Finding Scraperboard in Canada

[Annie.]

Did anyone found scraperboard anywhere in Canada?

After searching a bit, I found 2 good brands, Essdee a bit softer and high quality from England, and Ampersand a bit harder but also very good... and then there are some poor quality ones.

We have 5 larges retail art supply stores in town.  Only one carried scraperboard and the owner told me not to bother, he did not recommend I buy the type he had and said he would not get it anymore.

On-line, Essdee has two distributors, Curry in TO with on-line purchase.  Could not find the boards on their website, so I call them.  They said they did not carry scraperboard nor Essdee products!  The other one is only a distributor for whole sale, and the website does not list scraperboard anyway.

Blick in the US carries Ampersand.

And yes, I did check with both terms:  scraperboard and scratchboard.

Any one more lucky?
Thanks

[Val]

I did see some of the boards in Michael's the other day when I picked up my rubbers. I believe they were the Ampersand, but not sure.

[Annie.]

Thanks Val.   There is nothing on their website, but we have 3 Michaels's stores in the city.  I will go check in the stores.  I don't like that store, it is full of junk!

[Annie.]

I hope that Marie & Maryna in SA have found all they need to get started.

I am surprised how difficult it is to find board and equipment in a major city here.   One art store offered to place an order for me, but the cost is more then double US dollars      He said it is rare someone asked for this kind of board.   I still have to go check the craft stores Val suggested.

I am also going to San Francisco in 2 weeks and will be close to a Blick store, I  like to go check what they have.  But I noticed they carry less and less in stores, likely because it is so easy to place on-line order in the US.   I got so badly hit with a independent broker's fees when I order via Blick.com, that I won't do it again... neither Blick or I had anyway to stop this.   I understand that we are to have a Blick.ca.  Actually, I will check this right now... still have 5 minutes before starting  my day!

[ncwren]

The only luck I'm having is online. Retailers just are not carrying the inventory load as they have in prior years.

[Val]

I found the scratchboard in one of these shops... https://www.abovegroundartsupplies.com/cms/index.php They are located in Toronto. They have a number of locations and you can shop online. Hope it helps. 

[Annie.]

Val, found one piece!

Before I was going to place an order from Toronto, I decided to go see a little obscure art shop where none of the professionals go.  It is actually small and very disorganized.  I almost did not bother to walk in, but right in the window was a 9x12" Ampersand board!

When the owner saw it in my hand, he said you can have it for $10 (instead of $11.35) explaining he had it for a long time and wanted to get rid of it.  He would order some for me if I wanted it, but he was not planning to keep it in stock.   
   
Thanks , Annie
p.s. have you shop on-line with Above Ground?

[Maryna]

I haven't got it yet. It is quite expensive, the only place I can find is to order online, then have to wait another 3to 4 weeks for it to arrive. Bummer...

[nolan]

I can't believe that everybody is battling so much to find scraperboard

[May lynn]

I found that Opus.ca  here Canada carries the 12 pk sheets as well
as individuals ones (in a few different sizes) and also, carry the tools.
Reasonably priced.

They have 4 or 5 store here, on the West Coast and in Alberta, Canada.
Check out their website or use their 1-800 # for  ordering. I think
they have free shipping in most parts of Canada if your order is a certain amount.
Because the free shipping amount chances from 75.00 to 150.00 you'll
have to check it out for yourself.

Hope this helps.

May lynn

[Annie.]

Thank you for reminding me of Opus.   

I had visited their store in Grandville Island while vacationing, and ordered later some frames for my daughter.   I had forgotten about them.  I see they have more stores, but still all are in BC.   But you are right the shipping is free in BC and AB for orders over $150, fees elsewhere; and they have phone/on-line orders.

I wonder about the quality of the scratchboards, the 12 sheets package is the price of a single sheet of Ampersand.   Maybe should try with one sheet first.

Thanks