Coming from the Uk we obviously dont have the same stores as in the US. I love the sound of this Michaels store that everyone talks about. I am holidaying in Mexico in the next couple of weeks and wondered do they have a Michaels store there? If they do I shall have to bring extra suitcases with me for supplies!! Can anybody help?

The stores are only in Canada and the US.

Maybe you will have to make a side trip!!!LOL

Oh thats such a shame they dont have the stores there! i know just how you feel mo63!!

I feel your pain! I am in Australia and have complete shopping envy over everyone in the US. The amount of stuff I would love to buy! I REALLY want to go to Walmart too as I am a teacher and always hear of bargains there Unfortunately they don't ship to Aus!

I think a quick trip to the US while you're in Mexico would be the way to go!

mo63 I'm from Mexico but I live on the border of Texas so when my family go to Texas (wich is 15 minutes from my home to Hidalgo Texas) I always gave them a looooong list of goodies to buy form michael's and the best part is that they give you 40% off! I can imagine how frustrating must be for you all, but if you ever come to Mexico make sure you go to vacation on the border of USA you can just cross to USA to buy some goodies, there are Michael's everywhere. Best regards to all of you!

I am having my holiday in Cancun and suspect that this is quite a way to go to the the border Would I be correct?

Yes Dear friend, Cancun is wayyyyy far from the border of USA in fact Cancun is very close to Cuba and Puerto Rico,ohhh now that I recall Puerto Rico is part of USA and I bet there is a michaels there,is there a chance you can get you US visa and go to PR? I believe in PR they sell even that hi ratio shortening! do you get shortening on UK? you can buy shortening in Mexico aswell just try to buy the one that doesn't have part of animal shortening, one that is very good is the brand called Lirio that is pure vegetable shortening,but I bet you will have a blast on Cancun,one of my best friends just got from there and she said that it was amazing to see such city,very very beautyful over there,she said next year she wants to go to Cabo San Lucas which I think is near California US,nevertheless I hope you can have a blast over here! Best Regards to all!

Whoa!!!! that's some present! a trip to the other side of the world! that's awesome! Just a tip,when I get the sugar on the fondant or gumpaste I usually get my airbrush and give it a little coat of vodka,the vodka as been high in alcohol will evaporate and the sugar will go,or if you don't have an airbrush (wich I do recomend you to put it on your christmas wish list LOL) you can always pass a clean brush or with the vodka or if you want a shinny look I mix 2 parts of vodka and 1 part of light corn syrup but as I repeat this is for a permanent shine if you use just the vodka plain it will shine but it will vanish so I use that mix I mencioned for a super super shine. I hope you have a great time in my country,and as we say mi casa es tu casa! Best regards to everyone!

If you want to see all the things we have in Michael's stores, go to [url]michaels.com[/url]

I walk in there intending on buying exactly what I need, sometimes 1 or 2 things, and it never works out that way. Since I need a second job, I even applied to work there part time. I figure, If I have to do it, I may as well go where I know I will enjoy it.

If any ever come to South Florida, I'll be happy to take you to one.

Sandy

Ah well my husband is worth it. He works very hard.

Now as you were saying, Aracely 30, you use light corn syrup for a super shine. Is that something you make or do you buy it ready made? Once again we comeback to Michaels I'm sure I could buy an air spray there easily. I should look into buying one here in the UK. I'm sure they must be readily available, it's just a case of finding one I have used vodka in the past to rid the sugar marks but I much prefer the shortening trick.

Thank you so much for your lovely wishes and I look forward so much to being in your beautiful country, 5 weeks and counting

dont despair. if you are in mexico they might not have michaels but bring extra suitcases anyway. they have awesome vanilla. and if just by chance they do have cake stores the stuff is going to be super cheap!!!

Unfortunately, the Michaels in Puerto Rico closed years ago. Not enough business I guess.

I know that Michael's is planning on going international in the future but that could be far into the future.

Sandy you're very kind! bakencake it's true vanilla is very cheap (and of course TEQUILAA LOL) you can even buy the vanilla beans/sticks or the exctract, I also know that in the south (I am north righ next to Texas) you can buy the real cocoa beans,butter,chocolate you name it,it's there, I have a friend here on CC that she just moved to Cancun and she said to me that she buys cake goodies on a store of a friend of her, you should send her a PM to ask here where it is exactly that store,her nickname is Marianna46,she speaks/writes perfect english so don't hesitate I bet she can help you.
Oh and the shine mix,you make it, when you want that perfect shine,lets say in a gumpaste shoe,to give that effect of brand new shoe,you just mix light corn syrup (one part) to 2 parts of vodka,I guess you can buy that mix (if it exist I don't know the name) but it is a very inexpensive mix and very quick to make,just make sure you mix it very well,and brush it,yoú'll have the most beautyful shine,annnnnd if you an extra sprinkle some disco dust, Gorrrgeous! I'm about to make in some weeks a cake for my best friend,she ask me if I could give her a gumpaste shoe or as she said "one of those shoes of sugar"it'll be my first one and I atemp to do that effect,so wish me luck! Best regards to everyone!

Well Bakencake, I definitely will be searching out the Tequilla and vanilla extract for sure. It is quite expensive here. I have been watching a programme about Mexican food and can't wait to get there. I've had the usual like, fajitas and chilli etc, but heard about the traditional mex breakfast of fried egg on tortilla with chilli tomato sauce. Sounds fab.

Aracely30 Thank you. I shall be messaging your friend later. Just off to work As regard your corn syrup. We don't have that here. I must find out what are alternative is. If anybody knows I would be grateful for your help. And I wish you good luck with your next venture