Hi cakers, I'm in the UK but will be visiting the US (OR, WA, ID) for three weeks next year and I'm hoping to stock up on a few supplies that are difficult or impossible to get over here. What I'm hoping you can tell me is, where's the best place to pick up stuff that's easy to find ie. Walmart etc. Forgive me for not knowing many of the larger stores in America!

We can get Americolor and Wilton stuff over here but they're very expensive in comparison and if we order from the US the shipping rates can be astronomical.

Thanks guys

Clare

Michaels has a bunch of stuff and you can find coupons online sometimes. Joanne's is pretty decent they also have coupons on line. I think that Hobby Lobby has the best prices and they will have coupons on line too. I have heard AC moore is good but have only been to one twice.

That's great, thanks for your quick reply

I understand you are going to Oregon? My son lives in Portland and whenever I visit him I make sure to go to The Decorette store. It is a specialty shop that has a good supply of cake decorating supplies. Where I live, I have access to Michael's and Hobby Lobby, but they are a couple hours distant from me and I don't feel their choice is the greatest. Everything else I have to mail order. So I really do love to browse in a cake store. You can check it out here:

http://www.decoretteshop.com/about.php

Have fun on your visit and be sure to leave room in your suitcase for the trip home.

Oh, and just a little tip.. I wasn't able to fly with a couple of sealed bottles of flavorings. So be careful in your buying frenzy to keep in mind the airport security. It would be a shame to leave them at the gate. Fortunately, my son could send them to me.

Jan

edited to add: I just looked at the site. One thing they don't mention is the fact that they also carry some gumpaste flower cutters, although the selection is not too large.

Why wouldn't they let you have your flavorings? That's pretty mean. I've never had them show much interest in what was in my ziplock bag, as long as each bottle is small. If in doubt, put it in checked luggage.

I guess they thought that 8 oz of Creme Bouquet and 6 oz of glycerine could be a terrorist's newest tools. I did have it in my checked luggage, it was searched. I guess a little white haired lady is a crazy suspect. This was in the St. Louis airport on my way to Oregon. To save repeating the ordeal, I had my son mail similar items to me for my return trip.

I guess it depends upon the security at any particular airport. It is just a "heads up".

Jan

If you have a smart phone you. An get an app for michaels and joanns and they have coupons you can use from your phone.

Thanks everyone, this is great info!

JoAnn's will also accept coupons from Hobby Lobby and Michael's. Before I go shopping I always look up and print them all to take with me. I would think if you packaged and shipped it you could save money and ship it the cheapest rate that way you would not have to deal with TSA.

This is a great site to find coupons

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/12/jo-ann-coupons.html


Have fun!

That's a great idea, Luckylibra, hadn't considered that. Would also mean I wouldn't have to worry about excess baggage charges on the way home!