Abort Michael's mission. repeat: Abort Michael's mission!

In an earlier post I asked for help in finding cheap, clearance screens at Michael's. It is becoming increasingly apparent that my local store is an anomaly. I've heard from online and offline pals that the Michael's folks aren't exactly helpful when asked about screen printing, in fact they are almost hostile when asked about it. Sam, that look you got is way familiar to me--I'm more and more realizing that Michael's is a great starting point but not so much for advanced type stuff (unless you're into scrapbooking, of which they have an amazing selection). My store is fairly new but seems to be laid out and stocked different from every other M's store I've ever visited.

Here's an example: The other day I was picking up some basics at Michael's. I found some dirt cheap photographic emulsion in the clearance aisle and grabbed it like I was on Supermarket Sweep and it was a pack of diapers. See, it costs around $20 online when it's cheap, so when it's $7 I'm on it like a bonnet. It's shelf stable until mixed, and after it's mixed it lasts maybe four months when refrigerated. Ok. Getting back on track. I asked the counter gal if they have discharge paste for fabric and she says she doesn't know. I figure what's plastic looking as the going to happen is she's going to finish ringing my order and then ask management if they have it. Didn't happen.

Yesterday I go by the local art supply store. It should be noted that I'm not an artist, I've never taken an art class in my life. I'm a crafter and wannabe artist. I don't know technique, I don't know products, I currently paint with cheap craft paints on discount canvases. I'm fascinated by pop culture and my art reflects that--it's bright, shiny, with no depth and no real personality. OK, so getting back to the point of this paragraph. I am warned by SalK not to expect helpful staff. They're artists, they don't cotton to my type. One dude is willing to help me so I go for it, get my discharge paste, get my discount card, rock. But their screens are outrageous. The two I got at M's for $9 each were $26 at the art supply store. Daaaaaaaaang. So, no. I'll order online. They're cheaper there even with shipping. Or I can reuse the screens I've bought, but I don't really want to do that. Although I'm still thinking about creating a new screen every month, producing a small run, and then removing the emulsion and starting over again.