Showing posts with label Art Supply Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art Supply Review. Show all posts

August 23, 2024

WHY DO I KEEP TRYING CRA-Z-ART?!?!?!

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again,

 and expecting different results."

Though attributed to Einstein, there is no proof he actually said this.

Once again I bought a Cra-Z-Art product hoping it might possibly be a better art supply than it had been in the past.  I really am a positive/glass half full guy, but I may need to give up on Cra-Z-Art.  

I recently purchased their scented crayons hoping that the addition of scent might change the formulation of the crayon enough that it would be a decent product.  I do have to admit they smell great.  However, the same issue persists.  Cra-Z-Art colors extremely patchy.  The colors build up upon themselves that create uneven color.  They are also difficult to blend.  I like to use crayons as a beginning blending medium, but Cra-Z-art cannot be used for such things.  I'm sad about it.  I want it to be a good product.  Their price point is so much better for my students.  I just can't recommend them though.  

September 19, 2023

TESTING CRAYOLA SPECIALTY CRAYONS FROM DOLLAR TREE



As an art teacher and a dad, I was curious to all the specialty Crayola Crayons in stock at Dollar Tree.  Some I had experience with, but most I had never used before.  I wanted to test them to see if they were really  something I'd purchase for my students or my own kids.


WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

BOLD & BRIGHT

Crayola's first version of construction paper crayons were good, but they leaned more towards pastel/muted tones. Sargent came out with their own version that was really wonderful.  The colors were truer & came in a wider range.  The Bold & Bright version of Crayola's construction paper crayons are really wonderful.  The 8 pack(what is available at Dollar Tree) is nice, but the 24 pack offers so many colors that are truly beautiful & work so well together.  


PEARL & PASTEL

I liked both the Pearl & Pastel crayons.  I'm not sure I'd say they are MUST HAVE's, but they would be nice editions.  The colors are nice & I feel they deliver on what they claim to be! 



NEON

The neon are just ok.  I think kids would enjoy them.  However, the color does not go down as well as regular colors & they really are a niche selection with limited use in most works of art.  


CONFETTI, METALLIC, GLITTER

Save your money!  I don't really get the Confetti crayons at all?! The ones that actually show other colors present kind of make mud.  The ones where the color doesn't show up just look like regular crayons. So why bother?  The Metallic & Glitter both have very little sparkle.  If you hold the paper just right in the perfect light, maybe.  Once again...why bother? Your money can be spent else where(like on the Bold & Bright!).  





Don't take my word for it...go to Dollar Tree and pick you up the ones you are curious about. You may love the ones I didn't?!? 

(One last test...all on black paper.)



April 25, 2023

Jelly Gouache From Five Below!

We just had a Five Below open up in the town where I live (which is about 30 min. from where I teach).  It was packed with all kinds of arty goodness!  They had some things I've not seen at other Five Belows (I have 3 kids...we love this store!).  They had a set of Jelly Gouache!  I've seen it online (YouTube, IG, TikTok..etc), but had never worked with it before.   I love getting to try new things, but hate paying a lot!!!  For only $5 for a set of 12....low investment to try something new!

I made a set of 3 videos sharing my experience over on TikTok!  Go there for the details.  Here I'll just share...I like them...worth the money...but not the same a watercolor!! I need to watch some instructional videos! ha ha 





September 14, 2022

Dollar Tree Glass Pen & Ink Set Review

I was so excited to try these out, and they did not disappoint! Check out how the Glass Pen & Ink set from Dollar Tree performed! 

September 13, 2022

Dollar Tree Metallic Marker Review

If you like metallic markers....check this review out.  
They are all from Dollar Tree, but not all things at Dollar Tree 
are created equally! 


June 29, 2022

Dollar Tree Wood Carving Tools Review

I have never done wood carving. I have no idea what I'm doing. 
 Let me make that clear right off the bat! ha ha ha
It was fun to try, and I really want to try to create prints off of a carving in the future. 

June 17, 2022

Dollar Tree Oil Pastel Review

WAS excited to see these at my local Dollar Tree....emphasis on WAS! 
What my review & you'll see why!

April 08, 2022

Testing Peeps Crayons



THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!! 
Check out my review of Peeps Crayons that I found at my local CVS.

April 07, 2022

Testing Jolly Rancher Scented Crayons

I love FIVE BELOW!  Their arts and crafts section has some...SOME....great products.  Not everything is worth your money though.  They currently have Jolly Rancer, Mike & Ikes, and some other "scented" crayons.  I did not read the label and thought that each crayon would have a unique scent.  Not only do they each not have a unique scent(the box was suppose to be watermelon), but there really was no scent at all?!?!?  SAD!!!  Then I tried them out on paper.  Check out my review. 
 

November 18, 2021

Mondo Llama Brushes

 I’m not one to totally slam a brand. There are so many factors in every situation.  There are bad batches, factors in transportation (things being too hot, too cold, or getting bounced around in shipping), and operator error.  I will say I’ve liked Mondo Llama’s crayons, markers, and colored pencils (not my favorite...but I’d for sure recommended them to my students for at home use!).  

....HOWEVER....

I was given some gift cards to Target from someone in the community that likes to support the arts. I went on line and saw that Mondo Llama had brushes. I ordered about a class set worth. Within a week I regretted my decision. After a couple days of using them...their was a plastic like coating start bubbling up on the handle. A couple days later their were large areas of paint pealing off.   Now you might be thinking I left my brushes in water. No, I learned not to make that mistake over 20 years ago when I first started teaching.  There is just something up with these brushes. I terribly disappointed. The brush itself is nice, but the handles....not so much.  



August 12, 2021

"TRYING" NEW ART SUPPLIES: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!

KIDS...IF YOU ARE WATCHING THIS...DO AS I SAY...NOT AS I DO!! 
DO NOT EAT STICK GLUE...IT IS AN ART SUPPLY! 

PARENTS...DON'T BY THIS & EXPECT YOUR KIDS NOT TO LICK THEM!! HA HA

April 13, 2021

Dollar General Wood Burning Tool Review

 As a kid, I always wanted to have a wood burning kit.  They looked so cool. However, my parents never bought one for me.  We were poor, and that was kind of an odd purchase....so I get it.  I also now get the fact that wood burning tools get SUPER DUPER HOT!  I don't know if I'd let my kids play with one!?!?  ha ha  A couple months ago I saw a wood burning tool at Dollar General in their beefed up craft section for only $10.  At first I resisted the urge to get it.  Do I really need another art related hobby when I have trouble keeping up with creating "real" art?  When I went back and saw that it was no longer there...I realized I had missed my opportunity.  I went to four different locations to see if I could find it...AND I DID!!  So I bought it.  Here is a video of my first experience using a wood burning tool!!  


 

January 01, 2021

Faber Castell Watercolor Gel Sticks

This product is so interesting!! Have you all tried it before? It is similar to watercolor crayons, but has its own characteristics. Check out my product review & let me know what you think of it! 

Faber-Castell Watercolor Gel Sticks
  


 

December 30, 2020

Faber Castell Gel Crayons Review

Check out my review of the Faber Castell Gel Crayons? 
They are unlike any crayons I’ve ever used! 



 

December 15, 2020

Crayola Gel Pen: Product Review

I have wanted to try gel pens for awhile now. Check out my review of Crayola's Gel Pens. 
 I'd also love to hear tips, tricks, and how you use them in your art!  Leave a comment & let me know!!

December 14, 2020

Crayola Take Note! Supply Review


If you journal...these might be for you!! 
Check out my review of Crayola's TAKE NOTE! products.  

September 17, 2020

Art Supply Review: Crafter's Square Rolling Cutter

I found something new at Dollar Tree!!!  Check out my review (Here's a hint...I LOVE IT!).  I know that Dollar Tree's are not always consistent in what they carry.  

 

September 08, 2020

Art Supply Review: Target's Up & Up vs Crayola


I will say that there there is for sure a difference with some of the supplies, but
 different isn't always bad! Check out my review...and know before your buy.