Jo-Ann Gets Your Creative Juices Flowing With New Craft Tools & Supplies

HUDSON, Ohio, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Do you decorate cakes for family and friends or make necklaces to sell online? Maybe you share your heart in handmade cards or knit baby blankets for friends who are expecting? This summer you'll find more to love about Jo-Ann!

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100406/CL81868LOGO)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100406/CL81868LOGO)

"Summer is a great time to explore new hobbies," said Brent Beebe, Vice President of Crafts Merchandising for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the country's leading fabric and craft specialty retailer. "Whether an experienced crafter or someone just dipping their toe in the crafting pool for the first time, our expanded selection of products will spark their imagination and get their creative juices flowing."

Card makers, scrapbook and multimedia artists will love the new accessory pads and embellishment assortments from Die Cuts with a View (DCWV) as well as new selections from Colorbok, EK Success and Core'dinations coming later this summer. The new Core'dinations line of paper encourages papercrafters to "sand it, tear it, emboss it and love it!" Because the paper is dyed not printed, colors go to the core eliminating undesirable white edges that are common when using popular distressing techniques.

A new exclusive collection coming soon is "Life's Little Occasions." This affordable line of embellishments focuses on "little" life events and activities that might not be included in typical papercrafting sets, such as pet firsts, baby's first haircut, learning to ride a bike, homeschooling and even funerals.

One of the new product lines already on Jo-Ann's shelves is the Cricut Cake® machine that launched this spring. The Cricut Cake®, by die-cut machine innovator Provo Craft®, is the first machine to die-cut fondant, gum paste and frosting sheets. The device enables even a novice cake decorator to create dramatic, custom cakes with minimal effort and expertise. Find it alongside your favorite Cricut machines and cartridges.

Speaking of cake decorating, if baking and entertaining is a favorite summer past-time, check your local store for a host of new food crafting tools, bakeware and products for storing and transporting your homemade treats. In addition to merchandise, Jo-Ann has introduced a new Wilton Course to its curriculum. The course features three updated classes covering basic decorating techniques as well as advanced techniques, such as working with gumpaste and fondant. Visit Joann.com to view the current Class Catalog online and use the Store and Class Locator (www.joann.com/stores) to find stores offering classes near you.  

"One of the most eye-opening enhancements our customers will see is in the jewelry section," said Beebe, adding that jewelry aisles will increase from 88 to 120 feet in many large Jo-Ann stores. "Beyond expanding aisles and volume of products available, we're improving the way we display jewelry components by adding lighting -- making it easier for shoppers to see and select beads, charms, chains and more."

Filling that space are new and expanded product lines that encompass hair embellishments, strung beads, chains, epoxy jewelry, glass beadmaking kits and loaded bead storage. Jo-Ann is introducing new themed collections, such as Angels and Sealife, along with colored findings in cream, black, pink and more. If you make accessories to sell on one of the popular online marketplaces, such as ArtFire.com or Etsy.com, you'll want to check out the new velvet display products coming to stores soon.

"We're also excited about the changes to our yarn crafting section," said Beebe. "Our customers aren't shy about telling us what they want -- from sending e-mails to posting comments on our Facebook page -- they let us know what's on their minds. We took their feedback and used it to re-organize the entire yarn area -- making it easier to shop. In more than 200 stores, we'll be dedicating an additional 12 feet to yarn as well as increasing the amount of inspiration in the aisles."

Yarns will be grouped together and better organized in this new layout. By offering more free knit and crochet project sheets, displayed alongside the yarns they use and swatches, shoppers can see how the yarn works up and get ideas for using it.

The new yarn shop will feature more natural and quality yarns at affordable prices. Earlier this year, Jo-Ann began expanding its selection of natural fiber yarns with three wool and wool-blend yarns from New York Times best-selling author, Debbie Stoller under the Red Heart Yarn label.  Look for more natural and high quality acrylic yarns, including "Everyday," the newest anti-pill, worsted weight yarn from Deborah Norville.

To see these changes in person, find a Jo-Ann store near you by visiting www.joann.com/stores or shop online at Joann.com. Offer feedback, chat with fellow crafters and get inspired by joining fellow Jo-Ann fans on Facebook at www.facebook.com/joann.

About Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores (NYSE: JAS) the nation's largest fabric and craft retailer with locations in 48 states, was founded in 1943 as a single retail store. Today, 750 Jo-Ann stores across the country provide consumers with creative inspiration. For additional information, visit www.Joann.com.

SOURCE Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.