Orlando Florida, craft shopping!!
 

Hi guys, can anyone tell me if there are any craft stores in or near Orlando, I fl out there on Saturday and would love to visit some stores, I just need to know where they are, can anyone help?

Thanks

Sarah

There is a GREAT store in Mt. Dora. It is north Orlando, about 30 minutes north of the airport.

The Scrappy Boutique is on Sand Lake Rd, west of the Florida Mall. It is a great scrapbook store.

Thank you both, I can't wait!!!

Hey there! I will be making my 13th craft stash (hubby says its a holiday! LOL!) smash and grab trip to Orlando in approx 70 days! Not that I am counting the days or anything!

My Long suffering DH would say I was an expert on every craft outlet within a 100 mile radius of Orlando, I cannot agree but I am more than willing to give you some hopefully helpful advice so here goes!

1. Yes there is a beautiful Scrapbook shop in Mount Dora - BUT is VERY expensive. they have a great range of stash but prices are exactly the same as here in the UK. Whilst I love to support any local craft outlet, I could'nt however justify paying such inflated prices knowing that I could get exactly the same items at many places at least half price. Mount Dora is a beautiful place though and well worth a run out.

2. You MUST check out a store called TUESDAY MORNING. Its a shop which looks a bit like a "tat" shop from the inside but oooooh what treasures you will find in there!!! Want Martha Stewart punches for $3?!!! Yes $3!!! Thanks to this shop on my last visit I had to buy an extra suitcase to bring the 42 (I am so ashamed of that number! LOL!) home! They have a fabby craft section which you have to "root" through a bit but I can GUARANTEE you will NOT walk out of there without at LEAST one purchase! There are several in the area and you must check them all out as each one has totally different "stuff" Ribbons, Stamps, Tim Holtz goodies, you name it, you can usually drop on it there!

3. If you are hiring a car - I would HIGHLY recommend a sat nav. All you need do then is type in the magic words MICHAELS or JO-ANNS and you will be well on your way to crafters paradise!

4.Speaking of those 2 shops (and there are several of each in the area) they give out incredible discount coupons. so say if you go in and buy a roll of ribbon for $1 they give you a coupon for 50% off one item in your next purchase! By doing this I virtually kitted out my craft room with specialised storage stuff and even got a Martha Stewart Scoring board for just $8!! One word though here, the coupon is usually to use the following week so if you have your eye on something go in the first week of your stay get the coupon so you have it ready for the second week of your holiday. Also, Jo-Anns do similar coupons and they even go one better than Michaels by accepting Michaels coupons as well as their own. So if you see something in a jo-anns that you want you can give them the michaels coupon so they will price match it! You can also print out coupons from t'internet before you go so you are armed ready for attack!

5. Prepare to spend a LOAD of money!!!! We have NOTHING like JO-ANNS & MICHAELS here in the UK - You will happily be able to spend several days in either of them! LOL!

6. Walmart too has a craft section as does Target so check out the supermarkets too! Publix last time I went did'nt. You can get some fabby deals in those 2 places!

7.The scrappy boutique is a wonderful store (if a bit out in the middle of nowhere) and I have always been bowled over by their service. They even stayed open late just for me last year as I was stocking up on last minute prezzies for my stamping Sisters and they even gave me a discount! They have recently started doing classes too and I am really hoping that my trip this year will coincide with a copic class so I can do that whilst DH & DS lounge by the pool. Everyones a winner! They do have a website so you might like to check it out before you go.

I am sure there are loads more tips I could give you if I had more time to type or think! But if you want to know any more please don't hesitate to PM me if you have any questions.

My final piece of advice is have a wonderful holiday, shop til your hearts content (or til your suitcase is full!) and most importantly........Please save something for me when I get there on June 14th! Have a fabby time! x

Ohhhhhhhhhhh I'm so saving this thread! We are headed to Orlando in May and can't wait! I did find a couple of stores the last time I was there a couple of years ago but I REALLY want 42 $3 punches too! LOL Thanks so much for the detailed information. :)

Thanks for the info, just fab!!! Think I am in trouble though, I packed today and I am on the weight limit already, how am I going to fit in all those $3 dollar punches??? Think I need to re-pack.....who needs clothes anyway!!!!

Another vote for Scrappy Boutique! It is a great store.

There is also a Hobby Lobby here too that just opened recently. A few of the Michael's stores have been closing, unfortunately. There are still several left but they are more spread out now.

And thanks for the tip about Tuesday Morning. I thought it was just home decor. I live here and had no idea that they carry craft things!! So thanks!

No probs! I am so glad it has helped in some small way. Now to return the favour.....Would you consider a lodger?!!! LOL! I am very tidy, Am a tolerable cook and of course more importantly would allow you full access to my craft stash! NO?!! I thought not! As you have probably figured, I would love to live in your part of the world but hey ho the grass is always greener eh?! I will keep an eye out for you in Tue Morning in June!

Thanks so much for the tip about the store closures and Hobby Lobby opening. We noticed this a lot last year - Jo-anns seemed to be hardest hit and my cheap hubby had only got the previous years sat nav upload, I can't tell you the fun that ensued when we turned up at a supposed store to be met with a vacant lot! You can imagine the "discussions" that took place! He' has now got the latest sat nav maps so marital harmony will hopefully be maintained! At least until He realises that I am going to have to buy at least 2 more suitcases to get my haul back over that Atlantic!

I would consider swimming it but reckon that with that amount of Martha Stewart & co punches strapped to my body, I would sink faster than the Titanic! Plus, how the heck would I keep all those 12x12 papers dry?!! LOL!

Take good care, Alison x

Ps. Do you know the name of the road/street/plaza where the new Hobby Lobby is? My plane arrives at about 7pm so if I really get a sprint on I should make it in there for the last half hour!! Ha! Only kidding.....(well almost!)

Hobby Lobby is in the plaza at the corner of Bumby Avenue and East Colonial Drive. It is across from the Fashion Square Mall. There is a big Barnes & Noble there so when you see it you'll know you're in the right place. That Hobby Lobby is a HUGE store! You will love it I'm sure, just make sure to sign up for email coupons before you arrive. :)

I'm probably going to stop by a Tuesday Morning today or tomorrow sometime. You have me very curious now!! Have a nice time when you arrive in June. It's a really pretty time to visit!

OMGosh! I forgot to mention that AWESOME store that has all kinds of GREAT stuff!!! Calling my buddy, Lois aka Clownmom, to get the name!!! It's Old Time Pottery! OMGosh1 awesome!

i am so excited, we fly out tomorrow.......eeeekkk, thanks for all the fab information, you are all fab!!!

$3 MS punches here I come!!!

Thanks so much for that tip! I had never heard of them and just checked it out. Apparently that store closed in April 2010. Is that correct or have you been since then?

I've emailed their customer service for a definite answer but if they are struggling in the current economy I might not get an answer! Would love to check it out as it DOES look a right Aladdin's cave! Thanks so much again for the heads up! x

There's an Old Time Pottery in Casselberry (Seminole County), which is just north of Orlando. I was so happy when they opened in Casselberry (about five minutes from my house!). They have lots and lots of good stuff!