10/08/2025

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 is dishwasher safe. However, it defeats the purpose because it isn't good for hard ice-cream, the one most people would have in the 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 use as it is made of plastic not metal and would not heat enough to get the desired purpose. Perhaps works well with soft ice-cream? Not sure. A simple spoon put under warm water does a better job. Watch professional chefs use two average spoons to present 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. 

 

 

CarSleek 2-Pack Non-Scratch Plastic Scrapers with 8 Blades Replacement

I love this little tool both as a everyday scrapper and as an art tool. I have one these devoted to removing paint from my desktop, small little drops on the floor and other hard surfaces. The manufacturer says that It can be used to remove sticker decals and glue on glass, cook-tops and ovens. I haven't tried this tool on those surfaces so far, so I cannot comment. But the blades are sharper than you think and work well on the surfaces I've tried them on. This scrapper is also a great mark-making tool. Easy to store as it's pretty flat. I love the ergonomic design, as well. I appreciate the complimentary blades. 

Jopenope Mini Folding Windproof Travel Umbrella (Yellow)

This is a cute mini-umbrella that can easily be carried in a small bag or small backpack pocket. The colour makes it easy to see from a distance and and is really convenient. The pouch is great and keeps the umbrella tidy, and can be used for other purposes.  This umbrella has inner lining for sun protection of 50+ so it's perfect as a parasol or beach umbrella. By all means this is NOT a windproof umbrella. That's false advertising. It is perfect for drizzle days or spitting raining not for full showers or rain with wind as it fully turns over. 

9/21/2025

Kmart Claw Hammer

This is a good solid hammer, nothing fancy about it. It hits the nail on the head :))) every time. It's quite heavy and works well for all purposes I've used it for. I dislike the handle length as makes storage difficult. For the rest, good value for money. Mind -- No longer for sale on Kmart.  

Egoaugx Vintage-Style Scrapbooking Date Roller Stamp (Black)

I've been looking for one of these traditional stampers for a while, to use it with my archival ink pad as I use a stamp to date my journals artwork and most stamps out there have self-inkers with ink that isn't archival or waterproof. This seemed the perfect alternative. 
 
I love the stamp vintage style and the fact that is really small but the numbers sizing is clear and readable. It looks great on my desk and the wooden base prevents the ink left on the numbers to stain anything. I can use this with any of my archival inks, black or coloured, which is great both for office and craft purposes.   

Having said that, the stamp structure is feeble. The numbers adjusting wheels are a bit loose, so they don't hold their position as strongly as other stamps do. The knob is loose and rotates, something that doesn't bother me, but it's another proof of its mediocrity. The edge of the numbers box will be printed if you press the stamp a bit too strong on the ink pad.
 
The product arrived used, with some of the numbers already tried and blacked by ink.  No problem with that if I had known that I was buying a used product and that the price had matched that.
 
I would have loved something like this, just good quality without any of the faulty features that I have mentioned. However, it's OK for the price. 
 
USEFUL INFO 
Measurements = 5L x 4W x 10H centimetres 
Date Range =   2025-2036 (I had to post a question for the seller to mention this important item of information). 

Posca Acrylic Marker 8pc Set (Basic Colours) (5M, Medium Nib)

Posca markers are one of my favourite art supplies, due to their quality, versatility and easy of use. My preferred tip is this 5M medium one, which is also reversible. So, if the tip gets stained or tinted, I take it out, reverse it and I have a new brand one. The stained part will self repair when inside. In this way, the tips last for ages. Lines are clean and precise. 
 
The set has a mix of basic colours. They aren't primary colours per se, but basic bright gorgeous colours, plus black and white.  These markers have a good lightfast rating,  which varies from colour to colour, and they're waterproof once dried. If they aren't fully dry, they smudge, which sometimes you want to do to fill in small areas or produce artistic effects. 

The main downside of Posca is that they're not refillable, or not easily so. Therefore, they generate a lot of plastic waste and aren't environmentally friendly,  which is a shame.
 
For the rest, great value for money.