10/10/2025

Johnson's Pure Cotton Bud Applicators With Paper Sticks (150 Pack)

I use these cotton buds for so many purposes, to clean my ear lobes to start with, but also as part of my DIY manicure, to clean my eyebrows while dying, in my artwork practice, you name it. I love that the sticks are made out of paper. They are still strong and don't break. 
 
I cannot understand the necessity of using a plastic container. A cardboard one, made out of recycled cardboard, would be not only more environmentally friendly, but also cheaper to produce. I hate one-use plastic packaging. The container is really cute and can be reused, but due to the shape is not easily to store in small spaces, so I ended binning it. I feel guilty every time. 
 
Due to what's happening in some parts of the world I'm no longer supporting brands like this and reverting to local brands and companies.  

Bamboo and Plastic Desk Top Drawers

This is one of those Kmart items that I consider a staple at home. I have many of them stacked on each other in my art studio/home office. They're not only good looking, durable, roomy and easy to clean, but also fit well with the Ikea Skandi look that I love for my studio. I stuck them by using a bit of blue tack on the base. I have put some of them inside my shellves, and they look great, keeping all my stuff tidy and organised.

USEFUL INFO

Measurements: 12.1cm (H) x 33.7cm (W) x 24.2cm (D).

Materials: Polypropylene (PP) plastic and bamboo.

Product weight: 1.7kg.

10/08/2025

Kmart 4-Drawer Storage Unit on Wheels

Not fancy, not pretty, but a great storage solution if you're on a budget. This unit is perfect for garage, shed, and tools storage as well as a great shoe and toys cabinet. It's amazingly simply to put together without the need of any tool; it's like a large Lego puzzle. It has rudimentary wheels that help me move the unit around. Price is amazing for such a useful unit. I've had two of these for years, and they're still as new. On the flip side, they're a bit wobbly, made of plastic, and nothing you want to display around the home.  
 
USEFUL INFO 
Measurements: 70cm (H) x 31.5cm (W) x 43.5cm (D) / 2.3ft. (H) x 1ft. (W) x 1.4ft. (D). Drawers: 15cm (H) x 32cm (W) x 43.8cm (D).
Material: Polypropylene (PP).
Maximum weight capacity: 5kg (each drawer)

TEHAUX Paint Brush Cleaning Tub (10.5 X 21cm)

I was so excited about finding this brush cleaning tub at a good affordable price. The good thing is that it's made of stainless still and it costs half of what you'd pay if it were from an art brand. However, after getting it and using it, I've found that it's a bit of a nuisance in my studio. The ringed holder only allow small thin brushes to be inserted; otherwise, the brushes will pop up and fly across the room like popcorn. I use a mix of brush sizes in my art practice, so it defeats the purpose. The brushes, can be placed vertically or inside the ring, horizontally. This tool would need of more space than the one I have on my working table to be fully functional. In all honesty, those brushes that fit in the rings, dry better, quicker and get less damaged. 

Yitexin Canvas Pencil Roll Wrap (72 slots)

This is a good quality large pencil wrap with 72 slots. Perfect to keep pencils, average pen and thin/medium markers. The elastic band are  tight, so it's difficult to get some of the markers in. At the same time, this prevents them from sliding off. There are too double fittings, which are perfect to insert thick markers or several small things, like pencil/pen refills, erasers, etc. I miss having a couple of more of those double fittings to put all the things I wanted in. This wrap has thicker canvas and is better quality than others I own. I fit tons of stuff in this.  

YOUSHARES 6-pc Aluminium Pencil Extender Set (Assorted Colors)

These pencil extenders are not only good quality aluminium in six good-looking colours, but perfect for average pencils when they get too short. It fists most artist pencil brands and all the short pencils I have.  
 
USEFUL INFORMATION
Measurements: 7 mm dia x 105 mm long.
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UPPFYLLD Ice-cream Scoop (Turquoise)

This scoop costed me a dollar, but it isn't worth the money. It's made of great quality plastic in a lovely turquoise colour and it's dishwasher safe. However, it defeats the purpose because it isn't good for hard ice-cream, the one most people would have in their freezer. The ice-cream gets stuck inside and you need a spoon to get it out. Needless to say, it doesn't hold the shape or improve presentation. Ikea recommends heating up the tool with hot water, but this doesn't change the outcome basically because this scoop is made of plastic not metal, and doesn't heat up enough to get the desired purpose. Perhaps works well with soft ice-cream? A simple table spoon put under warm/hot water does a better job. Watch professional chefs use two average spoons to plate an ice-cream and you'll save your money and the planet. 
 
DESIGNER: K. Gouriou & W. Chong.
Material: ABS plastic.
Measurements: 18 cm L.

Diswashing: Dishwasher-safe. Wash this product before use.