US Art Supply: Large easy to carry, Art Supplies and Storage Wooden Box, with removable Drawer #Review #USArtSupply

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I started in 2015 getting back in to doing crafts at home and that means I needed to replenish my art supplies. This meant letting go of dried out paints from the early 2000’s and buying everything from new acrylics, water colors, oils, pastels and you name it. I have built a large collection and I figured a clear plastic storage box would do the trick. I then outgrew the box. Bought a second box and when I outgrew that, I noticed that my plastic boxes really did not satisfy me in how it kept things, to the point sometimes I avoided getting something out to not mess with how the box was sorted. It was time to think of a better solution.

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I have reviewed for US Art Supply in the past because it’s a crafter and artist dream store. You think of a project and you simply visit their warehouse store on-line to see what you need. No gimmicks when it comes to what they carry and every set or item comes with details attached, so you know what is included before you place an order. Then comes the quality of their products……phenomenal and economical. Two words, which I love. I love to save but I also want good quality, something that is sometimes sacrificed by the budget you wish to keep but US Art Supply does not make me feel guilty for trying to save. They actually encourage it! They post deals all the time and I found that when I open my craft boxes and trunks, I see their logo on everything I own. I like that because I am finally where I want to be when it comes to the supplies I have. An idea hits me and I finally have the supplies to make that idea come true. No limits or constraints…..or waiting to save to be able to afford doing a project.

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When US Art Supply offered to send their large storage wooden box, for storing art supplies and crafts, well I did not pass it up. When I ordered the box on Amazon, it was an artist’s dream. You have a wooden shelf that is removable, so you can easily access the items underneath and/or have them right next to you when you are drawing or painting. Everything I have from the metal objects I collect to the paper goods, and even frame hanging materials……well, it’s small in size. I can’t use plastic baggies for everything and being able to label one box as my “metal objects” carrier and another for my fabric, like ribbons to left-over material from past projects, keeps everything dust-free and also ready to use. I don’t throw anything out that can be re-purposed. Even the smallest fabric cutting has served me well in the past, so I keep until I need it again. The wooden box is what I call “naked wood”, so it’s a project in itself if you wish. I will be staining mine and then using a Damascus style stencil to add more beauty to the box. A project is always easy when you have a good beginning and this box is built well and made of wood. No plastic! Just real wood that if taken care of will last for years and years. You have a handle for easy carrying versus my plastic totes that tended to pop open when a finger accidentally poked up and lifted the lid while I was carrying them. None of that here! You have real metal locks (latches) that snap close and keep everything in place. Nothing was overlooked here. Even the bottom of the box has been used wisely. You have sections, a total of 7, which are divided on the bottom. You can keep everything from jumbling when storing or carrying easily. The removable shelf I mentioned also has a divider, which makes it 2 sections that fits brushes to color pencils, and keeps them from rolling everywhere when stored. I love this box and I love that even though it’s a light weight wood, the cost is fair!  You can make this box into anything you want from storing make-up to even making it look like a mini trunk by removing the handle.  The possibilities are endless!

 

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Retail Price Point: $26.96 via Amazon and if you have Amazon Prime, the shipping is free.  The box measures 16.1 x 8.6 x 6.4 inches.

US Art Supply has a large array of wooden boxes, again if the one above does not enlighten you, well they have others that will. I told you they thought of everything for artists and even an artist needs a way to keep their tools and materials in place, so find the storage solution that fits your needs by visiting US Art supply below.  I have been using their boxes to keep my sewing materials, so it does not matter what your art is, they have a supply solution that will meet your needs!

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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.

 

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Colorona Beginner’s Acrylic Paint Set

 

I’ve fallen back in love with crafting, and one of the things I’ll never tire of is paints. Your basic, main colors will always be in need and when I get a chance to try out a new brand, I’m always looking forward to see if they’ll be better than my last brand. While they missed that mark by a bit, this Colorona set was decent for kids and beginners, but priced a little too high for the quality of product you receive.

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I’ve used many, many sets of paint from quite a few companies, and they are always comparable in quality, with a slight edge going to the paints and stains I’ve bought from U.S. Art Supply for overall quality and value. These Colorona paints miss that mark by a fair bit. They’re on the light and loose side, some even slightly runny. The coverage is mediocre, and they don’t seem to level at all, which means that every brush stroke will show when it dries. The pigments are not the most vivid or deep, and you need several coats just to get a solid color without the base material showing through, such as painting bare wood. This would be fine for watercolors, where one would expect the grain to show through the lighter paint, but these are supposed to be acrylic paints and have full coverage, and they just do not. The included accessories are great for getting started, with the brushes holding their respective points and edges well with little feathering and no lost bristles. The wood shafts felt light and may not last too long, but I think they’re meant to be disposable. The plastic palette is always welcome and does the job it’s designed for, and does it well. The sponge is fun for some textures, and seems well suited for these lighter, looser paints. A word of warning about opening these paints: Every set of acrylic paints I’ve ever used had a small point on the cap to puncture the seal, where these have a silly little star shape, and they will “pop” when punctured and spurp a little paint out. I’d recommend doing this over a sink, and well away from your body to avoid any spills or stains.

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In the end, were the set priced more accordingly, I could see recommending this for kids just getting started, but the lack of coverage and leveling means you might end up with a budding artist frustrated by poor materials. At $21.99, it’s priced far too high to be reasonably considered for a “starter” kit with this quality of product. Colorona needs to either step up it’s game with quality or drastically lower it’s price.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Colorona 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.

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