MICHAELS STORES INC
S-3/A, 1994-07-07
HOBBY, TOY & GAME SHOPS
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<PAGE>
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 7, 1994
    
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-53639
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

   
                         PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                             MICHAELS STORES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
             DELAWARE                       75-1943604
  (State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)      Identification Number)
</TABLE>

                            5931 CAMPUS CIRCLE DRIVE
                              IRVING, TEXAS 75063
                                P.O. BOX 619566
                             DFW, TEXAS 75261-9566
                                 (214) 714-7000
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 R. DON MORRIS
                            5931 CAMPUS CIRCLE DRIVE
                              IRVING, TEXAS 75063
                                 (214) 714-7000
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                            ------------------------

                                   COPIES TO:

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
     CHARLES D. MAGUIRE, JR.                KENNETH L. STEWART
     JACKSON & WALKER, L.L.P.          FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.
         901 Main Street                     2200 Ross Avenue
            Suite 6000                          Suite 2800
       Dallas, Texas 75202                 Dallas, Texas 75201
</TABLE>

                            ------------------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
                            ------------------------

    If  the  only securities  being registered  on this  Form are  being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the  following
box: / /

    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------

    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,  ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY
DETERMINE.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 6, 1994
    
   
                                1,886,213 Shares
    
                                  Common Stock
                                ($.10 PAR VALUE)
                                 --------------

   
OF THE 1,886,213  SHARES OF COMMON  STOCK, $.10 PAR  VALUE ("COMMON STOCK"),  OF
MICHAELS  STORES, INC. ("MICHAELS" OR  THE "COMPANY") OFFERED HEREBY, 1,500,000
 SHARES ARE BEING  SOLD BY  THE COMPANY  AND 386,213  ARE BEING  SOLD BY  THE
   SELLING  STOCKHOLDERS  NAMED  HEREIN UNDER  "SELLING  STOCKHOLDERS." THE
     COMPANY WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PROCEEDS  FROM THE SALE OF SHARES BY  THE
     SELLING  STOCKHOLDERS. OF THE 1,886,213  SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BEING
      OFFERED, 1,508,970 SHARES ARE INITIALLY BEING OFFERED IN THE UNITED
       STATES AND CANADA  (THE "U.S.  SHARES") BY  THE U.S.  UNDERWRITERS
       (THE  "U.S.  OFFERING") AND  377,243  SHARES ARE  INITIALLY BEING
        CONCURRENTLY OFFERED  OUTSIDE THE  UNITED STATES  AND  CANADA
           (THE   "INTERNATIONAL  SHARES")  BY  THE  MANAGERS  (THE
             "INTERNATIONAL OFFERING" AND,  TOGETHER WITH THE  U.S.
             OFFERING, THE "COMMON STOCK OFFERING"). THE OFFERING
               PRICE  AND  UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS  OF  THE U.S.
                 OFFERING AND  THE INTERNATIONAL  OFFERING  ARE
                 IDENTICAL.  THE CLOSING OF  THE U.S. OFFERING
                  IS A  CONDITION  TO  THE  CLOSING  OF  THE
                    INTERNATIONAL  OFFERING AND  VICE VERSA.
                    ON JULY  6,  1994, THE  REPORTED  LAST
                      SALE  PRICE OF  THE COMMON  STOCK ON
                      THE   NASDAQ NATIONAL  MARKET  WAS
                               $31 3/4 PER SHARE.
    
                                 --------------

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE SECURITIES
   AND  EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY  STATE   SECURITIES  COMMISSION   NOR
      HAS   THE   SECURITIES  AND   EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY  STATE
        SECURITIES  COMMISSION   PASSED  UPON   THE  ACCURACY   OR   AD-
             EQUACY   OF   THIS   PROSPECTUS.   ANY  REPRESENTATION
                       TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               UNDERWRITING                        PROCEEDS TO
                                               PRICE TO       DISCOUNTS AND      PROCEEDS TO         SELLING
                                                PUBLIC         COMMISSIONS        COMPANY(1)       STOCKHOLDERS
                                           ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
PER SHARE................................                 $                 $                 $                 $
TOTAL(2).................................                 $                 $                 $                 $

<FN>

(1)  BEFORE  DEDUCTION  OF  EXPENSES  PAYABLE   BY  THE  COMPANY  ESTIMATED   AT
     $              .
(2)  THE  COMPANY HAS GRANTED THE U.S.  UNDERWRITERS AND THE MANAGERS AN OPTION,
     EXERCISABLE BY CS FIRST  BOSTON CORPORATION, FOR 30  DAYS FROM THE DATE  OF
     THIS PROSPECTUS TO PURCHASE A MAXIMUM OF 282,932 ADDITIONAL SHARES TO COVER
     OVER-ALLOTMENTS  OF SHARES. IF  THE OPTION IS EXERCISED  IN FULL, THE TOTAL
     PRICE TO PUBLIC WILL BE $         , UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS AND  COMMISSIONS
     WILL BE $         , AND PROCEEDS TO COMPANY WILL BE $         .
</TABLE>
    

                                 --------------

    THE U.S. SHARES ARE OFFERED BY THE SEVERAL U.S. UNDERWRITERS WHEN, AS AND IF
ISSUED  BY THE COMPANY, DELIVERED  TO AND ACCEPTED BY  THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND
SUBJECT TO THEIR RIGHT TO REJECT ORDERS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. IT IS EXPECTED THAT
THE U.S. SHARES WILL BE READY FOR DELIVERY ON OR ABOUT     , 1994.

CS First Boston
                         Robertson, Stephens & Company
                                           Nomura Securities International, Inc.

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JULY   , 1994.
<PAGE>
                                     [map]

    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CS  FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION ON BEHALF OF
THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS  AND THE  MANAGERS MAY OVER-ALLOT  OR EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS
WHICH  STABILIZE OR  MAINTAIN THE MARKET  PRICE OF  THE COMMON STOCK  AT A LEVEL
ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH  TRANSACTIONS
MAY  BE EFFECTED ON THE  NASDAQ STOCK MARKET OR  OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF
COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED  AT ANY TIME. IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS  OFFERING,
CERTAIN  U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND MANAGERS (AND  SELLING GROUP MEMBERS, IF ANY) AND
THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS  IN
THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10B-6A UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. (SEE "UNDERWRITING.")

                                       2
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The  Company is subject to the  informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act"),  and  in  accordance
therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements and  other  information  with the
Securities and  Exchange  Commission  (the "Commission").  Such  reports,  proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission may be
inspected  and copied at  the office of  the Commission at  Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and  at the following regional offices  of
the Commission: Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago,  Illinois 60661; and  7 World Trade  Center, 13th Floor,  New York, New
York 10048.  Copies  of such  material  can also  be  obtained from  the  Public
Reference  Section of  the Commission at  Judiciary Plaza, Room  1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.

    This Prospectus does  not contain all  of the information  set forth in  the
Registration  Statement  on Form  S-3  and exhibits  thereto  (collectively, the
"Registration  Statement")  that  the  Company  filed  with  the  Commission  in
connection  with the sale of the  securities offered hereby under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), to which Registration  Statement
reference  is hereby made.  Copies of such  Registration Statement are available
from the Commission.  The terms "Michaels"  and the "Company"  when used  herein
shall mean Michaels Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

    The  Company's principal executive offices are located at 5931 Campus Circle
Drive, Irving, Texas,  and its mailing  address is P.O.  Box 619566, DFW,  Texas
75261-9566 and the Company's telephone number is (214) 714-7000.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   
    The  following documents have been filed  with the Commission by the Company
and are incorporated  herein by reference  and made  a part hereof  as of  their
respective  dates: (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30,
1994; (ii) definitive  Proxy Statement, dated  April 25, 1994,  relating to  the
Company's  Annual Meeting  of Stockholders held  on May 24,  1994; (iii) Current
Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 1994,  as amended by Form 8-K/A filed June  23,
1994  and Form 8-K/A filed June 30, 1994; (iv) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended May 1, 1994; and  (v) Registration Statement on Form 8-A  (No.
0-11822), effective as of September 11, 1991 and any amendments filed thereto.
    

    All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the  termination of the Common Stock Offering shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing thereof. Any
statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed  incorporated
by  reference  herein shall  be  deemed to  be  modified or  superseded  for all
purposes of this Prospectus to the  extent that a statement contained herein  or
in  any  other subsequently  filed document  which also  is or  is deemed  to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall  not be deemed, except as so  modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

    The  Company will provide, without charge, to  each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
(other than exhibits and  schedules thereto, unless  such exhibits or  schedules
are  specifically  incorporated  by  reference into  the  information  that this
Prospectus incorporates). Written  or telephonic requests  for copies should  be
directed  to Michaels' principal office: Michaels Stores, Inc., P.O. Box 619566,
DFW,  Texas  75261-9566,   Attention:  Investor   Relations  (telephone:   (214)
714-7100).

                                       3
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS INTENDED TO HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED
ELSEWHERE  IN THIS  PROSPECTUS. THIS  SUMMARY IS NOT  INTENDED TO  BE A COMPLETE
STATEMENT OF ALL MATERIAL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY  BY  THE  MORE  DETAILED  INFORMATION  HEREIN  AND  IN  THE   DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS  ASSUMES  THAT THE  U.S.  UNDERWRITERS'  AND  THE MANAGERS'
OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION IS NOT EXERCISED.

                                  THE COMPANY

   
    Michaels Stores, Inc. ("Michaels" or the "Company") is the nation's  leading
retailer dedicated to serving the arts, crafts and decorative items marketplace.
Michaels  stores offer a wide selection of competitively priced items, including
general crafts, wearable art, silk and dried flowers, picture framing  materials
and   services,  art  and  hobby  supplies,  and  party,  seasonal  and  holiday
merchandise. The Company's  stores average approximately  15,500 square feet  of
selling  space  and  offer an  assortment  of  over 30,000  stock  keeping units
("SKUs"). Michaels' merchandising strategy  is to provide  a broad selection  of
products  in  an appealing  store  environment with  superior  customer service,
including in-store "how-to" demonstrations, project samples displayed throughout
the store and instructional classes for adults and children.
    

   
    Prior to the recently completed acquisition (the "Leewards Acquisition")  of
Leewards  Creative Crafts, Inc. ("Leewards"), Michaels operated 270 stores in 36
states and Canada. As a result of the Leewards Acquisition, the Company  intends
to  add approximately  80 Leewards store  locations net  of anticipated Leewards
store closings. In addition,  Michaels may close up  to 10 overlapping  Michaels
stores.  On a pro forma basis for  the Leewards Acquisition, Michaels' sales for
the fiscal  year ended  January  30, 1994  would  have been  approximately  $780
million.  In addition to the Leewards stores  and the 25 stores acquired earlier
this year, Michaels  currently anticipates  opening approximately  55 new  store
locations  in 1994, of which 25 have been opened, and approximately 50 to 60 new
stores during 1995.
    

    Over the past five  fiscal years, the Company's  sales have grown from  $290
million to $620 million. This sales growth resulted from increases in comparable
store  sales in  each year  since 1989  and an  increase in  the Company's store
locations from  122 to  220  at the  end  of the  most  recent fiscal  year.  In
addition,  operating income over  the past five fiscal  years has increased from
$15 million to $41 million.

                              RECENT ACQUISITIONS

   
    On July  6, 1994,  Michaels acquired  Leewards, an  Illinois-based arts  and
crafts   retailer  with  approximately  100  stores  located  primarily  in  the
midwestern  and  northeastern  United  States.  The  acquisition   consideration
consisted  of approximately $7.9 million in  cash and 1,257,279 shares of Common
Stock including 386,213 shares which are being sold by the Leewards stockholders
to the public in this Common  Stock Offering. Upon consummation of the  Leewards
Acquisition,  Michaels  also  repaid approximately  $39.6  million  of Leewards'
indebtedness. The  Leewards  Acquisition  establishes Michaels'  presence  in  a
number  of new  markets, including the  northeastern United States,  a market in
which Michaels did not previously have a significant presence, and significantly
expands its  presence  in  several  existing markets.  In  connection  with  the
Leewards Acquisition, Michaels expects to close approximately 20 Leewards stores
and may close up to 10 Michaels stores due to overlapping locations. See "Recent
Developments  --  Recent  Acquisitions,"  "Leewards  Acquisition"  and  "Selling
Stockholders."
    

    In  February  1994,  the  Company  acquired  Treasure  House  Stores,   Inc.
("Treasure  House"), a chain of nine  arts and crafts stores operating primarily
in the Seattle  market, for 280,000  shares of Michaels  Common Stock. In  April
1994, the Company acquired the affiliated arts and crafts store chains of Oregon
Craft  & Floral Supply Co. ("Oregon Craft  & Floral"), with eight stores located
primarily in the Portland, Oregon area, and H&H Craft & Floral Supply Co.  ("H&H
Craft  & Floral"), with eight stores located in southern California, for a total
of 455,000 shares of Michaels Common Stock. The Treasure House stores have  been
converted  to the Michaels format and the Oregon  Craft & Floral and H&H Craft &
Floral stores are  being converted to  the Michaels format  with grand  openings
scheduled  for July through August of this year. The Company believes that these
acquisitions have significantly increased its presence in Oregon and  Washington
and  further  strengthened  its  position in  southern  California.  See "Recent
Developments -- Recent Acquisitions."

                                       4
<PAGE>
                            INTEGRATION OF LEEWARDS

    The Company  has designed  a  ten-week transition  plan to  reconfigure  the
Leewards  stores  to  be  more consistent  with  the  merchandising  strategy of
Michaels. In order to minimize disruption  to the Company's business, this  plan
will  be implemented by the Leewards field organization under the supervision of
Michaels' management using detailed plans developed by Michaels. Key aspects  of
this plan include:

    - Revising   and  enhancing  the  product  mix  to  correlate  to  Michaels'
      merchandising strategy;

    - Converting merchandise ordering and management information systems;

    - Eliminating redundant overhead;

    - Retraining employees to  provide the  level of customer  service found  in
      Michaels stores and to improve operational efficiencies; and

   
    - Closing  approximately  20  Leewards  and possible  closing  of  up  to 10
      Michaels store locations to eliminate overlapping stores.
    

    The continuing 80 Leewards  stores will be converted  to the Michaels  store
format  beginning with a four-week  phase to eliminate incompatible merchandise.
The  second  phase  will  involve  the  arrival  of  new  merchandise  and   the
reformatting  of the stores to the Michaels prototype. This will be accomplished
department by department, with the stores remaining open for business throughout
the process.  The Company  anticipates completing  the plan  prior to  the  busy
fall/Christmas  selling  season.  See "Leewards  Acquisition  --  Integration of
Leewards."

                           THE COMMON STOCK OFFERING

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        U.S.      INTERNATIONAL
                                                      OFFERING      OFFERING       TOTAL
                                                    ------------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>
Shares of Common Stock Offered:
  By the Company..................................    1,200,000       300,000     1,500,000
  By the Selling Stockholders.....................      308,970        77,243       386,213
                                                    ------------  ------------  -----------
      Total(1)....................................    1,508,970       377,243     1,886,213
                                                    ------------  ------------  -----------
                                                    ------------  ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
Common Stock to be Outstanding:
  After the Leewards Acquisition(2).....  18,750,212 shares
  After the Leewards Acquisition and the
   Common Stock Offering(2).............  20,250,212 shares
Use of Proceeds.........................  Payment  of  outstanding   bank  debt,   including
                                          indebtedness   incurred  in  connection  with  the
                                          Leewards Acquisition. See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market Symbol...........  MIKE
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)   Pursuant to an agreement between  the U.S. Underwriters and the  Managers,
      some  or all of the shares underwritten by the Managers may be sold by the
      Managers to the  U.S. Underwriters  for resale  in the  United States  and
      Canada,   and  some  or  all  of  the  shares  underwritten  by  the  U.S.
      Underwriters may be  sold by  the U.S.  Underwriters to  the Managers  for
      resale outside the United States and Canada. See "Underwriting."

(2)   Reflects  shares outstanding as of July 6, 1994, including the issuance of
      1,257,279 shares of  Common Stock  in the  Leewards Acquisition.  Excludes
      shares  held  by wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of the  Company.  See "Recent
      Developments  --   Recent   Acquisitions,"  "Leewards   Acquisition"   and
      "Description of Capital Stock."
</TABLE>
    

                                       5
<PAGE>
                        SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND STORE DATA

            (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT STORE DATA AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     FISCAL YEAR (1)                                       QUARTER ENDED
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------------------
                                                                                  1993                           MAY 1, 1994
                                                                          --------------------              ----------------------
                                                                                        PRO       MAY 2,                   PRO
                             1989       1990        1991         1992      ACTUAL    FORMA(2)      1993      ACTUAL     FORMA(2)
                           --------   --------   -----------   --------   --------   ---------   --------   --------   -----------
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
  Net sales..............  $289,754   $362,028   $410,899      $493,159   $619,688   $780,302    $112,961   $159,798   $199,305
  Operating income.......    14,900     20,694     25,643        34,263     41,356     44,395       5,962      9,071      9,598
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding assuming
   full dilution.........    10,645     10,229     12,411        16,853     19,809     21,066      17,131     17,856     19,113
  Earnings per common
   share assuming full
   dilution..............     $0.00      $0.57      $0.87(3)      $1.21      $1.52      $1.41       $0.22      $0.28      $0.25
STORE DATA:
  Stores open at period
   end...................       122        137        140           168        220        299(4)      180        259        338(4)
  Average sales per
   square foot (5).......      $193       $206       $213          $226       $218       $206        $ 45       $ 44       $ 43
  Comparable store sales
   increase (6)..........         6%         9%         9%            7%         3%         3%          2%        10%         8%
</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       MAY 1, 1994
                                                                        -----------------------------------------
                                                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                                         ACTUAL    PRO FORMA (7)   AS ADJUSTED(8)
                                                                        ---------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital.....................................................  $ 169,726    $  136,949      $  181,731
  Total assets........................................................    463,119       601,024         601,024
  Convertible subordinated notes......................................     97,750        97,750          97,750
  Shareholders' equity................................................    206,596       246,515         291,297
<FN>
- ------------------------------
(1)   The  Company operates  on a  52/53 week fiscal  year ending  on the Sunday
      closest to January 31. For example,  references to "fiscal 1993" mean  the
      fiscal  year ended  January 30, 1994.  Fiscal 1990 included  53 weeks; all
      other fiscal years set forth above included 52 weeks.

(2)   On a  pro  forma  basis  to  reflect  the  consummation  of  the  Leewards
      Acquisition.  See "Pro Forma Combined  Financial Information." Fiscal 1993
      pro forma  amounts do  not  reflect the  acquisitions of  Treasure  House,
      Oregon Craft & Floral or H&H Craft & Floral by the Company in February and
      April 1994 as such acquisitions were not material in the aggregate.

(3)   Before  extraordinary item of $3.8 million, or $0.31 per common and common
      equivalent share, relating to  the redemption premium  paid for the  early
      retirement of the Company's 12.75% Senior Subordinated Notes, which had an
      effective  interest  rate of  15.8%, and  the accelerated  amortization of
      related debt issuance costs.

(4)   Includes Leewards stores and Michaels stores open at period end net of  20
      Leewards stores anticipated to be closed.

(5)   Calculated  for stores open the entire  period and based on selling square
      footage.

(6)   Stores are included in the calculation  of comparable store sales for  the
      first  full month following the one-year  anniversary of the completion of
      the grand opening sales  period, which is  generally the fourteenth  month
      after  the store opening. The sales amounts for each store included in the
      calculation represent the  sales for the  same number of  months for  each
      period  compared.  The  increase  for  fiscal  1990  was  calculated  on a
      comparable 52-week period.
(7)   Pro forma for the  Leewards Acquisition. In  connection with the  Leewards
      Acquisition, the consideration paid to Leewards' stockholders consisted of
      the issuance of 1,257,279 shares of Common Stock and cash of approximately
      $7.9 million.
(8)   Pro  forma for  the Leewards  Acquisition and  as adjusted  for the Common
      Stock  Offering.  In  connection   with  the  Leewards  Acquisition,   the
      consideration  paid to Leewards' stockholders consisted of the issuance of
      1,257,279 shares of Common Stock and cash of approximately $7.9 million.
</TABLE>
    

                                       6
<PAGE>
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

   
    On  July 6, 1994, the Company  acquired Leewards, an Illinois-based arts and
crafts  retailer  with  approximately  100  stores  located  primarily  in   the
midwestern   and  northeastern  United  States.  The  acquisition  consideration
consisted of approximately $7.9 million in  cash and 1,257,279 shares of  Common
Stock,   including  386,213  shares  which  are   being  sold  by  the  Leewards
stockholders to the public in this  Common Stock Offering. Upon consummation  of
the  Leewards Acquisition, Michaels also repaid the indebtedness under Leewards'
bank  credit  facility  and  subordinated  notes  in  the  aggregate  amount  of
approximately  $39.6 million. The Leewards  stockholders have agreed that, other
than the shares being sold in this  Common Stock Offering, they will not  engage
in  a  public  distribution  of  the shares  of  Common  Stock  they  acquire in
connection with the Leewards Acquisition for a  period of 90 days from the  date
of  this Prospectus. See  "Leewards Acquisition," "Pro  Forma Combined Financial
Information," "Selling Stockholders" and "Underwriting."
    

    In February 1994, the Company acquired Treasure House, a chain of nine  arts
and  crafts stores operating primarily in the Seattle market, for 280,000 shares
of Michaels Common  Stock. In April  1994, the Company  acquired the  affiliated
arts and crafts store chains of Oregon Craft & Floral, with eight stores located
primarily  in the  Portland, Oregon  area, and  H&H Craft  & Floral,  with eight
stores located in southern California, for a total of 455,000 shares of Michaels
Common Stock. The  Treasure House  stores have  been converted  to the  Michaels
format  and the Oregon  Craft & Floral and  the H&H Craft  and Floral stores are
being converted to the  Michaels format with grand  openings scheduled for  July
through  August of this year. The  Company believes that these acquisitions have
significantly increased  its  presence  in Oregon  and  Washington  and  further
strengthened the Company's position in southern California.

OPERATING RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER

    Michaels reported record first quarter earnings for the quarter ended May 1,
1994 of $5.0 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to $3.8 million, or $0.22 per
share  for  the first  quarter  of fiscal  1993.  The earnings  increase  can be
attributed to a 41%  increase in net  sales to $159.8  million, including a  10%
increase  in comparable store sales,  and a 52% increase  in operating income to
$9.1 million. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased to 5.7% in
the fiscal 1994 first quarter from 5.3% in the year earlier period. Earnings for
the 1994 first quarter included one-time transaction costs, severance costs  and
duplicate  pre-merger  general  and  administrative  costs  associated  with the
acquisition of Treasure House during the  quarter, which was accounted for as  a
pooling  of interests and,  accordingly, had its sales  and earnings included in
the Company's results as of the beginning of the quarter. Without these one-time
costs totaling $0.02 per share, earnings per share would have been $0.30 for the
quarter, an increase of  36% over the  year earlier period.  The Oregon Craft  &
Floral  and H&H  Craft and Floral  acquisitions were  purchase transactions that
closed near the end  of the quarter  and thus had no  significant effect on  the
Company's results for the quarter.

   
    A  significant portion  of the Company's  growth has resulted  from and will
continue to be dependent on the addition  of new stores and the increased  sales
volume  and  profitability from  such  stores. There  can  be no  assurance that
revenue growth will continue  or that rates  of growth will  be as favorable  as
those achieved in recent periods.
    

ANTICIPATED STORE CLOSING AND CONVERSION COSTS

   
    Subsequent   to  the   Leewards  Acquisition,  Michaels   expects  to  close
approximately 20 Leewards stores and may close up to 10 existing Michaels stores
in connection  with  the  elimination  of  stores  in  overlapping  markets.  In
addition,  Michaels  will integrate  and reconfigure  the remaining  80 Leewards
stores to be more  consistent with the merchandising  strategy of Michaels.  The
Company  has made no final decision as to  which Michaels stores, if any, are to
be closed  pending  the evaluation  of  anticipated store  performance  and  the
completion  of lease negotiations. The costs  associated with the closing of any
Michaels stores, which  the Company  believes will not  exceed $7  million on  a
pre-tax  basis,  as well  as certain  costs of  reconfiguring the  80 continuing
Leewards stores, will be charged to earnings in the
    

                                       7
<PAGE>
   
period such decisions are made and the related costs are estimable. The costs of
closing the acquired Leewards store locations will be included as an  adjustment
to  the  purchase price  of the  Leewards Acquisition.  See "Pro  Forma Combined
Financial Information."
    

NEW CREDIT FACILITY

   
    In June 1994, Michaels entered into a new three-year, unsecured $150 million
revolving credit facility to  replace its former  $100 million revolving  credit
facility.
    

                                  THE COMPANY

OVERVIEW

   
    Michaels  is the  nation's leading retailer  dedicated to  serving the arts,
crafts and decorative items marketplace. Michaels stores offer a wide  selection
of  competitively priced items, including general crafts, wearable art, silk and
dried flowers, picture framing materials  and services, art and hobby  supplies,
and party, seasonal and holiday merchandise. Michaels' merchandising strategy is
to  provide a broad selection of products in an appealing store environment with
superior customer service, including  in-store "how-to" demonstrations,  project
samples  displayed throughout the store and instructional classes for adults and
children. The Company's  primary customers are  women aged 25  to 54 with  above
average median household incomes, and the Company believes that repeat customers
account   for  a  substantial  portion  of   its  sales.  The  average  sale  is
approximately $13.75.
    

   
    Prior to the Leewards Acquisition, Michaels operated 270 stores in 36 states
and Canada. As a result of the Leewards Acquisition, the Company intends to  add
approximately  80 Leewards  store locations  (net of  anticipated Leewards store
closings). In addition, Michaels may close up to 10 overlapping Michaels stores.
On a pro forma  basis for the Leewards  Acquisition, Michaels' sales for  fiscal
1993  would have been approximately $780 million. See "Leewards Acquisition" and
"Pro Forma Combined Financial Information."
    

NEW STORE EXPANSION

   
    In addition to the Leewards stores  and the 25 stores acquired earlier  this
year,  Michaels currently anticipates opening approximately 55 new stores in the
United States and Canada during fiscal 1994,  of which 25 have been opened.  The
Company  intends to  add 50 to  60 new  stores during fiscal  1995. Although the
Company has traditionally met or exceeded  its new store opening targets,  there
can  be no  assurance that the  Company will be  able to meet  its store opening
targets in the future. Michaels'expansion strategy is to give priority to adding
stores in  existing markets  or clustering  stores in  new markets  in order  to
enhance  economies  of scale  associated  with advertising,  distribution, field
supervision and other  regional expenses.  Management believes that  few of  its
existing  markets  are  saturated,  and that  many  attractive  new  markets are
available to the Company for expansion. The anticipated development of  Michaels
stores in 1995 and the rate at which stores are developed thereafter will depend
upon  a number of factors, including the success of existing Michaels stores and
the stores  added pursuant  to  the Leewards  Acquisition, the  availability  of
suitable  store sites, the  availability of suitable  acquisition candidates and
the ability  to  hire and  train  qualified  managers. The  Company  intends  to
continue  to review acquisition  opportunities in existing  and new markets. The
Company has  no  arrangements or  understandings  pending with  respect  to  any
acquisitions other than Leewards.
    

    In  October 1993,  the Company  opened its  first Michaels  Craft and Floral
Warehouse store ("CFW") using  a newly-developed "warehouse superstore"  format.
It  is  anticipated  that  each  store  following  the  CFW  format  will occupy
approximately 30,000  to 40,000  square feet  of selling  space, carry  a  wider
selection  of  certain categories  of merchandise  than  the typical  store, and
generally offer merchandise at "everyday" discounted retail prices. To achieve a
lower cost structure than a typical Michaels store, the Company's CFW format  is
premised  on  reduced  occupancy expenses  per  square foot  and  less extensive
advertising  programs.  In  addition,  the  CFW  format  utilizes  new  computer

                                       8
<PAGE>
systems  that  provide full  point-of-sale scanning  and automated  receiving of
merchandise, and eliminates the retail price marking of individual products. The
Company plans to open four or five  additional CFW stores during 1994, of  which
three  have been opened,  and may accelerate  the opening of  such stores in the
future if the format continues to be favorably received by consumers.

MERCHANDISING

    Michaels' merchandising strategy is to provide a broad selection of products
in an appealing store environment with superior customer service. The commitment
to customer  service  is  evidenced through  in-store  "how-to"  demonstrations,
project  samples displayed throughout each  store, and instructional classes for
adults and children.  The typical Michaels  store offers an  assortment of  over
30,000  SKUs. In general, each store  offers products from ten departments. Nine
of the departments offer essentially the same type of merchandise throughout the
year, although the  products may  vary from  season to  season. The  merchandise
offered  by these  nine departments  includes general  craft materials, wearable
art, silk and dried  flowers, picture framing materials  and services, fine  art
materials, hobby items, party items, needlecraft items and ribbon.

    In  addition  to  these  nine departments,  the  Company  regularly features
seasonal merchandise.  Seasonal merchandise  is  ordered for  several  holidays,
including  Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving, in
addition to  the Christmas  season. For  example, seasonal  merchandise for  the
Christmas  season  includes  trees,  wreaths,  candles,  lights  and  ornaments.
Included in seasonal merchandise is promotional merchandise that is offered with
the intention of generating customer traffic.

    The following table shows sales by  the largest departments as a  percentage
of total sales for fiscal 1992 and 1993:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF SALES
                                                                                      --------------------
DEPARTMENT                                                                              1992       1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>
General craft materials and wearable art............................................         22%        21%
Silk and dried flowers and plants...................................................         18         21
Picture framing.....................................................................         14         15
Seasonal and promotional items......................................................         15         14
Fine art materials..................................................................         11         11
Hobby, party, needlecraft and ribbon................................................         20         18
                                                                                            ---        ---
  Total.............................................................................        100%       100%
                                                                                            ---        ---
                                                                                            ---        ---
</TABLE>

CUSTOMER SERVICE

    Michaels  believes  that customer  service  is critically  important  to its
merchandising strategy. Many of the craft  supplies sold in Michaels stores  can
be assembled into unique end-products with an appropriate amount of guidance and
direction.  Michaels has  hundreds of  displays in every  store in  an effort to
stimulate  new  project  ideas,  and  supplies  project  sheets  with   detailed
instructions on how to assemble the products. In addition, many sales associates
are  craft  enthusiasts with  the experience  to help  customers with  ideas and
instructions. The  Company  also  offers  free  demonstrations  and  inexpensive
classes  in stores as  a means of  promoting new craft  ideas. Michaels believes
that the in-store "how-to" demonstrations, instructional classes,  knowledgeable
sales  associates, and customer focus groups  have allowed the Company to better
understand and  serve  its customers.  In  addition, the  Company  measures  its
customer  service in each  store at least  four times a  year through a "mystery
shopper" program.

ADVERTISING

    The Company believes that its  advertising promotes craft and hobby  project
ideas  among its customers.  Traditionally, the Company  has focused on circular
and  newspaper   advertising.  The   Company  has   found  full-color   circular
advertising,  primarily as an insert to  newspapers but also through direct mail
or on display within its stores, to be the most effective medium of advertising.

                                       9
<PAGE>
Such circulars  advertise  numerous products  in  order to  emphasize  the  wide
selection  of products available  at Michaels stores.  The Company believes that
advertising efficiencies associated  with the  clustering of its  stores in  its
markets  together with its ability to advertise through circulars and newspapers
approximately once a week in  each of its markets  provides the Company with  an
advantage over its smaller competitors.

    The   Company  has  generally  limited  television  advertising  to  network
television in those major markets in which it had clusters of stores or in which
it was adding  new stores. Beginning  with the 1994  fall/Christmas season,  the
Company  expects to  implement a  marketing program  coordinating national cable
television, including The  Discovery Channel-TM-, Lifetime  Television, and  USA
Network-R-, and circular advertisements together with project booklets, in-store
demonstrations, and new point-of-sale techniques. More than one-half of the $4.5
million  cost of  this new marketing  program will be  underwritten by Michaels'
vendors. Michaels intends to allocate a portion of its network television budget
to this program.

STORE OPERATIONS

   
    The  Company's  270  stores  prior  to  the  Leewards  Acquisition  averaged
approximately 15,500 square feet of selling space, although newer stores average
approximately  17,000 square  feet of selling  space. Net sales  for fiscal 1993
averaged approximately $3.2 million per store for stores open the entire  fiscal
year  and $218 per square foot of  selling space. Store sites are selected based
upon meeting certain  economic, demographic  and traffic criteria  and upon  the
Company's  strategy  of clustering  stores  in markets  where  certain operating
efficiencies can be  achieved. The  Michaels stores currently  in operation  are
located  primarily in strip shopping centers in areas with easy access and ample
parking.
    

    Michaels has developed a standardized procedure which enables the Company to
efficiently open  new  stores  and  integrate  them  into  its  information  and
distribution  systems. The Company develops the floor plan and inventory layout,
and organizes the advertising and promotions  in connection with the opening  of
each  new store.  In addition, Michaels  maintains an  experienced store opening
staff to provide new store personnel with in-store training. Michaels  generally
opens  new stores  during the period  from February through  October because new
store personnel  require  significant  in-store  training  prior  to  the  first
Christmas selling season for each such store.

    Costs  for opening  stores at particular  locations depend upon  the type of
building and general cost levels  in the area. In  fiscal 1993, the average  net
cost to the Company of opening a new store was approximately $535,000 per store,
which  included leasehold  improvements, furniture, fixtures  and equipment, and
pre-opening expenses.  The  Company  used  more  existing  real  estate,  versus
build-to-suit  locations, in fiscal 1993 resulting in an average cost of opening
a new store that was $160,000 higher than historical levels due to the increased
level of leasehold  improvements. This increase  was offset, in  part, by  lower
rent  rates. The initial inventory investment  associated with each new store in
fiscal 1993 was approximately $320,000 to $740,000 depending on the time of year
in which the store was opened. The initial inventory investment in new stores is
offset, in part, by extended vendor terms and allowances. The cost for new store
openings,  excluding  initial   inventory  investments,  in   fiscal  1993   was
approximately  $29 million and the cost for new store openings in fiscal 1994 is
estimated to be approximately $30 million.

PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION

    The Company's purchasing strategy is to negotiate directly with its  vendors
in  order to take  advantage of volume purchasing  discounts and improve control
over product  mix and  inventory.  For certain  substantial product  lines,  the
Company  negotiates directly with a number of major manufacturers to shorten the
distribution chain. Although this requires an increased inventory investment  in
the  warehouse,  it results  in substantial  savings and  allows the  Company to
develop  products  specifically  formulated  to  Michaels'  design  and  quality
standards.  Approximately 90% of the merchandise is acquired from vendors on the
Company's "approved  list."  Of  this  merchandise,  approximately  one-half  is
received  by the stores from the  Company's distribution centers and one-half is
received directly

                                       10
<PAGE>
from  vendors.  In  addition,  each  store  has  the  flexibility  to   purchase
approximately  10% of its merchandise directly  from local vendors, which allows
the store  managers to  tailor the  products offered  in their  stores to  local
tastes  and trends. All  store purchases are monitored  by district and regional
managers.

    The Company currently operates three  distribution centers which supply  the
stores  with  certain  merchandise,  including  substantially  all  seasonal and
promotional items. The  Company's distribution  centers are  located in  Irving,
Texas,  Buena  Park,  California,  and  Lexington,  Kentucky.  The  Company also
operates a bulk warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona, which allows the Company to store
bulk purchases of  seasonal and promotional  merchandise prior to  distribution.
Michaels  stores receive deliveries from the distribution centers generally once
a week.

    In fiscal  1993, over  85% of  the  products sold  in Michaels  stores  were
purchased  from manufacturers or  distributors located in  the United States and
the remainder from  manufacturers or distributors  located in the  Far East  and
Mexico. Goods manufactured in the Far East generally require long lead times and
are  ordered four to six months in advance of delivery. Such products are either
imported directly by  the Company  or acquired  from distributors  based in  the
United  States.  In all  cases, purchases  are denominated  in U.S.  dollars (or
Canadian dollars for purchases of certain items delivered directly to stores  in
Canada).

INVENTORY CONTROL/MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

   
    Michaels'  management information  systems include  automated point-of-sale,
merchandising, distribution  and financial  applications.  All orders  from  the
stores  to the  Company's distribution  centers are  processed electronically to
ensure timely delivery of distribution  center sourced inventory. The  Company's
point-of-sale  system captures sales information by department. Due to the large
number of  inexpensive  items in  the  stores,  the non-fashion  nature  of  the
merchandise, and the long lead times involved for ordering seasonal goods (up to
nine   months),  the  Company  does   not  currently  capture  item-level  sales
information, inventory  or  margin electronically  in  all stores.  Sales  trend
tracking  combines item  level point-of-sale scanning  data from  the CFW stores
with point-of-sale department-level  sales from  all other  stores, weekly  test
counts  of certain  SKUs in 40  selected stores, and  regular communication from
store managers through the district and regional managers. Inventory and margins
are monitored on a perpetual basis in the distribution centers and in the stores
via physical inventories at least quarterly in  groups of 30 to 40 stores and  a
year-end complete physical count in most stores. The Company believes that these
procedures  and automated  systems, together  with its  other control processes,
allow Michaels to effectively manage and monitor its inventory levels and margin
performance. The Company has in recent months increased its inventory levels  as
a  result of  a number  of factors, including  planned expansion  through new or
acquired stores, increased  direct sourcing (see  "Purchasing and  Distribution"
above), larger average store sizes, and better in-stock positions resulting from
the  implementation of a  radio frequency reordering system  at the store level.
Also, the Company retained some excess  inventory from the 1993 holiday  selling
season  to be  held for sale  in 1994. Primarily  as a result  of these factors,
inventory per square foot increased 10% to  $57 at the end of the first  quarter
of 1994 from $52 at the end of the first quarter of 1993.
    

COMPETITION

    Michaels  is the largest  nationwide retailer dedicated  to serving the arts
and crafts marketplace. The  specialty arts, crafts  and decorative item  retail
business  is highly competitive.  Michaels competes primarily  with regional and
local merchants  that tend  to  specialize in  particular  aspects of  arts  and
crafts,  other nationwide retailers of craft  items and related merchandise, and
mass merchandisers that typically dedicate a portion of their selling space to a
limited selection of arts,  crafts, picture framing  and seasonal products.  The
Company  believes that its stores compete based on price, quality and variety of
merchandise  assortment,   and   customer   service,   such   as   instructional
demonstrations.  Michaels  believes the  combination of  its broad  selection of
products, emphasis on  customer service,  loyal customer base,  and capacity  to
advertise  frequently  in  all  of  its  markets  provides  the  Company  with a
competitive advantage.

                                       11
<PAGE>
                              LEEWARDS ACQUISITION

   
OVERVIEW
    
   
    On July 6, 1994  the Company acquired Leewards,  an Illinois-based arts  and
crafts   retailer  with  approximately  100  stores  located  primarily  in  the
midwestern and northeastern  United States. The  Leewards stores, which  average
approximately  14,000 square feet of selling space, are similar in both size and
type of location to  the average Michaels store.  The Company believes that  the
Leewards   Acquisition  provides  it  with  an  opportunity  to  accelerate  its
nationwide expansion  strategy  in  the fragmented  arts  and  crafts  retailing
industry. The Leewards Acquisition establishes Michaels' presence in a number of
new   markets,  particularly  in  the   northeastern  United  States,  including
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,  and  New  Jersey, and  significantly  expands  its
presence  in several existing markets,  including northern California, Illinois,
Florida, Michigan,  Missouri, Minnesota  and New  York. In  connection with  the
Leewards Acquisition, Michaels expects to close approximately 20 Leewards stores
and may close up to 10 Michaels stores due to overlapping locations.
    

    In  connection with the  Leewards Acquisition, Michaels  has designed a plan
that is intended to increase the sales and profitability of the Leewards stores.
The plan includes reconfiguring the layout  and staffing of the acquired  stores
and  increasing the average  inventory level at  the Leewards stores  to be more
consistent with  Michaels' fundamental  merchandising  strategy of  providing  a
broad  selection  of  products  through  separate  in-store  departments  with a
commitment to superior customer service. The Company believes that the  Leewards
stores  will also  benefit from  the addition  of art  supplies and  party goods
departments, the strengthening of its custom floral and custom framing services,
extensive in-store promotional  activities and the  implementation of  Michaels'
targeted  advertising  strategies. In  addition,  Michaels expects  the Leewards
stores  to  benefit  from   Michaels'  centralized  purchasing  and   nationwide
distribution  network. Michaels also believes that  it will realize cost savings
through the elimination of duplicate  corporate overhead in connection with  the
acquisition,  and that it will benefit  from increased purchasing power with its
suppliers.

   
    For the fiscal year  ended January 1994, the  average sales of the  Leewards
stores  open for the full fiscal year  were $2.1 million compared to the average
sales for Michaels stores open for the full year during the same period of  $3.2
million.  The  average profitability  per Leewards  store has  also historically
trailed the average profitability of Michaels stores. However, Michaels believes
that the Leewards Acquisition provides  the Company with many attractive  retail
store  locations, and that Michaels' plan to  convert the Leewards stores to the
Michaels format and to implement Michaels' merchandising strategies will  result
in increased sales and profitability in the acquired stores. Michaels' objective
for  fiscal 1994 with respect  to the continuing Leewards  stores is to increase
average sales per store and to increase operating margins to a level achieved by
Michaels stores  during their  first full  fiscal year  of operation.  If  these
objectives, together with the cost savings described in the preceding paragraph,
are  achieved in fiscal 1994 and maintained in fiscal 1995, the Company believes
the consummation of the Leewards Acquisition and the Common Stock Offering at  a
public  offering price of  $31 3/4 would not  have a dilutive  impact on the per
share earnings in fiscal 1994, excluding the impact of the anticipated charge to
earnings in connection with the possible closing of certain Michaels stores,  if
any,  and the  conversion of  Leewards stores,  or in  fiscal 1995.  See "Recent
Developments --  Anticipated  Store  Closing  and  Conversion  Costs."  Although
management currently believes these results can be achieved, no assurance can be
given  that sales volumes or operating  margins at the continuing Leewards store
locations will be improved or that the cost savings will be realized.
    

   
    The consideration for  the Leewards Acquisition  consisted of  approximately
$7.9  million in  cash and 1,257,279  shares of Common  Stock, including 386,213
shares which are being sold by the  Leewards stockholders to the public in  this
Common  Stock Offering. The merger consideration exceeds the net tangible assets
of Leewards by approximately $58 million. The Company believes that the economic
benefits expected to be derived from the Leewards Acquisition, including gain in
market share, immediate presence in new markets and future earnings supports the
payment of  such  consideration. Michaels  also  repaid the  indebtedness  under
Leewards' bank credit facility and subordinated
    

                                       12
<PAGE>
   
notes in the aggregate amount of approximately $39.6 million upon the closing of
the  Leewards  Acquisition.  See  "Pro  Forma  Combined  Financial Information."
Leewards' outstanding  indebtedness at  the  time of  closing consisted  of  (i)
approximately  $22.3 million under Leewards' existing credit facility due August
19, 1994  with a  current interest  rate of  9.0% and  (ii) approximately  $17.3
million under Leewards' outstanding 13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2000.
    

INTEGRATION OF LEEWARDS

    The  Company  has designed  a ten-week  transition  plan to  reconfigure the
Leewards stores  to  be  more  consistent with  the  merchandising  strategy  of
Michaels.  In order to minimize disruption  to the Company's business, this plan
will be implemented by the Leewards field organization under the supervision  of
Michaels'  management using detailed plans developed by Michaels. Key aspects of
this plan include:

    - Revising  and  enhancing  the  product  mix  to  correlate  to   Michaels'
      merchandising strategy;

    - Converting merchandise ordering and management information systems;

    - Eliminating redundant overhead;

    - Retraining  employees to  provide the level  of customer  service found in
      Michaels stores and to improve operational efficiencies; and

   
    - Closing approximately  20  Leewards  and  possible closing  of  up  to  10
      Michaels store locations to eliminate overlapping stores.
    

    The  continuing 80 Leewards  stores will be converted  to the Michaels store
format beginning with a four-week  phase to eliminate incompatible  merchandise.
The   second  phase  will  involve  the  arrival  of  new  merchandise  and  the
reformatting of the stores to the Michaels prototype. This will be  accomplished
department by department, with the stores remaining open for business throughout
the  process. The reformatting of the  Leewards stores will include the addition
of art supplies  and party goods  departments, the strengthening  of the  custom
floral  and  custom framing  services and  the  expansion of  other departmental
assortments  to  correlate  with  Michaels'  standard  store  format.  Michaels'
merchandise  ordering  systems  will be  installed  during this  time  and other
in-store systems will be converted to Michaels' systems. Upon completion of  the
store  conversion  plan, Leewards'  distribution  facilities will  be  closed as
Michaels' existing distribution facilities have adequate capacity to service the
remaining Leewards stores. The Company believes  that the cost to implement  the
integration  of  the  Leewards  stores,  including  the  cost  of  the  physical
conversion of the stores, retraining employees, converting merchandise  ordering
and  management  information  systems,  and  providing  new  inventory  will  be
approximately $33 million to $35 million. In addition, the Company expects  that
it  will incur costs of  approximately $13 million to  $24 million in connection
with lease termination and store closing costs, severance payments, and  closing
of  Leewards' corporate office and  distribution center. The Company anticipates
completing the plan prior to the busy fall/Christmas selling season.

    During the  last year,  the  Company increased  its upper  level  management
capabilities  by adding a Vice President  -- Store Operations, Vice President --
Store Development  and  Corporate  Operations,  Vice  President  --  Information
Systems  and Vice President -- Real Estate.  In addition, the Company expects to
retain a  number  of  the  field managers  from  the  Leewards  organization  to
supplement  the  Company's  existing  field  management.  During  the conversion
process, the Leewards field organization will be strengthened by an increase  in
district  and  regional management  to  provide close  supervision.  The Company
believes that these  additions to  its management structure,  together with  the
additional  Michaels field  management that  has been  trained to  implement the
Company's 1994 growth  plan, will  provide Michaels  with sufficient  management
capabilities  to absorb the 80 Leewards  stores in addition to the approximately
55 new stores to  be opened and  25 stores already  acquired by Michaels  during
1994.  The  Company believes  this  process will  permit  the conversion  of the
Leewards stores without disruption of the existing Michaels field management  or
operations during the busy

                                       13
<PAGE>
fall/Christmas  selling  season. After  the  conversion and  integration  of the
Leewards stores  is complete,  the entire  Michaels field  organization will  be
reorganized with permanent assignments based on the combined entities.

   
    Although  the Company has not previously completed an acquisition of similar
size to  the Leewards  Acquisition, the  Company believes  that its  substantial
experience in opening new stores and recent experience in incorporating acquired
stores  into the Michaels format and  systems will facilitate the integration of
the Leewards stores  into the Company's  existing structure. Nonetheless,  there
can  be no assurance that the Company will successfully complete the integration
of the Leewards stores prior to  the busy fall/Christmas selling season. If  the
integration  of the Leewards stores is not successfully completed, it could have
an adverse effect on future operating results of the Company.
    

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   
    The net proceeds to the Company from the Common Stock Offering are estimated
to be  approximately $44.8  million (approximately  $53.4 million  assuming  the
over-allotment option is exercised in full), assuming a public offering price of
$31  3/4 per share and after  deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and offering  expenses. The Company  intends to use  all of the  net
proceeds  to reduce bank debt, which increased by approximately $51.2 million as
a result of  borrowings to fund  cash required in  connection with the  Leewards
Acquisition.  The Company's outstanding revolving bank  debt at July 6, 1994 was
approximately $95 million with  a current interest rate  of 5.8%. The  Company's
new  bank debt agreement expires  in June 1997. See  "Recent Developments -- New
Credit Facility" and "Leewards Acquisition."
    

    Pending the use of  such proceeds for the  above purposes, the net  proceeds
initially  will be invested in short-term  interest bearing securities or mutual
funds which invest in  such securities. The Company's  practice in the past  has
been  to  place  its cash  balances  in a  broad  range of  investment  and non-
investment  grade   securities  including   equity  securities   and   financial
instruments   of  various   maturities.  If   attractive  opportunities  present
themselves, the Company may continue this investment practice in the future. The
Company will not receive any of the  proceeds from the sale of shares of  Common
Stock by the Selling Stockholders.

                                       14
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

   
    The  following table sets forth (i) the  capitalization of the Company as of
May 1, 1994,  (ii) the  capitalization on  a pro  forma basis  for the  Leewards
Acquisition,  and (iii) the capitalization on a pro forma basis for the Leewards
Acquisition and as adjusted for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock being
offered hereby. See "Leewards Acquisition" and "Use of Proceeds."
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        MAY 1, 1994
                                                                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                       PRO FORMA
                                                                                                                      AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                         ACTUAL    PRO FORMA (1)        (1)(2)
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                     <C>       <C>               <C>
Short-term bank debt (3)..............................................................  $ 56,000     $102,649          $ 57,867
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
Convertible subordinated notes........................................................  $ 97,750     $ 97,750          $ 97,750
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $0.10 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 17,462,331 shares
   issued and outstanding, 18,719,610 shares issued and outstanding pro forma and
   20,219,610 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted.....................     1,746        1,872             2,022
  Additional paid-in capital..........................................................   126,126      165,919           210,551
  Retained earnings...................................................................    78,724       78,724            78,724
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
  Total shareholders' equity..........................................................   206,596      246,515           291,297
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
Total capitalization..................................................................  $304,346     $344,265          $389,047
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                        --------  ---------------   ---------------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)   On a  pro  forma  basis  to  reflect  the  consummation  of  the  Leewards
      Acquisition  for 1,257,279 shares  of Common Stock  and approximately $7.9
      million in cash, the refinancing of approximately $35 million of Leewards'
      indebtedness which was outstanding as of May 1, 1994 and the incurrence of
      certain transaction costs.
(2)   On  a  pro  forma  basis  to  reflect  the  receipt  by  the  Company   of
      approximately  $44.8 million in net proceeds from the Common Stock offered
      hereby at  an  assumed offering  price  of  $31 3/4  after  deducting  the
      estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

(3)   Subsequent  to May 1, 1994,  the Company sold a  portion of its marketable
      and other securities and used the proceeds to retire short-term bank debt.
      As of July  6, 1994, short-term  bank debt was  approximately $95  million
      (which  includes  borrowings used  to  refinance the  outstanding Leewards
      indebtedness).
</TABLE>
    

                                       15
<PAGE>
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

   
    The Common Stock of  Michaels is quoted through  The Nasdaq National  Market
under  the  symbol  "MIKE." The  following  table  sets forth,  for  the periods
indicated, the high  and low  sales prices  per share  of the  Common Stock,  as
reported by The Nasdaq National Market through July 6, 1994.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   HIGH        LOW
                                                                                  -------    -------
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1993:
  First Quarter.................................................................. $26        $19
  Second Quarter.................................................................  23 1/2     16 1/2
  Third Quarter..................................................................  29 3/4     20 1/2
  Fourth Quarter.................................................................  34 3/4     24 5/8

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1994:
  First Quarter.................................................................. $34        $26 1/4
  Second Quarter.................................................................  33         25 1/4
  Third Quarter..................................................................  39         26 3/8
  Fourth Quarter.................................................................  36 1/2     31 7/8

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 1995:
  First Quarter.................................................................. $44 3/4    $31
  Second Quarter (through July 6, 1994)..........................................  46 1/2     31 1/2
</TABLE>
    

   
    On  July  6, 1994,  the  reported last  sale price  of  the Common  Stock as
reported by The Nasdaq National Market was $31 3/4 per share.
    

    Michaels has never paid dividends on its Common Stock. The Company's current
policy is to retain earnings for use in the Company's business and the financing
of its growth. However, such policy is subject to the discretion of the Board of
Directors. The Company's  credit facility contains  certain restrictions on  the
Company's ability to pay dividends.

                                       16
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED FINANCIAL AND STORE DATA
    The  selected financial data presented below  are derived from the financial
statements of the Company for the five fiscal years ended January 30, 1994 which
were audited  by  Ernst  &  Young,  independent  auditors,  and  from  unaudited
financial  statements  for the  quarters  ended May  2,  1993 and  May  1, 1994,
respectively. The  data  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  financial
statements  and the related notes incorporated  by reference in this Prospectus.
The Company believes that all  adjustments, consisting only of normal  recurring
accruals,  necessary  for a  fair  presentation thereof  have  been made  to the
unaudited financial data. The results for the quarter ended May 1, 1994 are  not
necessarily indicative of the results of the full year. Certain amounts in prior
years  have been reclassified  to conform with the  presentation for the current
year. The  following unaudited  pro forma  statement of  income data  have  been
prepared  as if  the Leewards  Acquisition occurred  at the  beginning of fiscal
1993. The following unaudited  pro forma combined balance  sheet data have  been
prepared  as if the Leewards Acquisition occurred  on May 1, 1994. The unaudited
pro forma financial data do not  purport to represent the financial position  or
results  of  operations  which would  have  occurred had  such  transaction been
consummated on  the  dates indicated  or  the Company's  financial  position  or
results  of operations for any future date  or period. These unaudited pro forma
financial data  should be  read  in conjunction  with the  historical  financial
statements of the Company and Leewards.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            FISCAL YEAR (1)                               QUARTER ENDED
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                                                      1993                      MAY 1, 1994
                                                                               ------------------            ------------------
                                                                                           PRO      MAY 2,               PRO
                                         1989      1990      1991      1992     ACTUAL   FORMA(2)    1993     ACTUAL   FORMA(2)
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT STORE DATA AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                    <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
  Net sales..........................  $289,754  $362,028  $410,899  $493,159  $619,688  $780,302  $112,961  $159,798  $199,305
  Cost of sales and occupancy
   expense...........................   195,864   246,656   274,375   323,577   403,869   511,067    73,279   103,511   130,987
  Selling, general and administrative
   expense...........................    78,990    94,678   110,881   135,319   174,463   224,840    33,720    47,216    58,720
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Operating income...................    14,900    20,694    25,643    34,263    41,356    44,395     5,962     9,071     9,598
  Interest expense...................     9,896     9,739     6,971       263     6,378     8,042     1,522     2,026     2,535
  Other (income) and expense, net....     4,444     1,213       913       538    (7,666)   (7,031)   (1,735)   (1,031)     (986)
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income before income taxes and
   extraordinary item................       560     9,742    17,759    33,462    42,644    43,384     6,175     8,076     8,049
  Provision for income taxes.........       547     3,887     7,020    13,084    16,357    17,227     2,377     3,109     3,222
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income before extraordinary item...        13     5,855    10,739    20,378    26,287    26,157     3,798     4,967     4,827
  Extraordinary item(3)..............        --        --     3,843        --        --        --        --        --        --
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income.........................  $     13  $  5,855  $  6,896  $ 20,378  $ 26,287  $ 26,157  $  3,798  $  4,967  $  4,827
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                       --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Earnings per common share assuming
   full dilution.....................  $   0.00  $   0.57  $   0.87(4) $   1.21 $   1.52 $   1.41  $   0.22  $   0.28  $   0.25
  Weighted average shares outstanding
   assuming full dilution............    10,645    10,229    12,411    16,853    19,809    21,066    17,131    17,856    19,113
STORE DATA:
  Stores open at period end..........       122       137       140       168       220       299(5)      180      259      338(5)
  Average sales per square foot(6)...  $    193  $    206  $    213  $    226  $    218  $    206  $     45  $     44  $     43
  Comparable store sales
   increase(7).......................         6%        9%        9%        7%        3%        3%        2%       10%        8%
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
 PERIOD):
  Working capital....................  $ 58,680  $ 44,080  $ 74,786  $104,462  $181,816  $     --  $103,134  $169,726  $136,949
  Total assets.......................   150,817   144,238   180,913   322,099   397,830        --   321,868   463,119   601,024
  Total long-term debt...............    73,168    52,983        --    97,750    97,750        --    97,750    97,750    97,750
  Shareholders' equity...............    40,377    46,615   126,299   155,277   185,415        --   159,075   206,596   246,515
<FN>
- ------------------------------
(1)  The  Company operates  on a  52/53 week  fiscal year  ending on  the Sunday
     closest to January 31.  For example, references to  "fiscal 1993" mean  the
     fiscal  year ended  January 30,  1994. Fiscal  1990 included  53 weeks; all
     other fiscal years set forth above included 52 weeks.
(2)  On  a  pro  forma  basis  to  reflect  the  consummation  of  the  Leewards
     Acquisition.  See "Pro  Forma Combined Financial  Information." Fiscal 1993
     pro forma amounts do not reflect the acquisitions of Treasure House, Oregon
     Craft & Floral or H&H Craft &  Floral by the Company in February and  April
     1994 as such acquisitions were not material in the aggregate.
(3)  Extraordinary  item relates  to the redemption  premium paid  for the early
     retirement of the Company's 12.75% Senior Subordinated Notes, which had  an
     effective  interest  rate of  15.8%,  and the  accelerated  amortization of
     related debt issuance costs.
(4)  Before extraordinary item of $3.8 million,  or $0.31 per common and  common
     equivalent  share, relating  to the redemption  premium paid  for the early
     retirement of the Company's 12.75% Senior Subordinated Notes, which had  an
     effective  interest  rate of  15.8%,  and the  accelerated  amortization of
     related debt issuance costs.
(5)  Includes Michaels and Leewards stores open at period end net of 20 Leewards
     stores anticipated to be closed.
(6)  Calculated for stores open  the entire period and  based on selling  square
     footage.
(7)  Stores  are included in  the calculation of comparable  store sales for the
     first full month following  the one-year anniversary  of the completion  of
     the  grand opening  sales period, which  is generally  the fourteenth month
     after the store opening. The sales  amounts for each store included in  the
     calculation  represent the  sales for  the same  number of  months for each
     period  compared.  The  increase  for  fiscal  1990  was  calculated  on  a
     comparable 52-week period.
</TABLE>
    

                                       17
<PAGE>
                    PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    The  accompanying unaudited pro  forma combined statements  of income of the
Company for the year ended  January 30, 1994 and the  quarter ended May 1,  1994
have  been prepared as if the Leewards  Acquisition, which will be accounted for
by the  purchase  method  of  accounting, occurred  on  February  1,  1993,  the
beginning  of fiscal  year 1993. The  accompanying unaudited  pro forma combined
balance sheet of  the Company  as of May  1, 1994  has been prepared  as if  the
Leewards Acquisition occurred on that date.

    The  historical financial information  of the Company  and Leewards has been
derived from  the respective  historical  financial statements  incorporated  by
reference or included herein. Certain amounts in the statements of operations of
Leewards  for fiscal year 1993 and the quarter ended May 1, 1994 included in the
pro forma combined statements of income have been reclassified to conform to the
method  of  presentation  used  by  Michaels.  The  pro  forma  adjustments  are
preliminary  and  are  based  upon available  information  and  assumptions that
management of  the Company  believes  are reasonable.  The unaudited  pro  forma
combined financial statements do not purport to represent the financial position
or  results of operations  which would have occurred  had such transactions been
consummated on  the  dates indicated  or  the Company's  financial  position  or
results  of operations for any future date  or period. These unaudited pro forma
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical financial
statements of the Company and Leewards.

    The pro forma  combined financial  statements do not  include the  financial
statements  of 1) Treasure House, which was  acquired by the Company in February
1994 and  will  be  accounted  for  using  the  pooling-of-interests  method  of
accounting,  or 2)  Oregon Craft  & Floral  and H&H  Craft &  Floral, which were
acquired as of May 1, 1994 and  will be accounted for using the purchase  method
of  accounting, since the acquisitions are not considered material, individually
or in  the aggregate,  to the  operating results  or financial  position of  the
Company.  Sales  of Treasure  House were  approximately  $15.6 million  and $3.8
million for the year ended January 30,  1994 and the quarter ended May 1,  1994,
respectively. Combined sales of Oregon Craft & Floral and H&H Craft & Floral for
the   same  periods   were  approximately   $41.8  million   and  $7.4  million,
respectively.

                                       18
<PAGE>
                     PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1994
                                  (UNAUDITED)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         PRO
                                                                                                       PRO FORMA        FORMA
                                                                                  MICHAELS  LEEWARDS  ADJUSTMENTS       TOTAL
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
<S>                                                                               <C>       <C>       <C>              <C>
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Net sales.......................................................................  $619,688  $191,136  $(30,522)(A)     $780,302
Cost of sales and occupancy expense.............................................   403,869   130,638   (21,537)(A)      511,067
                                                                                                        (1,903)(B)
Selling, general and administrative expense.....................................   174,463    57,000    (8,515)(A)      224,840
                                                                                                           443(C)
                                                                                                         1,449(D)
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Operating income................................................................    41,356     3,498      (459)          44,395
Interest expense................................................................     6,378     3,439    (1,775)(E)        8,042
Other (income) and expense, net.................................................    (7,666)      635                     (7,031)
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Income before income taxes......................................................    42,644      (576)    1,316           43,384
Provision for income taxes......................................................    16,357      (236)    1,106(F)        17,227
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Net income before non-recurring charge (J)......................................  $ 26,287  $   (340) $    210         $ 26,157
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Earnings per common and common equivalent share.................................  $   1.53                             $   1.41
Earnings per common share -- assuming full dilution.............................  $   1.52                             $   1.41
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares............................    17,231               1,257           18,488
Weighted average shares assuming full dilution..................................    19,809               1,257           21,066
</TABLE>
    

       See accompanying Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.

                                       19
<PAGE>
                     PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

                       FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 1, 1994
                                  (UNAUDITED)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         PRO
                                                                                                       PRO FORMA        FORMA
                                                                                  MICHAELS  LEEWARDS  ADJUSTMENTS       TOTAL
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
<S>                                                                               <C>       <C>       <C>              <C>
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Net sales.......................................................................  $159,798  $ 46,507  $ (7,000)(A)     $199,305
Cost of sales and occupancy expense.............................................   103,511    33,207    (5,112)(A)      130,987
                                                                                                          (619)(B)
Selling, general and administrative expense.....................................    47,216    14,332    (1,856)(A)       58,720
                                                                                                        (1,334)(C)
                                                                                                           362(D)
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Operating income................................................................     9,071    (1,032)    1,559            9,598
Interest expense................................................................     2,026       994      (485)(E)        2,535
Other (income) and expense, net.................................................    (1,031)       45                       (986)
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Income before income taxes......................................................     8,076    (2,071)    2,044            8,049
Provision for income taxes......................................................     3,109      (849)      962(F)         3,222
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Net income before non-recurring charge (J)......................................  $  4,967  $ (1,222) $  1,082         $  4,827
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
                                                                                  --------  --------  ------------     --------
Earnings per common and common equivalent share.................................  $   0.28                             $   0.25
Earnings per common share -- assuming full dilution.............................  $   0.28                             $   0.25
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares............................    17,785               1,257           19,042
Weighted average shares assuming full dilution..................................    17,856               1,257           19,113
</TABLE>
    

       See accompanying Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.

                                       20
<PAGE>
                  PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
                                  MAY 1, 1994
                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                     ASSETS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                              PRO
                                                                                                            PRO FORMA        FORMA
                                                                                      MICHAELS  LEEWARDS   ADJUSTMENTS       TOTAL
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
                                                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                   <C>       <C>        <C>              <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and equivalents..............................................................  $  2,867  $  3,217     $ --           $  6,084
  Marketable and other securities...................................................    67,734     --          --             67,734
  Merchandise inventories...........................................................   230,406    48,833       (6,770)(H)    272,469
  Deferred income taxes.............................................................     --          523         (523)(H)     15,355
                                                                                                               15,355(H)
  Prepaid expenses and other........................................................    21,971     5,785       (1,211)(H)     26,545
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
    Total current assets............................................................   322,978    58,358        6,851        388,187
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
Property and equipment, net.........................................................    87,840    18,454       (3,757)(H)    102,537
Costs in excess of net assets of acquired operations, net...........................    43,954     --          57,948(H)     101,902
Other assets........................................................................     8,347     6,387       (6,336)(H)      8,398
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
                                                                                      $463,119  $ 83,199     $ 54,706       $601,024
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------

                                                LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..................................................................  $ 47,741  $  9,551     $ --           $ 57,292
  Short-term bank debt..............................................................    56,000    18,118        7,903(G)     102,649
                                                                                                                3,667(G)
                                                                                                               16,961(I)
  Subordinated debentures...........................................................     --       16,961      (16,961)(I)      --
  Income taxes payable..............................................................     4,252     --           1,682(H)       5,934
  Accrued liabilities and other.....................................................    45,259    14,572       25,532(H)      85,363
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
    Total current liabilities.......................................................   153,252    59,202       38,784        251,238
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
Convertible subordinated notes......................................................    97,750     --          --             97,750
Deferred income taxes and other.....................................................     5,521     2,852       (2,852)(H)      5,521
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
    Total long-term liabilities.....................................................   103,271     2,852       (2,852)       103,271
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
Redeemable preferred stock..........................................................     --       29,845      (29,845)(H)      --
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock......................................................................     1,746         2           (2)(H)      1,872
                                                                                                                  126(G)
  Additional paid-in capital........................................................   126,126       733         (733)(H)    165,919
                                                                                                               39,793(G)
  Retained earnings.................................................................    78,724    (9,435)       9,435(H)      78,724
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
    Total shareholders' equity......................................................   206,596    (8,700)      48,619        246,515
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
                                                                                      $463,119  $ 83,199     $ 54,706       $601,024
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
                                                                                      --------  --------   ------------     --------
</TABLE>
    

       See accompanying Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.

                                       21
<PAGE>
                NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)

    Adjustments  to the  pro forma combined  statement of income  to reflect the
consummation of the Leewards Acquisition as of February 1, 1993 are as follows:

        (A)  To  eliminate  revenues  and  related  operating  expenses  of   20
    overlapping  Leewards stores to be closed  subsequent to the consummation of
    the Leewards  Acquisition.  Revenues  are expected  to  increase  in  nearby
    Michaels  stores;  however, the  anticipated revenue  increase has  not been
    reflected.

        (B) To  eliminate  nonrecurring  costs,  primarily  rental  and  related
    occupancy  costs, associated with  the Leewards distribution  center, net of
    incremental costs to be incurred at the Company's distribution center.  Upon
    consummation of the Leewards Acquisition and completion of the conversion of
    the Leewards stores, the Leewards distribution center is to be closed.

        (C) To adjust selling, general and administrative expense to (i) account
    for  pre-opening costs  incurred by  Leewards consistent  with the Company's
    accounting policy whereby pre-opening costs are expensed in the fiscal  year
    in  which the store opens by increasing (decreasing) expense by $2.0 million
    and $(840,000) for the year ended January 30, 1994 and the quarter ended May
    1, 1994,  respectively, and  (ii)  eliminate nonrecurring  costs,  primarily
    salaries  and  related  benefits,  associated  with  reductions  of Leewards
    corporate personnel  and  other  costs of  approximately  $1.6  million  and
    $494,000  for the year ended  January 30, 1994 and  the quarter ended May 1,
    1994, respectively.

   
        (D) To amortize costs  in excess of net  assets acquired over a  40-year
    period  on a straight-line basis. The Company will assess the recoverability
    of costs in excess of net  assets acquired annually based on existing  facts
    and circumstances. The Company will measure the recoverability of this asset
    on   an  on-going  basis  based   on  projected  earnings  before  interest,
    depreciation  and  amortization,  on  an  undiscounted  basis.  Should   the
    Company's  assessment indicate an impairment of this asset in the future, an
    appropriate write-down will be recorded.
    
        (E)  To  reduce  the  interest  expense  on  the  Leewards  indebtedness
    consisting  of  approximately  $17 million  of  subordinated  debentures and
    short-term borrowings  (average  outstanding borrowings  approximated  $11.5
    million  for  the year  ended January  30,  1994 and  $16.8 million  for the
    quarter ended  May 1,  1994) from  their stated  rates of  13.5% and  7.75%,
    respectively,  to 4.9%,  which rate  approximates the  Company's incremental
    borrowing rate for  both of the  periods presented. In  connection with  the
    Leewards  Acquisition, the  Leewards subordinated  debentures and short-term
    borrowings are required to be repaid.

        (F) To  reflect  the  tax  effects  applicable  to  the  above  entries,
    exclusive  of the amortization of costs in excess of net assets acquired, at
    a 40% effective tax rate.

        Adjustments to the pro forma  balance sheet to reflect the  consummation
    of the Leewards Acquisition as of May 1, 1994 are as follows:

   
        (G)  To record the costs of  the Leewards Acquisition. Cash payments and
    shares issued are based on a five day average stock price and closing  stock
    price on July 5, 1994 of $33.80 and $31.75, respectively.
    

   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>                                          <C>        <C>
       1.  Cash consideration paid (funded with short-
            term bank debt)                                        $   7,903
       2.  Shares issued in connection with the
            Leewards Acquisition (1,257,279 shares)                   39,919
       3.  Liabilities incurred by Leewards in
            connection with the Leewards Acquisition
            by Michaels                                 $   2,867
       4.  Transaction costs                                  800      3,667
                                                        ---------  ---------
           Total acquisition costs                                 $  51,489
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
    

                                       22
<PAGE>
          NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)

        (H)  To  adjust  the  carrying  values of  the  net  assets  acquired to
    estimated fair value  as of May  1, 1994 and  to accrue various  liabilities
    assumed in connection with the Leewards Acquisition.

   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>                                          <C>        <C>
       1.  Write-down inventories to liquidate
            incompatible merchandise of Leewards                   $   6,770
       2.  Write-off deferred pre-opening costs to
            conform Leewards' accounting policy to
            that of Michaels                                           1,211
       3.  Write-off tradenames and other deferred
            costs of Leewards                                          6,336
       4.  Accrue costs of closing Leewards' corporate
            office and distribution center (including
            lease termination costs, severance pay and
            other costs) and costs associated with the
            anticipated closing of certain Leewards'
            stores (accrued closing costs relate only
            to Leewards' stores)                                      25,532
       5.  Write-off of the carrying values of
            leasehold improvements related to
            facilities to be closed and other
            adjustments to state other property and
            equipment at estimated fair value                          3,757
       6.  Record deferred tax assets related to the
            above adjustments                                        (15,355)
       7.  Eliminate net deferred tax liabilities of
            Leewards as of the Leewards Acquisition
            date                                                      (2,329)
       8.  Record income tax liabilities assumed by
            Michaels in connection with the Leewards
            Acquisition related primarily to the
            termination of the LIFO method of
            inventory valuation for tax reporting
            purposes, net of the tax benefits related
            to certain transaction costs                               1,682
       9.  Eliminate redeemable preferred stock and
            common stockholders' deficit of Leewards
            as of the Leewards Acquisition date                      (21,145)
                                                                   ---------
           Excess of fair value of liabilities over
            net
             assets acquired                                           6,459
           Total acquisition costs                                    51,489
                                                                   ---------
           Costs in excess of the net assets acquired              $  57,948
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
    

        (I)  To reflect  additional borrowings  on Michaels'  credit facility to
    fund the required repayment of the Leewards subordinated notes in connection
    with the Leewards Acquisition.

   
        (J) The Company intends to implement a plan to reconfigure the  Leewards
    stores  to be more  consistent with the  merchandising strategy of Michaels.
    The Company expects to incur a one-time pretax charge in connection with the
    reconfiguration of the Leewards stores of approximately $3.2 million.
    

                                       23
<PAGE>
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

   
    The  following table  sets forth  certain information  regarding the Selling
Stockholders' beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock and as adjusted
to reflect the sale by  the Company and the  Selling Stockholders of the  Common
Stock offered pursuant to the Common Stock Offering:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                             OWNED PRIOR TO
                                            THE COMMON STOCK                         SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED AFTER
                                                OFFERING                                THE COMMON STOCK OFFERING
                                          ---------------------   NUMBER OF SHARES   --------------------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                   NUMBER    PERCENT(1)    BEING OFFERED           NUMBER          PERCENT(1)
- ----------------------------------------  ---------  ----------   ----------------   -------------------   ----------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>          <C>                <C>                   <C>
The Teachers' Retirement System of the
 State of Illinois......................    261,277     1.5%           52,250              209,027            1.1%
Frontenac Venture V Limited
 Partnership............................    179,982     1.0            36,000              143,982              *
GIPEN & Co..............................     40,004       *            40,004             --                    *
MONY Life Insurance Company of
 America................................     13,309       *            13,309             --                    *
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New
 York...................................    168,967       *           168,967             --                    *
John A. Popple..........................     32,932       *            16,466               16,466              *
Prudential-Bache Capital Partners II,
 L.P....................................     58,435       *            29,217               29,218              *
The Prudential Insurance Company of
 America................................    271,935     1.6            30,000              241,935            1.3
                                                         --                                                    --
                                          ---------                  --------             --------
  Total.................................  1,026,841     5.8%          386,213              640,628            3.4%
                                                         --                                                    --
                                                         --                                                    --
                                          ---------                  --------             --------
                                          ---------                  --------             --------
<FN>
- ------------------------
 *    less than 1%

(1)   Percentage based on the Company's Common Stock outstanding.
</TABLE>
    

   
    Each  of the  Selling Stockholders acquired  the shares listed  in the table
above pursuant to  the Leewards Acquisition  in exchange for  shares of  capital
stock  of Leewards owned by it. Pursuant  to the merger agreement with Leewards,
Michaels agreed that  in the event  Michaels engaged in  an underwritten  public
offering  of Common  Stock after the  merger the Leewards  stockholders would be
offered the  opportunity to  include  in the  underwritten public  offering  the
shares of Common Stock received by them in the merger. The Leewards stockholders
have  indicated that  they will sell  up to  386,213 shares in  the Common Stock
Offering. This right  to include  shares will  expire upon  consummation of  the
Common  Stock Offering. The Company is obligated to cause a "shelf" registration
to be filed on  behalf of Leewards' stockholders  and to cause the  registration
statement  to remain effective for a period of three years following the closing
of the acquisition with respect to the shares of Michaels Common Stock issued to
the Leewards stockholders  but not  sold in the  Common Stock  Offering. All  of
Leewards'  stockholders who received  shares of Common  Stock in the acquisition
have agreed not  to offer,  sell, pledge or  otherwise dispose  of, directly  or
indirectly,  any  shares  of  Common  Stock  received  in  connection  with  the
acquisition without the prior written consent of CS First Boston Corporation for
a period of 90  days after the  date of this Prospectus,  except for the  shares
being  sold in this Common Stock Offering  and except that such stockholders may
dispose of such shares in a  transaction not involving a public distribution  if
the transferee executes a similar agreement. See "Underwriting."
    

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   
    Michaels is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$0.10  per share, and 2,000,000  shares of Preferred Stock,  par value $0.10 per
share. As of July 6, 1994, 17,492,933
    

                                       24
<PAGE>
shares of  Common  Stock  were  outstanding (excluding  50,779  shares  held  by
wholly-owned  subsidiaries of the Company) and  no shares were held in treasury,
and no shares  of Preferred Stock  were outstanding. The  outstanding shares  of
Common Stock are, and the shares offered hereby will be, when issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.

COMMON STOCK

    Holders  of  the Common  Stock are  entitled to  one vote  per share  on all
matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Shares of Common Stock do not  have
cumulative  voting rights,  which means  that the holders  of a  majority of the
shares voting for the election of the  Board of Directors can elect all  members
of  the Board of Directors.  Upon any liquidation, dissolution  or winding up of
the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive pro rata all of the
assets of the Company available for distribution to shareholders, subject to any
prior rights of holders of any outstanding Preferred Stock. Shareholders do  not
have  any preemptive rights to subscribe for or purchase any stock, obligations,
warrants or other securities of the Company.

   
    Holders of  record  of  shares  of Common  Stock  are  entitled  to  receive
dividends  when and if  declared by the Board  of Directors out  of funds of the
Company legally available  therefor. Michaels  has never paid  dividends on  its
Common  Stock.  The  Company's present  policy  is  to retain  earnings  for the
foreseeable future for use  in the Company's business  and the financing of  its
growth.  However,  such policy  is subject  to  the discretion  of the  Board of
Directors. The Company's  credit facility contains  certain restrictions on  the
Company's ability to pay dividends.
    

PREFERRED STOCK

    The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to issue Preferred Stock
in  one or more  series and to  fix the voting  rights, liquidation preferences,
dividend rates,  conversion  rights,  redemption  rights  and  terms,  including
sinking  fund provisions, and certain other rights and preferences. The issuance
of Preferred  Stock, while  providing flexibility  in connection  with  possible
acquisitions  and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely
affect the voting power of  the holders of the  Common Stock and, under  certain
circumstances,  make it more difficult for a  third party to gain control of the
Company.

TRANSFER AGENT

    The transfer agent for the Common Stock is Society National Bank.

                   CERTAIN SPECIAL FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
                         FOR NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS

    The following  is a  general  discussion of  certain special  United  States
federal  income  and estate  tax  considerations relevant  to  non-United States
holders of the Common Stock, but does  not purport to be a complete analysis  of
all the potential tax considerations relating thereto.

    As  used herein, "non-United States  holder" means a corporation, individual
or partnership  that is,  as to  the  United States,  a foreign  corporation,  a
nonresident  alien individual or a foreign  partnership, and any estate or trust
if such estate or trust is not subject to United States taxation on income  from
sources  without the  United States that  is not effectively  connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

    This discussion is based  upon the Code,  Treasury Regulations, IRS  rulings
and  judicial  decisions now  in  effect, all  of  which are  subject  to change
(possibly with retroactive effect) or different interpretations. This discussion
does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal income and estate  taxation
that  may be  relevant to  a particular  non-United States  holder's decision to
purchase the Common Stock.

                                       25
<PAGE>
    ALL PROSPECTIVE NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS OF THE COMMON STOCK ARE ADVISED TO
CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL
AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE  PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF  THE
COMMON STOCK.

DIVIDENDS

    Dividends  paid to a  non-United States holder  of the Common  Stock will be
subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such
lower rate as may  be specified by an  applicable income tax treaty.  Currently,
dividends  paid to an address in a foreign  country are presumed to be paid to a
resident of such country in determining  the applicability of a treaty for  such
purposes.  However, proposed  Treasury Regulations  which have  not been finally
adopted would require non-United States holders to satisfy certain certification
and other requirements to obtain the benefit of any applicable income tax treaty
providing for a lower rate of withholding tax on dividends.

    Except as may be  otherwise provided in an  applicable income tax treaty,  a
non-United  States holder will be taxed at ordinary federal income tax rates (on
a net income basis) on dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business of such non-United States holder within the United States
and might  not  be subject  to  the withholding  tax  described above.  If  such
non-United  States holder is a foreign corporation,  it may also be subject to a
United States branch  profits tax at  a 30% rate  or such lower  rate as may  be
specified  by any applicable  income tax treaty.  Non-United States holders must
comply with certain  certification and disclosure  requirements to claim  treaty
benefits or an exemption from withholding tax under the foregoing rules.

DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK

    Non-United  States holders  generally will not  be subject  to United States
federal income tax in respect of gain recognized on a disposition of the  Common
Stock  unless (i)  the gain  is effectively connected  with a  trade or business
conducted by the  non-United States holder  within the United  States (in  which
case  the branch profits tax described under "Dividends" above may also apply if
the holder is a foreign  corporation), (ii) in the  case of a non-United  States
holder  who is a  nonresident alien individual  and holds the  Common Stock as a
capital asset, such holder is present in the United States for 183 or more  days
in  the  taxable  year  of  the  disposition  and  either  the  income  from the
disposition is  attributable to  an  office or  other  fixed place  of  business
maintained  by the holder in the United States or the holder has a "tax home" in
the United States (within the meaning of  the Code), or (iii) the Company is  or
has  been a "United States real  property holding corporation" and certain other
requirements are met. The Company does not believe it has been or is  currently,
and  does  not  anticipate  becoming,  a  United  States  real  property holding
corporation.

FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES

    Common Stock that is owned or treated as being owned by a non-United  States
holder  who is a natural person (as  determined for United States federal estate
tax purposes) at  the time  of death  will be  included in  such holder's  gross
estate  for  United States  federal estate  tax  purposes, unless  an applicable
estate tax treaty provides otherwise. Common Stock that has been transferred  by
such  a  non-United States  holder in  a  "generation-skipping transfer"  may be
subject to a generation-skipping transfer tax in addition to estate tax.

INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

    United States information reporting requirements and 31% backup  withholding
tax  generally  will not  apply to  dividends paid  on the  Common Stock  if the
dividends are subject to either  the 30% withholding tax  or such lower rate  as
may  be specified by  an applicable income  tax treaty, or  are exempt from such
withholding tax under the rules discussed  above relating to dividends that  are
effectively  connected with the  conduct of a  trade or business  of such holder
within the  United States,  or are  paid to  a non-United  States holder  at  an
address  outside the  United States  provided that  the holder  certifies to its
non-United States status  on the appropriate  form and the  payer has no  actual
knowledge  that  the holder  is a  United  States person.  As a  general matter,
information reporting and

                                       26
<PAGE>
backup withholding will also not  apply to a payment of  the proceeds of a  sale
effected  outside the  United States of  Common Stock  by a foreign  office of a
foreign broker. However, information  reporting requirements (but under  current
proposed Treasury regulations not backup withholding) will apply to a payment of
the  proceeds of a sale effected outside the  United States of Common Stock by a
foreign office of a broker that (i) is a United States person, (ii) is a foreign
person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from the
conduct of a trade or business in  the United States, or (iii) is a  "controlled
foreign  corporation"  (generally, a  foreign  corporation controlled  by United
States shareholders) with respect  to the United States,  unless the broker  has
documentary  evidence  in its  records that  the holder  is a  non-United States
holder and certain conditions  are met, or the  holder otherwise establishes  an
exemption.  Payment by a United  States office of a broker  of the proceeds of a
sale of  Common Stock  is subject  to both  backup withholding  and  information
reporting  unless the holder certifies to the payor in the manner required as to
its non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes
an exemption.

    A non-United  States  holder may  obtain  a  refund of  any  excess  amounts
withheld  under the backup withholding rules  by filing an appropriate claim for
refund with the IRS.

                                       27
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING

    Under the terms and subject to  the conditions contained in an  Underwriting
Agreement  dated                , 1994 (the  "U.S. Underwriting Agreement"), the
underwriters named below  (the "U.S.  Underwriters"), for whom  CS First  Boston
Corporation,   Robertson,  Stephens  &  Company,   L.P.  and  Nomura  Securities
International, Inc. are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"),  have
severally  but not jointly agreed  to purchase from the  Company and the Selling
Stockholders the following respective numbers of U.S. Shares:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NUMBER OF
                                       UNDERWRITER                                          U.S. SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
CS First Boston Corporation...............................................................
Robertson, Stephens & Company, L.P........................................................
Nomura Securities International, Inc......................................................

                                                                                            ------------
    Total.................................................................................    1,508,970
                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
    

    The U.S. Underwriting Agreement  provides that the  obligations of the  U.S.
Underwriters  are  subject to  certain conditions  precedent  and that  the U.S.
Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the U.S. Shares offered hereby if
any are purchased. The U.S. Underwriting  Agreement provides that, in the  event
of  a  default by  a U.S.  Underwriter, in  certain circumstances,  the purchase
commitments of non-defaulting  U.S. Underwriters  may be increased  or the  U.S.
Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.

    The  Company and the  Selling Stockholders have  entered into a Subscription
Agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") with the Managers of the  International
Offering  (the "Managers")  providing for the  concurrent offer and  sale of the
International Shares outside the  United States and Canada.  The closing of  the
U.S.  Offering is a condition  to the closing of  the International Offering and
vice versa.  The  Managers  named  below  have,  pursuant  to  the  Subscription
Agreement,  severally and not  jointly, agreed with the  Company and the Selling
Stockholders to  subscribe  and pay  for  the following  respective  numbers  of
International Shares:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NUMBER OF
                                                                                            INTERNATIONAL
                                         MANAGER                                               SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
CS First Boston Limited...................................................................
Robertson, Stephens & Company, L.P........................................................
Nomura International plc..................................................................

                                                                                            ------------
    Total.................................................................................      377,243
                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
    

   
    The Subscription Agreement provides that the obligations of the Managers are
such  that,  subject  to  certain conditions  precedent,  the  Managers  will be
obligated to purchase  all the International  Shares if any  are purchased.  The
Subscription Agreement provides that, in the event of a default by a Manager, in
certain  circumstances the  purchase commitments of  the non-defaulting managers
may be increased or the Subscription Agreement may be terminated.
    

                                       28
<PAGE>
   
    The Company has granted to the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers an option,
exercisable by CS First Boston Corporation, expiring at the close of business on
the 30th day after the date of  the initial public offering of the Common  Stock
offered  hereby,  to purchase  up  to 282,932  additional  shares at  the public
offering price,  less the  underwriting discounts  and commissions,  all as  set
forth  on  the cover  page of  this  Prospectus. The  U.S. Underwriters  and the
Managers may exercise such option only  to cover over-allotments in the sale  of
the  shares of Common  Stock offered hereby.  To the extent  that this option to
purchase is  exercised,  each U.S.  Underwriter  and each  Manager  will  become
obligated,  subject to  certain conditions,  to purchase  approximately the same
percentage of additional  shares being  sold to  the U.S.  Underwriters and  the
Managers  as the number of U.S. Shares set forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's
name in the preceding  table bears to  the total number of  U.S. Shares in  such
table  and  as  the  number  set  forth  next  to  such  Manager's  name  in the
corresponding table in  the prospectus  relating to  the International  Offering
bears to the total number of International Shares in such table.
    

    The   Company  and  the  Selling  Stockholders  have  been  advised  by  the
Representatives that the U.S. Underwriters propose  to offer the U.S. Shares  in
the  United States  and Canada  to the public  initially at  the public offering
price set  forth  on  the  cover  page  of  this  Prospectus  and,  through  the
Representatives,  to certain dealers at such price less a concession of $    per
share, that the Underwriters and such dealers may  allow a discount of $     per
share  on sales  to certain  other dealers,  and that  after the  initial public
offering, the public offering price and  concession and discount to dealers  may
be changed by the Representatives.

    In  connection with the  Common Stock Offering,  CS First Boston Corporation
and certain of  the U.S. Underwriters,  Managers and selling  group members  (if
any)  and  their  respective  affiliates may  engage  in  passive  market making
transactions in the Common Stock on  The Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance  with
Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act during a period before commencement of offers
or  sales  of  the  Common  Stock  offered  hereby.  The  passive  market making
transactions must  comply  with  applicable  volume  and  price  limits  and  be
identified as such.

    The   public  offering  price,  the  aggregate  underwriting  discounts  and
commissions per share and per share  concession and discount to dealers for  the
U.S.  Offering  and the  concurrent  International Offering  will  be identical.
Pursuant to an  Agreement between the  U.S. Underwriters and  the Managers  (the
"Agreement  Between")  relating to  the Common  Stock  Offering, changes  in the
public offering price, concession and discount to dealers will be made only upon
the mutual agreement of  CS First Boston Corporation,  as representative of  the
U.S.  Underwriters,  and CS  First Boston  Limited ("CSFBL"),  on behalf  of the
Managers.

    Pursuant to the Agreement Between, each of the U.S. Underwriters has  agreed
that,  as part  of the distribution  of the  U.S. Shares and  subject to certain
exceptions, (a) it is not purchasing any shares of Common Stock for the  account
of anyone other than a U.S. or Canadian Person (as defined below) and (b) it has
not  offered or sold,  and will not  offer to sell,  directly or indirectly, any
shares of Common Stock or distribute any prospectus relating to the Common Stock
to any person outside the United States or Canada or to anyone other than a U.S.
or Canadian Person nor to any dealer who does not so agree. Each of the Managers
has agreed or will agree that, as part of the distribution of the  International
Shares and subject to certain exceptions, (i) it is not purchasing any shares of
Common  Stock for the account of any U.S. or Canadian Person and (ii) it has not
offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any  shares
of Common Stock or distribute any prospectus relating to the Common Stock in the
United  States or Canada or to any U.S. or Canadian Person nor to any dealer who
does not  so agree.  The foregoing  limitations do  not apply  to  stabilization
transactions  or to transactions between the  U.S. Underwriters and the Managers
pursuant to the  Agreement Between. As  used herein, "United  States" means  the
United  States of America  (including the States and  the District of Columbia),
its territories,  possessions  and  other areas  subject  to  its  jurisdiction,
"Canada"  means Canada, its provinces,  territories, possessions and other areas
subject to its jurisdiction,  and "U.S. or Canadian  Person" means a citizen  or
resident  of the United States or Canada, or a corporation, partnership or other
entity created  or organized  in  or under  the laws  of  the United  States  or

                                       29
<PAGE>
Canada (other than a foreign branch of such an entity) or an estate or trust the
income of which is subject to United States or Canadian federal income taxation,
regardless  of its source of income, and  includes any United States or Canadian
branch of a non-U.S. or non-Canadian Person.

    Pursuant to  the Agreement  Between,  sales may  be  made between  the  U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers of such number of shares of Common Stock as may be
mutually agreed upon. The price of any shares so sold will be the initial public
offering  price, less  such amount as  may be  mutually agreed upon  by CS First
Boston Corporation, as representative  of the U.S.  Underwriters, and CSFBL,  on
behalf  of the Managers, but not  exceeding the selling concession applicable to
such shares. To the extent there are sales between the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers pursuant to the Agreement Between, the number of shares of Common Stock
initially available for sale by the U.S. Underwriters or by the Managers may  be
more  or less than  the amount appearing  on the cover  page of this Prospectus.
There are no limits  on the number of  shares of Common Stock  that may be  sold
between  the U.S. Underwriters  and the Managers.  Neither the U.S. Underwriters
nor the Managers are obligated to purchase  from the other any unsold shares  of
Common Stock.

    This Prospectus may also be used in connection with resales of International
Shares in the United States by dealers.

   
    The   Company  and  certain   of  its  directors,   executive  officers  and
shareholders have  agreed  not to  offer,  sell,  contract to  sell,  pledge  or
otherwise  dispose of, directly  or indirectly, or file  with the Securities and
Exchange Commission a registration statement  under the Securities Act  relating
to,  any  additional shares  of its  Common Stock  or securities  convertible or
exchangeable into or exercisable for any shares of its Common Stock without  the
prior  written consent of  CS First Boston  Corporation for a  period of 90 days
after the date  of this Prospectus  other than  (a) issuances and  sales by  the
Company of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of certain of the Company's
benefit  plans, (b) issuances of Common Stock by the Company upon the conversion
of securities  or the  exercise of  warrants  outstanding at  the date  of  this
Prospectus  and (c) the filing of a  registration statement to permit the resale
of  shares  of  Common  Stock   by  the  Leewards  stockholders.  See   "Selling
Stockholders."  The stockholders  of Leewards  have agreed  not to  offer, sell,
contract to sell, pledge  or otherwise dispose of,  directly or indirectly,  any
shares  of Common Stock received in  connection with the acquisition without the
prior written consent of  CS First Boston  Corporation for a  period of 90  days
after  the date  of this  Prospectus except  for the  shares being  sold in this
Common Stock Offering  and except  that such  stockholders may  dispose of  such
shares  in a transaction  not involving a public  distribution if the transferee
executes a similar agreement.
    

    The Company and the Selling Stockholders  have agreed to indemnify the  U.S.
Underwriters  and  the  Managers against  certain  liabilities,  including civil
liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers may be required to make in respect thereof.

    Certain of the U.S. Underwriters and Managers and their affiliates have from
time to time performed, and continue to perform, various investment banking  and
commercial  banking services for  the Company, for  which customary compensation
has been received.

                          NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS

RESALE RESTRICTIONS

    The distribution of  the Common  Stock in  Canada is  being made  only on  a
private placement basis exempt from the requirement that the Company prepare and
file  a prospectus with  the securities regulatory  authorities in each province
where trades of Common Stock are effected. Accordingly, any resale of the Common
Stock in Canada must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws which
will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require  resales
to  be made in accordance  with available statutory exemptions  or pursuant to a
discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory
authority. Purchasers are advised  to seek legal advice  prior to any resale  of
the Common Stock.

                                       30
<PAGE>
REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS

    Each   purchaser  of  Common  Stock  in   Canada  who  receives  a  purchase
confirmation  will  be  deemed  to   represent  to  the  Company,  the   Selling
Stockholders  and the  dealer from whom  such purchase  confirmation is received
that (i) such purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities  laws
to  purchase such  Common Stock  without the  benefit of  a prospectus qualified
under such securities laws, (ii) where  required by law, that such purchaser  is
purchasing  as principal and not as agent, and (iii) such purchaser has reviewed
the text under "Resale Restrictions."

RIGHTS OF ACTION AND ENFORCEMENT
    The securities  being offered  are those  of a  foreign issuer  and  Ontario
purchasers  will  not  receive the  contractual  right of  action  prescribed by
section 32 of the  Regulation under the SECURITIES  ACT (Ontario). As a  result,
Ontario  purchasers must rely on other remedies that may be available, including
common law rights of action for damages or rescission or rights of action  under
the civil liability provisions of the U.S. Federal securities laws.

    All  of the  issuer's directors  and officers as  well as  the experts named
herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible
for Ontario  purchasers to  effect service  of process  within Canada  upon  the
issuer or such persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the issuer
and  such persons may be located outside of  Canada and, as a result, it may not
be possible to satisfy a judgment against  the issuer or such persons in  Canada
or  to enforce  a judgment  obtained in Canadian  courts against  such issuer or
persons outside of Canada.

NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS
    A purchaser of Common  Stock to whom the  SECURITIES ACT (British  Columbia)
applies  is advised  that such  purchaser is required  to file  with the British
Columbia Securities  Commission a  report within  ten days  of the  sale of  any
Common  Stock acquired by such purchaser  pursuant to this offering. Such report
must be in the form attached  to British Columbia Securities Commission  Blanket
Order BOR #88/5, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company. Only one such
report  must be filed in  respect of Common Stock acquired  on the same date and
under the same prospectus exemption.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    The validity of  the Common Stock  offered hereby and  the issuance  thereof
have been passed upon for the Company by Jackson & Walker, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas
and  for the Underwriters by Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Dallas, Texas. Michael
C. French, a partner in Jackson & Walker, L.L.P., is a director of the Company.

                                    EXPERTS

    The consolidated financial statements of Michaels Stores, Inc. appearing  or
incorporated  by reference in the  Company's Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the
year ended January  30, 1994, have  been audited by  Ernst & Young,  independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference therein
and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are
incorporated  herein by  reference in reliance  upon such report  given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

    The financial statements of  Leewards Creative Crafts,  Inc. at January  30,
1994 and January 31, 1993, and for each of the years ended January 30, 1994, and
January  31, 1993  appearing elsewhere  herein have  been audited  by Deloitte &
Touche, independent auditors,  as set  forth in their  report thereon  appearing
elsewhere  herein, which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an
explanatory paragraph  relating to  the  Agreement and  Plan of  Merger  whereby
Leewards  Creative Crafts,  Inc. will  become a  subsidiary of  Michaels Stores,
Inc., and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority  of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       31
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT...............................................................................        F-2
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1993, JANUARY 30, 1994 AND (UNAUDITED) FOR THE THREE
 MONTHS ENDED MAY 2, 1993 AND MAY 1, 1994
  Balance Sheets...........................................................................................        F-3
  Statements of Operations.................................................................................        F-5
  Statements of Redeemable Preferred Stock and Common Stockholders' Equity.................................        F-6
  Statements of Cash Flows.................................................................................        F-7
  Notes to Financial Statements............................................................................        F-8
</TABLE>

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Board of Directors
Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.
Elgin, Illinois

    We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Leewards Creative Crafts,
Inc.  as of January 31, 1993 and January  30, 1994 and the related statements of
operations, of redeemable preferred stock  and common stockholders' equity,  and
of  cash flows  for the  years then  ended. These  financial statements  are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express  an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

    We  conducted  our audits  in  accordance with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

    In  our opinion, such  financial statements present  fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc. as of January
31, 1993 and January  30, 1994 and  the results of its  operations and its  cash
flows  for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

    As discussed in Note 11, the Company has entered into an Agreement and  Plan
of  Merger (the "Agreement") whereby it will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Michaels  Stores,   Inc.  ("Michaels").   The  Agreement   also  provides   that
simultaneously  with the  merger closing,  Michaels shall  cause the  Company to
repay its long-term debt.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE
Chicago, Illinois
March 4, 1994
(May 11, 1994 as to Note 11)

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                          (IN 000'S EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

                                     ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,    MAY 1,
                                                                    1993         1994         1994
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents....................................   $   2,619    $   2,946    $   3,217
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
   of $3, $2 and $2, respectively..............................         654        1,372        1,008
  Merchandise inventories......................................      37,530       53,090       48,833
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets....................       2,745        3,898        4,777
  Deferred income taxes........................................         495          343          523
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total current assets.....................................      44,043       61,649       58,358
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
  Land.........................................................         733          732          732
  Buildings and improvements...................................         972          987        1,009
  Leasehold improvements.......................................       5,169        6,918        6,975
  Machinery and equipment......................................      13,860       20,822       20,731
  Construction in progress.....................................          20           84          397
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                     20,754       29,543       29,844
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...............       8,631       10,598       11,390
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Property and equipment -- net............................      12,123       18,945       18,454
OTHER ASSETS:
  Trade name, less accumulated amortization of $719, $871 and
   $908, respectively..........................................       5,340        5,188        5,151
  Other intangibles, less accumulated amortization of $11,113,
   $11,557 and $11,629, respectively...........................       1,040          596          524
  Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of
   $2,299, $2,687 and $2,740, respectively.....................         892          656          603
  Notes receivable.............................................      --               70       --
  Miscellaneous assets.........................................           7            7          109
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total other assets.......................................       7,279        6,517        6,387
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
TOTAL..........................................................   $  63,445    $  87,111    $  83,199
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                          (IN 000'S EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,    MAY 1,
                                                                    1993         1994         1994
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable.............................................   $   9,147    $  15,157    $   9,551
  Accrued expenses.............................................      11,193       12,851       13,673
  Taxes other than income taxes................................         798          712          899
  Current maturities of long-term debt.........................       7,348       17,602       20,195
  Long-term debt classified as current (Note 4)................      --           14,884       14,884
  Income taxes payable.........................................       1,098       --           --
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total current liabilities................................      29,584       61,206       59,202
LONG-TERM DEBT.................................................      16,961       --           --
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES..........................................       3,926        3,538        2,852
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total liabilities........................................      50,471       64,744       62,054
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK:
  Class A Cumulative Exchangeable Senior Preferred Stock, $0.01
   par value; shares authorized: 1993 -- 2,135; 1994 -- 4,000;
   shares outstanding: 1993 -- 2,135; 1994 -- 2,349............           9           10           68
  Class B Cumulative Exchangeable Senior Preferred Stock, $0.01
   par value; shares authorized: 1993 -- 2,514; 1994 -- 4,700;
   shares outstanding: 1993 -- 2,514; 1994 -- 2,765............          10           11           80
  Exchangeable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; shares
   authorized: 1993 -- 393,472; 1994 -- 800,000; shares
   outstanding: 1993 -- 393,472; 1994 -- 427,322 and 470,054,
   respectively................................................         255          325            4
  Class C Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value;
   562,500 shares authorized: 549,629 shares outstanding.......           5            5            5
  Class D Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value;
   shares authorized: 1994 -- 194,050; shares outstanding,
   194,035.....................................................      --                2            2
  Class E Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value;
   shares authorized and outstanding: 1994 -- 129,712..........      --                1            1
  Undesignated Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; shares
   authorized and outstanding: 1993 -- 2,039,379; 1994 --
   1,605,038; 0 shares issued..................................
  Additional paid-in capital...................................      18,579       29,229       29,685
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total redeemable preferred stock.........................      18,858       29,583       29,845
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
  Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized: 1993 --
   2,800,000; 1994 -- 4,000,000; shares outstanding: 78,281....           1            1            1
  Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized:
   1993 -- 200,000; 1994 -- 300,000; shares outstanding:
   73,275......................................................           1            1            1
  Class C Common Stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized:
   1994 -- 600,000; 0 shares issued............................
  Additional paid-in capital...................................         746          733          733
  Deficit......................................................      (6,632)      (7,951)      (9,435)
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
      Common stockholders' deficiency..........................      (5,884)      (7,216)      (8,700)
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
TOTAL..........................................................   $  63,445    $  87,111    $  83,199
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (IN 000'S)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED            QUARTER ENDED
                                                                  ------------------------  --------------------
                                                                  JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,   MAY 2,     MAY 1,
                                                                     1993         1994        1993       1994
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
NET SALES.......................................................  $   169,014  $   190,261  $  39,064  $  46,246
COST OF SALES...................................................       86,431       99,093     19,615     24,252
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                       82,583       91,168     19,449     21,994
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Selling and delivery..........................................       63,845       76,219     16,288     19,483
  General and administrative....................................        5,754        6,900      1,511      1,801
  Amortization of deferred pre-opening expenses.................        1,092        1,387        105        840
  Depreciation and amortization.................................        3,431        3,549        834        954
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                       74,122       88,055     18,738     23,078
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
OPERATING EARNINGS (LOSS).......................................        8,461        3,113        711     (1,084)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Restructuring expenses (Notes 1, 4 and 6).....................       (1,632)         (24)    --            (12)
  Gain (loss) on asset disposal.................................          503         (226)    --             19
  Other.........................................................           22      --          --         --
  Interest expense:
    Related parties.............................................       (2,137)      (2,285)      (572)      (572)
    Other.......................................................       (1,759)      (1,154)      (218)      (422)
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES...............................        3,458         (576)       (79)    (2,071)

INCOME TAXES
  Currently payable.............................................        1,159           93     --         --
  Deferred income taxes (benefit)...............................          394         (329)       (32)      (849)
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        1,553         (236)       (32)      (849)
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
NET INCOME (LOSS)...............................................  $     1,905  $      (340) $     (47) $  (1,222)
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
    STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (IN 000'S)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              EXCHANGEABLE                                             ADDITIONAL
                                EXCHANGEABLE   EXCHANGEABLE    PREFERRED     CONVERTIBLE   CONVERTIBLE   CONVERTIBLE    PAID-IN
                                  CLASS A        CLASS B         STOCK         CLASS C       CLASS D       CLASS E      CAPITAL
                                ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ----------
<S>                             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
BALANCE, FEBRUARY 2, 1992.....     $ 439         $   759         $ 371          $--          -$-           -$-          $ 5,890
  Amortization of issuance
   fees.......................     --             --             --             --           --            --                56
  Class A, Class B and
   exchangeable preferred
   dividends accrued..........       330             390           447          --           --            --             --
  Sale of Class C preferred
   stock......................     --             --             --             $  30        --            --            10,146
  Sale of common stock........     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
  Repurchase and cancellation
   of outstanding shares......     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
  Paid-in-kind dividend.......      (760)         (1,139)         (563)         --           --            --             2,462
  Reverse split-common stock
   and Class C preferred......     --             --             --               (25)       --            --                25
  Repurchase options..........     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
  Net income..................     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
                                  ------       ------------     ------       -----------     -----         -----       ----------
BALANCE, JANUARY 31, 1993.....         9              10           255              5        --            --            18,579
  Amortization of issuance
   fees.......................     --             --             --             --           --            --               104
  Class A, Class B and
   Exchangeable preferred
   dividends accrued..........       215             252           408          --           --            --             --
  Sale of Class D preferred
   stock......................     --             --             --             --               2         --             5,840
  Sale of Class E preferred
   stock......................     --             --             --             --           --                1          3,903
  Paid-in-kind dividend, May
   1, 1993....................     --             --              (338)         --           --            --               338
  Repurchase options..........     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
  Paid-in-kind dividend,
   January 15, 1994...........      (214)           (251)        --             --           --            --               465
  Net loss....................     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
                                  ------       ------------     ------       -----------     -----         -----       ----------
BALANCE, JANUARY 30, 1994             10              11           325              5            2             1         29,229
(UNAUDITED):
  Net loss....................     --             --             --             --           --            --             --
  Amortization of issuance
   fees.......................     --             --             --             --           --            --                29
  Class A, Class B and
   Exchangeable preferred
   dividends accrued..........        58              69           106          --           --            --             --
  Paid-in-kind dividend, May
   1, 1994....................     --             --              (427)         --           --            --               427
                                  ------       ------------     ------       -----------     -----         -----       ----------
BALANCE, MAY 1, 1994..........     $  68         $    80         $   4          $   5         $  2          $  1        $29,685
                                  ------       ------------     ------       -----------     -----         -----       ----------
                                  ------       ------------     ------       -----------     -----         -----       ----------

<CAPTION>
                                     COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                --------------------------------------
                                         CLASS    ADDITIONAL
                                COMMON     B       PAID-IN
                                STOCK    COMMON    CAPITAL     DEFICIT
                                ------   ------   ----------   -------
<S>                             <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>
BALANCE, FEBRUARY 2, 1992.....    $5       $5       $1,190     $(7,314)
  Amortization of issuance
   fees.......................   --       --         --            (56)
  Class A, Class B and
   exchangeable preferred
   dividends accrued..........   --       --         --         (1,167)
  Sale of Class C preferred
   stock......................   --       --         --          --
  Sale of common stock........   --       --           100       --
  Repurchase and cancellation
   of outstanding shares......    (1)     --          (527)      --
  Paid-in-kind dividend.......   --       --         --          --
  Reverse split-common stock
   and Class C preferred......    (3)      (4)           7       --
  Repurchase options..........   --       --           (24)      --
  Net income..................   --       --         --          1,905
                                  --       --
                                                  ----------   -------
BALANCE, JANUARY 31, 1993.....     1        1          746      (6,632)
  Amortization of issuance
   fees.......................   --       --         --           (104)
  Class A, Class B and
   Exchangeable preferred
   dividends accrued..........   --       --         --           (875)
  Sale of Class D preferred
   stock......................   --       --         --          --
  Sale of Class E preferred
   stock......................   --       --         --          --
  Paid-in-kind dividend, May
   1, 1993....................   --       --         --          --
  Repurchase options..........   --       --           (13)      --
  Paid-in-kind dividend,
   January 15, 1994...........   --       --         --          --
  Net loss....................   --       --         --           (340)
                                  --       --
                                                  ----------   -------
BALANCE, JANUARY 30, 1994          1        1          733      (7,951)
(UNAUDITED):
  Net loss....................   --       --         --         (1,222)
  Amortization of issuance
   fees.......................   --       --         --            (29)
  Class A, Class B and
   Exchangeable preferred
   dividends accrued..........   --       --         --           (233)
  Paid-in-kind dividend, May
   1, 1994....................   --       --         --          --
                                  --       --
                                                  ----------   -------
BALANCE, MAY 1, 1994..........    $1       $1       $  733     $(9,435)
                                  --       --
                                  --       --
                                                  ----------   -------
                                                  ----------   -------
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (IN 000'S)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED              QUARTER ENDED
                                                                             -------------------------   --------------------
                                                                             JANUARY 31,   JANUARY 30,   MAY 2,
                                                                                1993          1994        1993    MAY 1, 1994
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
                                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>      <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)........................................................   $    1,905    $     (340)  $   (47)   $  (1,222)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from
   operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization..........................................        3,290         3,549       834          954
    Deferred income taxes..................................................          503          (236)      (64)      (1,209)
    Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets................................         (503)          226     --             (19)
    Changes in:
      Accounts receivable..................................................          521          (718)     (202)         707
      Merchandise inventories..............................................        6,969       (15,560)     (272)       4,257
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets............................        1,303        (1,153)       47         (879)
      Accounts payable.....................................................      (11,952)        6,010       306       (5,606)
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities...............................         (448)            4    (2,475)        (447)
      Taxes other than income..............................................          (46)          (86)      100          187
      Notes receivable.....................................................           88           (70)    --         --
      Miscellaneous assets.................................................           (1)      --           (154)         (32)
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
        Net cash flows from operating activities...........................        1,629        (8,374)   (1,927)      (3,309)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of property and equipment.......................................       (1,141)       (9,670)     (872)        (282)
  Proceeds from sale of property...........................................        1,503            57     --         --
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
        Net cash flows from investing activities...........................          362        (9,613)     (872)        (282)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Financing fees paid for restructuring revolving and term credit
   agreements..............................................................         (433)         (152)       (8)     --
  Proceeds from issuance of stock..........................................       10,276         9,746     --         --
  Repurchase of stock......................................................         (551)          (13)    --         --
  Issuance of subordinated debt accrual notes..............................        2,077       --          --         --
  Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving credit agreement.............      (13,934)        8,177     2,375        2,593
  Increase in checks outstanding...........................................          474           556         3        1,269
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
        Net cash flows from financing activities...........................       (2,091)       18,314     2,370        3,862
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH............................................         (100)          327      (429)         271

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- Beginning of year.............................        2,719         2,619     2,619        2,946
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- End of year...................................   $    2,619    $    2,946   $ 2,190    $   3,217
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid during the period for interest:
    Related parties........................................................   $  --         $    2,290   $ --       $ --
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
    Other..................................................................   $    1,804    $    1,130   $   270    $     496
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
  Cash paid during the year for income taxes...............................   $      188    $    1,103   $    25    $      19
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------  -----------
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
    QUARTERLY  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  BASIS OF  PRESENTATION --  The accompanying
financial statements  and  related  footnote disclosures  of  Leewards  Creative
Crafts,  Inc. (the "Company")  as of May 1,  1994 and for  the three months then
ended and for the three months ended  May 2, 1993 are unaudited. In the  opinion
of  management, these  statements have  been prepared on  the same  basis as the
audited financial statements and include all adjustments, which are of a  normal
and  recurring nature necessary for the fair presentation of financial position,
results of operations and  cash flows. The results  of operations for the  three
months  ended May 1, 1994 and May 2,  1993 are not necessarily indicative of the
results which may be expected for the entire year.

    OPERATIONS AND RESTRUCTURING

    The Company engages in the retail sale of craft and home decor products. The
Company maintained  the  following  number of  Company-operated  and  franchised
stores at:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              COMPANY-
                                                                              OPERATED        FRANCHISES        TOTAL
                                                                           ---------------  ---------------     -----
<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>              <C>
January 31, 1993.........................................................            85                2             87
January 30, 1994.........................................................            99                3            102
</TABLE>

    During the year ended January 31, 1993, the Company effected a restructuring
of  its debt (Note 4), capital structure  (Note 6) and ongoing operations. Costs
associated with these  efforts, other  than those directly  associated with  the
debt  and capital restructurings,  are included in  restructuring expenses. Such
expenses include store closing, severance and other costs incurred in connection
with these efforts.

    FISCAL YEAR-END -- The  Company's fiscal year-end is  the Sunday closest  to
January 31.

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- Cash and cash equivalents include cash; amounts
due  from major credit  card companies, which  are collected within  1 to 2 days
after date of sale;  and highly liquid investments  which, at time of  purchase,
have maturities of three months or less.

    MERCHANDISE  INVENTORIES -- Merchandise inventories  are stated at the lower
of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or  market. During the year ended January  31,
1993,  LIFO inventories were reduced  from levels at the  beginning of the year,
which reduction of  LIFO inventory  quantities had  no material  effect on  1993
operating  earnings. Inventories at  January 31, 1993, January  30, 1994, May 2,
1993 and May 1, 1994 were valued at market which was lower than LIFO cost.

    PRE-OPENING COSTS -- Pre-opening  costs incurred for  the opening of  retail
locations  are deferred  and amortized over  12 months, commencing  in the month
after the location  opens. Unamortized  deferred pre-opening  costs included  in
prepaid expenses were $97,000 and $2,208,000 at January 31, 1993 and January 30,
1994, respectively.

    PROPERTY  AND  EQUIPMENT  --  Property and  equipment  are  stated  at cost.
Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method over  the
estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
Buildings and improvements..................                         25-30 years
Leasehold improvements......................    Shorter of lease term or 10 years
Machinery and equipment.....................                          3-10 years
</TABLE>

    INTANGIBLE  ASSETS  --  Intangible  assets, primarily  the  trade  name, and
favorable lease agreements,  are reported net  of accumulated amortization.  The
assets  are being  amortized on  a straight-line  basis over  their useful lives
which range from 3 to 40 years.

    INCOME TAXES --  The Company adopted  SFAS No. 109,  "Accounting for  Income
Taxes,"  in the year ended January  31, 1993 and, accordingly, computes deferred
taxes using the liability method.

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

1.  SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
Deferred tax assets and  liabilities are recorded  based on differences  between
the  financial statements and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and the
tax rate in effect when these differences are expected to reverse.

2.  ACCRUED EXPENSES
    Accrued expenses include the following (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JANUARY 31,      JANUARY 30,
                                                                            1993             1994
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>
Outstanding checks...................................................     $   4,339        $   4,895
Accrued payroll......................................................         2,970            2,396
Other................................................................         3,884            5,560
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
Total................................................................     $  11,193        $  12,851
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>

3.  INCOME TAXES
    The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in
000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JANUARY 31,      JANUARY 30,
                                                                            1993             1994
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>
Current:
  Federal............................................................     $     829
  State..............................................................           330        $      93
                                                                            -------           ------
                                                                              1,159               93
                                                                            -------           ------
Deferred:
  Federal............................................................           310             (273)
  State..............................................................            84              (56)
                                                                            -------           ------
                                                                                394             (329)
                                                                            -------           ------
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes...........................     $   1,553        $    (236)
                                                                            -------           ------
                                                                            -------           ------
</TABLE>

    Provision for  deferred  taxes results  from  temporary differences  in  the
recognition  of revenue  and expense for  financial statement  and tax purposes.
Temporary differences arise principally from the following (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JANUARY 31,      JANUARY 30,
                                                                            1993             1994
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>
Amortization of intangibles..........................................     $    (285)       $    (203)
Deferred store pre-opening costs.....................................          (321)             708
Accrued liabilities..................................................           137             (294)
Inventory capitalization.............................................           205             (416)
Inventory reserves...................................................           118              127
Depreciation.........................................................           183              343
State taxes and effect of changes in state tax rates.................           109               70
Alternative minimum tax..............................................           171              (47)
Net operating loss...................................................                           (667)
Other................................................................            77               50
                                                                             ------           ------
Total................................................................     $    (394)       $    (329)
                                                                             ------           ------
                                                                             ------           ------
</TABLE>

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The difference  between  the  statutory  federal income  tax  rate  and  the
effective tax rate is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              JANUARY 31,    JANUARY 30,
                                                                                 1993           1994
                                                                             -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate..........................................         34.0%         (34.0)%
State taxes, net of federal benefit........................................          6.1           (6.9)
Deferred tax adjustment....................................................          4.8             --
                                                                                   -----          -----
Effective income tax rate..................................................         44.9%         (40.9)%
                                                                                   -----          -----
                                                                                   -----          -----
</TABLE>

    At  January 31, 1993  and January 30,  1994, the components  of the deferred
income tax liability and asset were as follows (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,
                                                                                1993         1994
                                                                             -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>
Deferred tax liability:
  Intangibles..............................................................   $   2,558    $   2,368
  Property and equipment...................................................       1,487        1,894
  Other, net...............................................................        (119)         (54)
  Net operating loss carryforward..........................................          --         (670)
                                                                             -----------  -----------
    Total..................................................................   $   3,926    $   3,538
                                                                             -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------
Deferred tax asset:
  Inventory................................................................                $     337
  Accrued expenses.........................................................   $     487          860
  Prepaid expenses.........................................................        (184)      (1,129)
  AMT credit carryforward..................................................          91          218
  Other -- net.............................................................         101           57
                                                                             -----------  -----------
    Total..................................................................   $     495    $     343
                                                                             -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

    At January 30, 1994, the Company  has $218,000 of AMT credits available  for
carryforward to future years and an NOL carryforward of $1,635,000 which expires
in 2009.

4.  LONG-TERM DEBT
    Long-term debt consists of (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,
                                                                                1993         1994
                                                                             -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>
Revolving and term loan(a).................................................   $   7,348    $  15,525
Subordinated debentures(b),(c).............................................      16,961       16,961
                                                                             -----------  -----------
Total long-term debt (See Note 11).........................................      24,309       32,486
Less current maturities....................................................      (7,348)     (32,486)
                                                                             -----------  -----------
  Total....................................................................   $  16,961    $  --
                                                                             -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

    (a)  In August 1988, the Company entered into a secured revolving credit and
term loan agreement (the "agreement") which enabled the Company to borrow up  to
a  maximum  of  $25,000,000. On  June  13,  1990, the  Company  restructured the
agreement to provide for additional borrowings up to $32,000,000 through  August
19, 1993. On April 2, 1993 the borrowing limit was reduced to $29,920,000.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

4.  LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
    Borrowings outstanding under the agreement are (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,
                                                                                1993         1994
                                                                             -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>
Revolving loans............................................................   $   4,235    $  14,067
Term loan..................................................................       3,113        1,458
                                                                             -----------  -----------
  Total....................................................................   $   7,348    $  15,525
                                                                             -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

    The  borrowings under the agreement are  collateralized by the assets of the
Company. Interest is  payable monthly  based on  the rate  of interest  publicly
announced  by Citibank in  New York, New  York as Citibank's  "base rate" ("Base
Rate"). In the year ended January 30, 1994, the interest rate was Base Rate plus
2% for the  period from February  1, 1993 to  April 2, 1993  and Base Rate  plus
1.75%  for the period from  April 3, 1993 to January  30, 1994. During the prior
year ended January 31,  1993, the interest  rate was Base Rate  plus 5% for  the
period  from February 3,  1992 to June  22, 1992 and  Base Rate plus  2% for the
period from June 23,  1992 to January  31, 1993. In the  year ended January  30,
1994,  the interest  rate fluctuated  between 7.75%  and 8.0%  and was  7.75% at
year-end; in the prior year, the rate fluctuated between 8.0% and 11.5% and  was
8.0% at year-end.

    Under  the revolving credit loan, as  restructured, the full availability of
this credit line  is contingent on  the cost of  collateralized inventory,  less
certain  adjustments. Commitment fees on the  revolving loan are one-half of one
percent of  the average  daily unused  portion of  the total  facility,  payable
monthly.

    The  term loan,  as restructured,  requires quarterly  principal payments of
$413,750 and the balance on August 19, 1994.

    The Company is in the preliminary  stages of negotiating a new and  expanded
credit facility.

    In  consideration  for expanding  the credit  facility,  the Company  paid a
one-time fee  of $200,000  and issued  warrants to  Citicorp to  purchase  3,250
shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, subject to adjustment
under  certain antidilution  provisions. The  warrants are  exercisable from the
date of issuance at $141.65 per share and  expire the later of June 13, 1995  or
upon full payment of the credit facility.

    The  agreement has  covenants providing for  mandatory prepayment provisions
and requiring the Company to meet  specified financial ratios and income  tests.
Such  tests  include, but  are not  limited  to, net  worth and  earnings before
interest, depreciation and  taxes. The  covenants impose  limitations on,  among
other  things, the  amount of  capital expenditures  for each  year, creating or
incurring liens,  and  selling  assets  or  granting  guarantees,  and  prohibit
declaring  or  paying dividends  on common  stock unless  specifically permitted
under the  terms of  the agreement.  The Company  has received  waivers for  all
events of noncompliance with such covenants during the fiscal year ended January
31,  1993. The Company was  not in compliance with  all covenants at January 30,
1994 and at May  1, 1994. Accordingly, at  those dates, all amounts  outstanding
under the agreement were due on demand (See Note 11).

    (b)  In August 1988, the Company sold $14,884,000 of subordinated debentures
to a related party. Interest is payable semi-annually at 13.5%. Annual principal
payments of $3,742,000 begin May 15, 1997  and the remaining balance is due  May
15,  2000. Included  in interest expense  are $2,285,000 and  $2,137,000 for the
years ended  January  30, 1994  and  January  31, 1993,  respectively,  for  the
indebtedness.

    The  debentures  contain covenants,  including limitations  on indebtedness,
liens, and  the  incurrence of  other  subordinated indebtedness,  and  restrict
payments such as dividends on common stock. The Company has received waivers for
all    events    of    noncompliance   with    such    covenants    during   the

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

4.  LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
fiscal year ended January  31, 1993. At  January 30, 1994, and  at May 1,  1994,
because of cross default provisions with respect to the agreement referred to in
(a)  above,  all  amounts  outstanding at  those  dates  under  the subordinated
debentures also were due on demand and have been classified as currently payable
(See Note 11).

    (c) RESTRUCTURING  -- On  June 22,  1992, the  subordinated debentures  were
restructured  and  amended  to provide,  among  other things,  for  the interest
payments due  on  May 15  and  November 15,  1992  to be  made  in the  form  of
additional  promissory notes  ("accrual notes") in  the principal  amount of the
interest payable at  each date.  The accrual notes  bear interest  at 13.5%  per
annum,  payable semi-annually, and $1,038,000 was due on March 15, 1994 with the
balance due on November 15, 1994. All amounts due under these debentures  remain
unpaid at May 1, 1994.

    In  addition, an acquirer of  the Class C Senior  Convertible Stock (Note 6)
acquired $5,000,000 of the subordinated debentures.

    Scheduled principal maturities of long-term  debt classified as current  for
fiscal years subsequent to January 30, 1994 are as follows (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
February 1, 1998.............................................................................  $   3,742
January 31, 1999.............................................................................      3,742
Thereafter...................................................................................      7,400
                                                                                               ---------
Total........................................................................................  $  14,884
                                                                                               ---------
                                                                                               ---------
</TABLE>

    Unamortized deferred financing costs of $892,000 and $656,000 at January 31,
1993  and January 30, 1994, respectively, consist of professional and commitment
fees incurred in connection with the Company's revolving and term loan  facility
and  subordinated debentures. Such costs are  being amortized on a straight-line
basis over the terms of the related debt.

5.  PENSION PLAN
    The Company has a defined benefit  pension plan for its hourly workers  with
benefits  based on a fixed dollar rate per  year of service. The plan assets are
invested primarily in short-term bonds  and in equity securities. The  Company's
funding  policy is  to contribute  annually the  minimum amount  required by the
applicable Internal Revenue Code regulation. In April 1992, as part of a  series
of  cost reductions,  the Company  froze the hourly  pension plan.  As a result,
there will be no new entrants to the plan and no additional benefits accruing to
current participants beyond those earned as of the date the plan was frozen.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

5.  PENSION PLAN (CONTINUED)
    The following presents the funded status of the plan (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                JANUARY 31,  JANUARY 30,
                                                                                   1993         1994
                                                                                -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                             <C>          <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
  Estimated accumulated benefit obligation, including vested benefits.........   $   1,866    $   2,076
                                                                                -----------  -----------
                                                                                -----------  -----------
Estimated accumulated vested obligation.......................................   $   1,709    $   1,857
                                                                                -----------  -----------
                                                                                -----------  -----------
Projected benefit obligation..................................................   $  (1,866)   $  (2,076)
Plan assets at market value...................................................       2,012        2,084
                                                                                -----------  -----------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation.........................         146            8
Unrecognized prior service cost...............................................          16           13
Unrecognized net gain.........................................................        (234)         (75)
                                                                                -----------  -----------
Accrued pension cost..........................................................   $     (72)   $     (54)
                                                                                -----------  -----------
                                                                                -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

    Pension expense includes the following components (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                JANUARY 31,    JANUARY 30,
                                                                                    1993           1994
                                                                                ------------   ------------
<S>                                                                             <C>            <C>
 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation................................  $       142    $       143
  Actual return on assets.....................................................         (102)          (151)
  Net amortization and deferral...............................................          (59)            (9)
                                                                                     ------         ------
  Net periodic pension income.................................................  $       (19)   $       (17)
                                                                                     ------         ------
                                                                                     ------         ------
Actuarial assumptions:
  Discount rate...............................................................          8.0%          7.25%
  Asset rate of return........................................................          8.0%           8.0%
</TABLE>

    The Company  has  a  trusteed profit-sharing  plan,  providing  employees  a
deferred  compensation (401(k)) provision and  Company matching provision. Under
the plan, eligible  employees are  permitted to contribute  up to  15% of  gross
compensation   into  the  plan,  and  the   Company  will  match  each  employee
contribution up to 4% of gross compensation  at a rate established by the  Board
of Directors.

    The  Company and its employees made  the following contributions to the plan
during the years ended (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 JANUARY 31,    JANUARY 30,
                                                                                    1993           1994
                                                                                -------------  -------------

<S>                                                                             <C>            <C>
Employee contributions........................................................    $     672      $     752
Company matching contributions................................................          117            141
                                                                                      -----          -----
Total profit-sharing contributions............................................    $     789      $     893
                                                                                      -----          -----
                                                                                      -----          -----
</TABLE>

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK
    a.  EXCHANGEABLE  PREFERRED STOCK  -- Each share  of Exchangeable  Preferred
Stock  is exchangeable for subordinated debentures due May 2, 2003 at the option
of the Company, but,  if not exchanged,  must be redeemed at  that date or  upon
sale  of the  Company, if  earlier. The  exchange rate  and redemption  price is
$10.00 per share.

    b.  CLASS A AND CLASS B CUMULATIVE EXCHANGEABLE SENIOR PREFERRED STOCK -- On
June 13, 1990, the Company  authorized and issued 1,375  shares each of Class  A
and  Class B 30% Cumulative Exchangeable Senior Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
per share, for $1,000 per share. Each share of

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK (CONTINUED)
Class A  and  Class  B  preferred  stock is,  at  the  option  of  the  Company,
exchangeable  for subordinated debentures due May 2, 2003, but if not exchanged,
must be redeemed  on that  date or  upon sale of  the Company,  if earlier.  The
exchange rate and redemption price is $1,000 per share.

    On  June 22, 1992, the  terms of the preferred  stock were amended to reduce
the annual dividend  rate on  the Class A  and Class  B Cumulative  Exchangeable
Senior  Preferred Stock to 10% annually ($100 per share) from 30% annually ($300
per share),  payable on  January 15,  and to  reduce the  dividend rate  on  the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock to 10% annually ($1.00 per share) from 14% annually
($1.40  per share), payable  on May 1. All  dividends in arrears  as of June 22,
1992 on the preferred shares were paid in kind in lieu of cash payments. For  so
long as the Class C, Class D, and Class E Preferred Stock is outstanding, future
dividends  on the Class  A and Class B  Cumulative Exchangeable Senior Preferred
Stock and Exchangeable Preferred Stock must be paid in kind.

    Accrued and undeclared dividends  at January 30, 1994  and January 31,  1993
were as follows (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            1993       1994
                                                                                          ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                       <C>        <C>
Class A Cumulative Exchangeable Senior Preferred Stock..................................  $       9  $      10
Class B Cumulative Exchangeable Senior Preferred Stock..................................         10         11
Exchangeable Preferred Stock............................................................        251        321
</TABLE>

    Such accrued and undeclared dividends have been added to the carrying values
of the stock to which they accrue.

    Issuance  fees totalling  approximately $287,000  related to  the Redeemable
Preferred Stock were deducted  from the related paid-in  capital at the time  of
issuance  of these shares. Such fees are  being amortized over the period ending
May 2, 2003.

    c.  CLASS  C SENIOR CONVERTIBLE  PREFERRED STOCK  -- On June  22, 1992,  the
Company  issued 549,629  shares of  Class C  Senior Convertible  Preferred Stock
("Class C Preferred  Stock"), par value  $0.01 per share,  for $10,561,700.  The
Class  C Preferred Stock is  convertible into common stock  at the option of the
holder on a one-for-one basis. If unconverted, the Class C Preferred Stock  must
be  redeemed on  June 15,  1999 or  upon sale  of the  Company, if  earlier. The
initial redemption price is $19.22 per share, increasing 10.0% per annum.

    Issuance fees totalling approximately $386,000 related to the Class C Senior
Convertible Preferred Stock were  deducted from the  related paid-in capital  at
the  time of issuance  of these shares.  Such fees are  being amortized over the
period ending June 15, 1999.

    d.  CLASS D  AND CLASS E  SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK  -- On May  28,
1993,  the Company  issued 194,035  and 129,712  shares of  Class D  and Class E
Senior Convertible Stock, respectively ("Class D and Class E Preferred  Stock"),
par  value $0.01  per share,  for $6,000,000  and $4,010,000,  respectively. The
Class D and  Class E Preferred  Stock is  convertible into common  stock at  the
option  of the holder  on a one-for-one  basis. If unconverted,  the Class D and
Class E Preferred Stock must  be redeemed on June 15,  1999 or upon sale of  the
Company,  if  earlier.  The  initial  redemption  price  is  $30.92  per  share,
increasing 10.0% per annum.

    Issuance fees totalling approximately  $158,000 and $106,000,  respectively,
related  to the  Class D  and Class  E Preferred  Stock, were  deducted from the
related paid-in capital at the time of  issuance of these shares. Such fees  are
being amortized over the period ending June 15, 1999.

    The  Class C, Class  D and Class E  Preferred Stock rank  pari passu and are
senior to the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock and Class  A and Class B  Cumulative
Exchangeable Senior Preferred Stock.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK (CONTINUED)
    e.   COMMON STOCK -- Common stockholders  have voting rights. Class B Common
Stock is  non-voting and  convertible into  common stock  at the  option of  the
stockholder  at a  conversion rate  of 4.88884 shares  of common  stock for each
share of Class B Common Stock. Class C Common Stock is nonvoting and convertible
into common stock at  the option of  the stockholder at a  conversion rate of  1
share of common stock for each share of Class C Common Stock.

7.  STOCK SPLIT
    On  September 18, 1992, the Company  amended and restated its charter which,
among other  things,  reduced the  number  of preferred  shares  authorized  for
issuance  to 3,000,000  and reduced the  number of common  shares authorized for
issuance to  3,000,000. In  addition, a  reverse stock  split of  the  Company's
common  stock, Class  B Common Stock,  and Class C  Senior Convertible Preferred
Stock was accomplished, whereby  one share was issued  to replace each  5.333332
shares  outstanding at the date of the split.  All share and per share data, for
the year ended January 31, 1993, has been restated to reflect this split.

8.  STOCK OPTIONS (ALL DATA REFLECTS THE STOCK SPLIT DESCRIBED IN NOTE 7)
    In January 1989, the Company adopted  a compensatory stock option plan  (the
"1989  Plan"). Under the 1989 Plan, the Company granted restricted stock options
to purchase 41,759  shares of  common stock  at an  exercise price  of $2.00  or
$19.22  per share to key executives and employees. The right to exercise a stock
option was contingent upon the  Company's achieving a cumulative earnings  level
within four years of the date of the Plan or upon length of service. Options are
exercisable  within ten years of the date of the grant. In addition, in June and
December 1992,  the Company  granted certain  key executives  71,875  restricted
stock  options  at an  exercise price  of  $19.22. The  right to  exercise these
options is contingent upon the Company's achieving a cumulative earnings  target
through  January 29, 1995. Options  are exercisable within ten  years of date of
the grant. In August 1993, the Company adopted an additional compensatory  stock
option  plan  (the  "1993  Plan").  Under the  1993  Plan,  the  Company granted
restricted options to  purchase 58,500  shares of  common stock  at an  exercise
price  of $19.22 or $30.92 per share to key executives, directors and employees.
The right to exercise these options is contingent upon the Company's achieving a
cumulative earnings target  through January  29, 1995.  Options are  exercisable
within ten years of the date of grant.

    The following summarizes activity in the plans for the years ended:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JANUARY 31,      JANUARY 30,
                                                                            1993             1994
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>
Shares authorized....................................................       113,634          172,134
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
Outstanding shares granted, beginning of year........................        50,000          111,258
Shares granted.......................................................        79,475           39,300
Shares canceled......................................................       (18,217)          (7,204)
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
Outstanding shares granted, end of year..............................       111,258          143,354
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
Shares available for grant...........................................         2,376           28,780
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
                                                                       ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>

    Options  for  approximately 43,237  and 45,770  shares  of common  stock are
vested at January 31, 1993 and January 30, 1994, respectively.

9.  LEASES
    The Company leases  certain store premises  and computer equipment.  Certain
leases  contain renewal  options. The  store leases  generally provide  that the
Company shall pay for property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                         LEEWARDS CREATIVE CRAFTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

9.  LEASES (CONTINUED)
    Future minimum rentals required  under noncancelable operating leases  which
have  an original term of more than one  year are as follows at January 30, 1994
(in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>
January 29, 1995.................................................................  $    18,146
January 28, 1996.................................................................       17,252
February 2, 1997.................................................................       15,822
February 1, 1998.................................................................       14,131
January 31, 1999.................................................................       11,701
Thereafter.......................................................................       40,542
                                                                                   -----------
Total............................................................................  $   117,594
                                                                                   -----------
                                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>

    Rental expense for operating leases was $13,547,000 and $15,882,000 for  the
years ended January 31, 1993 and January 30, 1994, respectively.

    Certain  store leases have percentage rent lease provisions. Percentage rent
paid totalled $182,000  and $258,000 for  the years ended  January 31, 1993  and
January 30, 1994, respectively.

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    The  Company is a defendant in a  number of claims encountered in the normal
course of business. Management  believes, based on advice  of counsel, that  the
ultimate  outcome of all these  matters will have no  material adverse effect on
the Company.

    The Company  had  arranged for  letters  of credit  totalling  $153,000  and
$343,000  as of January 31,  1993 and January 30,  1994, respectively, to secure
inventory purchases.

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    On May 10, 1994, the  Company entered into an  Agreement and Plan of  Merger
(the  "Agreement") whereby it  will merge with a  subsidiary of Michaels Stores,
Inc. ("Michaels") and thereby become a wholly owned subsidiary of Michaels.  The
merger  is expected  to close  in July, 1994.  The Agreement  also provides that
simultaneously with the closing, Michaels shall  cause the Company to repay  its
long-term debt.

                                      F-16
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------

  NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON  OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION  NOT CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS  AND,
IF  GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  BY  THE  COMPANY,  ANY  SELLING  STOCKHOLDER  OR   ANY
UNDERWRITER.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN  OFFER TO BUY  ANY OF  THE SECURITIES OFFERED  HEREBY IN  ANY
JURISDICTION  TO ANY PERSON  TO WHOM IT IS  UNLAWFUL TO MAKE  SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
JURISDICTION. NEITHER  THE  DELIVERY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS  NOR  ANY  SALE  MADE
HEREUNDER  SHALL,  UNDER  ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE  ANY  IMPLICATION  THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS  OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT  TO THE DATE HEREOF  OR
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE.

                                 --------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                         -------
<S>                                                                      <C>
Available Information.................................................        3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.......................        3
Prospectus Summary....................................................        4
Recent Developments...................................................        7
The Company...........................................................        8
Leewards Acquisition..................................................       12
Use of Proceeds.......................................................       14
Capitalization........................................................       15
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends.............................       16
Selected Financial and Store Data.....................................       17
Pro Forma Combined Financial Information..............................       18
Selling Stockholders..................................................       24
Description of Capital Stock..........................................       24
Certain Special Federal Tax Considerations For Non-United States
 Holders..............................................................       25
Underwriting..........................................................       28
Notice to Canadian Residents..........................................       30
Legal Matters.........................................................       31
Experts...............................................................       31
Index to Financial Statements.........................................      F-1
</TABLE>
    

   
                                1,886,213 Shares
    
                                  Common Stock
                                ($.10 par value)
                                   PROSPECTUS

                                CS First Boston

                         Robertson, Stephens & Company

                     Nomura Securities International, Inc.

- ------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    The  estimated expenses to  be incurred in connection  with the issuance and
distribution of the Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement, all  of
which will be paid by Michaels Stores, Inc. (the "Registrant"), are as follows:

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Printing, Shipping and Engraving Expenses................................  $ 250,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses.............................................    220,000
Legal Fees and Expenses of Qualification under State Securities Laws.....     20,000
Legal Fees and Expenses..................................................    125,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses...........................     10,000
SEC Registration Fee.....................................................     50,788
NASD filing fee..........................................................     15,463
Miscellaneous............................................................      8,749
                                                                           ---------
  Total..................................................................  $ 700,000
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
<FN>
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
</TABLE>
    

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

    Section  145 of the Delaware General  Corporation Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify its directors and officers  or former directors or officers and  to
purchase  insurance with respect  to liability arising out  of their capacity or
status  as  directors  and  officers.   Such  law  provides  further  that   the
indemnification  permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights  to  which  the  directors  and  officers  may  be  entitled  under   the
corporation's certificate of incorporation, bylaws, any agreement or otherwise.

    Reference  is made to Article Nine  of the Registrant's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, Exhibit 4.1 of this Registration Statement,  which
provides for indemnification of directors and officers.

    Reference  is made to Article IX of  the Registrant's Bylaws, Exhibit 4.2 to
this Registration Statement, which provides for indemnification of directors and
officers.

    In addition,  the  Registrant has  entered  into Indemnity  Agreements  with
certain of its directors and executive officers.

    The Registrant has procured insurance that purports (i) to insure it against
certain  costs of  indemnification that  may be incurred  by it  pursuant to the
provisions referred to above or otherwise  and (ii) to insure the directors  and
officers  of the Registrant against certain  liabilities incurred by them in the
discharge of their functions  as directors and  officers except for  liabilities
arising from their own malfeasance.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

    The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including those incorporated herein by reference.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                               DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>
       1.1   -- Underwriting Agreement.(1)
       1.2   -- Subscription Agreement.(1)
       2.1   --  Agreement and  Plan of  Merger among Michaels  Stores, Inc.  LWA Acquisition  Corporation and Leewards
               Creative Crafts, Inc.(2)
</TABLE>
    

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                               DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>
       2.2   -- First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger  dated as of June 2, 1994 among Michaels Stores,  Inc.,
               LWA Acquisition Corporation and Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.(3)
       2.3   --  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as  of February 16, 1994, among  Michaels Stores, Inc., Treasure House
               Stores, Inc. and the stockholders of Treasure House Stores, Inc.(4)
       2.4   -- Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement.(4)
       2.5   -- Agreement and Plan  of Merger, dated as  of March 3,  1994, among Michaels Stores,  Inc. and the  other
               parties listed therein.(2)
       2.6   --  Amendment No. 1 to  Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated as of March  31, 1994, among Michaels Stores,
               Inc. and the other parties listed therein.(2)
       4.1   -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Michaels Stores, Inc.(5)
       4.2   -- Bylaws of Michaels Stores, Inc. as amended and restated.(6)
       4.3   -- Form of Common Stock Certificate.(6)
       4.4   -- Common Stock  and Warrant Agreement  dated as  of October 16,  1984 between Michaels  Stores, Inc.  and
               Peoples Restaurants, Inc., including form of Warrant.(7)
       4.5   --  First Amendment to Common Stock and Warrant Agreement  dated October 31, 1984 between The First Dallas
               Group, Ltd. and Michaels Stores, Inc.(7)
       4.6   -- Second Amendment to  Common Stock and Warrant  Agreement dated November 28,  1984 between First  Dallas
               Investments -- Michaels I, Ltd. and Michaels Stores, Inc.(7)
       4.7   --  Third Amendment to  Common Stock and  Warrant Agreement dated  February 27, 1985  between First Dallas
               Investments -- Michaels  I, Ltd.,  The First  Dallas Group, Ltd.,  Sam Wyly,  Charles J.  Wyly, Jr.  and
               Michaels Stores, Inc.(8)
       4.8   --  Amendment to Common Stock and Warrant Agreement dated September 1, 1992 between Michaels Stores, Inc.,
               The Andrew David Sparrow Wyly Trust, Charles J.  Wyly, Jr., The Martha Caroline Wyly Trust, The  Charles
               Joseph  Wyly, III Trust, The Emily Ann Wyly Trust,  The Jennifer Lynn Wyly Trust, Donald R. Miller, Jr.,
               Evan A. Wyly, The Laurie  Louise Wyly Trust, The  Lisa Lynn Wyly Trust, The  Sam Wyly and Rosemary  Wyly
               Children's Trust No. 1 of 1965 fbo Kelly Wyly and Tallulah, Ltd.(5)
       4.9   --  Indenture, dated as of January 22, 1993, between Michaels Stores, Inc. and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,
               as Trustee,  including  the form  of  4 3/4%/6  3/4%  Step-up Convertible  Subordinated  Note,  included
               therein.(7)
       5     -- Opinion of Jackson & Walker.(2)
       8     -- None.
      12     -- None.
      15     -- None.
      23.1   -- Consent of Ernst & Young.(1)
      23.2   -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche.(1)
      23.3   --  Consent of Jackson & Walker (included in the opinion of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. filed as Exhibit 5 to
               this Registration Statement).
      24     -- Power of Attorney.(2)
      25     -- None.
      26     -- None.
      27     -- None.
      28     -- None.
      99     -- Credit Agreement dated as of June 17, 1994 among Michaels Stores, Inc., NationsBank of Texas, N.A.  and
               the other lenders signatory thereto.(2)
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)   Filed herewith.
</TABLE>

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>
(2)   Previously filed.

(3)   Previously  filed as  an exhibit to  the Registrant's  Quarterly Report on
      Form 10-Q for  the quarter ended  May 1, 1994  and incorporated herein  by
      reference.

(4)   Previously  filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement
      on Form S-3 (No. 33-52311) and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration  Statement
      on Form S-8 (No. 33-54726) and incorporated herein by reference.

(6)   Previously  filed as an exhibit to  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
      10-K for  the year  ended  January 31,  1994  and incorporated  herein  by
      reference.

(7)   Previously  filed as an exhibit to  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
      10-K for  the year  ended  January 31,  1993  and incorporated  herein  by
      reference.

(8)   Previously  filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement
      on Form S-1 (No. 33-9456) and incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

        (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby  undertakes that, for purposes  of
    determining  any liability under the Securities  Act of 1933, each filing of
    the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
    Registration Statement shall be  deemed to be  a new Registration  Statement
    relating  to  the  securities  offered therein,  and  the  offering  of such
    securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
    thereof.

        (b)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under  the
    Securities  Act  of  1933  may  be  permitted  to  directors,  officers  and
    controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,
    or  otherwise, the Registrant  has been advised  that in the  opinion of the
    Securities and Exchange  Commission such indemnification  is against  public
    policy  as expressed  in the  Act and  is, therefore,  unenforceable. In the
    event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other  than
    the  payment by the Registrant  of expenses incurred or  paid by a director,
    officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
    any action, suit  or proceeding) is  asserted by such  director, officer  or
    controlling  person in connection with  the securities being registered, the
    Registrant will, unless in  the opinion of its  counsel the matter has  been
    settled   by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court  of  appropriate
    jurisdiction the  question whether  such indemnification  by it  is  against
    public  policy as  expressed in the  Act and  will be governed  by the final
    adjudication of such issue.

        (c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

           (1) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
       Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
       a part of  this registration  statement in  reliance upon  Rule 430A  and
       contained  in a  form of prospectus  filed by the  registrant pursuant to
       Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be  deemed
       to  be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
       effective.

           (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
       Act of  1933,  each post-effective  amendment  that contains  a  form  of
       prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
       the  securities offered therein,  and the offering  of such securities at
       that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to  be  signed  on  its behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of Irving, State of Texas on the 6th day of July, 1994.
    

                                                  MICHAELS STORES, INC.

                                          By:          /s/ JACK E. BUSH*

                                          --------------------------------------
                                                       Jack E. Bush
                                          PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND
                                                         DIRECTOR

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
            SIGNATURES                         TITLE                  DATE
- -----------------------------------  -------------------------  ----------------

                                     Chairman of the Board of
           /s/ SAM WYLY*                Directors and Chief
- -----------------------------------      Executive Officer        July 6, 1994
             Sam Wyly                   (Principal Executive
                                              Officer)

     /s/ CHARLES J. WYLY, JR.*
- -----------------------------------    Vice Chairman of the       July 6, 1994
       Charles J. Wyly, Jr.              Board of Directors

         /s/ JACK E. BUSH*               President, Chief
- -----------------------------------    Operating Officer and      July 6, 1994
           Jack E. Bush                       Director

       /s/ WILLIAM O. HUNT*
- -----------------------------------          Director             July 6, 1994
          William O. Hunt

- -----------------------------------          Director
         Richard E. Hanlon

- -----------------------------------          Director
           F. Jay Taylor

      /s/ MICHAEL C. FRENCH*
- -----------------------------------          Director             July 6, 1994
         Michael C. French

         /s/ EVAN C. WYLY*
- -----------------------------------          Director             July 6, 1994
           Evan C. Wyly

    /s/ DONALD R. MILLER, JR.*       Vice President -- Market
- -----------------------------------       Development, and        July 6, 1994
       Donald R. Miller, Jr.                  Director

                                     Executive Vice President
        /s/ R. DON MORRIS*              and Chief Financial
- -----------------------------------      Officer (Principal       July 6, 1994
           R. Don Morris              Financial and Accounting
                                              Officer)

      *By:        /s/ MARK V.
              BEASLEY
- -----------------------------------
         Mark V. Beasley,
         ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

    

                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            SEQUENTIALLY
  EXHIBIT                                                                                                     NUMBERED
  NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT                                          PAGE
- -----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                            <C>
       1.1   -- Underwriting Agreement.(1)
       1.2   -- Subscription Agreement.(1)
       2.1   --  Agreement and Plan of Merger among  Michaels Stores, Inc. LWA Acquisition Corporation and
               Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.(2)
       2.2   -- First Amendment to Agreement and  Plan of Merger dated as  of June 2, 1994 among  Michaels
               Stores, Inc., LWA Acquisition Corporation and Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.(3)
       2.3   --  Stock Purchase  Agreement, dated as  of February  16, 1994, among  Michaels Stores, Inc.,
               Treasure House Stores, Inc. and the stockholders of Treasure House Stores, Inc.(4)
       2.4   -- Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement.(4)
       2.5   -- Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as  of March 3, 1994, among Michaels Stores, Inc.  and
               the other parties listed therein.(2)
       2.6   --  Amendment No.  1 to  Agreement and  Plan of  Merger, dated  as of  March 31,  1994, among
               Michaels Stores, Inc. and the other parties listed therein.(2)
       4.1   -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Michaels Stores, Inc.(5)
       4.2   -- Bylaws of Michaels Stores, Inc. as amended and restated.(6)
       4.3   -- Form of Common Stock Certificate.(6)
       4.4   -- Common Stock and Warrant Agreement dated  as of October 16, 1984 between Michaels  Stores,
               Inc. and Peoples Restaurants, Inc., including form of Warrant.(7)
       4.5   --  First Amendment to Common Stock and Warrant  Agreement dated October 31, 1984 between The
               First Dallas Group, Ltd. and Michaels Stores, Inc.(7)
       4.6   -- Second Amendment to  Common Stock and  Warrant Agreement dated  November 28, 1984  between
               First Dallas Investments -- Michaels I, Ltd. and Michaels Stores, Inc.(7)
       4.7   --  Third Amendment  to Common Stock  and Warrant  Agreement dated February  27, 1985 between
               First Dallas Investments  -- Michaels  I, Ltd.,  The First  Dallas Group,  Ltd., Sam  Wyly,
               Charles J. Wyly, Jr. and Michaels Stores, Inc.(8)
       4.8   --  Amendment to Common Stock and Warrant  Agreement dated September 1, 1992 between Michaels
               Stores, Inc.,  The Andrew  David  Sparrow Wyly  Trust, Charles  J.  Wyly, Jr.,  The  Martha
               Caroline  Wyly Trust,  The Charles Joseph  Wyly, III Trust,  The Emily Ann  Wyly Trust, The
               Jennifer Lynn Wyly  Trust, Donald  R. Miller,  Jr., Evan A.  Wyly, The  Laurie Louise  Wyly
               Trust,  The Lisa Lynn Wyly Trust, The Sam Wyly  and Rosemary Wyly Children's Trust No. 1 of
               1965 fbo Kelly Wyly and Tallulah, Ltd.(5)
       4.9   -- Indenture, dated as of January 22, 1993, between Michaels Stores, Inc. and NationsBank  of
               Texas,  N.A.,  as  Trustee,  including  the  form  of  4  3/4%/6  3/4%  Step-up Convertible
               Subordinated Note, included therein.(7)
       5     -- Opinion of Jackson & Walker.(2)
       8     -- None.
      12     -- None.
      15     -- None.
      23.1   -- Consent of Ernst & Young.(1)
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            SEQUENTIALLY
  EXHIBIT                                                                                                     NUMBERED
  NUMBER                                        DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT                                          PAGE
- -----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                            <C>
      23.2   -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche.(1)
      23.3   -- Consent of Jackson & Walker (included in the opinion of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. filed  as
               Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement).
      24     -- Power of Attorney.(2)
      25     -- None.
      26     -- None.
      27     -- None.
      28     -- None.
      99     --  Credit Agreement dated  as of June 17,  1994 among Michaels  Stores, Inc., NationsBank of
               Texas, N.A. and the other lenders signatory thereto.(2)
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)   Filed herewith.

(2)   Previously filed.

(3)   Previously filed as  an exhibit  to the Registrant's  Quarterly Report  on
      Form  10-Q for the  quarter ended May  1, 1994 and  incorporated herein by
      reference.

(4)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration  Statement
      on Form S-3 (No. 33-52311) and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)   Previously  filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement
      on Form S-8 (No. 33-54726) and incorporated herein by reference.

(6)   Previously filed as an exhibit to  the Registrant's Annual Report on  Form
      10-K  for  the year  ended  January 31,  1994  and incorporated  herein by
      reference.

(7)   Previously filed as an exhibit to  the Registrant's Annual Report on  Form
      10-K  for  the year  ended  January 31,  1993  and incorporated  herein by
      reference.

(8)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration  Statement
      on Form S-1 (No. 33-9456) and incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>

   

                        DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC:

Inside front cover

Map of the United States showing the locations of the Company's stores as of
June 17, 1994, stores added through acquisitions on the West coast and stores
expected to be added through the acquisition of Leewards (net of closings).
    




<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 1.1





                                                                DRAFT 7/6/94


                             ______________ Shares

                             MICHAELS STORES, INC.

                                 Common Stock


                          UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                                 July __, 1994


CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY, L.P.
NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
As Representatives of the Several Underwriters,
  c/o CS First Boston Corporation,
    Park Avenue Plaza,
    New York, N. Y. 10055


Dear Sirs:

      1.    INTRODUCTORY.  Michaels Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in
Schedule B hereto (the "Underwriters") _______________ shares of its Common
Stock, $0.10 par value ("Common Stock"), and the persons and entities listed in
Schedule A hereto (the "Selling Stockholders") propose severally to sell to the
several Underwriters an aggregate of _______________ shares of Common Stock of
the Company (such shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Company and the
Selling Stockholders are herein collectively called the "U.S. Firm Shares").
The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the Underwriters and the Managers
(as defined below), at the option of CS First Boston Corporation as
Representative of the Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than
_______________ additional shares of its Common Stock (the "Optional Shares") as
set forth below.  The U.S. Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that may be sold
to the Underwriters (the "U.S. Optional Shares") are herein collectively called
the "U.S. Shares."

      It is understood that the Company and the Selling Stockholders are
concurrently entering into a Subscription Agreement, dated the date hereof (the
"Subscription Agreement"), with CS First Boston Limited ("CSFBL") and the other
managers named therein (the "Managers"), relating to the concurrent offering and
sale of __________ shares of Common Stock ("International Firm Shares", which
together with the Optional Shares that may be sold to the Managers by the
Company (the "International Optional Shares") are herein collectively called the
"International Shares") outside the


                                    -1-
<PAGE>



United States and Canada (the "International Offering").  The U.S. Firm Shares
and the International Firm Shares are herein collectively called the "Firm
Shares."  The U.S. Shares and the International Shares are herein collectively
called the "Offered Shares."  To provide for the coordination of their
activities, the Underwriters and the Managers have entered into an Agreement
Between the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers which permits them, among other
things, to sell the Offered Shares to each other for purposes of resale.

      The Company hereby agrees with the several Underwriters as follows:

      2.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS.  (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
several Underwriters that:

            (i)   A registration statement (No. 33-53639) relating to the
      Offered Shares, including a form of prospectus relating to the U.S.
      Shares, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
      ("Commission") and either (A) has been declared effective under the
      Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") and is not proposed to be amended or (B) is
      proposed to be amended by amendment or post-effective amendment.  If the
      Company does not propose to amend such registration statement and if any
      post-effective amendment to such registration statement has been filed
      with the Commission prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      the most recent such amendment has been declared effective by the
      Commission.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Effective Time" means (A) if
      the Company has advised you that it does not propose to amend such
      registration statement, the date and time as of which such registration
      statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any)
      filed prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared
      effective by the Commission, or (B) if the Company has advised you that it
      proposes to file an amendment or post-effective amendment to such
      registration statement, the date and time  as of which such registration
      statement, as amended by such amendment or post-effective amendment, as
      the case may be, is declared effective by the Commission.  "Effective
      Date" means the date of the Effective Time.  Such registration statement,
      as amended at the Effective Time, including all material incorporated by
      reference therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a
      part of such registration statement as of the Effective Time pursuant to
      Rule 430A(b) under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the
      "Registration Statement", and the form of prospectus relating to the U.S.
      Shares, as first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance
      with Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing is
      required) as included in the Registration Statement, including all
      material incorporated by reference in such prospectus, is hereinafter
      referred to as the "U.S. Prospectus", and the final form of prospectus
      relating to the International Shares, which is identical to the U.S.
      Prospectus except for the outside front cover page, the inside front cover
      page, the text under the captions "Underwriting" and "Subscription and
      Sale" in the U.S. Prospectus and the form of prospectus relating to the
      International Shares, respectively, and the outside back cover page
      (copies of such pages having been heretofore delivered by the Company to
      CFSB on behalf of the Managers),


                                    -2-
<PAGE>



      including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus, is
      hereinafter referred to as the "International Prospectus."  The U.S.
      Prospectus and the International Prospectus are hereinafter collectively
      referred to as the "Prospectuses."  For purposes of the "lock-up" letters
      to be executed by the Selling Stockholders and others in connection
      herewith, the term "Prospectus" shall mean the U.S. Prospectus.

            (ii)  If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement:  (A) on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement
      conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the
      rules and regulations of the Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did
      not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading, and (B) on the date of this Agreement,
      the Registration Statement conforms, and at the time of filing of the U.S.
      Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Registration Statement and the
      U.S. Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements
      of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such documents
      includes, or will include, any untrue statement of a material fact or
      omits, or will omit, to state any material fact required to be stated
      therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  If
      the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement:  on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement and the U.S.
      Prospectus will conform in all material respects to the requirements of
      the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such documents will
      include any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state any
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading.  The two preceding sentences do not
      apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or
      Prospectuses based upon written information furnished to the Company by
      any Underwriter through you or by any Manager through CSFBL specifically
      for use therein.

            (iii) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between
      the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the
      Company to file a registration statement under the Act with respect to any
      securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to
      require the Company to include such securities in the securities
      registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities
      being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
      Company under the Act, except for (a) certain registration rights set
      forth in Article VII of that certain Common Stock and Warrant Agreement
      dated as of October 16, 1984, by and between Michaels Stores, Inc. and
      Peoples Restaurants, Inc. (the "Registration Rights"), all of which
      Registration Rights, pursuant to the terms of that certain Third Amendment
      to the Common Stock and Warrant Agreement dated September 1, 1992 (the
      "Third Amendment") are now held by the Prior Assignees (as defined in the
      Third Amendment), Tallulah, Ltd., the Christiana Trust and the Andrew
      Trust (as more fully described in the Third Amendment) and all of which
      Registration Rights have been waived with respect to the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement, (b) the registration rights provided in
      that


                                    -3-
<PAGE>


      certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 10, 1994 between the
      Company, LWA Acquisition Corporation and Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.
      ("Leewards"), as amended to date (the "Merger Agreement"), (c)
      registration rights provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
      February 16, 1994 among the Company, Treasure House Stores, Inc. and the
      stockholders of Treasure House Stores, Inc., as amended by Amendment No. 1
      to Stock Purchase Agreement, and (d) registration rights provided in the
      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 3, 1994 among the Company
      and the other parties listed therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 31, 1994, relating to the
      acquisition of the affiliated store chains of Oregon Craft & Floral Supply
      Co. and H&H Craft and Floral Supply Co., which registration rights
      described in (b), (c) and (d) have been fully complied with and provided
      to the persons and entities entitled thereto.

            (iv)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
      contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person
      that would give rise to a valid claim against any Underwriter for a
      brokerage commission, finders fee or other like payment in connection with
      the U.S. Offering, the International Offering or the acquisition of
      Leewards by the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the "Leewards
      Acquisition").

      (b)   Each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, represents and
warrants with respect to himself, herself or itself, to, and agrees with, the
several Underwriters that:

            (i)   Such Selling Stockholder has and on the Closing Date
      hereinafter mentioned will have valid and unencumbered title to the shares
      of Common Stock to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and full right,
      power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to sell, assign,
      transfer and deliver the shares of the Common Stock to be sold by such
      Selling Stockholder hereunder; and upon the delivery of and payment for
      the U.S. Firm Shares hereunder the several Underwriters will acquire valid
      and unencumbered title to the shares of the Common Stock to be sold by
      such Selling Stockholder, except for liens, claims, charges and other
      encumbrances, if any, created by or through any Underwriter.

            (ii)  If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement: (A) on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement,
      to the extent it relates to such Selling Stockholder, conformed in all
      respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations and
      did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
      any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading, and (B) on the date of this Agreement,
      the Registration Statement, to the extent it relates to such Selling
      Stockholder, conforms, and at the time of filing of the U.S. Prospectus
      pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Registration Statement and the U.S.
      Prospectus, to the extent they relate to such Selling Stockholder, will
      conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
      Regulations, and neither of such documents, to the extent they relate to
      such


                                    -4-
<PAGE>


      Selling Stockholder, includes, or will include, any untrue statement of a
      material fact or omits, or will omit, to state any material fact required
      to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
      misleading.  If the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement: on the Effective Date, the Registration
      Statement and the U.S. Prospectus, to the extent they relate to such
      Selling Stockholder, will conform in all respects to the requirements of
      the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such documents, to
      the extent they relate to such Selling Stockholder, will include any
      untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state any material
      fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
      therein not misleading.  The two preceding sentences apply to such Selling
      Stockholder only to the extent that any statements in or omissions from
      the Registration Statement or Prospectuses are made in reliance upon and
      in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
      Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein.

            (iii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
      contracts, agreements or understandings between such Selling Stockholder
      and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company
      or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finders fee or other like
      payment in connection with the U.S. Offering or the International
      Offering.

      3.    PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF U.S. SHARES.  On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the
terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each Selling Stockholder
agrees, severally and not jointly, to sell to each Underwriter, and each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and
each Selling Stockholder, at a purchase price of $__________ per share, the
respective numbers of U.S. Firm Shares (rounded up or down, as determined by you
in your discretion, in order to avoid fractions) obtained by multiplying the
number of U.S. Firm Shares to be sold by the Company or the number of U.S. Firm
Shares set forth opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in Schedule A
hereto, as the case may be, by a fraction the numerator of which is the number
of U.S. Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule
B hereto and the denominator of which is the total number of U.S. Firm Shares.

      Certificates in negotiable form for the shares of the Common Stock to be
sold by the Selling Stockholders hereunder will be placed in custody, for
delivery under this Agreement, pursuant to agreements entitled Custody Agreement
and Power of Attorney (the "Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney") made with
the Company as custodian ("Custodian") and _________________________ and
________________________ as attorneys-in-fact for the Selling Stockholders (the
"Attorneys-in-Fact").  Each Selling Stockholder agrees that the shares
represented by the certificates held in custody for the Selling Stockholders
under such Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney are subject to the interests
of the Underwriters hereunder, that the arrangements made by the Selling
Stockholders for such custody are to that extent irrevocable, and that the
obligations of the Selling Stockholders hereunder shall not be terminated by
operation of law, whether by the death of any individual Selling Stockholder or
the occurrence


                                    -5-
<PAGE>


of any other event, or in the case of a trust, by the death of any trustee or
trustees or the termination of such trust.  If any individual Selling
Stockholder or any such trustee or trustees should die, or if any other such
event should occur, or if any of such trusts should terminate, before the
delivery of the Common Stock hereunder, certificates for such shares of Common
Stock shall be delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement as if such death or other event or termination had
not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian shall have received
notice of such death or other event or termination.

      The Company and the Custodian will deliver the U.S. Firm Shares to you for
the accounts of the Underwriters, at the office of CS First Boston Corporation,
Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055, (or, if requested by the
Underwriters, through the Depository Trust Corporation system) against payment
of the purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or checks in
New York Clearing House (next day) funds drawn to the order of Michaels Stores,
Inc., in the case of ___________ U.S. Firm Shares and to each Selling
Stockholder in the case of the U.S. Firm Shares being sold by such Selling
Stockholder, at the office of Jackson & Walker L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, at 10:00
A.M., New York time, on _______________, _______________, 1994, or at such other
date and time not later than seven full business days thereafter as you and the
Company determine, such time and date being herein referred to as the "First
Closing Date."  The certificates for the U.S. Firm Shares so to be delivered
will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in such names
as you request and will be made available for checking and packaging at the
office of CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York
10055 at least 24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.  Delivery to the
Attorneys-in-Fact, or to either of them, of the check payable to any Selling
Stockholder shall be deemed delivery of such check to such Selling Stockholder
for purposes of this Agreement.

      In addition, upon written notice from CS First Boston Corporation from
time to time given to the Company not more than 30 days subsequent to the date
of the initial public offering of the U.S. Firm Shares, the Underwriters and the
Managers may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Shares, which in the
case of the Underwriters shall be at the purchase price per share to be paid for
the U.S. Firm Shares.  Unless otherwise agreed between you and CSFBL, the
Optional Shares to be so purchased by the Underwriters shall be in the same
proportion as the U.S. Firm Shares bear to the Firm Shares.  The Company agrees
to sell to the Underwriters the number of such U.S. Optional Shares specified in
such notice and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase
such U.S. Optional Shares.  Such U.S. Optional Shares shall be purchased for the
account of each Underwriter in the same proportion as the number of U.S. Firm
Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter's name in Schedule B hereto bears to
the total number of U.S. Firm Shares (subject to adjustment by you to eliminate
fractions) and may be purchased by the Underwriters only for the purpose of
covering over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the U.S. Firm
Shares.  No Optional Shares shall be sold or delivered unless the U.S. Firm
Shares and the International Firm Shares previously have been, or simultaneously
are, sold and delivered.  The right to purchase the Optional Shares or any
portion thereof may be surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by you
on behalf of the Underwriters and the Managers to the Company.


                                    -6-
<PAGE>


      The time for the delivery of and payment for the U.S. Optional Shares (or
any part thereof), being herein referred to as an "Option Closing Date" (which
may be the First Closing Date) (the First Closing Date and each Option Closing
Date, if any, being sometimes referred to as a "Closing Date"), shall be
determined by you but shall be not later than seven (7) business days after
written notice of election to purchase Optional Shares is given.  The Company
will deliver the U.S. Optional Shares to you for the accounts of the several
Underwriters, at the office of CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza,
New York, New York 10055, against payment of the purchase price therefor by
certified or official bank check or checks in New York Clearing House (next day)
funds drawn to the order of Michaels Stores, Inc., at the office of Jackson &
Walker L.L.P., Dallas, Texas.  The certificates for the U.S. Optional Shares
will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in such names
as you request upon reasonable notice prior to the Option Closing Date with
respect to such shares and will be made available for checking and packaging at
the office of CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York
10055 at a reasonable time in advance of the Option Closing Date with respect to
such shares.

      4.    OFFERING BY UNDERWRITERS.  It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the U.S. Shares for sale to the public as set
forth in the U.S. Prospectus.

      5.    CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.
(i) The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:

            (a)   If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement, the Company will file the U.S. Prospectus with the
      Commission pursuant to and in accordance with subparagraph (1) (or, if
      applicable and if consented to by you, subparagraph, (4)) of Rule 424(b)
      not later than the earlier of (A) the second business day following the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement or (B) the fifth business day
      after the Effective Date.  The Company will advise you promptly of any
      such filing pursuant to Rule 424(b).

            (b)   The Company will advise you promptly of any proposal to amend
      or supplement the registration statement as filed or the related
      prospectus or the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses and will not
      effect such amendment or supplementation without your consent, which
      consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and the Company will also
      advise you promptly of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (if
      the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement) and of any amendment or supplementation of the Registration
      Statement or the Prospectuses and of the institution by the Commission of
      any stop order proceedings in respect of the Registration Statement and
      will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order
      and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.

            (c)   If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
      Shares is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a
      result of which the Prospectuses as then amended or supplemented would
      include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact necessary to make


                                    -7-
<PAGE>


      the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
      were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend
      either or both of the Prospectuses to comply with the Act, the Company,
      subject to paragraph (b) above, promptly will prepare and file with the
      Commission an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or
      omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance.  Neither your
      consent to, nor the Underwriters' delivery of, any such amendment or
      supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in
      Section 6.

            (d)   As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability
      Date (as defined below), the Company will make generally available to its
      security holders an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12
      months beginning after the Effective Date which will satisfy the
      provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.  For the purpose of the preceding
      sentence, "Availability Date" means the 45th day after the end of the
      fourth fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes the
      Effective Date, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last
      quarter of the Company's fiscal year, "Availability Date" means the 90th
      day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter.

            (e)   The Company will furnish to you copies of the Registration
      Statement (four of which will be signed and will include all exhibits),
      each related preliminary prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus and all
      amendments and supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as
      available and in such quantities as you reasonably request.

            (f)   The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Offered
      Shares for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States
      as you designate and will continue such qualifications in effect so long
      as required for the distribution.

            (g)   During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will
      furnish to you and, upon request, to each of the other Underwriters, as
      soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its
      annual report to stockholders for such year; and the Company will furnish
      to you (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report or definitive proxy
      statement of the Company filed with the Commission under the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 or mailed to stockholders, and (ii) from time to
      time, such other publicly available information concerning the Company as
      you may reasonably request.

            (h)   The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance
      of its obligations under this Agreement and will reimburse the
      Underwriters for any expenses (including fees and disbursements of
      counsel) incurred by them in connection with qualifications of the Offered
      Shares for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States
      as you designate and the printing of memoranda relating thereto, for the
      filing fee of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
      relating to the Offered Shares and for expenses incurred in distributing
      preliminary prospectuses and the U.S. Prospectus (including any amendments
      and supplements thereto) to the Underwriters.


                                    -8-
<PAGE>


            (i)   The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the
      conditions to the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and
      pay for the U.S. Firm Shares on the First Closing Date and the U.S.
      Optional Shares on each Option Closing Date to be satisfied on or prior to
      the applicable Closing Date.

(ii)  Each Selling Stockholder agrees:

            (a)   to deliver to you on or prior to the Closing Date a properly
      completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or
      other applicable form or statement specified by Treasury Department
      regulations in lieu thereof); and

            (b)   to use its reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to the
      obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the U.S.
      Firm Shares on the First Closing Date, to the extent such conditions
      relate to such Selling Stockholder, to be satisfied on or prior to the
      First Closing Date.

      6.    CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS.  The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the U.S. Firm
Shares on the First Closing Date and the U.S. Optional Shares on each Option
Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company and the Selling Stockholders herein, to
the accuracy of the statements of Company officers and the Selling Stockholders
made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company, the
Selling Stockholders and the Custodian of their obligations hereunder and to the
following additional conditions precedent (provided that the conditions set
forth herein that relate to the Selling Stockholders shall not constitute
conditions to the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase Optional
Shares on any Option Closing Date that is other than the First Closing Date):

            (a)   You shall have received a letter, dated the date of delivery
      thereof (which, if the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or prior to the date of this
      Agreement or, if the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the amendment
      or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to be filed
      shortly prior to the Effective Time), of Ernst & Young confirming that
      they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and
      the applicable published Rules and Regulations thereunder and stating in
      effect that:

                  (i)   in their opinion the financial statements and schedules
            examined by them and included or incorporated by reference in the
            Registration Statement comply in form in all material respects with
            the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
            published Rules and Regulations;

                  (ii)  they have made a review of the unaudited financial
            statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included
            in


                                    -9-
<PAGE>


            the Registration Statement in accordance with standards established
            by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as
            indicated in their reports attached to such letter;

                  (iii) on the basis of the review referred to in clause (ii)
            above, a reading of the latest available interim financial
            statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries,
            inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility for
            financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures,
            nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                        (A)   the unaudited financial statements of the Company
            and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration
            Statement do not comply in form in all material respects with
            applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
            published Rules and Regulations;

                        (B)   at the date of the latest available balance sheet
            of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries read by such
            accountants, or at a subsequent specified date not more than five
            days prior to the date of this Agreement, there was any change in
            the capital stock or any increase in short-term indebtedness or
            long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, or,
            at the date of the latest available balance sheet read by such
            accountants, there was any decrease in consolidated net current
            assets or net assets of the Company and its consolidated
            subsidiaries, as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance
            sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in
            the Prospectuses; or

                        (C)   for the period from the closing date of the latest
            income statement of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses to the closing date of the latest
            available income statement of the Company and its consolidated
            subsidiaries read by such accountants there were any decreases, as
            compared with the corresponding period of the previous year and with
            the period of corresponding length ended the date of the latest
            income statement of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses, in consolidated net sales or net
            operating income of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or
            in the total or per share amount of consolidated net income of the
            Company and its consolidated subsidiaries;

            except in all cases set forth in clauses (B) and (C) above for
            changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectuses disclose have
            occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter; and

                  (iv)  they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
            percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
            information contained in the Registration Statement (in each case to
            the extent that such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
            information are


                                    -10-
<PAGE>


            derived from the general accounting records of the Company and its
            consolidated subsidiaries subject to the internal controls of the
            Company's and its consolidated subsidiaries' accounting system or
            are derived directly from such records by analysis or computation)
            with the results obtained from inquiries, a reading of such general
            accounting records and other procedures specified in such letter and
            have found such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
            information to be in agreement with such results, except as
            otherwise specified in such letter.

      For purposes of this subsection, if the Effective Time is subsequent to
      the execution and delivery of this Agreement, "Registration Statement"
      shall mean the registration statement as proposed to be amended by the
      amendment or post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to the
      Effective Time, and "Prospectuses" shall mean the prospectus included in
      the Registration Statement and the related draft of the International
      Prospectus.  All financial statements and schedules included in material
      incorporated by reference into the U.S. Prospectus shall be deemed
      included in the Registration Statement for purposes of this subsection.

            (b)   You shall have received a letter, dated the date of delivery
      thereof (which, if the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or prior to the date of this
      Agreement or, if the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the amendment
      or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to be filed
      shortly prior to the Effective Time), of Deloitte & Touche confirming that
      they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and
      the applicable published Rules and Regulations thereunder and stating in
      effect that:

                  (i)   in their opinion the financial statements and schedules
            examined by them and included in the Registration Statement comply
            as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
            requirements of the Act and the related published Rules and
            Regulations;

                  (ii)  they have made a review of the unaudited financial
            statements of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries included in
            the Registration Statement in accordance with standards established
            by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as
            indicated in their reports attached to such letter;

                  (iii) on the basis of the review referred to in clause (ii)
            above, a reading of the latest available interim financial
            statements of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries, inquiries
            of officials of Leewards who have responsibility for financial and
            accounting matters and other specified procedures, nothing came to
            their attention that caused them to believe that:



                                    -11-
<PAGE>


                        (A)   the unaudited financial statements of Leewards and
            its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement
            do not comply as to form in all material respects with applicable
            accounting requirements of the Act and the related published Rules
            and Regulations;

                        (B)   at the date of the latest available balance sheet
            of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries read by such
            accountants, or at a subsequent specified date not more than five
            days prior to the date of this Agreement, there was any change in
            the capital stock or any increase in short-term indebtedness or
            long-term debt of Leewards and its subsidiaries consolidated, or, at
            the date of the latest available balance sheet read by such
            accountants, there was any decrease in consolidated net current
            assets or net assets of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries,
            as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance sheet of
            Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the
            Prospectuses; or

                        (C)   for the period from the closing date of the latest
            income statement of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses to the closing date of the latest
            available income statement of Leewards and its consolidated
            subsidiaries read by such accountants there were any decreases, as
            compared with the corresponding period of the previous year and with
            the period of corresponding length ended the date of the latest
            income statement of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses, in consolidated net sales or net
            operating income of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries or in
            the total or per share amount of consolidated net income of Leewards
            and its consolidated subsidiaries;

            except in all cases set forth in clauses (B) and (C) above for
            changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectuses disclose have
            occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter; and

                  (iv)  they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
            percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
            information contained in the Registration Statement (in each case to
            the extent that such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
            information are derived from the general accounting records of
            Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries subject to the internal
            controls of Leewards' and its consolidated subsidiaries' accounting
            system or are derived directly from such records by analysis or
            computation) with the results obtained from inquiries, a reading of
            such general accounting records and other procedures specified in
            such letter and have found such dollar amounts, percentages and
            other financial information to be in agreement with such results,
            except as otherwise specified in such letter.

      For purposes of this subsection, if the Effective Time is subsequent to
      the execution and delivery of this Agreement, "Registration Statement"
      shall mean


                                    -12-
<PAGE>



      the registration statement as proposed to be amended by the amendment or
      post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to the Effective Time,
      and "Prospectuses" shall mean the prospectus included in the Registration
      Statement and the related draft of the International Prospectus.  All
      financial statements and schedules included in material incorporated by
      reference into the U.S. Prospectus shall be deemed included in the
      Registration Statement for purposes of this subsection.

            (c)   If the Effective Time is not prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, the Effective Time shall have occurred not
      later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or
      such later date as shall have been consented to by you.  If the Effective
      Time is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the U.S.
      Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with
      the Rules and Regulations and Section 5(a) of this Agreement.  Prior to
      the Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
      Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that
      purpose shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company,
      any Selling Stockholder, or you, shall be contemplated by the Commission.

            (d)   Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development involving
      a prospective change, in or affecting particularly the business or
      properties of the Company or its subsidiaries which, in the reasonable
      judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including you,
      materially impairs the investment quality of the Offered Shares; (ii) any
      downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any
      "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined for
      purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public announcement that
      any such organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any
      debt securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive
      implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible
      downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any suspension or limitation of
      trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any
      setting of minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or any suspension
      of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or on The
      Nasdaq Stock Market or the over-the-counter market; (iv) any banking
      moratorium declared by Federal or New York authorities; or (v) any
      outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in which the United States is
      involved, any declaration of war by Congress or any other substantial
      national or international calamity or emergency, if, in the reasonable
      judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including you, the
      effect of any such outbreak, escalation, declaration, calamity or
      emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion
      of the sale of and payment for the U.S. Shares.

            (e)   You shall have received an opinion, dated such Closing Date,
      of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P., counsel for the Company, to the effect that:



                                    -13-
<PAGE>


                  (i)   The Company and each subsidiary of the Company that is
            incorporated under the laws of one of the United States has been
            duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing
            under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, with corporate
            power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business
            as described in the Prospectuses; and the Company and each
            subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a
            foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in
            which it owns or leases substantial properties or in which the
            conduct of its business requires such qualifications, except where
            the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse
            effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
            operations or business of the Company and the subsidiaries taken as
            a whole;

                  (ii)  The Offered Shares delivered on such Closing Date and
            all other outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company have
            been duly authorized and validly issued and conform to the
            description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; when purchased
            and issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement the Offered
            Shares being delivered on such Closing Date by the Company will be,
            and all other Offered Shares and all other outstanding shares of the
            Common Stock of the Company are, fully paid and nonassessable; and
            the stockholders of the Company have no preemptive rights with
            respect to the Offered Shares pursuant to any applicable statute,
            rule or regulation or to the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws
            of the Company, and to such counsel's knowledge no preemptive rights
            with respect to the Offered Shares exist, whether pursuant to the
            items listed above, pursuant to contract or otherwise;

                  (iii) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings
            known to such counsel between the Company and any person granting
            such person the right to require the Company to file a registration
            statement under the Act with respect to any securities of the
            Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the
            Company to include such securities in the securities registered
            pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities being
            registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
            Company under the Act, except for (a) the Registration Rights, which
            pursuant to the terms of the Third Amendment are now held by the
            Prior Assignees (as defined in the Third Amendment), Tallulah, Ltd.,
            the Christiana Trust and the Andrew Trust (as more fully described
            in the Third Amendment), all of which Registration Rights have been
            waived with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
            Agreement, (b) the registration rights provided in the Merger
            Agreement, (c) registration rights provided in the Stock Purchase
            Agreement, dated as of February 16, 1994 among the Company, Treasure
            House Stores, Inc. and the stockholders of Treasure House Stores,
            Inc., as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, and
            (d) registration rights provided in the Agreement and Plan of
            Merger, dated as of March 3, 1994 among the Company and the other
            parties listed therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to


                                    -14-
<PAGE>



            Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 31, 1994, relating
            to the acquisition of the affiliated store chains of Oregon Craft &
            Floral Supply Co. and H&H Craft and Floral Supply Co., which
            registration rights described in (b), (c) and (d) have been fully
            complied with and provided to the persons and entities entitled
            thereto.

                  (iv)  No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
            filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is
            required to be obtained or made by the Company for the consummation
            of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
            Subscription Agreement in connection with the issuance or sale of
            the Offered Shares, except such as have been obtained and made under
            the Act and such as may be required under state securities laws;

                  (v)   The execution, delivery and performance of this
            Agreement and the Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the
            transactions contemplated herein and therein will not result in a
            breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or
            constitute a default under, (A) any statute, any rule, regulation or
            order (excluding orders that specifically name and are directed to
            the Company and are unknown to such counsel and excluding the
            specific matters under the Act, the Rules, the Regulations and Rule
            10(b)5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are covered by
            paragraph (vi) below, the only opinions being expressed with respect
            to such matters being set forth in paragraph (vi) below) which a
            lawyer experienced in the public offering of securities would
            recognize as applicable to a transaction of the type covered by this
            Agreement of any governmental agency or body or any court having
            jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or
            any of their properties, or the charter or bylaws of the Company or
            any subsidiary of the Company or (B) to the knowledge of such
            counsel, any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any
            subsidiary of the Company is a party or by which the Company or any
            subsidiary of the Company is bound or to which any of the properties
            of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company are subject, and the
            Company has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell
            the Offered Shares as contemplated by this Agreement and the
            Subscription Agreement;

                  (vi)  The Registration Statement was declared effective under
            the Act as of the date and time specified in such opinion, the U.S.
            Prospectus either was filed with the Commission pursuant to the
            subparagraph of Rule 424(b) specified in such opinion on the date
            specified therein or was included in the Registration Statement (as
            the case may be), and, to the best of the knowledge of such counsel,
            no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
            Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no proceedings for
            that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated
            under the Act, and the Registration Statement and the U.S.
            Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of their
            respective effective or issue dates, complied as to form in all


                                    -15-
<PAGE>


            material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
            Regulations; such counsel have no reason to believe that either the
            Registration Statement or the Prospectuses, or any amendment or
            supplement thereto, as of their respective effective or issue dates,
            contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
            state any material fact required pursuant to the Act, the Rules or
            the Regulations to be stated therein or necessary to make the
            statements therein not misleading; the descriptions in the
            Registration Statement and Prospectuses of statutes, legal and
            governmental proceedings (other than statutes, legal or governmental
            proceedings related to the securities laws of any jurisdiction other
            than the United States) and contracts and other documents are
            accurate and fairly present the information required to be shown
            pursuant to the Act, the Rules or the Regulations; and such counsel
            do not know of any legal or governmental proceedings required
            pursuant to the Act, the Rules or the Regulations to be described in
            the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses which are not
            described as required pursuant to the Act, the Rules and the
            Regulations or of any contracts or documents of a character required
            pursuant to the Act, the Rules or the Regulations to be described in
            the Registration Statement or Prospectuses or to be filed as
            exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not described and
            filed as required pursuant to the Act, the Rules and the
            Regulations; it being understood that such counsel need express no
            opinion as to the financial statements or other financial data
            contained, by incorporation by reference or otherwise, in the
            Registration Statement or the Prospectuses;

                  (vii) This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; and

                  (viii)The merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
            with and into Leewards described in the Merger Agreement (the
            "Merger") has been effected, and a Certificate of Merger covering
            such Merger has been filed with the necessary government
            authorities.

            (f)   You shall have received an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of
      counsel for each of the Selling Stockholders (which counsel may be
      in-house counsel of such Selling Stockholder), to the effect that:

                  (i)   Such Selling Stockholder has valid and unencumbered
            title to the Common Stock sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant
            to this Agreement and has full right, power and authority to sell,
            assign, transfer and deliver such Common Stock hereunder; and,
            assuming that the several Underwriters have purchased such shares of
            Common Stock in good faith and without notice of any defect in title
            thereto, the several Underwriters have acquired valid and
            unencumbered title to the Common Stock purchased by them from such
            Selling Stockholder hereunder, except for liens, claims, charges and
            other encumbrances created by or through any Underwriter;


                                    -16-
<PAGE>



                  (ii)  To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval,
            authorization or order of, or filing with, any governmental agency
            or body or any court is required to be obtained or made by such
            Selling Stockholder for the consummation of the transactions
            contemplated by this Agreement or the Custody Agreement and Power of
            Attorney in connection with the sale of the Common Stock sold by
            such Selling Stockholder hereunder, except such as may be required
            under the Act or state securities laws;

                  (iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this
            Agreement and the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney and the
            consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated
            will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and
            provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute, rule or
            regulation which a lawyer experienced in the public offering of
            securities would recognize as applicable to a transaction of the
            type covered by this Agreement (assuming all consents, approvals,
            authorizations, or orders of or filings with any governmental agency
            or body required under the Act or state securities laws have been
            obtained or made), or the charter or bylaws of such Selling
            Stockholder which is a corporation, the partnership agreement of any
            Selling Stockholder that is a partnership, or the trust instrument
            of any Selling Stockholder that is a trust, or, to the knowledge of
            such counsel, any order of any governmental agency or body or any
            court having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder or any of
            its properties or, to the knowledge of such counsel, any agreement
            or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by
            which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the
            properties of such Selling Stockholder is subject;

                  (iv)  This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder;
            and

                  (v)   The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney to which
            such Selling Stockholder is a party has been duly authorized,
            executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and is a valid
            and binding agreement, enforceable against such Selling Stockholder
            in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
            insolvency, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
            affecting the rights of creditors and to principles of equity,
            except that no opinion need be expressed with respect to section
            4.H. or 5.A.(2) of such Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney.

      To the extent that any of such opinions relate to the state law of any
      state in which such counsel is not admitted to practice, such counsel may
      rely on opinions of local counsel in such state if the local counsel is
      reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters and their counsel and the
      opinions of the local counsel are also addressed to the Underwriters and
      specifically state that the Underwriters are permitted to rely on such
      opinions.


                                    -17-
<PAGE>



            (g)   You shall have received from Fulbright & Jaworski, counsel for
      the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated such Closing Date, with
      respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Offered
      Shares, the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses and other related
      matters as you may require, and the Company and the Selling Stockholders
      shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for
      the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

            (h)   You shall have received a certificate, dated such Closing
      Date, of the President or any Vice-President and a principal financial or
      accounting officer of the Company in which such officers, to the best of
      their knowledge after reasonable investigation, shall state that the
      representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true
      and correct in all material respects, that the Company has, in all
      material respects, complied with all agreements and satisfied all
      conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior
      to such Closing Date, that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
      the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
      purpose have been instituted or are contemplated by the Commission and
      that, subsequent to the dates of the most recent financial statements in
      the Prospectuses, there has been no material adverse change in the
      financial position or results of operation of the Company and its
      subsidiaries except as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectuses or
      as described in such certificate.

            (i)   You shall have received letters, dated such Closing Date, of
      Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche which meet the requirements of
      subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of this Section, except that the
      specified dates referred to in such subsections will be a date not more
      than five days prior to such Closing Date for the purposes of this
      subsection.

            (j)   On such Closing Date, the Managers shall have purchased the
      International Firm Shares or the International Optional Shares, as the
      case may be, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement.

            (k)   Each Selling Stockholder that has delivered supplemental
      instructions as contemplated by clause 1.F of the Custody Agreement and
      Power of Attorney to which such Selling Stockholder is a party shall have
      delivered to you an original of such supplemental instructions with the
      signature of such Selling Stockholder thereon guaranteed by a commercial
      bank or trust company in the United States or by a member firm of the New
      York Stock Exchange.

The Company and the Selling Stockholders will furnish you with such conformed
copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as you reasonably
request.

      7.    INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  (a) The Company will indemnify
and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any


                                    -18-
<PAGE>


material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as
such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by any Underwriter through you specifically for use therein.

      (b)   Each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify
and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement,
the U.S. Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related
preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance on and conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder
specifically for use therein, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as
such expenses are incurred.  Such Selling Stockholder shall not be liable under
this Section 7 or for any breach of, or inaccuracy contained in, the
representations and warranties of such Selling Stockholder contained in Section
2(b) of this Agreement for an amount in excess of the purchase price received by
such Selling Stockholder from the Underwriters hereunder, less the amount of
damages which such Selling Stockholder has otherwise been required to pay under
this Section 7 or otherwise.  The indemnity agreements contained in this
paragraph (b) are subject to the condition that, insofar as they relate to any
such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made
in a preliminary prospectus but eliminated or remedied in the U.S. Prospectus,
such indemnity agreements shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from
whom the person asserting such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased Common
Stock if a copy of the U.S. Prospectus was not furnished to such person at or
prior to the time such action is required by the Act.

      (c)   Each Underwriter will, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities to which the Company or such Selling Stockholder may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement,


                                    -19-
<PAGE>


the U.S. Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related
preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter
through you specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any legal or other
expenses  reasonably incurred by the Company or such Selling Stockholder in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are incurred.

      (d)   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
subsection (a), (b)  or (c) above, notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above.  In case any such action
is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.  No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity has or could have
been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes
an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

      (e)   If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a), (b)
or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
or liabilities referred to in subsection (a), (b) or (c) above (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other from the offering of the U.S. Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on
the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements
or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits
received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other shall


                                    -20-
<PAGE>


be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering of the U.S. Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
and the Selling Stockholders bear to the total underwriting discounts and
commissions received by the Underwriters.  The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Selling
Stockholders or the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue
statement or omission.  The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of
this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (e).
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no Selling Stockholder
shall be required to contribute any amount unless such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder specifically for use in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus.  Notwithstanding the provisions of
this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the U.S. Shares
underwritten by it and distributed to  the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission and no Selling Stockholder shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total purchase price received by
such Selling Stockholder from the Underwriters hereunder exceeds the amount of
damages which such Selling Stockholder has otherwise been required to pay under
this Section 7 or otherwise.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (e) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

      (f)   The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders under
this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the
Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the
meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section
shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may
otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
director of the Company, to each officer of the Company who has signed the
Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of the Act.

      8.    DEFAULT OF UNDERWRITERS.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters
default in their obligations to purchase U.S. Shares hereunder on either the
First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares
of U.S. Shares that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of U.S.
Shares that the Underwriters are


                                    -21-
<PAGE>


obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, you may make arrangements
satisfactory to the Company and the Selling Stockholders for the purchase of
such U.S. Shares by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no
such arrangements are made by such Closing Date the non-defaulting Underwriters
shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments
hereunder, to purchase the U.S. Shares that such defaulting Underwriters agreed
but failed to purchase on such Closing Date.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters
so default and the aggregate number of shares of U.S. Shares with respect to
which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total number of shares
of U.S. Shares that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing
Date and arrangements satisfactory to you, the Company and the Selling
Stockholders for the purchase of such U.S. Shares by other persons are not made
within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without
liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or the
Selling Stockholders, except as provided in Section 9 (provided that if such
default occurs with respect to U.S. Optional Shares after the First Closing
Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to the U.S. Firm Shares).  As used in
this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes any person substituted for an
Underwriter under this Section.  Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting
Underwriter from liability for its default.

      9.    SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company or its officers, the Selling Stockholders and the
several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain
in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to
the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any Selling
Stockholder or the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers
or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment
for the U.S. Shares.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8 or
if for any reason the purchase of the U.S. Shares by the Underwriters is not
consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or
reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective obligations of the
Company and the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7
shall remain in effect, and if any shares of U.S. Shares have been purchased
hereunder the representations and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations
under Section 5 shall also remain in effect.  If the purchase of the U.S. Shares
by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because
of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of
any event specified in clause (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 6(d), the Company
will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees
and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the
offering of the U.S. Shares.

      10.   NOTICES.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed
to you at, c/o CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New
York 10055, Attention:  Investment Banking Department-Transactions Group, or, if
sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
it at 5931 Campus Circle Drive, Las Colinas Business Park, Irving, Texas 75063,
Attention: Jack E. Bush, with a courtesy copy to Charles D. Maguire, Jr.,
Jackson & Walker, L.L.P., 901 Main Street, Suite 6000, Dallas, Texas 75202, or,
if sent to the Selling Stockholders or any


                                    -22-
<PAGE>


of them, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such Selling
Stockholder at the address set forth under such Selling Stockholder's name on
Schedule A; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to
Section 7 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such
Underwriter.

      11.   SUCCESSORS.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective personal representatives
and successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred
to in Section 7, and no other person will have any right or obligation
hereunder.

      12.   REPRESENTATION OF UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.  You will
act, and acknowledge that you are authorized to act, for the several
Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and any action under this Agreement taken by you jointly or by CS First Boston
Corporation will be binding upon all the Underwriters.  In accordance with the
Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney, _________________________ will act for
the Selling Stockholders in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and any action under or in respect of this Agreement taken by
_________________________ will be binding upon all Selling Stockholders.

      13.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

      14.   APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

      15.   TELECOPY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.  A facsimile, telecopy or other
reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties hereto,
and an executed copy of this Agreement may be delivered by one or more parties
hereto by facsimile or similar instantaneous electronic transmission device
pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen, and
such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for
all purposes.  At the request of any party hereto, all parties hereto agree to
execute and deliver an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile,
telecopy or other reproduction hereof.

      16.   COMPLETION OF DISTRIBUTION.  The Underwriters agree that they will
inform the Company when they have completed the distribution of the U.S. Shares
contemplated by this Agreement in order to permit the Company to perform its
obligations hereunder, including those obligations imposed by Section 5(c).

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof,
whereupon it will become


                                    -23-
<PAGE>


a binding agreement between the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the
several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MICHAELS STORES, INC.



                                    By:
                                        ------------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          ----------------------------------

                                    SELLING STOCKHOLDERS:

                                    By _________________________ as
                                    attorney-in-fact for each of the Selling
                                    Stockholders listed below pursuant to
                                    authority granted in the Custody Agreement
                                    and Power of Attorney.



                                    -------------------------------------------


                                    Alan Altschuler
                                    Stephen J. Berman
                                    EMP & Co.
                                    Frontenac Venture V Limited Partnership
                                    GIPEN & Co.
                                    Alan L. Magdovitz
                                    MONY Life Insurance Company of America
                                    The Mutual Life Insurance Company
                                      of New York
                                    John A. Popple
                                    Prudential-Bache Capital Partners I, L.P.
                                    Prudential-Bache Capital Partners II, L.P.
                                    The Prudential Insurance Company of America
                                    John E. Welsh, III




                                    -24-
<PAGE>



The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.

CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY, L.P.
NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Acting on behalf of themselves and as the Representatives of the several
Underwriters.

By: CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION



By:
    -------------------------------------
Title:
      -----------------------------------


                                    -25-
<PAGE>





                                 SCHEDULE A


                                                                    Total
                                                                  Number of
      Selling Stockholders                                  Shares to be Sold
      --------------------                                  -----------------


Alan Altschuler ............................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

Stephen J. Berman ..........................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

EMP & Co. ..................................................._________________
c/o Ms. Laura Pearl
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Frontenac Company
208 S. LaSalle Street, Room 1900
Chicago, IL  60604

Frontenac Venture V Limited Partnership ....................._________________
c/o Mr. Roger McEniry
Frontenac Company
208 S. LaSalle Street, Room 1900
Chicago, IL  60604

GIPEN & Co. ................................................._________________
c/o Ms. Suzanne Walton
MONY Financial Services
1740 Broadway
Mail Drop 11-6
New York, NY  10019

Alan L. Magdovitz ..........................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

MONY Life Insurance Company of America ......................_________________
c/o Ms. Suzanne Walton
MONY Financial Services
1740 Broadway
Mail Drop 11-6
New York, NY  10019



                                    -26-
<PAGE>






                                                        SCHEDULE A CONTINUED


                                                                    Total
                                                                  Number of
      Selling Stockholders                                  Shares to be Sold
      --------------------                                  -----------------


The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York ..............._________________
c/o Ms. Suzanne Walton
MONY Financial Services
1740 Broadway
Mail Drop 11-6
New York, NY  10019

John A. Popple .............................................._________________
Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.
1200 St. Charles Street
Elgin, Illinois  60120

Prudential-Bache Capital Partners I, L.P. ..................._________________
c/o Mr. Stephen J. Berman
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

Prudential-Bache Capital Partners II, L.P. .................._________________
c/o Mr. Stephen J. Berman
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

The Prudential Insurance Company of America ................._________________
c/o Mr. David Descalzi
Prudential Corporate Funding
4 Gateway Center, 9th Floor
Newark, NJ  07102-4069

John E. Welsh, III .........................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005






              Total..........................................
                                                             ==================




                                    -27-
<PAGE>





                                 SCHEDULE B


                                                                    Total
                                                                  Number of
                                                               U.S. Firm Shares
      Underwriter                                              To be Purchased
      -----------                                              ----------------

CS First Boston Corporation ................................._________________

Robertson, Stephens & Company, L.P. ........................._________________

Nomura Securities International, Inc. ......................._________________






      Total.................................................._________________


                                       - 28 -

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 1.2



                                                                DRAFT 7/6/94


                             ______________ Shares

                             MICHAELS STORES, INC.

                                 Common Stock


                          SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                                                               London, England
                                                                July ___, 1994


CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY, L.P.
NOMURA INTERNATIONAL PLC
  c/o CS First Boston Limited ("CSFBL"),
    One Cabot Square
    London England  E14 4QJ


Dear Sirs:

      1.    INTRODUCTORY.  Michaels Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the several Managers named in
Schedule B hereto (the "Managers") _______________ shares of its Common Stock,
$0.10 par value ("Common Stock"), and the persons and entities listed in
Schedule A hereto (the "Selling Stockholders") propose severally to sell to the
several Managers an aggregate of _______________ shares of Common Stock of the
Company (such shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders are herein collectively called the "International Firm Shares").
The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the U.S. Underwriters (as defined
below) and the Managers, at the option of CS First Boston Corporation as
Representative of the U.S. Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than
_______________ additional shares of its Common Stock (the "Optional Shares") as
set forth below.  The International Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that may
be sold to the Managers (the "International Optional Shares") are herein
collectively called the "International Shares."

      It is understood that the Company and the Selling Stockholders are
concurrently entering into an Underwriting Agreement, dated the date hereof (the
"Underwriting Agreement"), with certain United States underwriters listed in
Schedule A thereto (the "U.S. Underwriters"), for whom CS First Boston
Corporation, Robertson, Stephens & Company, L.P., and Nomura Securities
International, Inc. are acting as representatives (the "U.S. Representatives"),
relating to the concurrent offering and sale of __________ shares of Common
Stock ("U.S. Firm Shares", which together with the Optional Shares


                                    -1-
<PAGE>


that may be sold to the U.S. Underwriters by the Company (the "U.S. Optional
Shares") are herein collectively called the "U.S. Shares") in the United States
and Canada (the "U.S. Offering").  The U.S. Firm Shares and the International
Firm Shares are herein collectively called the "Firm Shares."  The U.S. Shares
and the International Shares are herein collectively called the "Offered
Shares."  To provide for the coordination of their activities, the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers have entered into an Agreement Between the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers which permits them, among other things, to sell
the Offered Shares to each other for purposes of resale.

      The Company hereby agrees with the several Managers as follows:

      2.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS.  (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
several Managers that:

            (i)   A registration statement (No. 33-53639) relating to the
      Offered Shares, including a form of prospectus relating to the U.S.
      Shares, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
      ("Commission") and either (A) has been declared effective under the
      Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") and is not proposed to be amended or (B) is
      proposed to be amended by amendment or post-effective amendment.  If the
      Company does not propose to amend such registration statement and if any
      post-effective amendment to such registration statement has been filed
      with the Commission prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      the most recent such amendment has been declared effective by the
      Commission.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Effective Time" means (A) if
      the Company has advised CSFBL that it does not propose to amend such
      registration statement, the date and time as of which such registration
      statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any)
      filed prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared
      effective by the Commission, or (B) if the Company has advised CSFBL that
      it proposes to file an amendment or post-effective amendment to such
      registration statement, the date and time  as of which such registration
      statement, as amended by such amendment or post-effective amendment, as
      the case may be, is declared effective by the Commission.  "Effective
      Date" means the date of the Effective Time.  Such registration statement,
      as amended at the Effective Time, including all material incorporated by
      reference therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a
      part of such registration statement as of the Effective Time pursuant to
      Rule 430A(b) under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the
      "Registration Statement", and the form of prospectus relating to the U.S.
      Shares, as first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance
      with Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing is
      required) as included in the Registration Statement, including all
      material incorporated by reference in such prospectus, is hereinafter
      referred to as the "U.S. Prospectus", and the final form of prospectus
      relating to the International Shares, which is identical to the U.S.
      Prospectus except for the outside front cover page, the inside front cover
      page, the text under the captions "Underwriting" and "Subscription and
      Sale" in the U.S. Prospectus and the form of prospectus relating to the
      International Shares, respectively, and the outside back cover page
      (copies of such pages having been


                                    -2-
<PAGE>


      heretofore delivered by the Company to CSFBL on behalf of the Managers),
      including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus, is
      hereinafter referred to as the "International Prospectus."  The U.S.
      Prospectus and the International Prospectus are hereinafter collectively
      referred to as the "Prospectuses."  For purposes of the "lock-up" letters
      to be executed by the Selling Stockholders and others in connection
      herewith, the term "Prospectus" shall mean the U.S. Prospectus.

            (ii)  If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement:  (A) on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement
      conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the
      rules and regulations of the Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did
      not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading, and (B) on the date of this Agreement,
      the Registration Statement conforms, and at the time of filing of the U.S.
      Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Registration Statement and the
      U.S. Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements
      of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such documents
      includes, or will include, any untrue statement of a material fact or
      omits, or will omit, to state any material fact required to be stated
      therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  If
      the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement:  on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement and the U.S.
      Prospectus will conform in all material respects to the requirements of
      the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such documents will
      include any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state any
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading.  The two preceding sentences do not
      apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or
      Prospectuses based upon written information furnished to the Company by
      any U.S. Underwriter through the U.S. Representatives or by any Manager
      through CSFBL specifically for use therein.

            (iii) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between
      the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the
      Company to file a registration statement under the Act with respect to any
      securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to
      require the Company to include such securities in the securities
      registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities
      being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
      Company under the Act, except for (a) certain registration rights set
      forth in Article VII of that certain Common Stock and Warrant Agreement
      dated as of October 16, 1984, by and between Michaels Stores, Inc. and
      Peoples Restaurants, Inc. (the "Registration Rights"), all of which
      Registration Rights, pursuant to the terms of that certain Third Amendment
      to the Common Stock and Warrant Agreement dated September 1, 1992 (the
      "Third Amendment") are now held by the Prior Assignees (as defined in the
      Third Amendment), Tallulah, Ltd., the Christiana Trust and the Andrew
      Trust (as more fully described in the Third Amendment) and all of which
      Registration Rights have been waived with respect to the transactions


                                    -3-
<PAGE>



      contemplated by this Agreement, (b) the registration rights provided in
      that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 10, 1994 between
      the Company, LWA Acquisition Corporation and Leewards Creative Crafts,
      Inc. ("Leewards"), as amended to date (the "Merger Agreement"), (c)
      registration rights provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
      February 16, 1994 among the Company, Treasure House Stores, Inc. and the
      stockholders of Treasure House Stores, Inc., as amended by Amendment No. 1
      to Stock Purchase Agreement, and (d) registration rights provided in the
      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 3, 1994 among the Company
      and the other parties listed therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 31, 1994, relating to the
      acquisition of the affiliated store chains of Oregon Craft & Floral Supply
      Co. and H&H Craft and Floral Supply Co., which registration rights
      described in (b), (c) and (d) have been fully complied with and provided
      to the persons and entities entitled thereto.

            (iv)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
      contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person
      that would give rise to a valid claim against any Manager for a brokerage
      commission, finders fee or other like payment in connection with the
      International Offering, the U.S. Offering or the acquisition of Leewards
      by the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the "Leewards
      Acquisition").

      (b)   Each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, represents and
warrants with respect to himself, herself or itself, to, and agrees with, the
several Managers that:

            (i)   Such Selling Stockholder has and on the Closing Date
      hereinafter mentioned will have valid and unencumbered title to the shares
      of the Common Stock to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and full right,
      power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to sell, assign,
      transfer and deliver the shares of the Common Stock to be sold by such
      Selling Stockholder hereunder; and upon the delivery of and payment for
      the International Firm Shares hereunder the several Managers will acquire
      valid and unencumbered title to the shares of the Common Stock to be sold
      by such Selling Stockholder, except for liens, claims, charges and other
      encumbrances, if any, created by or through any Underwriter.

            (ii)  If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement: (A) on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement,
      to the extent it relates to such Selling Stockholder, conformed in all
      respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations and
      did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
      any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading, and (B) on the date of this Agreement,
      the Registration Statement, to the extent it relates to such Selling
      Stockholder, conforms, and at the time of filing of the U.S. Prospectus
      pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Registration Statement and the U.S.
      Prospectus, to the extent they relate to such Selling Stockholder, will
      conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and


                                    -4-
<PAGE>


      Regulations, and neither of such documents nor the International
      Prospectus, to the extent they relate to such Selling Stockholder,
      includes, or will include, any untrue statement of a material fact or
      omits, or will omit, to state any material fact required to be stated
      therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  If
      the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement: on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement and the U.S.
      Prospectus, to the extent they relate to such Selling Stockholder, will
      conform in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
      Regulations, and neither of such documents nor the International
      Prospectus, to the extent they relate to such Selling Stockholder, will
      include any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state any
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading.  The two preceding sentences apply to
      such Selling Stockholder only to the extent that any statements in or
      omissions from the Registration Statement or Prospectuses are made in
      reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
      Company by such Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein.

            (iii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
      contracts, agreements or understandings between such Selling Stockholder
      and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company
      or any Manager for a brokerage commission, finders fee or other like
      payment in connection with the International Offering or the U.S.
      Offering.

      3.    PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF INTERNATIONAL SHARES.  On the basis
of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject
to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each Selling
Shareholder agrees, severally and not jointly, to sell to each Manager, and each
Manager agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and each
Selling Shareholder, at a purchase price of U.S. $__________ per share
(representing the offering price of U.S. $__________ per share less a selling
concession of U.S. $__________ per share), the respective numbers of
International Firm Shares (rounded up or down, as determined by you in your
discretion, in order to avoid fractions) obtained by multiplying the number of
International Firm Shares to be sold by the Company or the number of
International Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Selling
Stockholder in Schedule A hereto, as the case may be, by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of International Firm Shares set forth opposite
the name of such Manager in Schedule B hereto and the denominator of which is
the total number of International Firm Shares.

      Certificates in negotiable form for the shares of the Common Stock to be
sold by the Selling Stockholders hereunder will be placed in custody, for
delivery under this Agreement, pursuant to agreements entitled Custody Agreement
and Power of Attorney (the "Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney") made
with the Company as custodian ("Custodian") and ________________________ and
_________________________ as attorneys-in-fact for the Selling Stockholders (the
"Attorneys-in-Fact").  Each Selling Stockholder agrees that the shares
represented by the certificates held in custody for the Selling Stockholders
under such Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney are


                                    -5-
<PAGE>


subject to the interests of the  Managers hereunder, that the arrangements made
by the Selling Stockholders for such custody are to that extent irrevocable, and
that the obligations of the Selling Stockholders hereunder shall not be
terminated by operation of law, whether by the death of any individual Selling
Stockholder or the occurrence of any other event, or in the case of a trust, by
the death of any trustee or trustees or the termination of such trust.  If any
individual Selling Stockholder or any such trustee or trustees should die, or if
any other such event should occur, or if any of such trusts should terminate,
before the delivery of the Common Stock hereunder, certificates for such shares
of Common Stock shall be delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement as if such death or other event or termination
had not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian shall have received
notice of such death or other event or termination.

      The Company and the Custodian will deliver the International Firm Shares
to CSFBL for the accounts of the Managers, at the office of CS First Boston
Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055, (or, if requested by
CSFBL, through the Depository Trust Corporation system) against payment of the
purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or checks in New
York Clearing House (next day) funds drawn to the order of Michaels Stores,
Inc., in the case of ________ International Firm Shares and to each Selling
Stockholder in the case of the International Firm Shares being sold by such
Selling Stockholder, at the office of Jackson & Walker L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, at
10:00 A.M., New York time, on _______________, _______________, 1994, or at such
other date and time not later than seven full business days thereafter as CSFBL
and the Company determine, such time and date being herein referred to as the
"First Closing Date."  The certificates for the International Firm Shares so to
be delivered will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in
such names as CSFBL requests and will be made available for checking and
packaging at the office of CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New
York, New York 10055 at least 24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.
Delivery to the Attorneys-in-Fact, or to either of them, of the check payable to
any Selling Stockholder shall be deemed delivery of such check to such Selling
Stockholder for purposes of this Agreement.

      In addition, upon written notice from CS First Boston Corporation from
time to time given to the Company not more than 30 days subsequent to the date
of the initial public offering of the U.S. Firm Shares, the U.S. Underwriters
and the Managers may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Shares, which
in the case of the Managers shall be at the purchase price per share to be paid
for the International Firm Shares.  Unless otherwise agreed between the U.S.
Representatives and CSFBL, the Optional Shares to be so purchased by the
Managers shall be in the same proportion as the International Firm Shares bear
to the Firm Shares.  The Company agrees to sell to the Managers the number of
such International Optional Shares specified in such notice and the Managers
agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase such International Optional
Shares.  Such International Optional Shares shall be purchased for the account
of each Manager in the same proportion as the number of International Firm
Shares set forth opposite such Manager's name in Schedule B hereto bears to the
total number of International Firm Shares (subject to adjustment by CSFBL to
eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by the Managers only for the purpose
of covering


                                    -6-
<PAGE>


over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the International Firm
Shares.  No Optional Shares shall be sold or delivered unless the U.S. Firm
Shares and the International Firm Shares previously have been, or simultaneously
are, sold and delivered.  The right to purchase the Optional Shares or any
portion thereof may be surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by CS
First Boston Corporation on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers to
the Company.

      The time for the delivery of and payment for the International Optional
Shares (or any part thereof), being herein referred to as an "Option Closing
Date" (which may be the First Closing Date) (the First Closing Date and each
Option Closing Date, if any, being sometimes referred to as a "Closing Date"),
shall be determined by the U.S. Representatives but shall be not later than
seven (7) business days after written notice of election to purchase U.S.
Optional Shares is given.  The Company will deliver the International Optional
Shares to CSFBL for the accounts of the several Managers, at the office of CS
First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055, against
payment of the purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or
checks in New York Clearing House (next day) funds drawn to the order of
Michaels Stores, Inc., at the office of Jackson & Walker L.L.P., Dallas, Texas.
The certificates for the International Optional Shares will be in definitive
form, in such denominations and registered in such names as CSFBL requests upon
reasonable notice prior to the Option Closing Date with respect to such shares
and will be made available for checking and packaging at the office of CS First
Boston Corporation, Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055 at a reasonable
time in advance of the Option Closing Date with respect to such shares.

      The Company will pay to the Managers as aggregate compensation for their
commitments hereunder and for their services in connection with the purchase of
the International Shares and the management of the offering thereof, if the sale
and delivery of the International Shares to the Managers provided herein is
consummated, an amount equal to U.S. $_______________ per International Share,
which may be divided among the Managers in such proportions as they may
determine.  Such payment will be made on the First Closing Date in the case of
the International Firm Shares and on the Option Closing Date in the case of the
International Optional Shares sold to the Managers, in each case by way of
deduction by the Managers of said amount from the purchase price for the
International Shares referred to above.

      4.    OFFERING BY MANAGERS.  It is understood that the several Managers
propose to offer the International Shares for sale to the public as set forth in
the International Prospectus.

      In connection with the distribution of the International Shares, the
Managers, through a stabilizing manager, may over-allot or effect transactions
on any exchange, in any over-the-counter market or otherwise, which stabilize or
maintain the market prices of the International Shares at levels other than
those which might otherwise prevail, but in such event and in relation thereto,
the Managers will act for themselves and not as agents of the Company, and any
loss resulting from over-allotment and stabilization will be borne, and any
profit arising therefrom will be beneficially retained, by the Managers.  Such
stabilizing, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.


                                    -7-
<PAGE>



      5.    CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.
(i) The Company agrees with the several Managers that:

            (a)   If the Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery
      of this Agreement, the Company will file the U.S. Prospectus with the
      Commission pursuant to and in accordance with subparagraph (1) (or, if
      applicable and if consented to by the U.S. Representatives, subparagraph,
      (4)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the earlier of (A) the second business
      day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or (B) the
      fifth business day after the Effective Date.  The Company will advise
      CSFBL promptly of any such filing pursuant to Rule 424(b).

            (b)   The Company will advise CSFBL promptly of any proposal to
      amend or supplement the registration statement as filed or the related
      prospectus or the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses and will not
      effect such amendment or supplementation without CSFBL's consent, which
      consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and the Company will also
      advise CSFBL promptly of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
      (if the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement) and of any amendment or supplementation of the Registration
      Statement or the Prospectuses and of the institution by the Commission of
      any stop order proceedings in respect of the Registration Statement and
      will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order
      and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.

            (c)   If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
      Shares is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a
      result of which the Prospectuses as then amended or supplemented would
      include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
      the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is
      necessary at any time to amend either or both of the Prospectuses to
      comply with the Act, the Company, subject to paragraph (b) above, promptly
      will prepare and file with the Commission an amendment or supplement which
      will correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will effect
      such compliance.  Neither CSFBL's consent to, nor the Managers' delivery
      of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of
      the conditions set forth in Section 6.

            (d)   As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability
      Date (as defined below), the Company will make generally available to its
      security holders an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12
      months beginning after the Effective Date which will satisfy the
      provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.  For the purpose of the preceding
      sentence, "Availability Date" means the 45th day after the end of the
      fourth fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes the
      Effective Date, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last
      quarter of the Company's fiscal year, "Availability Date" means the 90th
      day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter.



                                    -8-
<PAGE>


            (e)   The Company will furnish to CS First Boston Corporation copies
      of the Registration Statement (four of which will be signed and will
      include all exhibits), each preliminary prospectus relating to the
      International Shares, the International Prospectus and all amendments and
      supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as available and in
      such quantities as CSFBL reasonably requests.

            (f)   During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will
      furnish to CSFBL and, upon request, to each of the other Managers, as soon
      as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual
      report to stockholders for such year; and the Company will furnish to
      CSFBL (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report or definitive proxy
      statement of the Company filed with the Commission under the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 or mailed to stockholders, and (ii) from time to
      time, such other publicly available information concerning the Company as
      CSFBL may reasonably request.

            (g)   The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance
      of its obligations under this Agreement and will reimburse the Managers
      for any expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by
      them in connection with the filing with the National Association of
      Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to the Offered Shares and for expenses
      incurred in distributing preliminary prospectuses relating to the
      International Shares and the International Prospectus (including any
      amendments and supplements thereto) to the Managers.

            (h)   The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Managers
      against any documentary, stamp or similar issue tax, including any
      interest and penalties, on the creation, issue and sale of the Offered
      Shares and on the execution and delivery of this Agreement.  All payments
      to be made by the Company hereunder shall be made without withholding or
      deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or
      governmental charges whatsoever unless the Company is compelled by law to
      deduct or withhold such taxes, duties or charges.  In that event, the
      Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order
      that the net amounts received after such withholding or deduction shall
      equal the amounts that would have been received if no withholding or
      deduction had been made.

            (i)   Except for filings with the Ministry of Finance in Japan that
      were coordinated by the Representatives, no action has been or, prior to
      the completion of the distribution of the Offered Shares, will be taken by
      the Company in any jurisdiction outside the United States and Canada that
      would permit a public offering of the Offered Shares, or possession or
      distribution of the International Prospectus, or any amendment or
      supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus issued in
      connection with the offering of the Offered Shares or any other offering
      material, in any country or jurisdiction where action for that purpose is
      required.



                                    -9-
<PAGE>


            (j)   The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the
      conditions to the obligations of the several Managers to purchase and pay
      for the International Firm Shares on the First Closing Date and the
      International Optional Shares on each Option Closing Date to be satisfied
      on or prior to the applicable Closing Date.

(ii)  Each Selling Stockholder agrees:

            (a)   to deliver to CSFBL on or prior to the Closing Date a properly
      completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or
      other applicable form or statement specified by Treasury Department
      regulations in lieu thereof); and

            (b)   to use its reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to the
      obligations of the several Managers to purchase and pay for the
      International Firm Shares on the First Closing Date, to the extent such
      conditions relate to such Selling Stockholder, to be satisfied on or prior
      to the First Closing Date.

      6.    CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE MANAGERS.  The obligations of
the several Managers to purchase and pay for the International Firm Shares on
the First Closing Date and the International Optional Shares on each Option
Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company and the Selling Stockholders herein, to
the accuracy of the statements of Company officers and the Selling Stockholders
made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company, the
Selling Stockholders and the Custodian of their obligations hereunder and to the
following additional conditions precedent (provided that the conditions set
forth herein that relate to the Selling Stockholders shall not constitute
conditions to the obligations of the several Managers to purchase Optional
Shares on any Option Closing Date that is other than the First Closing Date):

            (a)   CSFBL shall have received a letter, dated the date of delivery
      thereof (which, if the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or prior to the date of this
      Agreement or, if the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the amendment
      or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to be filed
      shortly prior to the Effective Time), of Ernst & Young confirming that
      they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and
      the applicable published Rules and Regulations thereunder and stating in
      effect that:

                  (i)   in their opinion the financial statements and schedules
            examined by them and included or incorporated by reference in the
            Registration Statement comply in form in all material respects with
            the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
            published Rules and Regulations;




                                    -10-
<PAGE>



                  (ii)  they have made a review of the unaudited financial
            statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included
            in the Registration Statement in accordance with standards
            established by the American Institute of Certified Public
            Accountants, as indicated in their reports attached to such letter;

                  (iii) on the basis of the review referred to in clause (ii)
            above, a reading of the latest available interim financial
            statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries,
            inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility for
            financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures,
            nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                        (A)   the unaudited financial statements of the Company
            and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration
            Statement do not comply in form in all material respects with
            applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
            published Rules and Regulations;

                        (B)   at the date of the latest available balance sheet
            of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries read by such
            accountants, or at a subsequent specified date not more than five
            days prior to the date of this Agreement, there was any change in
            the capital stock or any increase in short-term indebtedness or
            long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, or,
            at the date of the latest available balance sheet read by such
            accountants, there was any decrease in consolidated net current
            assets or net assets of the Company and its consolidated
            subsidiaries, as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance
            sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in
            the Prospectuses; or

                        (C)   for the period from the closing date of the latest
            income statement of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses to the closing date of the latest
            available income statement of the Company and its consolidated
            subsidiaries read by such accountants there were any decreases, as
            compared with the corresponding period of the previous year and with
            the period of corresponding length ended the date of the latest
            income statement of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses, in consolidated net sales or net
            operating income of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or
            in the total or per share amount of consolidated net income of the
            Company and its consolidated subsidiaries;

            except in all cases set forth in clauses (B) and (C) above for
            changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectuses disclose have
            occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter; and

                  (iv)  they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
            percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
            information


                                    -11-
<PAGE>


            contained in the Registration Statement (in each case to the extent
            that such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
            information are derived from the general accounting records of the
            Company and its consolidated subsidiaries subject to the internal
            controls of the Company's and its consolidated subsidiaries'
            accounting system or are derived directly from such records by
            analysis or computation) with the results obtained from inquiries, a
            reading of such general accounting records and other procedures
            specified in such letter and have found such dollar amounts,
            percentages and other financial information to be in agreement with
            such results, except as otherwise specified in such letter.

      For purposes of this subsection, if the Effective Time is subsequent to
      the execution and delivery of this Agreement, "Registration Statement"
      shall mean the registration statement as proposed to be amended by the
      amendment or post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to the
      Effective Time, and "Prospectuses" shall mean the prospectus included in
      the Registration Statement and the related draft of the International
      Prospectus.  All financial statements and schedules included in material
      incorporated by reference into the U.S. Prospectus shall be deemed
      included in the Registration Statement for purposes of this subsection.

            (b)   CSFBL shall have received a letter, dated the date of delivery
      thereof (which, if the Effective Time is prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be on or prior to the date of this
      Agreement or, if the Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the amendment
      or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to be filed
      shortly prior to the Effective Time), of Deloitte & Touche confirming that
      they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and
      the applicable published Rules and Regulations thereunder and stating in
      effect that:

                  (i)   in their opinion the financial statements and schedules
            examined by them and included in the Registration Statement comply
            in form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
            requirements of the Act and the related published Rules and
            Regulations;

                  (ii)  they have made a review of the unaudited financial
            statements of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries included in
            the Registration Statement in accordance with standards established
            by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as
            indicated in their reports attached to such letter;

                  (iii) on the basis of the review referred to in clause (ii)
            above, a reading of the latest available interim financial
            statements of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries, inquiries
            of officials of Leewards who have responsibility for financial and
            accounting matters and other specified procedures, nothing came to
            their attention that caused them to believe that:


                                    -12-
<PAGE>



                        (A)   the unaudited financial statements of Leewards and
            its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement
            do not comply in form in all material respects with applicable
            accounting requirements of the Act and the related published Rules
            and Regulations;

                        (B)   at the date of the latest available balance sheet
            of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries read by such
            accountants, or at a subsequent specified date not more than five
            days prior to the date of this Agreement, there was any change in
            the capital stock or any increase in short-term indebtedness or
            long-term debt of Leewards and its subsidiaries consolidated, or, at
            the date of the latest available balance sheet read by such
            accountants, there was any decrease in consolidated net current
            assets or net assets of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries,
            as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance sheet of
            Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the
            Prospectuses; or

                        (C)   for the period from the closing date of the latest
            income statement of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses to the closing date of the latest
            available income statement of Leewards and its consolidated
            subsidiaries read by such accountants there were any decreases, as
            compared with the corresponding period of the previous year and with
            the period of corresponding length ended the date of the latest
            income statement of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries
            included in the Prospectuses, in consolidated net sales or net
            operating income of Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries or in
            the total or per share amount of consolidated net income of Leewards
            and its consolidated subsidiaries;

            except in all cases set forth in clauses (B) and (C) above for
            changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectuses disclose have
            occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter; and

                  (iv)  they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
            percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
            information contained in the Registration Statement (in each case to
            the extent that such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
            information are derived from the general accounting records of
            Leewards and its consolidated subsidiaries subject to the internal
            controls of Leewards' and its consolidated subsidiaries' accounting
            system or are derived directly from such records by analysis or
            computation) with the results obtained from inquiries, a reading of
            such general accounting records and other procedures specified in
            such letter and have found such dollar amounts, percentages and
            other financial information to be in agreement with such results,
            except as otherwise specified in such letter.

      For purposes of this subsection, if the Effective Time is subsequent to
      the execution and delivery of this Agreement, "Registration Statement"
      shall mean


                                    -13-
<PAGE>



      the registration statement as proposed to be amended by the amendment or
      post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to the Effective Time,
      and "Prospectuses" shall mean the prospectus included in the Registration
      Statement and the related draft of the International Prospectus.  All
      financial statements and schedules included in material incorporated by
      reference into the U.S. Prospectus shall be deemed included in the
      Registration Statement for purposes of this subsection.

            (c)   If the Effective Time is not prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement, the Effective Time shall have occurred not
      later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or
      such later date as shall have been consented to by CSFBL.  If the
      Effective Time is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      the U.S. Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in
      accordance with the Rules and Regulations and Section 5(a) of this
      Agreement.  Prior to the Closing Date, no stop order suspending the
      effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no
      proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the
      knowledge of the Company, any Selling Stockholder or CSFBL, shall be
      contemplated by the Commission.

            (d)   Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      there shall not have occurred (i) a change in United States or
      international financial, political or economic conditions or currency
      exchange rates or exchange controls as would, in the reasonable judgment
      of CSFBL, be likely to prejudice materially the success of the proposed
      issue, sale or distribution of the International Shares, whether in the
      primary market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market; (ii) any
      change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting
      particularly the business or properties of the Company or its subsidiaries
      which, in the reasonable judgment of CSFBL, materially impairs the
      investment quality of the Offered Shares; (iii) any downgrading in the
      rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized
      statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)
      under the Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has
      under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the
      Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a
      possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such
      rating); (iv) any suspension or limitation of trading in securities
      generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum prices
      for trading on such exchange, or any suspension of trading of any
      securities of the Company on any exchange or on The Nasdaq Stock Market or
      the over-the-counter market; (v) any banking moratorium declared by
      Federal or New York authorities; or (vi) any outbreak or escalation of
      major hostilities in which the United States is involved, any declaration
      of war by Congress or any other substantial national or international
      calamity or emergency, if, in the reasonable judgment of CSFBL, the effect
      of any such outbreak, escalation, declaration, calamity or emergency makes
      it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the sale of
      and payment for the International Shares.



                                    -14-
<PAGE>


            (e)   CSFBL shall have received an opinion, dated such Closing Date,
      of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P., counsel for the Company, to the effect that:

                  (i)   The Company and each subsidiary of the Company that is
            incorporated under the laws of one of the United States has been
            duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing
            under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, with corporate
            power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business
            as described in the Prospectuses; and the Company and each
            subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a
            foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in
            which it owns or leases substantial properties or in which the
            conduct of its business requires such qualifications, except where
            the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse
            effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
            operations or business of the Company and the subsidiaries taken as
            a whole;

                  (ii)  The Offered Shares delivered on such Closing Date and
            all other outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company have
            been duly authorized and validly issued and conform to the
            description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; when purchased
            and issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement the Offered
            Shares being delivered on such Closing Date by the Company will be,
            and all other Offered Shares and all other outstanding shares of the
            Common Stock of the Company are, fully paid and nonassessable; and
            the stockholders of the Company have no preemptive rights with
            respect to the Offered Shares pursuant to any applicable statute,
            rule or regulation or to the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws
            of the Company, and to such counsel's knowledge no preemptive rights
            with respect to the Offered Shares exist, whether pursuant to the
            items listed above, pursuant to contract or otherwise;

                  (iii) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings
            known to such counsel between the Company and any person granting
            such person the right to require the Company to file a registration
            statement under the Act with respect to any securities of the
            Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the
            Company to include such securities in the securities registered
            pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities being
            registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
            Company under the Act, except for (a) the Registration Rights, which
            pursuant to the Third Amendment are now held by the Prior Assignees
            (as defined in the Third Amendment), Tallulah, Ltd., the Christiana
            Trust and the Andrew Trust (as more fully described in the Third
            Amendment), all of which Registration Rights have been waived with
            respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) the
            registration rights provided in the Merger Agreement, (c)
            registration rights provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
            as of February 16, 1994 among the Company, Treasure House Stores,
            Inc. and the stockholders of Treasure House Stores, Inc., as amended
            by Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, and (d) registration


                                    -15-
<PAGE>


            rights provided in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
            March 3, 1994 among the Company and the other parties listed
            therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of
            Merger, dated as of March 31, 1994, relating to the acquisition of
            the affiliated store chains of Oregon Craft & Floral Supply Co. and
            H&H Craft and Floral Supply Co., which registration rights described
            in (b), (c) and (d) have been fully complied with and provided to
            the persons and entities entitled thereto.

                  (iv)  No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
            filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is
            required to be obtained or made by the Company for the consummation
            of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
            Subscription Agreement in connection with the issuance or sale of
            the Offered Shares, except such as have been obtained and made under
            the Act and such as may be required under state securities laws;

                  (v)   The execution, delivery and performance of this
            Agreement and the Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the
            transactions contemplated herein and therein will not result in a
            breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or
            constitute a default under, (A) any statute, any rule, regulation or
            order (excluding orders that specifically name and are directed to
            the Company and are unknown to such counsel and excluding the
            specific matters under the Act, the Rules, the Regulations and Rule
            10(b)5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are covered by
            paragraph (vi) below, the only opinions being expressed with respect
            to such matters being set forth in paragraph (vi) below) which a
            lawyer experienced in the public offering of securities would
            recognize as applicable to a transaction of the type covered by this
            Agreement of any governmental agency or body or any court having
            jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or
            any of their properties, or the charter or bylaws of the Company or
            any subsidiary of the Company or (B) to the knowledge of such
            counsel, any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any
            subsidiary of the Company is a party or by which the Company or any
            subsidiary of the Company is bound or to which any of the properties
            of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company are subject, and the
            Company has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell
            the Offered Shares as contemplated by this Agreement and the
            Subscription Agreement;

                  (vi)  The Registration Statement was declared effective under
            the Act as of the date and time specified in such opinion, the U.S.
            Prospectus either was filed with the Commission pursuant to the
            subparagraph of Rule 424(b) specified in such opinion on the date
            specified therein or was included in the Registration Statement (as
            the case may be), and, to the best of the knowledge of such counsel,
            no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
            Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no proceedings for
            that purpose have been instituted or are


                                    -16-
<PAGE>


            pending or contemplated under the Act, and the Registration
            Statement and the U.S. Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement
            thereto, as of their respective effective or issue dates, complied
            as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act
            and the Rules and Regulations; such counsel have no reason to
            believe that either the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses,
            or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of their respective
            effective or issue dates, contained any untrue statement of a
            material fact or omitted to state any material fact required
            pursuant to the Act, the Rules or the Regulations to be stated
            therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
            the descriptions in the Registration Statement and Prospectuses of
            statutes, legal and governmental proceedings (other than statutes,
            legal or governmental proceedings related to the securities laws of
            any jurisdiction other than the United States) and contracts and
            other documents are accurate and fairly present the information
            required to be shown pursuant to the Act, the Rules or the
            Regulations; and such counsel do not know of any legal or
            governmental proceedings required pursuant to the Act, the Rules or
            the Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement or
            Prospectuses which are not described as required pursuant to the
            Act, the Rules and the Regulations or of any contracts or documents
            of a character required pursuant to the Act, the Rules or the
            Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement or
            Prospectuses or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
            Statement which are not described and filed as required pursuant to
            the Act, the Rules and the Regulations; it being understood that
            such counsel need express no opinion as to the financial statements
            or other financial data contained, by incorporation by reference or
            otherwise, in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses;

                  (vii) This Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; and

                  (viii)The merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
            with and into Leewards described in the Merger Agreement (the
            "Merger") has been effected, and a Certificate of Merger covering
            such Merger has been filed with the necessary government
            authorities.

            (f)   You shall have received an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of
      counsel for each of the Selling Stockholders (which counsel may be
      in-house counsel of such Selling Stockholder), to the effect that:

                  (i)   Such Selling Stockholder has valid and unencumbered
            title to the Common Stock sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant
            to this Agreement and has full right, power and authority to sell,
            assign, transfer and deliver such Common Stock hereunder; and,
            assuming that the several Underwriters have purchased such shares of
            Common Stock in good faith and without notice of any defect in title
            thereto, the several Managers have acquired valid and unencumbered
            title to the Common


                                    -17-
<PAGE>


            Stock purchased by them from such Selling Stockholder hereunder,
            except for liens, claims, charges and other encumbrances created by
            or through any Manager;

                  (ii)  To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval,
            authorization or order of, or filing with, any governmental agency
            or body or any court is required to be obtained or made by such
            Selling Stockholder for the consummation of the transactions
            contemplated by this Agreement or the Custody Agreement and Power of
            Attorney in connection with the sale of the Common Stock sold by
            such Selling Stockholder hereunder, except such as may be required
            under the Act or state securities laws;

                  (iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this
            Agreement and the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney and the
            consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated
            will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and
            provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute, rule or
            regulation which a lawyer experienced in the public offering of
            securities would recognize as applicable to a transaction of the
            type covered by this Agreement (assuming all consents, approvals,
            authorizations, or orders of or filings with any governmental body
            or agency required under the Act or state securities laws have been
            obtained or made), or the charter or bylaws of such Selling
            Stockholder which is a corporation, the partnership agreement of any
            Selling Stockholder that is a partnership, or the trust instrument
            of any Selling Stockholder that is a trust, or, to the knowledge of
            such counsel, any order of any governmental agency or body or any
            court having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder or any of
            its properties or, to the knowledge of such counsel, any agreement
            or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by
            which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the
            properties of such Selling Stockholder is subject;

                  (iv)  This Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement have been
            duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder;
            and

                  (v)   The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney to which
            such Selling Stockholder is a party has been duly authorized,
            executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and is a valid
            and binding agreement, enforceable against such Selling Stockholder
            in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
            insolvency, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
            affecting the rights of creditors and to principles of equity,
            except that no opinion need be expressed with respect to section
            4.H. or 5.A.(2) of such Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney.

      To the extent that any of such opinions relate to the state law of any
      state in which such counsel is not admitted to practice, such counsel may
      rely on


                                    -18-
<PAGE>


      opinions of local counsel in such state if the local counsel is reasonably
      acceptable to the Underwriters and their counsel and the opinions of the
      local counsel are also addressed to the Underwriters and specifically
      state that the Underwriters are permitted to rely on such opinions.

            (g)   CSFBL shall have received from Fulbright & Jaworski, United
      States counsel for the Managers, such opinion or opinions, dated such
      Closing Date, with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the
      validity of the Offered Shares, the Registration Statement, the
      Prospectuses and other related matters as CSFBL may require, and the
      Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have furnished to such counsel
      such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass
      upon such matters.

            (h)   CSFBL shall have received a certificate, dated such Closing
      Date, of the President or any Vice-President and a principal financial or
      accounting officer of the Company in which such officers, to the best of
      their knowledge after reasonable investigation, shall state that the
      representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true
      and correct in all material respects, that the Company has, in all
      material respects, complied with all agreements and satisfied all
      conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior
      to such Closing Date, that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
      the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
      purpose have been instituted or are contemplated by the Commission and
      that, subsequent to the dates of the most recent financial statements in
      the Prospectuses, there has been no material adverse change in the
      financial position or results of operation of the Company and its
      subsidiaries except as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectuses or
      as described in such certificate.

            (i)   CSFBL shall have received letters, dated such Closing Date, of
      Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche which meet the requirements of
      subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of this Section, except that the
      specified dates referred to in such subsections will be a date not more
      than five days prior to such Closing Date for the purposes of this
      subsection.

            (j)   On such Closing Date, the U.S. Underwriters shall have
      purchased the U.S. Firm Shares or the U.S. Optional Shares, as the case
      may be, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

            (k)   Each Selling Stockholder that has delivered supplemental
      instructions as contemplated by clause 1.F of the Custody Agreement and
      Power of Attorney to which such Selling Stockholder is a party shall have
      delivered to you an original of such supplemental instructions with the
      signature of such Selling Stockholder thereon guaranteed by a commercial
      bank or trust company in the United States or by a member firm of the New
      York Stock Exchange.

The Company and the Selling Stockholders will furnish CSFBL with such conformed
copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as CSFBL reasonably
requests.


                                    -19-
<PAGE>



      7.    INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  (a) The Company will indemnify
and hold harmless each Manager against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Manager may become subject, under
the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectuses, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any
related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse each Manager for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such Manager in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however,
that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from
any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by any Manager through CSFBL specifically
for use therein.

      (b)   Each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify
and hold harmless each Manager against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, to which such Manager may become subject, under the Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement,
the International Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any
related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case
to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance on and
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Selling
Stockholder specifically for use therein, and will reimburse each Manager for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Manager in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action as such expenses are incurred.  Such Selling Stockholder shall not be
liable under this Section 7 or for any breach of, or inaccuracy contained in,
the representations and warranties of such Selling Stockholder contained in
Section 2(b) of this Agreement for an amount in excess of the purchase price
received by such Selling Stockholder from the Managers hereunder, less the
amount of damages which such Selling Stockholder has otherwise been required to
pay under this Section 7 or otherwise.  The indemnity agreements contained in
this paragraph (b) are subject to the condition that, insofar as they relate to
any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission
made in a preliminary prospectus but eliminated or remedied in the International
Prospectus, such indemnity agreements shall not inure to the benefit of any
Manager from whom the person asserting such loss, claim, damage or liability
purchased Common Stock if a copy of the International Prospectus was not
furnished to such person at or prior to the time such action is required.



                                    -20-
<PAGE>


      (c)   Each Manager will, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities to which the Company or such Selling Stockholder may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, the International Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that
such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by such Manager through CSFBL specifically for use
therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Company or such Selling Stockholder in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are
incurred.

      (d)   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above.  In case any such action
is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.  No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity has or could have
been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes
an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

      (e)   If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a), (b)
or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
or liabilities referred to in subsection (a), (b) or (c) above (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Managers on the
other from the offering of the International Shares or (ii) if the allocation
provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such


                                    -21-
<PAGE>


proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred
to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the
Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Managers on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The
relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the
one hand and the Managers on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the International
Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received
by the Managers.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company and the Selling Stockholders or the Managers
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission.  The amount
paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (e) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or
claim which is the subject of this subsection (e).  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (e), no Selling Stockholder shall be required to
contribute any amount unless such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of
an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
such Selling Stockholder specifically for use in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no
Manager shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total price at which the International Shares underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Manager has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission and no
Selling Stockholder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total purchase price received by such Selling Stockholder
from the Managers hereunder exceeds the amount of damages which such Selling
Stockholder has otherwise been required to pay under this Section 7 or
otherwise.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Managers'
obligations in this subsection (e) to contribute are several in proportion to
their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

      (f)   The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders under
this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the
Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Manager within the
meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Managers under this Section shall
be in addition to any liability which the respective Managers may otherwise have
and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each director of the
Company, to each officer of the Company who has signed the Registration
Statement and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of the Act.


                                    -22-
<PAGE>


      8.    DEFAULT OF MANAGERS.  If any Manager or Managers default in their
obligations to purchase International Shares hereunder on either the First
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of
International Shares that such defaulting Manager or Managers agreed but failed
to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of International
Shares that the Managers are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, CSFBL
may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company and the Selling Stockholders
for the purchase of such International Shares by other persons, including any of
the Managers, but if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date the
non-defaulting Managers shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their
respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the International Shares that such
defaulting Managers agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date.  If any
Manager or Managers so default and the aggregate number of shares of
International Shares with respect to which such default or defaults occur
exceeds 10% of the total number of shares of International Shares that the
Managers are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements
satisfactory to CSFBL, the Company and the Selling Stockholders for the purchase
of such International Shares by other persons are not made within 36 hours after
such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Manager,  the Company or the Selling Stockholders, except as
provided in Section 9 (provided that if such default occurs with respect to
International Optional Shares after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will
not terminate as to the International Firm Shares).  As used in this Agreement,
the term "Manager" includes any person substituted for an Manager under this
Section.  Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Manager from liability for
its default.

      9.    SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company or its officers, the Selling Stockholders and the
several Managers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in
full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the
results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Manager, any Selling Stockholder or
the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or
any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the
International Shares.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8 or
if for any reason the purchase of the International Shares by the Managers is
not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the expenses to be
paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective obligations of
the Company and the Selling Stockholders and the Managers pursuant to Section 7
shall remain in effect, and if any shares of International Shares have been
purchased hereunder the representations and warranties in Section 2 and all
obligations under Section 5 shall also remain in effect.  If the purchase of the
International Shares by the Managers is not consummated for any reason other
than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8
or the occurrence of any event specified in clause (iv), (v) or (vi) of Section
6(d), the Company will reimburse the Managers for all out-of-pocket expenses
(including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in
connection with the offering of the International Shares.



                                    -23-
<PAGE>


      10.   NOTICES.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to the Managers, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
CSFBL at, c/o CS First Boston Limited, One Cabot Square, London England E14 4QJ,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed,
delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at 5931 Campus Circle Drive, Las
Colinas Business Park, Irving, Texas 75063, Attention: Jack E. Bush, with a
courtesy copy to Charles D. Maguire, Jr., Jackson & Walker, L.L.P., 901 Main
Street, Suite 6000, Dallas, Texas 75202, or, if sent to the Selling Stockholders
or any of them, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such
Selling Stockholder at the address set forth under such Selling Stockholder's
name on Schedule A; provided, however, that any notice to a Manager pursuant to
Section 7 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such
Manager.

      11.   SUCCESSORS.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective personal representatives
and successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred
to in Section 7, and no other person will have any right or obligation
hereunder.

      12.   REPRESENTATION OF MANAGERS AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.  CSFBL will
act, and acknowledge that you are authorized to act, for the several Managers in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any action
under this Agreement taken by CSFBL will be binding upon all the Managers.  In
accordance with the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney,
_________________________ will act for the Selling Stockholders in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any action under or in
respect of this Agreement taken by _________________________ will be binding
upon all Selling Stockholders.

      13.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

      14.   APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

      15.   TELECOPY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.  A facsimile, telecopy or other
reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties hereto,
and an executed copy of this Agreement may be delivered by one or more parties
hereto by facsimile or similar instantaneous electronic transmission device
pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen, and
such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for
all purposes.  At the request of any party hereto, all parties hereto agree to
execute and deliver an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile,
telecopy or other reproduction hereof.

      16.   COMPLETION OF DISTRIBUTION.  CSFBL agrees that it will inform the
Company when the Managers have completed the distribution of the International
Shares contemplated by this Agreement in order to permit the Company to perform
its obligations hereunder, including those obligations imposed by Section 5(c).



                                    -24-
<PAGE>


      If the foregoing is in accordance with CSFBL's understanding of our
agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof,
whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Company, the Selling
Stockholders and the several Managers in accordance with its terms.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MICHAELS STORES, INC.



                                    By:
                                        ------------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                           ---------------------------------


                                    SELLING STOCKHOLDERS:

                                    By _________________________ as
                                    attorney-in-fact for each of the Selling
                                    Stockholders listed below pursuant to
                                    authority granted in the Custody Agreement
                                    and Power of Attorney.



                                    ----------------------------------------

                                    Alan Altschuler
                                    Stephen J. Berman
                                    EMP & Co.
                                    Frontenac Venture V Limited Partnership
                                    GIPEN & Co.
                                    Alan L. Magdovitz
                                    MONY Life Insurance Company of America
                                    The Mutual Life Insurance Company
                                      of New York
                                    John A. Popple
                                    Prudential-Bache Capital Partners I, L.P.
                                    Prudential-Bache Capital Partners II, L.P.
                                    The Prudential Insurance Company of America
                                    John E. Welsh, III




                                    -25-
<PAGE>


The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.

CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY, L.P.
NOMURA INTERNATIONAL PLC


By:
    -------------------------------
Title:
      -----------------------------

- -----------------------------------
- -----------------------------------
- -----------------------------------


Each by its duly authorized attorney-in-fact


By:
   --------------------------------


                                    -26-
<PAGE>





                                 SCHEDULE A


                                                                    Total
                                                                  Number of
      Selling Stockholders                                    Shares to be Sold
      --------------------                                    -----------------


Alan Altschuler ............................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

Stephen J. Berman ..........................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

EMP & Co. ..................................................._________________
c/o Ms. Laura Pearl
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Frontenac Company
208 S. LaSalle Street, Room 1900
Chicago, IL  60604

Frontenac Venture V Limited Partnership ....................._________________
c/o Mr. Roger McEniry
Frontenac Company
208 S. LaSalle Street, Room 1900
Chicago, IL  60604

GIPEN & Co. ................................................._________________
c/o Ms. Suzanne Walton
MONY Financial Services
1740 Broadway
Mail Drop 11-6
New York, NY  10019

Alan L. Magdovitz ..........................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

MONY Life Insurance Company of America ......................_________________
c/o Ms. Suzanne Walton
MONY Financial Services
1740 Broadway
Mail Drop 11-6
New York, NY  10019



                                    -27-
<PAGE>



                                                        SCHEDULE A CONTINUED


                                                                   Total
                                                                 Number of
      Selling Stockholders                                   Shares to be Sold
      --------------------                                   -----------------


The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York ..............._________________
c/o Ms. Suzanne Walton
MONY Financial Services
1740 Broadway
Mail Drop 11-6
New York, NY  10019

John A. Popple .............................................._________________
Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.
1200 St. Charles Street
Elgin, Illinois  60120

Prudential-Bache Capital Partners I, L.P. ..................._________________
c/o Mr. Stephen J. Berman
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

Prudential-Bache Capital Partners II, L.P. .................._________________
c/o Mr. Stephen J. Berman
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005

The Prudential Insurance Company of America ................._________________
c/o Mr. David Descalzi
Prudential Corporate Funding
4 Gateway Center, 9th Floor
Newark, NJ  07102-4069

John E. Welsh, III .........................................._________________
Seaport Capital, Inc.
99 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10005






              Total..........................................
                                                             =================



                                    -28-
<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE B

                                                                     Total
                                                                   Number of
                                                       International Firm Shares
      Manager                                                  to be Purchased
      -------                                                  ---------------

CS First Boston Limited ....................................._________________

Robertson, Stephens & Company, L.P. ........................._________________

Nomura International plc ...................................._________________






                Total........................................
                                                             =================



                                       - 29 -

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
    We  consent  to  the reference  to  our  firm under  the  captions "Selected
Financial and Store Data" and "Experts" in the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3  to
the  Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-53639) and related Prospectus of
Michaels Stores,  Inc. and  to the  incorporation by  reference therein  of  our
reports  dated February  28, 1994,  with respect  to the  consolidated financial
statements and schedules of  Michaels Stores, Inc.  included or incorporated  by
reference  in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)  for the year ended January 30, 1994
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    

                                                      ERNST & YOUNG

   
Dallas, Texas
July 6, 1994
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

   
    We  consent to the use in this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration
Statement No. 33-53639 of Michaels Stores, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report  dated
March  4,  1994 (May  11, 1994  as to  Note 11)  on the  audit of  the financial
statements of Leewards Creative Crafts, Inc.  (the "Company") as of and for  the
years  ended  January  30,  1994  and  January  31,  1993,  which  expresses  an
unqualified opinion  and  includes  an explanatory  paragraph  relating  to  the
Agreement  and Plan of  Merger whereby the  Company will become  a subsidiary of
Michaels Stores,  Inc., appearing  in  the Prospectus,  which  is part  of  such
Registration Statement.
    

    We  also consent to the reference to  us under the heading "Experts" in such
Prospectus.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE

   
Chicago, Illinois
July 6, 1994
    


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