Craft paint shortage?

[sprytel]

Recently when I've gone to my local Hobby Lobby, the acrylic craft paint section is almost entirely picked clean. Is this unique to my store? Is there some sort of craft paint shortage? I'm thinking it may be covid-19 related... but can't quite puzzle out the connection.

[MRP]

It may just be more people staying home and having time to work on craft projects, so supplies sold and haven't been restocked yet. Ordering cycles are often based on past sales cycles, and a sudden upsurge in demand takes a little while to be adjusted to and items restocked.

-M

[PNGwynne]

I boycott Hobby Lobby, but I've noticed such shortages at Target and Michael's. It could be Covid-related manufacturing lags as well as increased demand.

[Nostalgiabuff]

try ordering on Amazon

[EMCE Hammer]

I boycott Hobby Lobby, but I've noticed such shortages at Target and Michael's. It could be Covid-related manufacturing lags as well as increased demand.

Same here on all counts, also shortages at Joann and Walmart near me on a lot of supplies. Whole sections picked over.

[sprytel]

I boycott Hobby Lobby, but I've noticed such shortages at Target and Michael's. It could be Covid-related manufacturing lags as well as increased demand.

I tried to avoid Hobby Lobby too... but then they drove the other nearby craft stores out of business.

try ordering on Amazon

I may have to do that and it probably would work fine, but paint colors are something I would normally want to see in person.

[palitoy]

I haven't experienced that at all here, aisles full of acrylic at Michaels. Although my local dollarama had terrible choices.

[SeattleEd]

I boycott Hobby Lobby, but I've noticed such shortages at Target and Michael's. It could be Covid-related manufacturing lags as well as increased demand.

Scott, same here and Amazon as well for hour household. I too have noticed shortages and the local mom and pop brick and mortar art supply businesses. Also, in Portland I went to a local True Value that is a mom and pop shop and a lot of their crafts paints are empty. Not only craft paints but regular paints as well. Same for a Ace Hardware we went too. I am hoping this changes over time. Haven't gone to the local TAPS Plastics to see if they are empty on molding materials.

[TheVintageToyKid]

I live in Canada, and for the past several months every time I stop by any Wal-Mart or dollar store in my area (I have been to a few different communities within a three-hour drive of my location) and there are little to no acrylic paints to be found.

[ToyTalk]

I get mine from the local gaming stores. Still a bit more expensive but it helps keep them in business

[Random Axe]

I boycott Hobby Lobby, but I've noticed such shortages at Target and Michael's. It could be Covid-related manufacturing lags as well as increased demand.

C'mon, I saw you in Hobby Lobby with a chick fil a bag and a Goya bean logo tshirt.

In all seriousness, inventory was bought up and not replaced during the shutdown. Michael's is horrible too. I buy paint online mostly because of this.

[PNGwynne]

C'mon, I saw you in Hobby Lobby with a chick fil a bag and a Goya bean logo tshirt.

Busted lol.

[thunderbolt]

C'mon, I saw you in Hobby Lobby with a chick fil a bag and a Goya bean logo tshirt.

In all seriousness, inventory was bought up and not replaced during the shutdown. Michael's is horrible too. I buy paint online mostly because of this.

red hat too right? Joann here has plenty last time I went. Actually found some nice stuff at Dollar Tree 4 ounce bottles of the basic colors

[sprytel]

Joann here has plenty last time I went.

Thanks for the suggestion. I never even thought of Joann's, but sure enough... I checked there today and they were well stocked. I even saw this flexible Plaid FX paint for craft foam / cosplay that looked really promising for things like boots... anyone ever try it?

[thunderbolt]

Thanks for the suggestion. I never even thought of Joann's, but sure enough... I checked there today and they were well stocked. I even saw this flexible Plaid FX paint for craft foam / cosplay that looked really promising for things like boots... anyone ever try it?

never have tried it since regular paint works fine of craft foam for me.