U.S. Art Supply’s 40″ Professional Quality Mat Cutter

U.S. Art Supply has single-handedly re-awoken my crafty nature. From painting to framing, airbrushing and more, the only thing I needed to have done professionally was my matting. No more, because U.S. Art Supply has made a mat cutter that puts the one I saw being used at Joanne’s to shame.

With solid, strong aluminum hinged guide rails and aluminum mat channels (with 2 production stops) mounted securely to a solid, heavy premium MDF backer, it’s build like a tank and designed for heavy-duty use for years and years and years. There’s also a fold-able 27″ 90 degree 27″ squaring arm to keep things even and straight, and you get both straight and beveled cutting heads that use a simple razor blade to cut, so keeping a fresh, sharp blade in there is a breeze and the cost is minimal. It’s so simple to use that I can’t imagine I ever having paid someone to do this for me. Quick, sharp, precise cuts every time, and perfectly square too. And I love that I can set the bevel I want and not just have flat edges. The unit comes mostly assembled, so the box is huge, and even though I saw that it’s a 40″ unit I was still in awe of the sheer size of the system. You’ll need an extremely long counter or table to operate it on, and thankfully it has non-marring feet on the bottom as well.

Gone for me are the days of hoarding framing discount coupons for my art projects, because with U.S. Art Supply’s Professional-Quality 40″ Mat cutter, I’ll never need to rely on someone else to cut mats for me, or pay an exorbitant or ridiculous price for pre-cut mats. after a few projects, this mat cutter pays for itself, and with U.S. Art Supply you’re also getting top-notch customer service, soup to nuts. They only want 100% satisfied customers, and always go above and beyond to get you there. I recommend this product highly!

Connect with US Art Supply at:

• Online
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Get your own right here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from US Art Supply. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Advertisement

U.S. Art Supply’s Wooden Artist’s Brush & Tool Box

To say that I’m a fan of U.S. Art Supply would be a gross understatement. Everything they make is quality, affordable, and they provide everything that a professional artist, or a weekend art warrior like me, could ever want or need. And it’s all just a click or two away. And then they go and offer me this amazing Wooden Artist Tool and Brush Box and make me fall in love with them all over again.

Hubby, bless his heart, has fully embraced my rediscovered crafty-ness. He’s bought me brushes, pencils, pens, paints, and tools, and I was just about out of places to stash them all. He even donated his old plastic art supply box from high school, but it was woefully under-equipped to handle my supplies. And you could probably imagine the “decorations” a bored 13-year old might doodle on there in art class. So it didn’t exactly look stunning in my little craft closet. Thankfully, U.S. Art Supply’s Wooden Artist’s Tool & Brush box looks so spiffy, I don’t think I want to hide it away in the closet anymore! With 4 separate easily-accessible sections, 3 of which are accessible from right outside the box, you have plenty of room to store all your supplies but also keep them within easy reach! The top hatches slide open, the bottom drawer is generous, and the compartments that are under the top hatches are deep enough to hold just about anything! Made of 100% solid wood, no particle board or verneers, and with wonderful craftsmanship, it’s built to last for years and look awesome doing it. The leather-wrapped handle on top is really a gorgeous accent as well, and the brass fittings and hardware are a nice touch.

My first box was slightly damaged from shipping and the bottom drawer was permanently, hopelessly stuck. Not to worry, U.S. Art Supply’s staff is so courteous and helpful they had a new one out and in my hands in a matter of days. No muss, no fuss. I love U.S. Art Supply’s products and service, and this Artist’s Brush and Tool Storage Box is a winner!

Connect with U.S. Art Supply at:

• Online
• On Amazon
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Google+
• On Instagram

I received the above product(s) free of charge from U.S. Art Supply. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Kohree Real Wax Flameless LED Candles with Full Function Remote Control

I have reviewed a number of flameless candles recently, some that I loved, some I wanted to, and some that fell just short. The Last pillar candles I reviewed from Ohuhu fell just short, but based on my experience with Kohree products, I had much higher hopes. And for the most part, these Kohree Reaal Wax Flameless Pillar Candles with Remote Control are my new favorite flameless pillar candles ever.

To start, they are covered in real wax, so you should probably not put them on a hot surface or in bright sunlight for extended periods of time. You have a choice between a “constant on” feature, and a slow “flicker” effect from all three. You can even control the bightness! Low for a more relaxed setting and high to really brighten up a corner or accent table. Powered by 3 AAA batteries (sadly, not included. Insert sad face here!) each, they will run for quite some time before needing to be replaced (or, if your clever, recharged!). And because it’s a flameless candle, there’s no mess, no smoke, no hot melted wax to be worried about. And it’s always the perfect height and size, it’ll never melt smaller or irregular. The included remote is full-function, so you can adjust the brightness, the setting, and even the pre-designated timers of 4 and 8 hours! And the best part about them is they look just like the real deal. The last pillar candles I tried from Ohuhu would change colors, but the one color lacking was a true, actual “flame” color! So you immediately knew there was something off. With these Kohree Flameless Wax Candles, they 100% look and act like the real deal! They make for a great centerpiece to your holiday table, to any possible holiday decorating you could have in mind! And because they’re LED lights, they’ll last for years and years, and never need more than fresh batteries and quick wipe and they’re ready for the next season!

I really liked these Kohree Flameless Wax candles, and at just $16.99 for the set of 3, you could spend a lot more and get a lot less! The look and feel of a real candle, the convenience of a full function remote, and the low price, you can’t go wrong with these Real Wax Flameless Candles from Kohree!

Connect with Kohree:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Amazon
• Get yours right here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Kohree.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Wizzhome’s Creative Scents “Schonwerk” Decorative Bowl

 

It’s not often I’m forced to do reviews in a rush, but unfortunately this item came damaged and the deadline for my post arrived the morning after the item did. And, sadly, that seems to be the norm with Wizzhome, so while their items are usually quality, they’re packaging and shipping is for the birds. But, as for this bowl, it’s a gorgeous little knick-knack that works well with my, and really any, decor. Let’s dive right in.

To start, it’s a heavy cast resin painted a deep, rich walnut color and brushed with a wood grain. I know it’s resin because the first one they delivered had one of his little feet broken clean off. Thankfully, Wizzhome replaced it, and all the little knicks and dings I’d thought were representative of poor workmanship seemed to be the result of the loose foot rattling around in the box. The Interior of the bowl has a golden/brassy crackled glass inset into the resin, and it rests flush so as to not leave any sharp edges protruding. The result is a brilliant beautiful sparkle, and due to the nature of the piece, no two will be alike. I also know this because I had two to compare. Sadly, the one with the broken foot had to be disposed of, but even in the bin, it looked fabulous. And the part I loved the most is the non-skid, non-marring pads on each foot. So often I buy something that has none and will slide around of whatever surface I choose for it and mark the dickens out of it, or I’ll have to buy some little protective pads. They were blissfully included with Wizzhome’s Schonwerk Bowl.

 

 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I have ordered products from Wizzhome several times and have yet to get one without damage. Whether it’s from shipping or poor packaging, it’s always heartbreaking because the products from Wizzhome are top shelf. And, thankfully, they’ve always been quick to send a replacement, making the process painless. But it’s still something I think needed to be addressed. Whether you treat it as a bowl, or a holder for other decorative pieces, or just an object unto itself, it’s a sight to behold, and works with holiday decor, or really, year round. It’s a little pricey at $32.25, and I’m not sure I’d pay for a small-sh 10″ x 5.5″ x 3.5″ decorative accent, but value is in the eye of the beholder, and this Creative Scents Schonwerk Bowl is truly a sight to see.

Connect with Wizzhome:

• Online
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from WizzHome.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Kohree Flameless Votive Flicker Timer Candles, 12-Pack

We all love the gentle glow of a candle, the soft flickering light, but hate that decorating with them can be dangerous, and means sometimes upsetting the entire scene every time to replace them, or if you’re like me and thought just a simple battery-powered version would solve all your ills, a “flameless” battery-powered candle would do. Until you had to turn it off and on, or replace the battery. Once again, everything gets mussed up. Kohree solved all those problems with their Flameless Timer Votives with Flickering Light. I think I’ve got a new decorating BFF.

There are a ton of flameless candles out there, so anyone using actual candles with fire nowadays is, well…playing with fire. The technology is so good, the candles so realistic looking, that in my mind there’s no reason to not use flameless. And sure, you could spend a bundle on some with a remote control, and add it to the pile of remotes already on the coffee table. Or, you could give these Kohree Flameless Flicker Votives a try. What sets them apart is the built-in timer. Turn it on, set it down, and five hours later, poof! Off. And the best part? The next day it’s on again at the exact same time. Clutch the pearls! Talk about “set it and forget it”. And because they aren’t made of wax, you don’t have to worry about where you put them, or what you put them on. And the included (i just love that!) CR2032 battery will last you all season long, if not longer. While rearranging our mantle, I even joked with hubby to be careful not to burn himself, the candle was lit, and it’s so realistic he actually jerked his hand away as it there were flame. That’s a winner in my book.

You get 12 Kohree Flameless Flicker Votives with Timers for under $24 on Amazon (shipped free with Prime), and to me, they’re a steal. They’re solid quality and look like a million bucks, and I don’t see a single negative about them. They include batteries, it’s a long-life LED light, and they’re beautiful. Grab a set (or two) for your seasonal decorating today and beat the holiday rush!

Connect with Kohree:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Amazon
• Get yours right here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Kohree.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

AStorePlus®: 8 Pcs Nail Art Design/Detailing Painting Brushes with Dotting Pen Set #Review #NailArtBrush

As a nail polish enthusiast……okay, I have dozens of bottles and sometimes even accidentally buy the same color because I forget what I own! I have also been down the nail art alley of products, to now have a sense what works and what does not. Price wise, I have also paid well for brushes that their art was leaving bristles behind when used. I called it “surprise brushes” because you never knew when they would come apart and/or how many bristles they would surprise you with. This taught me when one brush shows any sign of failure, just trash the thing!

In comes AStorePlus with an assortment of 7 brushes and 1 dotting tool. I have a set that came in a zipper pouch and love that set. Never a surprise bristle attack and because the brush sticks are made of plastic that can be wiped to clean, acetone is not a something to fear when cleaning up my supplies. The AStorePlus collection features:

• Smooth Wooden handles painted in a White color with a black design
• A Dotting tool made of metal tip
• The 7 brushes come in different sizes with an assortment of thickness and angles
• A long metal shaft/sleeve, which holds the bristles tightly and allows the user to get a nice angle for easy use and cleaning

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Retail Price Point: A collection of nail art 7 brushes and 1 dotting tool for $5.25 with free shipping on Amazon.

Verdict:
When I received these, I noticed they feature painted wood handles, but what these brushes feature that others of like kind don’t, is that long metal shaft/sleeve to allow cleaning without seeping onto the painted wood area. Cleaning is a major concern both for hygiene purposes but also to keep the tools clean enough for longevity and re-usability. Other brushes feature a short metal shaft that can cause the consumer to accidentally come in contact with the wooden painted handle, making the manufacture’s paint bleed and disintegrate. Thankfully, the AStorePlus brushes avoid this from occurring and had the forethought of having long metal shafts to avoid this from happening. I use acetone because I don’t want residue on my nails from glycerin or additives that may not allow polishes or nail art to last, causing a short lived manicure. This means a brush has to be able to soak (short-term) in a cap of acetone, which I save the older caps from used bottles to do this with. The AStorePlus brushes sat in acetone and not once did the liquid wick up towards the top to meet with painted handle. I found the handles to be a comfortable length and ergonomic enough to allow my left hand to work on my right hand’s nails with ease. I have used the brushes 4 times and every time they clean and return to their natural shape and point when dried. I saved the plastic sleeves for each brush, so this allows me to keep the points in shape when stored in the same pouch I keep all my nail art brushes in. I have paid more for 3 brushes than what the 8 tools here cost on Amazon. The price point makes this an affordable hobby and also makes a perfect beginner’s set to own. Like with make-up brushes, I don’t use everything in a collection but I learned with time what heads I used more and later purchased duplicates of the sizes and angles I wanted. The same applies here and so far this set has the finer points I seek, so that means I use more of the brushes than I thought I would. I was able to let go of any cuticle wooden sticks, as now I use 2 of the brushes in this set to clean around my cuticle with acetone for a clean edge look. It goes beyond art and also a may to get the best looking manicure you can get without issues and this set from AStorePlus was problem-free for me. I did my Halloween nails using just the brushes and they cleaned up black and dark red garnet polishes with ease, as they did at making fine white roses on a black background. With the holidays approaching, these are the perfect stocking stuffer to add and a welcoming site for any nail art beginner!

 

Connect with AStorePlus on:

• Amazon
• Facebook
• #NailArtBrush

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from AStorePlus.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

U.S. Art Supply: Chalkmaster® Liquid Chalk Markers 18 piece set #Review #UsArtSupply

 

When the craze of chalk markers hit, I was so happy that they finally came to be. I even bought chalkboard paint and made my own boards, tags, place cards, and you name it. I then go to open my $7 dollar pen and I was disappointed. Let’s say the pen could barely write and when it did, it would ooze marker paint all over than where I wanted to write, that it made my writing look like I was in kindergarten. I tried everything from shaking the marker really well to trying to write in the only goofy angle the pen would allow marker fluid to flow…..but still I was unhappy with the results. Then came the clean up and everything I had attempted to write on was left with a green colored film, the same hue as the marker! Talk about having high hopes and just being left with black boards and going back to crumbly chalk sticks.

U.S. Art Supply, is a company I have reviewed in the past and you know from reading my reviews, I love them. I enjoy many make-up brands and U.S. Art supply is the what I call the make-up for my crafts! Every product I have tried from them works and performs as designed. When crafting a project is sometimes only as good as the product you are using, and not always can talents or imagination save it if the core product just does not deliver. These like others from U.S. Art Supply, delivered!

Retail Price Point: $19.96 for a set of 18 markers. Each pen comes with a chisel point on one side and a bullet point tip on the other end (just flip the ends) and it comes with free replacement tips. Double duty and performance to make sure every writer can deliver their messages in beautiful print and colors!

Verdict:
Get the chalk board paint out because these guys are just what you need if you are seeking out chalk liquid markers. Don’t have chalkboards? Well, these markers go beyond writing on other surfaces from glass to metal, to plastic and even paper. The colors are vibrant and beautiful, but most importantly, they work! You can write flawlessly and not one of the pens was temperamental when using. Every time I picked a picked a pen up, it performed and glided smoothly over any non-porous surface. Clean up was easy and if you want your writing to stay, you can opt to seal the project with a light spray from a varnish can. I wanted chalk markers to use to write on all the boards I created and also to decorate all the mirrors I have up around the house. It’s a great way to decorate for a party and easy to clean up, plus I don’t waste ink and paper from a printer. I have written menus on mirrors for guests to know what will be served to celebration messages. The ideas are endless, to decorating for the holidays to even having guests write messages for the guest of honor. You then can then take a picture of the creations to save for memories, clean the mirror off, and it’s ready to make new mirrors again. The ink leaves no film or residue, easy to wipe off because it’s water based and also non-toxic. You have electric neon colors that pop to vibrant primary colors that are deep with color. The cost for an 18 set of markers is economical and because you saved some money, it does not mean you don’t get quality because with U.S. Art Supply products, they stand behind what they make with a 100% Money Back guarantee. Not that you need it because when they placed such a guarantee, it was with the intent that the products aim to please the consumer and I am always pleased with everything I have tried!

Connect with U.S. Art Supplies and Satisfy your Creative Hunger at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #UsArtSupply

I received the above product(s) free of charge from U.S. Art Supply. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

AW Fashions: X-Men Wolverine Silhouette Men’s Cotton T-Shirt #Review #Wolverine

My Husband likes t-shirts with movie themes and/or characters, however most are done over the top and look too busy. The images are over done and you end up with t-shirt that looks more geared towards kids than adults. Simplicity is lost!

In comes AW Fashion’s with a 100% cotton t-shirt that is simple when it comes to the image. You like Wolverine, you get Wolverine and that’s all!

Retail Price Point: $18.99 and we ordered the red colored shirt in a size large.

 

Verdict:

AW Fashion makes t-shirts and tanks for the family and most are based on simple logos and images. The prints range from novelty, presidential candidates to shirts with quotes and so forth. What I liked best was the quality of the shirt. The material is 100% cotton that is pre-shrunk, plus the thickness is moderate. Not too thick to be bulky but not too thin that you wonder if it will hold well after the first wash. The cut of the t-shirt is also nice, none of those odd “vintage cuts” that are for men with no arms and chest. The sizing is normal and I opted for a size Large for my Husband to accommodate an athletic physique. He was very happy with the t-shirt’s style, however he did comment the cotton was not the soft type of fabric and more towards being a little on the scratchy side (pre-wash). The sleeve is not binding across the arms, plus he commented the shirt was comfortable when wearing (pre-wash) and he could overlook the scratchiness of the material since we had not washed it yet. The screen-print of the image (Wolverine) is also solid and smooth. A thick black silhouette that will not peel or flake once washed. Overall, for when it comes to comic book hero’s and shirts of this kind, this one is nice and simple where an adult can wear it comfortably without the image looking like it’s just geared towards younger kids.

Connect with AW Fashions at:

• Amazon
• Facebook
• #Wolverine

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from AW Fashions.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Ohuhu Real Wax Flameless Color-Changing Candles 3-Pack

Summer has come and summer has gone, and fall has come back around again. With it comes brisk nights, chilled mornings, and best of all, warm drinks, cozy blankets and some of the best comfort foods we look forward to all year long. Mood lights become a must as the sun dims much, much sooner and nothing sets a mood quite like flickering candles. So when I got the chance to give some Real Wax Flameless Candles from Ohuhu a try, I thought to myself “Now that’s what I call timing”.

Ohuhu makes so many great products for the home, for the garden, and so much more, but these Real Wax Flameless Candles are just something I’d never thought existed. So many times I’d wondered if I could hollow out a real candle and drop one of those nifty little flameless candles in it so it’d last as long as I wanted. And the geniuses at Ohuhu must’ve thought the same thing, because you have the best of both a real candle, and a flameless candle all in one. But Ohuhu went a step further and added a remote control, so you can set your moods from across the room without having to get out from under the blanket. I was sold there, but then Ohuhu turned it up to 11 and made sure they changed colors too. Amazing. With so much going on it was such a shame when I noticed after much fiddling with the candles and remote that there’s no setting for a simple, realistic yellow or orange “flame” color. And that’s such a shame because I wanted to absolutely love these, and did until they forgot to add a simple, natural flame color. Another pet peeve is that each candle takes 3 AAA batteries, and they included none. Talk about party foul!

Taken as a whole, I like these candles, but I don’t love them like I wanted to. There’s a whole lot to like and if you don’t mind the lack of a real “flame” color, you may indeed love these yourself. And I need to mention the absolutely gorgeous little details included in what could have been a drab, ho-hum package. Instead of being wrapped in simple plastic of cellophane, Ohuhu wrapped each of their 3″ Color-Changing Real Wax Flameless Candles with a lovely little silver bow. Perfect for gift giving or just a tasteful and attractive storage option.

Connect with Ohuhu:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Pinterest
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ohuhu.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

U.S. Art Supply: Wood Table Box Easel Painting Set; Paints, Canvas, HB Pencil, Brushes, and Plastic Palette and Knives #USArtSupply

U.S. Art Supply did it again in sending out a starter kit that is welcoming sight for new artists of all ages, or nicely supplements what an established artist may have. Paints, is something that I always run low on, so I always welcome a set whenever possible. The acrylics supplied in this kit are fabulous and have a smooth texture that is not too thin or thick. The colors can be moderated from bright to mute, depending on how you mix the media. What I love most is the pigments are rich in color, so I don’t have to keep squeezing out product to get the color I want (i.e. intensity) but end up with too much material and/or layers applied.

The Kit does not end there and this is all you get from U.S. Art Supply:

• 1 Wood Table Box Easel with a slide out drawer for storage. The case also has a handle for easy carrying
• A 12 Acrylic Paint set and these are actual size tubes to use, no sample sizes! Each tube contains 12 ml of paint.
• 3 canvas panels for the artist to start creating with. They measure 9″ x 12 ” in size.
• An HB Pencil to outline and sketch with.
• A Palette Knife made of Plastic for easy cleaning.
• A Plastic Palette that makes it easy to wash and clean after use because the paints peel off if they dried onto the surface. The palette has 16 wells that are circles and square in shape.  The amount of space was wonderful because I did not run out of room and was able to makes custom color washes all in one sitting.
• Also, 4 Brushes of various sizes and made with wooden handles (#2,#4,#6,#8).

 

Retail Price Point: A ultra fair price of $24.96 and ships free with an Amazon Prime Account.  You can choose from an Acrylic set (the one I received), A Watercolor set or an Oil Painting set for the same price point.

 

Verdict:
I can’t say enough and absolutely love this kit. It has everything you need and/or want, that I was overwhelmed with the amount of content. I looked at the price point and kept trying to find where I was shorted but could not find one thing wrong. The drawer that pulls out slides with ease and even has two metal hinges that lock it in place. The carrying case serves as a stand, so this is perfect for an artist on the move and if you want to visit a park and feel inspired to paint, all you need is to bring a bottle of water for you and your paints and you are set.

I was able to create a painting and all I used was the paints provided by U.S. Art Supply and a cracking media. I wanted to create background for pocket watches I will be making and framing, they will have a vintage look, so I went with an antique crackle finish that you add to paints to create the look. Once the paint set and dry, I was ably to apply the second step that actually creates the crackle. I sealed the work with polyurethane once I was finished. My Husband liked the painting so much, that he wants me to frame it as-is and make another background for the pocket watch project! This kit is great for kids to adults because the products that U.S. Art Supply gives you, come with zero frustrations! I had brushes that worked and no loss of bristles while painting. An easel that stayed in place and paints that allowed me enough time to work while I painted but dry beautifully with no crackle………..well, except where I wanted it!

Connect with U.S. Art Supply at:

• On-line
• http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LUZSXMG
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #UsArtSupply

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from U.S. Art Supply.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.