I'm
most disappointed with this pack of tiles supposedly 300 gsm good for
dry and wet media. I normally use 300 gsm watercolour paper for my
mixed media and this is a bit thinner than that, so I wonder whether the
gsm on the label is a printing mistake.
The cards are smaller than average, about 3x3 inches. See my photo against a 4x4 grey tile.
I've
done comprehensive testing on the paper, and it confirmed my first
impression. You can see the photos I've uploaded for everything I say.
Re
markers, it's good for my Sakura micron, for my fountain ink permanent
ink, for my FC pitt pen, for my Fude brush pen and my Townbows. None of
these bled. I tried one of my AS pigmented inks, one drop, and it worked
well (the yellow stain on the photo) but my Liquitex acrylic ink (not
on the photo) didn't spread well and the light rubbing with my finger
sanded the paper a bit. I also applied my red Stabilo All pencil and
then used a water brush to spread the colour and it didn't work well and
sanded the paper a bit. Alcohol markers and inks DID bleed, as per my
photo.
I did a simple abstract exercise using water-soluble
crayons, which require barely any water, adding some pitt pens and
non-soluble crayons. The paper doesn't have enough hold for the colour
and the process of using these materials to be done without tearing or
sanding. Needless to say, the paper buckled and deteriorated. As this
test was done without gessoing the paper beforehand, I tried again and I
did gesso the paper this time.
Gessoing the paper certainly
helped with mixed media and acrylics and the results were definitely
better. Paper curled a lot, though, and there was tearing and sanding in
certain parts. I was careful with the paper due to the fact that I know
isn't good quality after the first test.
I find the
advertisement notes on the packaging misleading and inaccurate, as per
the testing I've mentioned above, proven by my photos. The paper is not
good for wet media or mixed media or anything that requires a bit of
work on the paper.
Comparisons are unavoidable. I recently
reviewed some paper tiles with, supposedly, less msg and they stood
anything I did to the paper without any damage, so it makes me wonder.
This
paper tiles have been a waste of money and time, as I do mixed media no
zentangle or colouring, I'll have to use these tiles for something
else, and I won't buy them again. The paper is good for pencil, most
markers and, archival ink. It is not fit for wet media, alcohol marker,
alcohol inks or anything that requires a bit of work on the paper,
slight rubbing etc..
This
a good quality pair of scissors. I find them very good for general use
and crafting. I have used them for cutting fabric as well as thick
cardboard and paper, and they work great. I love the 7-inch size as they
are not too big or too small and, personally, I find them to be more
versatile than bigger scissors, especially for people with small hands
like me. The tip is not pointed and they lack precision in that regard.
When craft junk gets stuck on the blades, I clean them with generic
household cleaning wipes and no fuss. I don't use them for tailoring or
major sewing projects, so I cannot comment on that, but I prefer my
small scissors for sewing than these ones. Overall good value for money
and great all-purpose scissors.
This
is a very contemporary cool fountain pen. My photos don't really show
the lovely blue colour of the pen and the cute octopus logo.
This
fountain pen is very enjoyable to use as it doesn't weigh much, so
writing is comfortable and flowing. My wrist moves naturally, so my
handwriting comes out as it's usually is, something that doesn't happen
that easily if the pen weighs a bit. The nib flows on the paper and the
ink comes out naturally and neatly, producing a very lovely handwriting.
The
pen includes a converter, i.e. a rechargeable ink cartridge, but I'm
using it with spare standard ink cartridge that I had at home. I was
able to fit it in without problem.
I didn't expect the pen to
come in a gift box due to its price. It comes wrapped in a plastic
cellophane bag with the octopus logo on it , which is OK if I gift it to
a child, not so much to an adult.
Overall, very pleased with the pen.
I'VE used this colour cartridges for a couple of years now using a HP average printer. They're fine for every day printing works, like texts and basic diagrams or drawings. However, they're OK for printing images or artwork even if I select the best quality setting in my printer. Yielding is rather poor unless I use the cartridge just for everyday purposes, which doesn't require big amounts of coloured ink to be used, then it's OK.
This is the best fine point white marker I've used so far. I have two similar fine-point white pens from other brands and they fall behind this regarding the 'ink' quality and how the ink reacts when used on acrylic painting.. I've tested this Uniball against the others on black paper, as per my photo, and this one is my fav. Lines are full, neat and clear. The ink flows effortlessly on the paper, more so than the other two brands that I use, and I don't have to keep pumping the ink out every time I write. Great price for a 3-piece pack set, too
This is a good fountain pen, elegant and very comfy in my hand. It's not too heavy and it has a wonderful nib. It's also easy to open and close. It comes with an inverter, meaning a reusable charging cartridge, but you need a bottle of India ink for this. This pen needs non-universal cartridges; ones that have a wider mouth and they're not that easy to get, so that's a bit downside for me. It makes a good everyday fountain pen. The metal container box is average, not especially nice for gifting, but handy to keep and carry the pen without worrying about spills.
This is a set of two identical faux-vintage tailor awls. They're re very light and easy to handle. The point is really sharp and has a protective sleeve, and really useful to perforate both fabric and watercolour paper without tearing them apart. I haven't tried them on leather, though. Very good priced. I wish they have been two different awls instead of two of the same as one of the product page photos seems to suggest that this is the case.
