"Best Craft Chain for the Miniatures Enthusiasts?" Topic

I guess this must be for the North Americans only – should there be a separate one for the UK?

What craft chain provides you the most supporting materials seen on your miniatures and table tops? Paints, inks, glues, etc

1) Hobby Lobby
2) Michael's
3) Joann's Fabrics
4) AC Moore
5) Include Walmart?
6) ?

My experience suggests Hobby Lobby for sheer variety and size as well as a superior assortment of artists inks.

I don't pass on the others though – JoAnn's for fur mats, terrain cloths and Ceramcoat paints, Michael's for brushes, glues and paints, and nice discounts – though JoAnn's accepts competitor coupons.

Another Hobby Lobby vote but they are all usually near each other so if you go to one go to all.

Hobby lobby with a 40% off coupon on my phone.

I don't believe I've paid full price for a can of dullcoat in years.

The Works is pretty good here in the UK.

The Range is also good in the UK.

Hobby Craft another for the UK

x42

Yes, different list for the UK, as I don't recognise half of those names, and other uK based posters have identified UK based ones.

the perils of an international hobby – I guess the denizens of the penal colonies will have others as well.

Hobby Lobby

One problem with Hobby Lobby is they aren't open on Sundays

The only one I do not use is Walmart. I use all the others in the order of ACMoore, Hobby Lobby and Michaels.

One problem with Hobby Lobby is they aren't open on Sundays

I don't see this as a problem at all. As someone who worked in retail for 38 years I applaud them for allowing their employees to spend Sunday's with their family.

Asel Art is another good one, but I believe that they are only in Texas.

Hobby Lobby for me. They have a nice assortment of terrain accessories, and carry Milliput and a small selection of Vallejo paints.

Hobby Lobby for extent of inventory and quality of employees. If one doesn't know the answer they call a department head who then takes you to the item if they stock it. Great service.

I primarily shop at Hobby Lobby and Michael's, not necessarily in that order. But I also shop at Joann's.

Jim

Gotta go with Hobby Lobby, I keep thinking that, "Hell, nobody's gonna have that…they do.

I just don't shop at Michael's or Joann Fabric's that much, but I will try now that I know I can get some terrain mats and the like. The other ones must be UK based, except for Wally World.

Michaels's – Best seasonal sales.

Because nobody wants to buy an O scale "Christmas Village" cobblestone street mat on Dec 26th. So you get four for the price of one.

Halifax Modeller's World.

Only Michael's and Joanne's near me, as far as I know. Michaels has more selection for what I need, but there's a Joanne's near my work and I'll go there if I need a hobby item they stock.

I think I shop at Dick Blick about as often as Michaels though.

Michael's, Wal-Mart (closer, but not as good), Hobby Lobby, then Jo Ann's, and Menard's (honorable mention -- see below), due to locations near me, closest, to furthest.

Fabric stores have some fun game crafting stuff. Covered my Ping Pong Table's hashed top with burgundy vinyl, from Jo Ann's. Beautiful, durable, and it rejuvenated my table, for a very modest price. I throw down a piece of dark green indoor/outdoor carpet (from Menard's DIY store, called Tee Time, no pattern, very nice, very smooth, very soft… cut from a 5-foot wide roll, to length!), or painted interlocking rubber mats, for miniatures gaming; for RPG's, I throw down my vinyl battle mats and break out the Crayola Markers. Also bought some vinyl that resembles dragon-hide, for making ring binder covers. Feeling spoiled for choices and resources for my gaming addictions… Cheers!