!
9-15-2013
Day Two
If you haven't been into a Michaels store lately, you need to! They have remodeled their stores and have made shopping with them a whole new experience that is both pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate through. You will love it!
My morning started off with a ribbon cutting at the Des Peres Michaels store on Manchester Rd.
Shoppers started gathering outside the doors to get a glimpse of Jo Pearson. Once Jo arrived she immediately went out to greet the crowd of shoppers and fans eager to get a glimpse of the queen of the craft world.
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As I was headed over to the truck I caught Jo walking with a few visitors of the Michaels Craft Tour truck as she walked them in. They were all very kind to turn around and let me snap a picture of them. And then they were gone inside the truck, you could see the look on the kids faces...they were eager to get inside.
I have to admit that once I was inside I was just as eager! Stepping inside I could easily find myself getting lost in the craft projects again. Today they had a table set up with Crayola Model Magic. The kids seemed to love it, even the adults were flocking to this one. I think it kind of brings you back to being a kid, coloring, kneading Play-Do, just using your hands. I was anxious to get started on my own.
9-15-2013
Day Two
If you haven't been into a Michaels store lately, you need to! They have remodeled their stores and have made shopping with them a whole new experience that is both pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate through. You will love it!
My morning started off with a ribbon cutting at the Des Peres Michaels store on Manchester Rd.
Shoppers started gathering outside the doors to get a glimpse of Jo Pearson. Once Jo arrived she immediately went out to greet the crowd of shoppers and fans eager to get a glimpse of the queen of the craft world.
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| Shoppers lining up outside the Des Peres Michaels store |
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| Jo speaking at the podium |
Jo shared with the crowd a little about what they were going to see when they entered the store and some exciting things coming up for Michaels and then the ribbon cutting began.
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Once the ribbon cutting celebration was over, shoppers and fans were invited into the store to see first hand the new look of Michaels. And...the first 100 guests received a $10 Michaels gift cards as they entered the store.
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| Jo Pearson and me in the Michaels store |
Upon entering the store you were greeted by the exceptional team at Michaels. Each team member was friendly and eager to help. They even gave out a few hugs. The atmosphere was cheerful and the store looked amazing!
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| Michaels staff member Betty and Jo's daughter Dawn |
I meandered through the aisles taking it all in. It was like a candy store and every where you looked there was something new! I snapped a few pictures before heading to the truck to see what craft they had set up today.
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| I was especially drawn to the beading aisles |
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| The new lighting made the beads just sparkle! |
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| I wanted one of everything! |
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| Jo walking in with some visitors to the Michaels Craft Tour truck |
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| Jo helping a few kids with the Crayola Model Magic craft project |
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| My attempt at a Crayola Model Magic dog pencil topper |
Once I finished I headed back to the store to meet a group of bloggers. Tomorrow's Wishes, along with several other local bloggers, were all invited to meet with Jo Pearson for a little one on one craft time. And needless to say, I was excited. Even though I was there the day before, and literally had just walked off the truck, I just couldn't seem to get enough! And craft tips from Jo...OK that is just another bonus, can you say AWESOME!
Once the other bloggers arrived at the store we headed back to the truck and met with Jo. Jo asked us all a few questions and we did introductions. Then sat down to get started on our craft project. Jo started things off with a simple and fun to do ribbon and charm book mark.
Jo walked us through this simple and easy craft. Yet I admit I did have trouble with my jump ring, my friend Dawn had to help me. I think I need new glasses!
Once we were done Jo talked to the group about a few craft tips, like using Glitter It! (this is a link to a cool pumpkin ornament project) to coat the inside of glass ornaments with glitter. I happen to love this product. I once spent an entire afternoon glittering glass ornaments, I had so much fun I couldn't stop. Everyone in my family had a personalized glitter ornament on their packages that year!
Jo's favorite color happens to be glitter. Yes she knows that's not a color, but if she had to say a color, it would be pink glitter!
We talked about quite a few products like the Spellbinders, Cricut, Mod Podge and Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile It was very informative and gave me some great crafting tips and ideas to try at home. We also talked about some of the hot items like the Rainbow Loom! (I picked up one of these for my eight year old!)
Michaels and Jo gave us lots of goodies to take home as well as gift cards which I promptly spent after the event was over (and then some!).
Next we were taken on a personal tour of the store with April Willers from Michaels. Again, from the minute I walked in, I was impressed with the new look of the store.
She walked us around pointing out the new and exciting features that they've added as well as asked for our input.
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| We were given all of the supplies we needed... black velvet ribbon, silver charms, jump rings, clasps, ribbon clamps and pliers |
Jo walked us through this simple and easy craft. Yet I admit I did have trouble with my jump ring, my friend Dawn had to help me. I think I need new glasses!
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| Jo talking to the group of bloggers about the ribbon book mark |
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| This is where I looked at Dawn for help |
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| Finished project! Ta Da! Not bad. And no those are not extra parts! |
Jo's favorite color happens to be glitter. Yes she knows that's not a color, but if she had to say a color, it would be pink glitter!
We talked about quite a few products like the Spellbinders, Cricut, Mod Podge and Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile It was very informative and gave me some great crafting tips and ideas to try at home. We also talked about some of the hot items like the Rainbow Loom! (I picked up one of these for my eight year old!)
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| Jo demonstrating the Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile |
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| The group of bloggers lucky enough to meet and craft with Jo! |
Michaels and Jo gave us lots of goodies to take home as well as gift cards which I promptly spent after the event was over (and then some!).
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| My loot! |
Next we were taken on a personal tour of the store with April Willers from Michaels. Again, from the minute I walked in, I was impressed with the new look of the store.
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| New look, new store! |
She walked us around pointing out the new and exciting features that they've added as well as asked for our input.
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| April Willers giving us a store tour Just part of the dedicated service team She talked about how all of the St Louis stores are redesigned to be the same They want you to walk into any Michaels store and know exactly where to go |
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| Departments are clearly marked with logical and more broad naming with icons next to the name When visiting the Michaels website you can look for these icons under "categories" to help you navigate through the site |
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| Department names are listed high on the wall giving it a clean look and Seasonal Items are grouped together with fun project ideas and help |
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| Wider aisles are found throughout and they have lowered the display heights giving you a clearer view of the store |
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| Me and the group of bloggers sporting our Michaels goody bags |
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| LOVE the wider aisles! It is such a clean look to! |
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| End caps have simple 1, 2, 3 Step tips with all of the supplies you need to do the project |
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| Simple and fun projects can be found throughout |
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| Look at all this room! |
Needles to say, I LOVED the new look. Now more squeezing through aisles, not knowing where to look. It is easy to navigate, bright, roomy and full of new, creative and wonderful products, tips and supplies!
I wound my day down with a bit of a mini shopping spree and made sure to get a few more pictures of my new friends.
I wound my day down with a bit of a mini shopping spree and made sure to get a few more pictures of my new friends.
MY NEW MICHAELS FRIENDS!
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| Me and Jo |
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| Ken and Me |
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| Mary and Me (Mary was the go to person on the truck!) |
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| Ken and Me (He gets to drive this big honking truck!) |
Hope to see my new Michaels friends soon! Where is the tour bus stopping next? Click here to find out! Maybe I will see you there. Hey Honey! I'm going on tour!!
