Today I have a little fun tutorial for you- how to use Fireworks Ink Sprays like Distress Oxide Stamp pads! So let’s backtrack a second, and let me clarify. I while back Sara reviewed Distress Oxide Stamp pads for CTD, and one of the amazing properties of the ink is that it’s a unique hybrid. It’s got pigment AND dye-based ink properties. That means that you can layer colors on top of each other without them getting muddied and brown. […]
Nuvo Creative Pens from Tonic Studios
Here’s another new goodie from Tonic Studios- alcohol markers! Nuvo Creative Pens are a non-refillable marker that have a wonderful ergonomic grip and some lovely bright colors. Let’s take a look in this video review and demo! Disclosure: samples provided for review purposes; my review is based on my first-hand experience and use of the product, and the brand had no say in my review. Some links in this post are affiliate links and using them will incur no extra […]
Battle of the Water Soluable Drawing Media: Scribble Sticks v Neo Color II v Inktense
Almost as soon as we shared the Scribble Sticks video from Creativation/CHA 2017, the questions started pouring in. Folks wondered if they were lightfast, water- resistant, were they like Neo Color II? Well, sometimes the best way to discover what a product IS is to compare it to similar/familiar items to draw comparisons and contrast the differences. So this post is comparing/contrasting Scribble Sticks from Ranger, Neo Color II from Caran D’Ache, and Inketense Blocks (sticks) from Derwent. Let’s GO! Disclosure: […]
Testors Acrylic Craft Paint
For a crafter, paint is essential. And I’m always looking at new brands to try! Today we are going to take a look at Testors Acrylic Craft Paint. Testors Acrylic Craft paint has multiple finishes- matte, metallic, neon, and glitter. Here’s some information from the website: ABOUT ACRYLIC 2 OZ. CRAFT PAINT Testors Craft Acrylic Paints are high quality waterbase paints for general craft and decorative painting. They provide great coverage on a variety of surfaces such as wood, metal, […]
Mixed Media Stamping Block Techniques
The idea for doing stamping block techniques (or block prints) came from a viewer on Periscope– she asked if I had any ideas for using stamping blocks in mixed-media art. Since I’m really upping my mixed-media game for our One Little Tag challenge, I created this mini-class for our Facebook Group and demonstrated it live for Persicope. Just a note: This is a replay of a live broadcast from Periscope- you can join me there by following @CraftTestDummy! It’s […]
Testors AirBrainz Air Brush Kit Review and Demo
When you say the words “Air Brush,” I’m tempted to back away slowly. To me, those words are synonymous with messy, hard to control, complicated systems. But the AirBrainz kit from Testors (you know the folks who make all of the model airplane paints) is a pleasant surprise. Disclosure: samples provided for review purposes only. My opinions are honest and my own, and based on first-hand experience with the product. Some links contained in the post are affiliate links. […]
Asphalt and Cement Texture Pastes from Faber Castell
The world of fine art and craft draw ever closer with texture pastes and gels entering the crafting mainstream. Formerly the domain of fine artists, who used texture gels in fine art, now the average jane crafter can use products like Faber-Castell’s Asphalt and/or Concrete texture pastes to create dimensional surfaces on cards, ATC’s canvases and other mixed-media projects! Today I’m taking a look at them both. Disclosure: samples were provided for review purposes. Opinions are my own and based […]
Distress Crayons Vs. Gelatos- a Comparison!
Everyone wants to know what is the difference between Ranger’s Distress Crayons and Faber-Castell Gelatos? I am not endorsing one over the other, but you should know that there are some differences in colors, pigment content, and packaging that might influence your purchasing decision. Disclosure: samples were provided by both companies for review purposes. Opinions are my own and based on my first-hand experience with the products. Well, I show you here in SIX MINUTES and 10 examples of how […]
Ranger Distress Crayon Review
I feel a little late to the Distress Crayon party- I saw Tim Holtz share these at CHA, demonstrating these water- soluble “crayons” (they are not wax at all, but a pigment/media blend) earlier this year. *Disclosure: I purchased these with my my own funds. Some links below may be affiliate shopping links.** We even took this video: But of course, one of the hallmarks of CraftTestDummies is that we test and try products like Distress Crayons for ourselves, giving […]
Make Distress Paints into MARKERS!
Hey Crafters! Whenever I’m at the craft store I’m always on the look out for new, or even new-to-me, products. About two weeks ago I was picking up some Montana markers at Michael’s and noticed they had empty acrylic paint markers! EMPTY PAINT MARKERS!!! I had never seen or heard of these before! Disclosure: some links below are affiliate shopping links for your convenience. The possibilities quickly flooded my crafty brain, but the first thought I had was of […]
Craft Product Comparison and Overview: Ranger Ink Paints
Hey there crafters! Today I want to go through comparing and contrasting the different paints offered by Ranger Ink. Currently there are four different paints; Tim Holtz Distress Paints, Ranger Paint Dabbers, Dyan Reaveley Dylusions and Dina Wakley Media Paints. Other than the Ranger Paint Dabbers, we have fully reviewed the other three paints here at Craft Test Dummy. I’ll insert links to all of towards the end so you can check them out and see the specifics and samples, […]
Wink Of Luna Pens
My name is Linda Gorman and I am so excited to be doing some reviews for CraftTestDummies! Today I am going to check out Kuretake Zig Wink of Luna Brush Pens. These are similar to the Kuretake Zig Wink of Stella Brush Pens except the Wink of Luna have a metallic pigment instead of a glitter pigment. The Wink of Luna Brush Pens are a real brush marker with a metallic water-based pigment. The brush tip allows you to […]
Brusho Crystal Colours Review
I love that art supplies continue to seep into the crafting world. Last year, powdered watercolors hit the scene at CHA, and almost immediately our European readers asked, “Is this just like Brusho?” Well, since I’d never heard of it, I ordered a kit from Amazon to give it a go. So let’s take a closer look! From the website: Brusho Crystal Colour is a unique, transparent, highly pigmented water colour ink powder available in a comprehensive range of 32 […]
Product Review: Ranger Ink – Dina Wakley Media Paints and Fine Tip Applicator
Disclosure:product provided for review purposes. Links below may be affiliate links and CTD will receive a small commission from your purchase. Opinions are 100% our own and based on first-hand experience with the product. Thank you! Hey crafters! Today I’m excited to show you Ranger’s newest Signature Designer, Dina Wakley’s heavy body acrylic Media paints and fine tip applicator. Let’s get to some basics first; here’s what Ranger has to say about the Media paints. “Dina Wakley Media Heavy Body […]
Product Review: Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Paints From Ranger Ink
Hello my crafty friends! Today we are going to go over Ranger Ink and Dyan Reaveley’s brand new Dylusions paints. These bright and poppy little pots of fun take me back to finger painting in Montessori preschool. And yes, my fingers did take a little dip in these! Disclosure:product provided for review purposes. Links below may be affiliate links and CTD will receive a small commission from your purchase. Opinions are 100% our own and based on first-hand experience with […]
Staz-On Studio Glaze from Imagine Crafts
Today we’re looking at the Staz-On Studio Glazes from Imagine Crafts. These water-based acrylic glazes coordinate with Staz On Colors, and add a translucent “stained glass” effect on non-porous surfaces and mixed media art pieces. Disclosure: Samples provided for review purposes; however my opinions are honest and my own and based on my first-hand experience. I was not financially compensated for this review/video nor does the product company have any control over it’s content. Some links below may be affiliate […]
Unboxing and Overview of the Fabric Creations Block Printing Line from Plaid
Last January at CHA I drooled all over myself when I saw the Fabric Creations line from Plaid. The stamps looked just like authentic wood stamping blocks (and actually cast from original wood ones, too!) You can imagine how I jumped for joy when these beauties hit my doorstep last week. Disclosure: Samples provided for review purposes; however my opinions are honest and my own and based on my first-hand experience. I was not financially compensated for this video nor […]
iCraft Deco Foil Hot Melt Adhesive from Therm-O-Web
As you know, foil is a HUGE trend right now…. and I’ve shared how to add it to your projects AND a review of the iCraft Deco Foil… so now let’s take a closer look at the iCraft Deco Foil Hot Melt Adhesive. Disclosure: This is an unsponsored review. Product was provided for review. All opinions are honest and my own and based on my personal, first-hand experience with the product. Links below may include affiliate links and purchases made […]
iCraft Deco Foil from Therm-O-Web
Foiling is hot, Hot, HOT right now in the crafting world. We saw that sneak peek at CHA in January and as predicted, foiling is EVERYWHERE. Luckily, products from Therm-O-Web make it very easy to add that glimmer and shine right at home, and using easily-available (and inexpensive) materials. Today we’ll look at the iCraft Deco Foil. (Stay tuned because the Hot Melt Adhesive review is coming up tomorrow.) Disclosure: This is an unsponsored review. Product was provided […]
My Favorite Crafty Things: WATER BRUSHES
One of my best long-term posts has been my comparison of water brushes. As I was gathering new ones for a follow-up review, it dawned on me that I love them for so many reasons, and I can’t imagine not having them in my studio. (Or more specifically, in my travel art kit!) I here’s a quick video explaining WHY…. And don’t forget you can add inks, dyes, or home-made shimmer solutions to the waterbrushes!! Just remember to empty […]
