Michaels has grown from a single Dallas storefront in 1973 to America’s largest arts and crafts retailer with over 1,300 locations. This Texas-born company helped turn crafting from a casual hobby into a form of creative wellness, using beginner-friendly kits, emotional support crafting, and personalized home décor.
Through innovations like Michaels Marketplace and in-store workshops, the brand has made creativity more accessible than ever. Explore how this Irving-based company continues to shape America’s relationship with handmade expression.
The Texas Roots: From Dallas Beginnings to Retail Giant
While many crafting empires have emerged across America, Michaels began its creative journey in Dallas, Texas, where founder Michael J. Dupey established the company in 1973. You’ve likely watched this craft retailer evolve dramatically over five decades.
Dallas businessman Sam Wyly acquired the budding company in 1984, quickly taking it public under The Michaels Companies umbrella.
The retail giant’s ownership has shifted through significant phases in its company history. In 2006, you saw Michaels move from public markets when private equity firms Bain Capital and Blackstone Group acquired it. The pattern continued in 2021 when Apollo Global Management took ownership. Throughout these shifts, Michaels has maintained its Texas heritage while expanding its creativity-focused business nationwide.
Michaels’ Texas roots parallel Irving’s own story of growth, as the city transformed from a small town of just 2,165 residents at mid-century to a thriving metropolitan area with nearly 100,000 people by 1970.
Gateway to Creativity: Trends Shaping the Future of Crafting
Beyond its Texas roots and corporate evolution, Michaels has positioned itself at the forefront of America’s creative movement. Their first Creativity Trend Report reveals six key crafting trends driving a nationwide creativity boom through 2025.
You’ll find gateway crafts—like beginner-friendly DIY kits and viral TikTok projects—making artistic expression more accessible than ever.
Emotional support crafts have emerged as popular self-care tools, helping you manage stress and anxiety through creative expression.
DIY and Dine experiences offer new ways of strengthening relationships through social crafting activities.
Gifting with love not labels reflects your growing preference for personalized, handmade presents that carry deeper meaning than mass-produced alternatives.
These trends illustrate how crafting continues evolving from hobby to essential lifestyle component for millions of Americans.
Beyond the Hobby: How Michaels Transformed Crafting Into Self-Care
Many once viewed crafting as merely a pastime, but Michaels has successfully redefined it as an essential wellness practice for millions of Americans. As the nation’s premier arts and crafts retailer, they’ve identified a significant shift: people are increasingly turning to creative activities for emotional support and stress relief.
Their Creativity Trend Report highlighted “Emotional Support Crafts” among the top trends shaping 2025, reflecting Michaels’ deep understanding of crafting as self-care. With insights gathered from over 52 million annual shoppers across 1,300 stores, they’ve positioned themselves as more than just a supplier—they’re fostering creativity as an essential component of modern life.
You’ll find Michaels continuously evolving to meet this need, cementing their status as North America’s leading creative destination where wellness and artistry beautifully intersect. This aligns with Texas’s rich tradition of cultural preservation through artistic expression, where creative processes form new identities while maintaining core values.
The Marketplace Evolution: Expanding Product Selection and Online Reach
The digital transformation of Michaels took a significant leap forward in February 2023 with the launch of Michaels Marketplace, a strategic platform that extends the retailer’s reach beyond its traditional inventory. This evolution allows you to access an expanded product selection through third-party sellers, including resellers, distributors, and brands offering mass-produced goods.
By opening its online ecosystem to U.S.-based sellers, Michaels continues to diversify its offerings beyond private brands, positioning itself as a competitive force against other e-commerce platforms in the arts and crafts space.
Like Texas’s thriving tech industry growth, this digital expansion demonstrates how traditional retailers are leveraging innovative technology solutions to remain competitive.
- Browse thousands of additional art supplies and frames not previously available
- Support vetted sellers with U.S.-based fulfillment capabilities
- Discover new creative possibilities through an expanded catalog of specialty items
DIY Revolution: How Michaels Democratized Home Décor and Gifting
While high-end décor and custom gifts once remained exclusive to professional designers and artisans, Michaels has fundamentally transformed this landscape by putting creative power directly into your hands. With over 1,300 stores across North America, you’ll find everything needed to craft personalized home décor and thoughtful gifts without breaking the bank.
Michaels’ private labels like Recollections and Studio Decor empower you to create customized pieces that reflect your unique style. Their in-store workshops and instructional content make crafting accessible regardless of your skill level.
The retailer has successfully brought DIY into the mainstream by highlighting trend-forward projects—from viral TikTok crafts to custom framing solutions.
This democratization of creativity has fueled a movement where personalization isn’t just possible but affordable, making Michaels the cornerstone of America’s DIY revolution.