Penny from Heaven

If crafting is your hobby you're in for a real treat. The Orlando area has some amazing craft stores that cater for anything from dressmaking to scrapbooking, painting to embroidery and card making to quilting. The choices are not only endless they are beyond compare to anything you can find at home and I can almost guarantee that one of the first things on your wish list will be a sewing or embroidery machine.

Each store will have a wide selection of machinery available at prices that will make your palms itch....... But can you take one home?

The first thing to consider is whether your purchase will be allowed on as hand luggage. It is paramount that you check with your Airline before any purchase as there may be restrictions such as the removal of any needles. Even if this is not the case, I would still recommend that you pack all needles and loose items (excluding the power cord) into your main baggage.

The next thing you will need to consider is the voltage. The vast majority of sewing and embroidery machines sold in the US run at 110 volts so if you are based in the UK like us, you will require a step down voltage converter when you get home.

Pictured as an example is a Mercury SDVC-300 Step Down Voltage Converter that we bought back in the UK for about £45 in 2013. Fortunately we have also been able to use it for Halloween and other stuff brought back from the US so in turn has saved us more. Well, that is what I keep getting told!!

The final thing to consider is how to get it home in one piece. Unless advised otherwise by the Airline you may want to buy yourself a carry case. We bought a hard case for our embroidery machine from Jo-Anns that looked much like the sort of case you used to get with sewing machines years ago. These cases are light, strong and come with a carry handle. Worth a few extra dollars!

Following are some of the craft shops in the Orlando area that are definitely worth a visit. You should also remember that Dollar Tree often has a selection of cheap craft bits and bobs, especially around holidays such as Easter, Christmas and Halloween and that Walmart also has a Crafts department.

Jo-Anns.

I can only assume by the amount of time and money we spend at Jo-Anns that it is probably our favourite crafting place to visit.

I have to admit that this store does boast one of the largest selections of fabrics along with a fine choice of scrapbooking, baking and other crafts all under one roof. Jo-Anns is definitely a sewers paradise!

There are 2 Jo-Ann stores in the local area.

4801 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
3562 East Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

Michaels

Whether you're into arts, crafts, framing, floral, home decor or scrapbooking, Michaels has it all. For projects big or small, there's bound to be something here that will inspire your imagination.

There are 4 Michaels stores in the local area.

3278 North John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741
1766 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32809
8081 Turkey Lake Rd Ste 400, Orlando, FL 32819
1600 Posner Blvd, Davenport, FL 33837

Hobby Lobby

With custom framing, invitation templates, scrapbooking and cake decorating supplies, Hobby Lobby is more than just a hobby store. There are loads of gift ideas, they even do wedding rentals.

With more than 70,000 arts, crafts, hobbies, home decor, Holiday, and seasonal products to choose from, Hobby Lobby is a must visit for the serious crafter.

There are 2 Hobby Lobby stores in the local area.

2728 East Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
711 Centerview Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Sam Flax

A creative store environment that has an interesting range of products from fine pens, french presentation products, unique papers and paper arts, custom and ready made frames to drafting supplies and studio furniture.

A good selection of interesting, high design and quality products that artists and creative people would want, so well worth a visit.

There is 1 Sam Flax store in the local area.

1800 East Colonial Dr (at Altaloma Ave), Orlando, FL 32803

For further information feel free to contact the owners
Linda & Robert using one of the following options:

Direct Enquiry:        linda@dadsvilla.com
Or complete this:    Enquiry Form

Telephone:              +44 (0)1159 747120
Mobile:                    +44 (0)7894 907410