Yesterday afternoon I decided to venture out and try to purchase some more inexpensive white craft paint, some wire, and a bottle of tacky glue, as I've been using it up quite rapidly lately. I went to 3 stores, and the only one that had tacky had the old upright bottles, small, at $6.98 each! Old stock for sure, and my experience with that is that it thickens badly, making it less than useful for mini flowers.
The white craft paint I like for shabby chic projects is sold at $ stores, so I suspect it comes from China. And it appears as if supplies are not being replenished. They had lots of the larger bottles in vivid colours, and even some black, but the pastels and the white were no longer available.
The shelves in the craft department at our Walmart were 3/4 empty - and indication of where the majority of their craft products come from! Another customer was shopping for knitting yarn, and she was very disappointed at the bare shelves.
Well, I am not out of either paint or glue yet, but I will have to ration it a little better. I'll experiment with artist's tube acrylic, to see if I can reproduce the whitewash effect that way, when I run out of the cheaper stuff. Michael's is my stop of absolute last resort; they have reduced their coupon values, knowing people were desperate for things to do, and I will do my darndest not to give in to that sort of corporate greed!
Necessity being the mother of invention, it will be interesting to see what crafters will come with next!
I never realized how many of our craft supplies come from China. It certainly gives a valid argument for moving factories to Mexico.
ReplyDeletePeople are wanting to keep busy and crafting and DIY projects are a great way to pass the time especially if you have school aged children at home.
ReplyDeleteBut it must have felt good to get out and about and to stretch your legs again. We can easily take a lot of things for granted but who would have thought that outings away from home, would become one of them!
We are going to try an electronic mini meeting, I'll report on how that goes.
DeleteOur Walmarts as well are pretty much empty...I was shocked as the fabric was all gone and forget anything wood to paint..no paints or cardboars..I wish I had thought to take a picture...still in shock.....
DeleteGood luck with the meeting and with finding the supplies you need! I guess we are all going to have to get a lot more creative!
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