acetate strips or cake collars - where?

I'm going to try my hand at a MilkBar (Tosi) cake later this week. Her recipes call for using an acetate strip 3" wide around the cake to build it higher. I'm having a hard time finding them locally. Has anyone run across these in Chicago?
I've seen them on ebay and amazon but want them sooner.
Joann's doesn't seem to carry them, nor does the restaurant supply store on Division.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This is what they look like: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YF ... B002YFR66U

sheet acetate should be avail at any decent arts & crafts store or graphic arts store. Then you can cut them yourself.

I've seen descriptions of people using parchment paper to achieve the same effect; that might be why it's hard to find the acetate ones.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5598491_put-col ... g-pan.html

And, of course, you can get parchment paper lots of places.

Giovanna

I've not been able to find a local source for the strips, but would love to know if someone has one. I always end up buying them online. Parchment can work in a pinch, but is more difficult to manage and, if using with something like a mousse, the moisture ends up making it wrinkle, so you don't get a nice, smooth finish like you do with acetate.

The acetate you get at the craft store isn't "food-grade" so do with that info what you will. I've used it in a pinch, when making things I'm not actually SELLING to others, but I and my family have no problem with the "risk" and certainly have never suffered any ill effects from my using it. The only problem is that generally, the craft sheets are too short and have to be cut and pieced together with tape, depending on the size of your pan/ring mold.

I may buy a 200 or 500 count of 3"x29" food acetate strips for next year then. If anyone is interested in going in on it pm me.
Thanks for everyone's input.
For this week Ill try to tape together a column with some silpat. I think that may work.

I can think of two stores to the south that might have the acetate strips, but you'd have to call to ask.

http://www.cakewalkchicago.com/retailstore.html

http://www.deliciouscreationsinc.com/

They both carry a lot of cake decorating supplies, so there's a chance they'll have them.