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Order only if you're not particular about the color... at all. There are better brands of wax out there people. I was trying to do the cheap route and that's what ya get! Cheap. First I ordered the Amber Gold - that one should be named, "Orange AF Gold-ish, Sorta." Not gold at all. "Oh well," I think. "I understand that pictures are hard to show online." So I order the Dark Golden. I mean those are CLEARLY gold in the picture so this is the safe route. Nope! Sure aren't. "Dark Gold" should have been called: Reddish-Bronze But Definitely Not Gold In Any Way Especially Not Vintage Gold. At this point my co-workers are all making fun of these wax's but I still have faith and I order again. Shame on me right? I just got the third order (Light Gold) and they are straight up metallic YELLOW. Co-workers are having a good ol' laugh. Especially when you read the brand name "Smart-bargain." Well, it's a bargain at least! Attached pictures. Guess which one is which! Ya certainly don't see gold!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Warnings are not in product description. I purchased this glue for people to use for a craft program at my job. After reading the description, I felt it seemed like a cheaper and good alternative to hot glue guns. I decided to try the glue out and make a sample. As soon as I opened the glue, a noxious odor came out of the tube. I started to use the glue, but was deterred by the odor. I looked at the packaging and it said the glue was known to cause cancer in the state of California, and that it should only be used in a well ventilated area with a mask. These warnings were not given in the product description.
I cannot comment on whether it works well because I had to stop using it. I would not be able to allow people to use the glue for my program. If I had known it was this toxic, I would not have purchased it for use by others.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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These work great for Polymer Clay. <div id="video-block-R24AM4RPE1GNIO" class="a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block"></div><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/D16hhC0-7BS.mp4" class="video-url"><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91oliBmY5HS.png" class="video-slate-img-url"> I love the Makin's Clay Texture Sheets! I have several sets of them and plan to get every last set they have!
When you first get them, you may be thinking they're cheap plastic. Don't be fooled by first appearance. They hold up well and work great for polymer clay.
This set is by far my favorite so far. I love the circles, the connectors, and especially like the #2 abstract design.
You can also flip them and use either side so you can get either a negative or a positive texture. Whichever you prefer.
If you do find you have issues with your polymer clay sticking to the texture sheets, just spritz the texture sheet with a little water before use. That will keep the clay from sticking.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Bleeds and Feathers, did they switch to a thinner paper. Bleeds and feathers terribly, my calligraphy looks terrible because of the paper. I bought this to practice on but I'm not sure how I can practice my form when the form doesn't even stay put. Waste of money. The paper is thinner than printer paper material. It bleeds onto the next page and wastes another page. I'm returning for a refund because it does not work for "Calligraphy" ink as it was made for.
I went with this one instead and it works beautifully: <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Rhodia-Classic-Black-Notepad-8-25X12-5-Blank/dp/B004ZMI3AS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Rhodia Classic Black Notepad 8.25X12.5 Blank</a>. Feels just as thin but does not bleed or feather and is great for calligraphy practice. It doesn't have the same lines, so if that is what you are looking for, I don't have a backup for you. I don't mind practicing the pencil lines on this blank pad.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Worth the money for a beginner. For a little over ten bucks, you really can't go wrong. I've never carved before, but wanted to make a specialized project for a Christmas present. Carving with this set was a breeze and went really well. The only downside is that one of the tools snapped halfway through the project, leading me to question the quality of the steel. Again, for ten bucks, this goes above and beyond the quality I expected. I honestly didn't think they would be too great, but the tools hold a sharp edges for a decent amount of work. Also they didn't come with the bonus stencil guide, and there is no case, but I didn't really need either so I didn't really care.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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ALL STAR DURABLE ADJUSTABLE 3 Hole Punch. This worked amazing so the office reordered 6 more for a major project which we had a deadline. It worked very well first time so we ordered again and it was a referral by a friend.. This 3 hole punch is adjustable, sturdy and light for the size. Is a hole punch that you can use a lot and it won't break or will be dull right away old one still good and very sharp and it does not pull the edges of the paper, but makes very smooth holes. You can adjust it to 2 holes. It does not get jammed like some do, you can go all day punching holes and will not delayed your work. We bought more because it obviously worked..
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Punch heads are not very durable. I've had this unit for about 6 weeks and it worked well until a head broke today. I called the company thinking that 6 weeks was a little premature and they told me that the unit has a lifetime warranty on everything except the head and that the heads that cost $53.59 for a set of 3 should be replaced approximately every 100 punches. Had I known that I would not have purchased this unit. That is a very considerable addition to the cost of printing that was not disclosed anywhere pre-purchase. Furthermore, $53.59 is crazy, I was expecting them to say $6 or $7 for a set of 3. Yes when it's not broken it works fine, but they need to be more honest about the cost of operating this unit. Had it said anything about that in the description I'd give the unit a 5 but since they ignore it and pretend it isn't an issue they get a 2 and I really should give it a 1.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Artisan Premium Soap Base. <div id="video-block-R32607PABNEFJF" class="a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block"></div><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/D1ZvmVnoEJS.mp4" class="video-url"><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/01lo1N9XHtS.png" class="video-slate-img-url"> This base was REALLY easy to make good looking soaps with - but it also was pretty decent soap to use also. NB: When you melt it the base is HOT! so adult supervision is a must here I want to make that safety point really clearly so it isn't lost in the review.
With the video I made a couple of mistakes that any other first timers might want to note. When putting a white soap in the clear base it is better to cut the clear base up a bit more into smaller pieces & make sure its fully melted. It will melt easier and you won't get as many bubbles as I did with the heart shaped soap. Even when I uses that soap a bit in the bathroom it cleared up a lot and the internal star wars soap I suspended in the remaining base looked amazing after correcting that.
On that note - I made Star Wars soap!!! I really didn't know what to expect doing this but the detail I actually got from just a bunch of rubber moulds I had was excellent. The soap peeled straight out of them after they cooled for about 40-50 mins. You can see in the video how they look and the detail was as intricate as the moulds allowed it to be.
They were done with the white base and the clear base can either be used to make soap with thing in it - or you can put other little soaps you have laying around.
If you have any kind of guests over you can make the bathroom much more impressive with very little effort. Im actually kind of in to this now there is plenty of room to get creative here and experiment with different things. You can also add fragrances if you like Im yet to venture there but the next lot I make Im going to try it with some lavender. I had tried once before to make soap with a kit I was given and the results were terrible - it didn't have the consistency of soap even so I'm counting this as my first time making useable soap. It's actually the real deal - for pennies - and I was rather taken back by how easy the process is and the quality of what I was able to make straight out of the gate!
If there is a colloquial term for a soap maker, perhaps Im somewhat on my way to being that.
Product provided for review - its just my opinion.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great Buy. I ordered this glue gun for crafting projects with my kids and I'm so glad I went with this one! For starters, it's bigger and much easier to hold than the mini ones I've always used in the past. I don't know if I have Carpal Tunnel going on or what, but my hand cramps so easily when I grip things and have to squeeze. I don't have any issues when using this gun though. It fits comfortably in my hand and the trigger is pretty sensitive, so you don't have to squeeze the life out of it to dispense the glue. It heats pretty quickly, has a little stand to prop it up when not in use, and it doesn't leak glue when you sit it down either. Very easy to use, great quality, and comes with plenty of glue to get you started. I highly recommend!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Don't buy this. I read where someone said this is THE glue gun, then it said it was cordless, all sounded good so I bought it.
You have to keep setting it back in the base which is plugged in (corded), so the cordless part is a little misleading.
I still would've been OK with it, but after the first day of use, it started the same old dripping of glue when not in use, increasingly frequent "trigger fails" for no reason--not low on glue, till I'd have to keep pulling it, pulling it, till a glob would come out--not what I wanted. I had to complete my project with it due to circumstances, and I spent over 2 hrs after finishing just trying to get the glue globs and smears off of it--it was impossible to really get it done. The project would've been ok if it'd been done by an inexperienced kid--e.g. first project. I ended up having to put 3 coats of a type of sealer, normally not needed, to camouflage the glue. I'm taking it back today and next time going to read all the 1 star reviews first.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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for the first time and I loved it! The instructions could've been a little better. I used it today, Aug 15, 2016, for the first time and I loved it!
The instructions could've been a little better, but with the help of videos online, using this kit is not that difficult. It comes with everything you need to successfully create your own paper for your crafts! The materials feel like they're good quality -- which I hope means they'll last a long time.
Tip: Different recycled paper will give you different weights, color, and texture. When the pulp begins to look a little thin and spotty, it's time to pour in more so you can get an even layer with each dip. Have fun incorporating leaves, flowers, seeds, coloring, etc.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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PERFECT for wrapping large presents; huge roll can cover for a fraction of the cost of wrapping paper. I got this paper for large Christmas presents, and it works PERFECT for it. Depending on what is underneath, you may need to wrap it twice around; but nonetheless I've been using my first roll for TWO YEARS and I am just coming up to order a second one because the first is getting low.
It rolls out nicely, the variety of colors is top notch, and the price is SO nice, especially when you compare it to wrapping paper! I love pairing this light blue with red and white candy cane ribbons and bows... it's so festive! It's super easy to cut, just like quality wrapping paper. Definitely recommend this over regular wrapping paper, especially when it comes to large presents!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Glue Gun for Crafters. So far this glue gun is serving its purpose well. I do a lot of crafting and need a glue gun that works well since it is one of my most frequently used tools. I needed a new glue gun to replace the one I am currently using due to the fact that is leaked glue between uses and it didn't stand up well so it was constantly falling over into the leaked glue and the gun is covered. I am happy to say that this glue gun doesnt seem to leak glue between uses and the stand keeps it upright. Glue is dispensed nice and hot, but not too hot and in a nice smooth even line. Other pros to this glue gun are that it heats up quickly and has an on/off switch unlike my old one. Only con so far is that I wish the cord was long, but that is just personal preference.
*I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for review, all opinions expressed are my own.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Dull rainbow one stroke cake - Diamond FX Flabbergasted. This review is on the product alone and not the seller.
I like Diamond FX face paint...it is very similar to TAG and Wolfe BUT I'm NOT happy with their Diamond FX "Flabbergasted" rainbow cake. The colors are not very bright and the orange is very overwhelming next to the red. The orange takes over making one side of the cake a dull orange. I've attached a picture so that you can see how it blends together. To fix this I had to cut out both the orange and red and replaced it with Paradise Berry. This made it so much brighter with a beautiful red that blended well with the yellow (I do not have a picture of the fix). I will not buy this Diamond FX "Flabbergasted" y Cake anymore.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Not as great as it seems. I bought this flower loom yesterday with my 50% coupon at Michael's and after playing around with it for a couple of hours I promptly returned it this afternoon. I am giving it 2 stars because the idea behind it is great and no doubt it is super-easy to shape the flowers, but beyond that I was completely at a loss. The pegs are too short and the yarn slips off very easily in the middle of your work making it very frustrating. Also creating the center is not as easy as it seems. The instructions are all in one color and the pics are not great so you cannot really see some of the small steps you need to really put the whole thing together. I originally bought it thinking it would be fun for me and my 6-year old daughter to play around with, but will looking into learning how to crochet or knit flowers by hand instead. I guess if you have alot of patience, give it a try...but make sure you use a coupon! The loom retails for $20...seems a little much for not a whole lot.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Preschool teacher gives Westcott a five-star rating. My wife is a preschool teacher and she enthusiastically gave the Westcott School Scissor Caddy and Kids Scissors With Microban her five-star rating.
With it being cold season, the Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection is appealing, although that protection only inhibits the growth of bacterial odors. The scissors and caddy are easy to clean with antibacterial wipes.
For the price (currently under $30), this set provides good value at with each pair of scissors priced slightly less than $1.25. I'm not sure why the product heading mentions 25 pairs though. You get 24 pairs - six of each color - along with the caddy and cups for each colored set.
The scissors are a good size for ages up to second grade and the blunt tips provide extra safety.
Rating: Five stars
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Make it. InstaMorph has captured my imagination. I am a musician and tech junkie and thought the applications for InstaMorph would allow me to make stands, cases and handles for all my stuff. That it did and does, but it is so much more. I have repaired a cracked interior panel in my Honda Element (saving several hundred dollars). I have securely insulated and spliced two audio cables together without tape, heat shrink or solder. My toothbrush finally has a home. My mixer finally sits at the correct angle on my desk. I've disposed of my envelope/letter holder for something much more efficient and small. The switch that keeps breaking off of my organ is now replaced forever.
If my dad had this when I was a kid my toys would have lasted twice as long.
And it's strong. The thicker you make it the stronger it is (duh). But under stress it doesn't snap; it bends. It's tough. And the 12oz container goes a long way. I'm halfway through mine and I've made a ton of stuff.
This should be as common a household product as duct tape in no time, and in case you didn't read the description, it's reusable.
You need it in ways you can't even comprehend.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Not useful. This product is probably the worst I've ever used. Granted, I got it for an overpriced value of $40 at Michaels, and it is not worth even half of what I paid for. I used it to create invitations for my wedding, and I can never get a clean punch. Even from the first go from buying it. After 10 inivtations, the pop-up mechanism stops working, so my papers get stuck between the stamp and the bottom pieces. I'd have to use something heavy to hammer out the stamp before it finally releases. Also it never creates a clean cut. I'd have to go over every single stamp with an exacto knife to cut out little (or big pieces that still hang off by the edge. NEVER buy this product unless you want to endure hours of pain and frustration.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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What a Power Punch. What a power punch! I purchased this and the Swingline low force hole punch. We R Memory Keepers blows all other single hole punches out of the water. It is very well built, punches things 4mm thick, has a deep throat, has markings for vertical and horizontal alignment, great grips, a lock to keep it closed, and is super easy to punch through chipboard! The only but is that it can be heavier than other hold punches, so if weight is an issue for your grip, then this one may be a challenge, but the Swingline is a close second since it is all metal construction, but lack how thick your objects can be and only has a horizontal hole alignment.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Crooked punch. I was so excited for this hole punch - I was using it to punch inserts for my Kikki K Personal Sized Planner. But unfortunately, this did not work for me.
I hated that it didn't have a guide so you could center the paper so you could consistently punch the pages in the same place and it would be even in your planner. I had read reviews and expected this. Luckily my husband was able to make me one to use with it. See first photo.
Then...the punch was defective!!
One side was not even with the other and was causing the punches to be crooked, with the defective side punching very close to the edge despite me feeding the paper in properly. See second photo. I tried pushing the part forward and it kept sliding back. SO frustrating. Returning this.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great for ornaments or gift tags. These wooden ornaments are pretty good for the price! they average out about 50 cents a piece. I primarily bought these ornaments based off a blog that had a 24 day advent regarding the names of Jesus but I could see that you could also use these to make any other type of advent ornament for advent devotionals or even custom ornaments for your friends or family. The wood pieces are nice and smooth no splinters to hurt your fingers. I used acrylic paint to paint the pieces and the colors were able to show up fine. I think they probably would be pretty cute if you painted them with chalkboard paint and used them as name tags or gift tags.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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For Denim Jeans: Great. I have only used Tear Mender for patching and repairing my Levis jeans, and for that it works totally fine. I've re-attached belt loops, and attached denim patches behind split knees. They seem to be holding very well in both cases. It is fairly flexible too -- I can feel the knee patch enough to remember it's there, but not enough to be distracting when bending down. Of course, on a silk shirt or something, it'd be very distracting -- but for work jeans, it's no problem.
Excess glue that is not covered by fabric will dry and create a sort of white, mildly-gummy area which feels like thin rubber. It's not sticky or tacky at all, just a bit soft and gummy like an eraser. I don't mind this at all, as I'm more concerned with the strength of the bond, which this product does very well and very quickly on denim jeans.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Excellent quality. This is my first purchase of vinyl to use with my Silhouette Cameo. I have cut several car decals, window clings, and labels for both dresser drawers and cloth boxes (picture labels so my toddlers know where clothes and toys go). (We've only used them on the inside of the windows so I can't comment on durability when exposed to the elements.)
I haven't discovered a flaw yet and it sticks really well. I had the bright idea of using it as a stencil on cardstock for my kids to paint but it is too sticky to remove from the paper. (Duh...) But I just wiped away the water color paint from the vinyl and had a beautiful piece of art for giving the grandmas on Mother's Day.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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I like the design of this bottle cutter. I like the design of this bottle cutter. It holds the bottle in place well and the ruler allows for making multiple cuts the same thickness or even graduated thickness. I think once mastering the process of breaking on the score lines it will be an awesome tool to have. I bought it to make glass bangles out of wine bottles. As of yet, I haven't been able to do that since it does take quite a bit of practice to get the scores to break cleanly. It is most definitely a craft to learn and perfect and something most people will probably not be able to perfect right out of the box. Experience with glass cutting (stained or fused glass) would be very helpful. I have some stained glass experience so I understand the concept of scoring glass, running lines, and then breaking. However, I could not get the bottle to break on the score line with the hot water/cold water method or the candle method. I will try my torch on it next. I think with practice and patience I will love what I can make out of wine bottles. Using recycled/upcycled glass for art, jewelry, or home decor items is awesome. I'm excited to hone the craft of bottle cutting.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great for Scary Sharp. I wanted an adhesive for sharpening with "scary sharp". This is the goofy name given to the concept of gluing sand paper to something very flat and sharpening tools with it. A lot of adhesives are too strong and you spend all day trying to get the glue and paper off your surface. Not this stuff. Peel the paper off, wipe the surface down with mineral spirits, then a little water and you are done. I have never had the paper slide while sharpening. Even if the paper is very curled, I use a roll of duct tape to press it down and it stays very flat. Incidentally, I use 12"x12" marble tiles from a box store for my flat surfaces. I put a drawer liner under them so there isn't much chance of them conforming to the surface beneath. They are cheap but you need to go in with a ruler and feeler gauge to make sure you get a flat one. I went through about 35 to find 3 flat ones.
After that success. I tried using it for a few other things. I use a few different blocks of wood for sand blocks. Put some of this glue on the blocks and the sandpaper won't slide off anymore, but can be easily replaced if it wears out. My wife is a big crafter and she has been thieving this glue from me as well.
Good product!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Good company, eager to please. I did return this product, but have to commend the folks at Reed. I had originally ordered their sheep skin leather and it was not going to work for what I needed. I contacted them and they were ON IT. I processed the return through Amazon, and placed an order for their cow skin hide and they got the shipment out to me the same day. Within 48 hours I had the replacement product. That being said, this hide will not work as the piece we received has no leather grain to it. It is very smooth - and while it is a nice piece of leather because of it's smooth surface and the sheen, when used with the hair-on-hide for our project, it comes off looking more like vinyl than leather. The touch and smell are that of leather - but the look is not really what I was going for. The people at Reed were fantastic to work with. Do not hesitate to order from or work with this company. I am attaching a photo of what we rec'd - it's just very smooth and shiny.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great quality loom set. I love these Darice looms much better than most others I've worked with. I like that they have the small groove on the outside of each peg, which makes it easy to get your hook under the yarn. They're very sturdy and won't bend or break. I helped teach a class of 3rd and 4th graders how to loom and the kids had a much easier time working on the looms with the groove than they did the ones without. The hooks are good quality as well, although I prefer the hard plastic hooks by Boyle - those seem to have less give in the handle. My daughter prefers the hook that comes with this kit, though, because the handle is a bit softer. There's nothing wrong with these hooks - it just depends on what you prefer. I'm very happy with this loom set. Very easy to use.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Not the best wax for newbies. I bought this soy wax as a first time candle maker. It melts easily on a double boiler, the fragrance oil mixes in well and dyes mix in well too. I used this wax from Candlewic, 15mL of Cucumber Melon fragrance oil and 2.5mL of Honeydew melon from candlescience.com. This candle had an amazing cold throw, but a weak hot throw and the wick (CozYours six inch) didn't burn well. It created a deep pool and the flame was low. Burn lasted maybe 10 minutes then went out. Even additives as recommended by candlewic.com didn't help it burn longer. All in all, I wouldn't use this wax if you're a newbie. I've been doing more research and I think I'm going to use Parrafin wax because it's cheap and typically has a good throw hot and cold. Also, going to be using wooden wicks next time.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Too fragile to do anything with, not realistic due to seam. I purchased these to paint for a springtime bird nest theme. I should have thought that through more carefully...styrofoam is VERY delicate-as in every bump, pinch, or poke will leave an indentation. The pkg had several of these, even before I started working on them. Even holding them firmly to paint produced a dimple. Plus, ALL the eggs had the annoying "seam" line around the center. As expected, they are light as a feather, which I found out when I tried to blow dry the paint :). I'm not really sure what these could be good for. I ditched the project and purchased paper mache eggs at Michaels instead.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Just what I wanted. I bought these to use as a craft for my daughter's baby shower. They are a good size (I had almost gone with the 2" blocks but this size was perfect) and the wood looked great (I bought these in late June 2016). I did lightly sand the blocks, sides and edges, before the shower. We used sharpie markers to decorate the blocks and I followed up several days layer with an oil and beeswax salve to protect the blocks/baby from each other. There was a little darkening of the wood from the coating, and a few colors on a few blocks bled (though no one color consistently nor all the colors on a single block), but not enough to ruin the block's decoration. And I wouldn't risk the baby putting the sharpie covered block in its mouth without a protective layer over it.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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high hopes dashed. After receiving these Fiskars, I have to say that this is my first Fiskars product that I was disappointed with. They seem to be a cheaper version of the <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fiskars-01-004250-8-Inch-Offset-Handle-Performance-Ergosharp-Scissors/dp/B002YIM0VS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fiskars 01-004250 8-Inch Offset Handle Performance Ergosharp Scissors</a>, of which I own two. I was assuming that these were just a grayer version. Maybe they are and Fiskars has gone cheap with the model I currently own. I guess I will have to find out the hard way after I order more of those.
These gray ones are a bit flimsy. I actually wanted these to replace my <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fiskars-Classic-8-Scissor/dp/B000OMWGNS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fiskars Classic 8" Scissor</a>, which are used primarily for opening Amazon boxes, cutting paper, and all the things one shouldn't use scissors for if they want them to stay sharp. These would be plain dangerous opening many boxes. I would be afraid that they'd fall apart, or worse yet, fly apart. I gave them to my daughter to use for office duties.
To be fair, these are as sharp as the <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fiskars-01-004250-8-Inch-Offset-Handle-Performance-Ergosharp-Scissors/dp/B002YIM0VS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fiskars 01-004250 8-Inch Offset Handle Performance Ergosharp Scissors</a>, so that it certainly a big plus, unless they are flying into one's face. :-0
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Expensive, but heavy duty and effective. I finally took the plunge and went with a hybrid Levenger Circa/M by Staples Arc/Martha Stewart Discbound system. There are so many possibilities for using a discbound system, and the ways one can accessorize are outright addictive. How expensive the system is depends upon whose products you use. Levenger accessories have the best resale value, however.
I decided early on that to best take advantage of the flexibility of a discbound system, I needed a "smurf" punch, so I could add my own pages/content at will. Since I also like the 3 x 5 PDA (aka Jotter) Circa system, AND I wanted to be able to punch my own covers using thicker paper, I decided to opt for the Levenger Circa Leverage punch. It's the most expensive option available, but it also the most robust; it can punch the most sheets at one time, plus it has a setting for 3 x 5 paper. My second choice would have been the Staples Arc punch (best bang for the buck, especially if you get a store coupon/join Staples Rewards/click thru via an eBates account), so check that out if this is beyond what you are willing to pay. If you do have the money and you are commiting to the discbound system, this is the BEST discbound punch money can buy.
As a final note, this punch ships free whether via Amazon or directly on Levenger (some Levenger items ship free via Amazon, but not on the Levenger site). If you have an Amazon Visa with points (and if you don't, what is wrong with you! lol), you can use points to offset the price of the punch or other Levenger accessories. When shopping at the Levenger site, look online for coupon codes, sign up for their e-mails (they recently sent a 20% off coupon), and consider getting one or two Levenger Circa Simply Irresistible Sample Kits first, which include a $40 gift card (offsetting the full price of the kit) that you can use towards your Levenger punch (or any Circa-related) purchase. You can use only one gift card via the Levenger site, but if you order by phone, they'll take up to three, plus they still honor any currently active coupon codes that apply, so that is something to consider. These also sometimes pop up on Levenger's eBay store (returns; no warranty included), but they often get jacked up to near full retail, so I personally didn't bother.
As you can tell, I like to stretch a dollar. Just be aware, if you're paying more than $79 plus sales tax, you are paying too much for this awesome Circa Leverage punch!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Good product, but questionable marketing. I just received my kit today. It looks fine, contains what it was supposed to contain, and I have no doubt I'll enjoy it. But I was really put off by the slip of paper offering to send you additional bonus ingredients -- IF you write a five-star review on Amazon and send a screenshot of it to the manufacturer. I understand the frustration felt by Amazon sellers -- too often, the only people who leave feedback are the ones with complaints, and that can end up painting an inaccurate picture. But this is not the answer. Be aware, as you scan the reviews, that some of the positive ones may have been written just for the purpose of getting those bonus ingredients. I'm surprised Amazon doesn't have a policy prohibiting this sort of thing.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Reasons I love the Carvin' Jack. I started out carving last year and just had a couple of pocket knives to "carve" with and knew I needed something better so I ordered the carvin jack and a couple basswood blocks to practice on. When I received the carvin jack in the mail it came out of the box sharp as could be! It also came with a case and a slip strop with compound. The small strop worked to sharpen it but I would suggest getting a full sized strop and the groves for sharpening the other tools worked perfectly. Now when you read about it being hard to open and the blades going in to far don't worry about it just read the simple instructions on how to open it. The knives themselves worked great and locked in place so well that I thought I had a fixed blade knife. And by the way my carvings improved x1000! The only sorta troubling thing about this knife is when you open one blade a couple others come out but it's not a big deal to just push one blade in. Overall great knife and highly recommend it to anyone interested in carving who travel a lot and anyone else who wants to try carving! Love this knife!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Not as advertised. I thought surely I wouldn't have the same bad luck as several of the recent reviewers, but unfortunately I was very wrong. The pellets arrived loose inside a box labeled "small shampoo" instead of in a bag as advertised in the pictures. They were an ugly gray color, not white at all, and were covered with a grainy sand as if they came straight off the production line without being cleaned. Since I needed these pellets to fill I spy bags for small children and babies, it was unacceptable to me to risk the pellets not being safe from toxins as they are advertised to be. I bought from TURNKEYBEAUTY. Not sure at what point the product quality failed, but I won't be risking this seller again either. Luckily I returned these and found some beautiful Victory Poly pellets that are exactly what I needed!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Practice and more. On time an as advertised. 5 pcs at 4" lengths, 5 pcs at 2" lengths, widths vary slightly. The grain is straight and generally clear of any blemishes. One 4" pc has a less than 2 micron knot through wood less than 1/4" from edge, I can't see this causing any major problem using this pc for any carving project. I do recommend buying this kit. It is inexpensive, the wood is good to excellent condition and for beginner practice or more advanced carvers. If the lengths are good for you, why pay more and maybe get less?
Gave it Four stars only because I would have liked to have gotten at least one 6" length. If it had been there, this little kit would be just aboutn perfect.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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THIS PRODUCT FAILED ALL EXPECTATIONS. This is not moldable in any sense of the word. It is more like a paraffin wax. It never gets to a state in which it is moldable like clay. It is either a brittle, waxy, flaky mess or a sticky, hot, flowing, honey-like liquid. See the photos I have provided.
I used a zipper bag to contain the stuff after our initial mishaps. The colored pieces that came with the product did not melt similarly to the colorless product, meaning it never mixed in evenly no matter what we did.
I tried multiple times to get it to a temperature in which it would be moldable similar to Instamorph (which is a product that this product appears to be pretending to be). I even used an immersion circulator (a sous vide device) to keep a precise temperature as per the instructions. The result is that it took a very long time to melt, and once melted stuck to the inside of the bag, inside of a cup, our hands, and everything else it came in contact with. I didn't get a photo of that because I didn't want to get it on my phone.
If you look closely at the photos you'll see that the bag has both liquid and solid wax in it. That's because as soon as the temperature drops, parts of it get hard and brittle (rather than gradually getting harder to mold). "Pourable" would be more accurate. Essentially imagine something like wax, but even stickier.
Don't buy this.
[EDIT: Added a third photo of what this product looks like once it cools, as you try to mold it. Basically, like crumbly wax. Not moldable plastic.]
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Don't waste your money. I have experience working with polymer clay and ceramic, and I found Sculpt-It to be pretty difficult to work with. It needs to be wet, like kiln fired clay when you are working with it, but doesn't do well if you work with it for a while. I tried it out and thought my finished pieces would be alright, but once they dried, there were cracks and one of the pieces actually split apart. I would not recommend making anything around a structure or armature since the Sculpt-It seems to shrink a bit when it dries. It also seems to be pretty fragile when it's done and isn't as durable as you would think. I would try out other epoxies before this one, even though it is cheaper...Apparently you get what you pay for.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Less waste, fluffier poms. My first time making pom poms was about a week ago. I found a project I had to do - DIY pom pom rug. I made about 50 using cardstock/cardboard, and found I was wasting so much yarn during trimming in order to get a perfect, fluffy ball. As a crazy-cheap gal, I had to force myself to shell out the $5 to buy these doodads, but now that I have I AM SO GLAD! I would say ease of use is about the same as the cardboard method, but what really has me psyched is that the pom pom's come out looking almost perfect this way and I'm wasting less yarn while trimming, which saves me time and moolah. Totally worth it - especially since I have about a 1000 to make. Recommend for sure.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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and these are perfect for storing standard loaves. I purchased the standard thickness bags. I make bread a few times a week, and these are perfect for storing standard loaves, round loaves, oval loaves, muffins, and biscuits. I use them for storing the bread on the counter and for storing in the freezer. They are big enough to make it easy to store and remove slices of bread. The thickness is perfect - not so thick that it is difficult to work with, but thick enough that it doesn't rip or stretch. The gusset is nice to account for the thickness of the loaves. The only thing that could be improved is if the bags came in a box for easy dispensing. I will definitely buy these again.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Just Okay. This elastic thread was supposed to be knitted along with your yarn, so before I review it, I'd like to clarify that I used the thread AFTER I already knitted. I knitted some socks and hoped the ribbing would hold the socks up, and when that failed, an experienced knitter recommended that I weave this thread into the socks with a tapestry needle. Perhaps it's because I didn't use it the proper way (knitting the thread into the socks initially), but I felt like this thread wasn't strong enough, and though it made my socks more elastic, I could hear the thread breaking when the socks were stretched. I'm a little worried about washing these socks in the washer now, might try hand washing due to the thread's delicate condition. Maybe I misused this product, generally this brand (clover) offers high quality items.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Here's a good tool to add to the took box - that . No more taking the office scissors to the garage! Here's a good tool to add to the took box - that will be up to "shop" tasks. These scissors have comfortable grips that fit even my big hands.
I have to note that as-new, the blade sharpening seems a little rough. I expected to see a really smooth blade, but it's less precision than I would expect. However, cutting some very thin coated paper, it was a perfect cut. On to the harder stuff.
They are effortless to use and cut through a variety of materials easily. Project one included open foam sheeting and some really thick closed foam strips. They will also cut cardboard easily - the thicker blades don't bend like standard consumer types when cutting thick materials. They will cut thin sheet metal though I'm not sure that I want to do that often with these - but they will do when you need a small amount of trimming. I tried cutting some polypropylene rope - lot of strands in it and though it takes some work, like with any scissors, these seemed to make quicker work of it with the apparently sharper blades. Again, the thickness of the blade helps here, standard scissor blades will bend on this rope. It slices with ease through plastic banding that straps heavy packages together. Plastic sheeting - even really thin stuff - is also easily managed (sometimes the really thin stuff will not get cut by cheaper scissors but will just spread the blade apart).
Anything you would attempt with regular scissors can be done well with these.
The ruler is a great idea - until you try use it. To me, it's backwards - the measure should start not at the tip, but near the pivot point. The typeface they used for the number is way too stylish - if you saw these numbers on a Stanley tape measure you would never buy it. With a little practice you can use the markings without the numbers.
The non-stick feature seems to work. I tried cutting cellophane tape, packing tape and duct tape with no issues. Usually duct tape will hang on to my regular scissors, but these definitely didn't stick.
Finally, while this is not a feature that counts for a lot, they look good in a shop. The black and gray definitely belong in a shop. There's no practical value, but sitting next to a Stanley box cutter with similar colors, it looks like it "belongs:" Small detail, but I like it.
There are sure cheaper scissors and there are more expensive scissors, but these seem to have a decent price point for a more durable pair than what normally lives in the tool drawer. We'll see how they do in the long term. I plan to get a second set for the house, so I stop getting yelled at for using the kitchen shears! :-)
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Safest knife around. "X11" blade is nessassary. Love these things for everyday use. Yes its mostly plastic, and yes the rounded end pops off easily. (Can be glued back on or left off with no affect on the safety) But that is nothing compared to the safety that you get from it. Most all metal X-Acto knives I have owned come with some cheap plastic cap that falls off way to easily. Resulting in me resorting to having to tape the cap on for safety. With these ones Its a easy slide to hide the blade safety away. It has a slight locking mechanism so it will not slide open on accident. I normally have one in my pocket all day at my job and have never had a problem.
You MUST use the right sized blades for this."X11" blade. Not just the #11. They are not all the same and the wrong sized one will fit the knife fine, but will be too large for it to slide closed, totally negating the whole reason to have this knife.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Beautiful assortment and excellent quality. I am a self proclaimed Planner addict and I have been on the look out to expand my washi tape collection. When I came across these, I fell in love with the prints. They were shipped immediately and were very securely packaged which is always appreciated. I always worry about the quality when I purchase washi tape online because of a few bad experiences, but I was very impressed by these. They are about an inch wide and not see through, which is perfect for crafting. They are also prepositional. I am always changing my mind when I decorate and craft so being able to preposition without the washi tape leaving a mark or ripping my planner pages is a must.
* I did receive this product at discount, but I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase at the full price when it is time to reorder*
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great Starter Kit. I ordered this kit as a gift. It arrived timely and for the most part as described (the scents listed in the description are not the scents I received). I did need to speak with customer service to change something after the order was placed; the representative was helpful and the issue was resolved without any hassle.
The kit has everything you need to get started with your candle making adventure except a digital scale. It's not needed as you can estimate. The instructions are easy to follow and we were surprised at how quickly the projects came together. The only thing I would have liked was guidance on cleaning the supplies - I wasn't sure if dishsoap would be safe for cleaning or if it would cause a reaction with the wax and future projects.
The dyes, fragrance, wax, and wicks will outlast the number of tins that are provided in the starter kit. If you think this is going to become a hobby, order extra containers and a sample fragrance pack with the initial order.
From other reviews that I have read, it seems that Peak includes a sample fragrance with each purchase. It's a nice touch and a way to try something new without having to spend money on it. Overall, I think the quality of the product was great and will order from the company again.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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4.5 Stars -- sticky when mixing but holds a sculpt well. I love this stuff. I use it primarily for sculpting figures and props; but it's also very handy to use for household, garden tool, and auto interior repairs. You can adhere it to most surfaces as a durable filler or extension. And it's waterproof when cured (Woo hoo!). I find the working consistency much friendlier than the other two-part epoxy putties that I've used.
In the past, I've typically sculpted with earthen, polymer, or paperclays. With those clays, I can keep the project covered and damp (for paper and earthen clays) and continue working on them intermittently for days. For those sculpting projects that I can finish within the 2-3 hour hardening time, though, Apoxie Sculpt is perfect for my needs -- a great end-product and no firing or other curing efforts necessary.
Once mixed, it feels sort of like soft polymer clay while manipulating and sculpting and it accepts and holds a high degree of detailing. Unlike many other clays, it doesn't shrink or crack as it cures which makes it work so much better for those larger projects where multiple pieces have to fit together "just right."
The Apoxie Sculpt isn't fully cured after the initial 2-3 hour sculpting/manipulating time. Even after 5-6 hours, you can usually still make a fingernail depression in the surface. But, once it is fully cured (about 24 hrs), it is very hard and durable -- and you can carve, sand, or drill it without it cracking or chipping. The cured pieces can be painted or stained (I've only tried staining a couple of times with so-so results). The painting, however, works well. I recommend that you prime your piece(s) first with a good spray primer before applying paint. The initial coat seems to stick better as a spray rather than brushing on; but, once well-primed, subsequent coats of paint can be brushed on.
For those unfamiliar with the process, Apoxie Sculpt comes in two different containers and you mix equal parts from each for about 2 minutes (until color is uniform). From this point, you have a couple of hours to finish your sculpting before the piece begins hardening too much. I plan that time with no interruptions so that I can finish within the time frame. When the unavoidable interruption occurs, I've had some luck with sticking the piece in the fridge or freezer to slow the curing a bit (the clay warms slightly as it cures).
I try not to mix more Apoxie Sculpt than I can easily sculpt with at one time. You can always mix more and add to your project. I use my fingers, sculpting tools, or various brushes along with either water or <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Ave-s-Safety-Solvent/dp/B002QAZ3JU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Ave's Safety Solvent</a> to add seamless additions on to the main piece.
Besides the time limitation, the only thing I don't care for is the mixing of the two parts. Until thoroughly combined, the mixture is a sticky mess. The makers recommend using latex gloves for this stage. I've tried it both ways -- bare hands and gloves. Don't really like to use the gloves, but it does save getting the mess on your hands. This black version of Apoxie Sculpt leaves a black residue on your hands that doesn't wash off easily with regular soap and water. Some sculptors use <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Ave-s-Safety-Solvent/dp/B002QAZ3JU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Ave's Safety Solvent</a> to clean their hands and tools; but I find it too drying for my hands. Instead, I use <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Formula-409-All-Purpose-Cleaner/dp/B00009EFEY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner</a>. It's not as drying to my hands but helps to remove the residue more easily.
While there is a very slight odor to the uncured Apoxie Sculpt, I don't find it unpleasant. There are no solvents and fumes. Not only is it waterproof AFTER it's cured, it's not necessary to keep it dry until it IS cured. In fact, you can mix it, sculpt it, and dump it in a bowl of water and it'll still finish curing underwater.
Apoxie Sculpt comes in about a dozen colors and is generally more economical in the larger sizes. This small 1-lb size is good for home repairs and just trying it out to see if you like it; but if you're using it for much sculpting, you'll want to go with the larger sizes. Amazon often carries the 4-lb size (but check the price/shipping). It also comes in 20-lb and 100-lb sizes from the Apoxie Sculpt site.
The company that produces Apoxie Sculpt has numerous other formulations available...all with slightly different characteristics. My overall preference for sculpting is their <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fixit-Sculpt/dp/B000V5C138/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fixit Sculpt</a>. It's more expensive but offers a firmer sculpting material and longer uncured sculpting time.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Awesome Little 5/16" Circle Punch. I wanted a 1/4" circle punch, but that's really tough to find. I don't know why the product description of this punch fails to provide the circle size; I discovered that "secret" by reading customer reviews, so I am really grateful to the person who included that in her/his review. I love this little punch. It's the easy thumb press kind and open on the bottom so you can line up your image to punch. It works great with any weight paper, card stock, or vellum. The difference between 1/4" and 5/16" is so minute it just doesn't make a difference. In fact, having that wee little bit extra frames the tiny stamped images I punch nicely. If I ever do find a 1/4" punch, this punch can serve as a mat for it, but on second thought, why mat something so small? I don't even want a 1/4" punch anymore. :) :)
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Time Saver Tool. Making straps for bags was a time consuming job until I bought this tool. When the fabric is cut properly to fit through the tool it slides through easily. Make sure to cut the strips 3 1/2 inches for the 50 mm tool. Cut the fabric strip any wider and the strip will drag and not work properly. I work with a group of women making bags. I have recommended it to the women and several other friends. Everyone has raved about how the tool made the job easier. One woman was even able to talk her teenage son into making her straps. He was not happy about doing it until he got to use the tool. Once he used the tool it was fun and he had her straps made in no time while she sewed.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great quality craft pipe cleaners. Great quality craft pipe cleaners. The quality of these seems to be as good as any I have bought elsewhere. They might have just a tiny bit thinner wire. My daughter does a lot of craft related projects and I always like to have pipe cleaners for that. I also use these as cat toys. My cats would always steal the pipe cleaners if they were left out. I make a circle out of one and secure the ends so no wire is sticking out anywhere. Perfect cat toy. They go nuts over them. My cats seem to prefer craft items as toys over actual cat toys.
You get a really nice variety of colors in this pack. I assume all come with the same colors. Mine came with white, black, brown, yellow, orange, red, green, blue, purple and pink. I have the 200 count package and there are 200.
I received this product for free for review purposes. This is my honest opinion of the product.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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These work great but don't use hotter than a medium iron. These circles work really well for creating consistent-sized circles without having to draw/cut your own. Unfortunately, the sizes are not printed on the circles and there is no hole pre-punched in them so that you can add them to the ring of Karen's smaller circles but that can easily be remedied. I simply used a Sharpie pen and measured/wrote the sizes on each circle (I also wrote the maximum iron heat setting to use so that I wouldn't forget) and used a hand paper punch to punch holes.
The thing to remember with when using these circles to make applique shapes is don't use an iron set on anything above a medium heat! If you do, the plastic circle will warp and it becomes useless for making a nice clean applique.
The package comes with two each of 10 different sizes (for a total of 20 circles) ranging in size from 2-1/4 to 4-1/2-inch in quarter-inch increments.
If you are also curious about Karen's other products and you found this review helpful, click on my name above for my other reviews.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Good craft item. Purchased this for a church craft project at a Bethlehem reenactment (a leather bracelet, tied in a simple square knot- which was a hit with kids and adults too). The quality was very good, only problem was that several times in a roll you'd find two pieces taped together. It made for a few inches of waste (since I didn't want a bracelet with a taped piece in it). I like the colors, and will buy this again next year for the project when we do it again. The rolls are long and made a lot of bracelets per roll. They resemble real leather but are a lot cheaper. They also shipped very quickly so when we thought we needed more for the following weekend we got them in plenty of time.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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it would be useful to add a third socket to connect the air . I have not yet used it in real work, I performed a test connection and started, I prepared a workstation. Everything is working.
Very convenient is the presence of receptacles on the back wall for connecting the water pump and the exhaust fan. However, it would be useful to add a third socket to connect the air assist in the future.
In comparison with a 10-watt Chinese laser, differ as heaven and earth.
If I have additions and comments - I'll write it.
Addition:
1. After installing the software, you need a USB key to start. Do not forget and do not lose the USB-key!
2. When working with the software, you may need some additional information - the serial number of the control board (the hex is on the label on the control board) and the model of the control board (in my machine is installed M2Nano). Without specifying these data, the CorelLaser plugin may not work correctly. To clarify these data, you need to disconnect the power cable of the engraver from the network, open the right cover with the control panel and look at the control card.
3. I strongly recommend installing the laser head with air assist, for example https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0094WLPYK/, and thus protect the lens from the effects of combustion products.
4. If you are going to engrave/cut wood/plywood, a more powerful exhaust fan is needed. Also, you may need a filter, because a lot of smoke is formed, and this can cause inconvenience to others.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Everything needed NOT included. The technical details for this product states "Kit contains everything you need to make your own soy candles."
This is NOT true!
The instructions which come with the kit clearly states
"Additional Items NEEDED for (but NOT included in) this kit:"
and gives a list of ridiculous items you would have to coincidentally own. Such as a hot glue gun, standard thermometer to stick IN the hot wax, a double boiler or electric griddle, melting/pouring pot and a scale. Keep in mind on top of needing the melting pot, the double boiler, and the thermometer and long handed ladle or spoon it requires you to have (but doesn't include for you).. you also have to be okay with using these items with hot wax, which is a miserable thing to try remove from anything, let alone in large quantities.
So if you just happen to have the extra equipment it calls for lying around that you don't mind dedicating to hot wax, great.
I personally do not want/plan to go to spend the extra time and money on this equipment specifically for what I thought would be a fun, easy, and convenient ready to use kit. Obviously a horrible choice for beginners.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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it really works. I have only used this for small projects, such as place mats, jackets etc. It works great, and keeps the fabric put for machine quilting. It does not gum up my sewing machine needle. I don't know how it would be for hand quilting. I spray the bottom fabric, then place the batting on the top, then spray the batting then place my top on the batting. I've not had a problem yet. I think it would be a little of a challenge to spray a whole quilt, just because of the space I would need. It does seem to make my projects a little stiffer, but not enough to make a difference. I bought this brand because it seemed to be so highly rated. The overspray around the edges will stay there, so I use a large piece of cardboard just for that. I have used the same piece of cardboard for about a year, and it is sticky, so beware of exactly where the spray goes. I take mine outside to spray, and never spray on a breezy day.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Beautiful colors, not great price. My only grip about all of their sets is they don't fill the jars up as much as they could. Half the jar empty is not a great deal! They work well, but you do have to use, in my opinion, a lot of powder to get a really saturated color. At least for sprays. Also, if it doesn't dissolve consistently, the powder has a way of clogging the spray bottles or mini misters. Kind of annoying. I really love the colors, but I don't know how quickly I'll be running out to re-purchase these items. I just don't think you get enough powder for the price. They're worth buying for the colors and to use in other mediums, but if you just want sprays, there are better deals out there.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Looking for a super glue that actually works. Looking for a super glue that actually works? Look no further! Testors cement glue is a must have for any parent. From cracked phone cases to plastic models, this stuff works wonders. The provided tips allow for easy application and easy cleanup. We all know what a mess glue can be when trying to reapply the cap but with these tubes there is none of that. Testors cement glue has superior adhesive properties and fuses the plastic together within twenty minutes. Just add a little pressure and voila!! This glue not only adheres quickly to the surface but it holds together quite nicely for added durability. I'd definitely recommend this product for any day to day repairs.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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I really like it but. After reading some of the negative reviews I was expecting this tape gun to be heavy, it is not heavy, at least not to me. Also, I am experiencing the tape "balling" up on the paper but I think after I get better at using it this problem should resolve itself because it doesn't happen all the time. The reviewer that said the tape comes off the backing before she gets it to the paper is probably experiencing the same problem I did until I realized you have to use this on a hard, flat surface; doesn't work well if you forget something then try to glue it down while in, let's say, a mini album like I'm using it. I have also experienced the tape shifting on the rollers and can't seem to correct the problem other than to reach in and push it back over. And YES the tape is super sticky, stickier than Scor-Tape, because I tried to lift something off and the Scor-Tape came right off but the atg glue ripped the paper. I was really excited to finally get the product after seeing so many videos using it with so much ease and success and will keep it and continue to use it even with its faults. It is better than other products on the market and you can't beat the performance of the glue. Got a really good price on Amazon and free shipping with Prime. Couldn't pass up the deal and finally got what I wanted.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Great Beginner's Soap Base. Making the soap:
-I love that this already has all the soap "parts" to it, so you don't have to mess with lye. All you have to do is chop up your desired amount of honey base into small chunks, melt it into the microwave (I would do it for 15-30 seconds, stir, then 15-30 seconds again while mixing in between to make sure nothing gets burnt), and the pour into your mold! I do wish it came with some instructions, just because I had to look at the reviews to figure out what I was supposed to do since I'm new to this! The color came out as I expected a honest base to, clear with a yellowish tint. I used some essential oils in my mix (about 20 drops for one pound). At first, this made the smell overwhelming, but when I set it outside to cool (for around 4 hours or so), it had gone down quite a bit and was just a nice pleasant smell. It likely will change depending on the scent you are using, so just play it by ear.
Using the soap:
-once the soaps were done, I decided to put one by my sink to wash my hands and one in my shower. When I was washing my hands, I noticed it lathered really nicely and let my hands feeling clean and soft. The oils I used did not transfer onto my hands. Instead, my hands just smelled like typical "washed hands with soap" generic smell, which didn't bother me. When I used it in the shower, it again lathered well, but I did not get the same "clean" feeling (ended up using my regular body wash as well). Not sure why (could be in my head), but that is my experience. Consequently, I will be using this for hand soaps and not body soaps in the future. Still very pleased overall.
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Cheaper isn't always the best idea. Cheaper isn't always the best idea and a lesson I would love to say I have learned during my time on this earth but sadly when I decided I needed an extra pair of scissors for cutting upholstery materials I spotted these and quickly added them to my cart I now realize I am still learning. I read and reread the product description and reviews thinking I had found myself a wonderful bargain very excited to have these shipped to me. They came FAST just a couple of days from ordering so I grabbed my trusty favorite pair of 10" Gingher scissors and started to compare.
1. 10.5" measure in description is inaccurate they are the same overall length as the 10" Ginghers. both pairs measure 10" from tip of blade to top of handle. The actual blade is 1/8" longer than the 10" Gingher no idea how they came up with the 10.5 measurement
2. For heavy duty scissors they are significantly lighter than all my other stainless steel scissors a full 4oz lighter than the Gingher scissors they are suppose to be .5" longer than
3. The blades are ROUGH! Definitely won't be using these for fine fabrics or anything that has a fray to it or needs to have little finesse. Maybe I can use them for cutting rich deck or cotton batting, I will have to give them a try and see if they will work well in that application
4. They take more work to cut than other scissors I have. I am no scissors expert and have no idea why this is but these scissors take more work to cut with than even my super cheap Fiskers bought at Joann's with a 40% off coupon my best guess is that they are not as sharp and the rough blade is creating friction. They took more work than pretty much all my other scissors to cut through standard upholstery fabric
5. They seem to be decently constructed and the hinge appears strong so that is good
I would definitely not reorder these but I may keep them and switch them out with my dull batting scissors while I have them sharpened unfortunately they will never be more than an emergency back up pair in my workspace and I am still learning the lesson cheaper is not always the best idea
Why the two stars instead of one star I am sure you are wondering if you made it this far, for the simple fact that they are decently constructed and they do cut.
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Best Painting Peg family. These are very cute and so much fun to paint. My daughter has so much fun painting these into her own little family. she painted these for hours and didn't want to stop. then i think they have gone everywhere with her since painting them. I love the wooden pegs the shapes were alot of fun to make into various characters. and i liked that there were boy and girl shapes. i even liked that there was a small baby size. My daughter is 5 and this was the most fun she could have ever had on a Saturday. The quality of the paints as well as the pegs were very nice and i will deffinatly purchase these again. I got to try these at a discount for my honest review.
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Not worth the 1 star: Broken & Counterfeit. My daughter had requested a loom similar to this. I did some searching & decided to get the Rainbow Loom since it appeared to be the "real thing", not cheaply made like some. The picture on the Amazon page shows the original Rainbow Loom box. When we received it, the loom had a broken pin. I went back to the Amazon page to see if others had this problem & found that many received counterfeit looms. Ah, so that's why the directions had misspellings, etc. I checked out Rainbow Loom's website & discovered that we, too, had received a counterfeit. I immediately called Amazon, & they graciously allowed us to return the loom. However, I was not going to take a chance on ordering another from Amazon. We went to Michael's & got the real thing there. (You can also order them from the Rainbow Loom website.) My daughter loves the "real Rainbow Loom" & has learned how to make all kinds of things with it!
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Good product, though seemingly not quite as good as Goo Gone. I've been using Goo Gone for years and was looking to buy some for work applications, so I hit Amazon up and saw this. You'd think that it would be an almost exact re-creation of Goo Gone under a different brand name, and although that seems to be the aim, it does come up a little short.
The scent instantly reminds you of Goo Gone (very orange), although the lack of any real mineral spirit odor was my first tip-off that this might not be quite the same. I do like the cloth applicator (lessens the chance for spillage) and scraper cap, but it just doesn't seem to remove adhesives quite as well. Even with repeat applications, some more stubborn labels would keep right on sticking. You can scrape and put a bit more, and eventually it will work, but you're ultimately using a lot more product and energy to get similar results.
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Another winner from Graphic 45 . This paper is gorgeous! Obviously inspired by the children's book, "The Secret Garden," it's full of lovely English garden flowers: soft peachy-pink roses, yellow and white daisies, pink and yellow tulips, violets, blue clematis, and, of course, the key to the garden gate. The colors are soft pastels, but with the vibrancy of springtime flowers.
I make handcrafted greeting cards, and these papers are perfect for that. The prints are small enough that they don't get "lost" in the smaller format. I had no trouble at all finding coordinating solid color card stock in my stash (various manufacturers), as well as ribbons and buttons that also work.
Graphic 45 papers are high quality, heavyweight, and easy to cut and manipulate. They also have a series of coordinating stickers, chipboard elements, alphabet stickers and clear stamps to go with this set.
Very happy with this! I purchased the entire set of additional elements, and intend to make several more sets of coordinated cards as gifts for friends.
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Value is questionable on the Kanani doll Luau outfit. My granddaughter (8 1/2) will receive the Kanani doll at Christmas from parents. I wanted to give
her the Luau outfit for the doll. I thought at one point it was $23 but when I returned on line
saw it had gone to $43. It arrived on time and the seller fulfilled all postal requirements.
However, although I am sure she will love the outfit, the price for the two small plastic flower leis (headpiece and neck), a top and muu-muu and two small handheld gourds would be a better buy
at $23.max. I now see the price has gone to the $50s which, in my opinion, is ridiculously high for the quality and number of items and is a poor example of taking advantage of a trendy item. If I hadn't told her parents to expect it, I would definitely return it
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POOP Brown. I know that one of the other reviewers complained about the chartreuse color, but I was looking forward to that sunny burst of green. I was surprised and VERY disappointed to open the package and see a depressing brown pair. As a 37 year old painter with early signs of arthritis, I needed a little support, both physically and mentally. Those poop brown gloves are not what the doctor ordered.
The gloves themselves are made of a quality material and do feel supportive. I am not sure I like where the thumbs end, since I was hoping for a little support on that knuckle also. I am usually pretty happy with Amazon, but I do feel this was a case of bait and switch or false advertising. Bummer.
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Good all around inexpensive scissor. This is a nice economy all purpose scissor. I have some very nice, expensive scissors that I won't allow anyone to use except me. These scissors are okay for day to day odd job cutting by other family members and myself, and save my expensive scissors for my sewing and craft projects. I have several scissors for different jobs and they only do that ONE job. And then I have scissors that are for general purpose cutting around the house. So as you can see, I really love my scissors.
These scissors are an economical, affordable scissor that you really don't have to worry about. They cut very well and they feel comfortable in my hand. However, I have purchased many Westcott scissors over the years and the blades almost always eventually break away from the handles and I have to go out a buy another pair.
I finally gave up on Westcott, and sprung for some nice Gingher scissors for sewing, which I hide, and some pretty good Fiskar Scissors for crafts, which I don't hide, but I did draw a skull and crossbones on them with a permanent marker to warn people away from them. Ha!
For all around household cutting these are inexpensive enough that when they do break, it's not a great loss and they are affordable enough to get another pair.
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3 Stars because it is expensive for the amount and I'm not convinced there are 16.4 yards of tape here. Beautiful tapes, nice colors, not bright but a little subdued- and very sparkly. I love all of that, but it's a small amount for the money. The tape is 3/16 wide and there are supposedly 16.4 yards of tape. Looking at the roll, it doesn't look like 16 yards, but I'm not going to unroll the tape and measure. It is nice and sparkly glittery, I really love that, and the tape is nice and sticky. I won't be using it for wrapping presents- too expensive- but I'll transfer it to my card making supplies. When I use it, I'll measure the tape and change the review if necessary. I gave it 3 stars, but if there ARE 16.4 yards I'll change it to 5 stars.
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Good name brand duct tape. You can't go wrong with Duck Tape. I usually use classic gray, but the white is good for specific applications. For example, I have a manufactured mobile home with vinyl underpinning that is always getting holes knocked in it from rocks that are thrown up by the lawnmower. I just take a piece of this tape and patch the hole, making it much less noticeable. The tape sticks well, is easy to tear off the roll, and seems to be very durable.
Update: It's now been over a year since I bought this. Where I used it to patch holes in my underpinning it is still as good as new. Tried to use it under my eaves to secure the cord on a security camera, but it didn't stick there at all.
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Great Molds. I purchased two of the X-Haibei 20-cavity Rectangular Mini Guest Soap Chocolate Candy Mold Silicone Molds and have been extremely pleased with them. The ones that I received are orange in color and arrived is pictured. I have been using them when I make homemade chocolate bars and they have worked perfectly. The size is great for perfect single serving side chocolate bars for everyone in the house. The mold is made out of silicone and did not have an odor when they arrived which was great. After I washed them I was able to go straight to using them without any issues. The chocolate was easy to pour into the molds and it was easy to remove once they were chilled in the refrigerator. The removal was super easy with these molds because they are made of silicone. The pods were easily popped to allow the candy to come out and just as easily popped back in without any damage to the mold. Washing these was also super easy. I set them both into the dishwasher and they came out perfectly clean on the first try. I am considering buying more so that I can make larger batches of my chocolate at a time. I would recommend this to anyone that needs good quality molds that can be used over and over again without any issues. These molds would be great for multiple projects too.
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Once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, then once a year for life. After learning about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, I switched to a standing desk. I found an old, four-drawer desk once used for the production of a weekly newspaper. It is now a converted (three drawer), stand-up writing desk with a shiny, smooth lacquered finish. I love the desk and I'm adjusting to the switch of working from a standing position.
One drawback of an old desk is that the drawers are a bit sticky. I was told to use an old fashioned remedy, paraffin wax, to treat the drawers and wood runners for smooth operation.
I went to a big box home improvement store but they had nothing in stock to treat old wooden drawers. I then went to a local hardware store but all they had in stock was <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Lundmark-Wax-Pure-Bee-s-Wax/dp/B000SDAOX2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Lundmark Wax Pure Bee's Wax</a>, which came in a 0.7-ounce package for $4.49. Unsure if it would be enough for the job, I also purchased a 1-pound package of Gulf Wax on Amazon for $7.75. (Lesson: The time and gasoline spent driving around to shop could have been better spent had I gone to Amazon first.)
I found a piece of advice about how often to apply the wax:
I waxed all three drawers and the wood runners. I barely scratched the first of four bars in the package. At this rate, I figure I can get at least a year of use from my 1-pound box of <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Gulf-Wax/dp/B000PS6PY2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Gulf Wax</a>.
Rating: Five stars.
I found a great article online. "How to Apply Paraffin to Sticky Drawers" by Laura Reynolds of Demand Media offers these tips:
1. Spread a few sheets of paper on a surface. Pull the drawer completely out of its case, and lay it on the papers. Check the edge of the drawer and the slides in the case to ensure that no splinters have formed along the drawer edges or wood trim that forms the slides. Lightly sand any rough edges -- even tiny splinters catch and grow larger as the drawer is forced open or closed.
2. Warm a brick of canning paraffin at least to room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit). A warm brick will work into the pores of the wood more easily.
3. Cut the brick in half or quarters if the drawer box is small, and wrap a piece of waxed paper around the end you will hold. The waxed paper provides a layer to protect against rough edges and splinters.
4. Rub the end of the paraffin block along both edges at least six times on each. Do not exert pressure, just move the block along the edges; this way, the paraffin wax becomes embedded in the wood.
5. Wax the drawer and its slides periodically -- perhaps every two or three months -- to keep drawer edges and runner surfaces lubricated and splinter-free.
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Ashford Weaving 24" Loom and Stand. I just finished assembling the 24" loom and stand, waxing all the wooden parts beforehand, as suggested. I consider myself an advanced assembler of odd equipment, but it took me more than an hour to do so - more like three hours total for the stand and loom, not counting waxing and letting things dry. This is not a complaint, but one reviewer mentioned it assembled in an hour, and I don't want others to expect that simple of an operation. Keep in mind that I read everything with great care (this is for my wife!) and thought it all through before I did anything. Note that the "stand" instructions show where to drill four holes in the sides of the loom. These are for the four screws and knobs that hold the loom to the stand. These holes were ALREADY drilled in the sides of my loom, so don't fret as I did...
There is a rung at the bottom of the stand that has two holes and uses two cotter pins. The rung just lays on top of the stand's bottom runners. The pins just drop into the holes that are closest to the center of the runners. It took me a while, but I think this allows one to disassemble the stand into two side pieces and two wooden rungs. This all lays flat, possible for storage or transportation. They don't say, but it looks like that's what's intended. I don't know what the other two sets of holes in the runners are for...
Overall this is a very nice little loom, and so far my wife is thrilled with it. No problems with the "plastic gears" yet, but we have the stand, and we wouldn't move the loom without it. The gears, clicker pins and levers seem to be a solid construction, so I doubt there would be any problems even if we did. The instructions for assembling the gear system is complex, which might cause problems if not followed exactly.
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These scissors make the "cut. I am a serial crafter, so I've gone thru my share of scissors. A good test of a quality scissor, for me, is to do conduct my "one snip" test. I cut foam, I cut card stock, ribbon, fabric, a cardboard box, small gauge wire, a plastic pouch, and an aluminum soda can. I am happy to report that these scissors cut beautifully.
As for their construction, they feel very study. I like the fact that it is held together by a center screw instead of a post. I imagine this would allow one to re adjust the scissors or take them apart to clear off any gunk, glue or craft medium that may get under the axis point I own a lot of scissors. None of my other scissors have this feature and I can appreciate the options it affords me.
These scissors are a definite win!
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Beautiful, long lasting, and arrived in great shape. I was nervous ordering plants online because that seems a bit counter-intuitive to me, but the little dears arrived safe and sound and in good shape. I wanted to spruce up my aquarium, as well as use them to make a little 3 layered moss display for a client (I'm an interior designer). I used a small three tier glass display case (you usually see candy or something of that sort in these), added a little soil, water, a layer of different moss on each level, and voila! A beautiful and easy to maintain decor piece. The client only had to water every few months (their desire was to incorporate easy to maintain plants in the design scheme), it required little light, and lasted forever.
The excess moss also happily topped my Fluval Chi Aquarium. I loved the classic and effortless look that it provided. Though I wasn't sure if it would hold up in that environment it survived well and thrived. I put it on the top of my aquarium where the filtered water comes out, so there was a gentle flow of water, but it wasn't entirely submerged.
I'm very impressed with the quality of the plants I received and with the shipping speed as well. I am accustomed to ordering Prime products and while these aren't eligible for Prime, they still shipped very quickly. I'm a very satisfied customer and would definitely order this and other products from this company again. I feel comfortable ordering my plants online.
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Does not work as advertised. Locktite makes some good stuff but this does not work for "foam" as it states. I've been using it for acoustic panels that don't way much at all, and after trying different amounts of glue, as well as gluing the foam to different surfaces, even trying different ways of applying the glue, it will only last a few weeks. It dries up to a weak bond that's a bit crusty, and the foam slowly peels off. I've even tried another bottle. Last night foam landed on my face for the second time this year as I was trying to sleep and so that's why I'm finally writing this review. Don't waste your time, go with quality glue like 3m, although it will be more expensive.
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Perfect Every time - A Sure Shot. Clover is a great brand. This product is no exception. Nice durable plastic and it gets the job done.
I wrote a post on my blog about 6 different ways to make pom-poms. You can make them with card board, paint swatches, your hands and more but this is a sure shot every time. You know what size your pom pom is going to be without any guess work. Love that.
I have had my Clover pom pom maker for over 3 years. I teach loom knitting and I make hats for charity. I've gotten a lot of good out of an investment under $10.
I have also used the small size pom pom maker for a few baby projects: <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Clover-Small-Pom-Pom-Maker/dp/B0019KACTE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Clover Small Pom Pom Maker</a> ... LoomaHat
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Very impressive versatile glue gun. This is a very impressive glue gun. I was a little apprehensive because the glue of glue gun always seemed soft to me and thus not likely to give a rigid hold. But this gun/glue worked very well in terms of materials, like wood on wood, soft plastic on soft plastic, paper on paper, metal on plastic and so forth. The final bond, achieved after only one minute is certainly strong enough to satisfy my demands. The gun only takes 90 seconds to heat up and the advantage is that even though it bonds fast like superglue, there is no need to worry about it not working the next time as it happened to me many time with superglue. Compressed, the glue thickness is rather thin, the hot glue consistency like honey. The charger indicates clearly what is going on, the dispensation with the glue very precise, the nozzle through which the glue comes small enough to allow for find work. The overall construction rather rugged and sturdy. So, as I said at the beginning, I was very favorably impressed. I certainly can recommend this to anyone who is tired of non working superglue or dried up regular glue.
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Great Resin, Cures Very Fast and White. I really like this resin. It pours clear but cures white which comes in handy for me because it prevents me from having to color certain pieces that I would normally have to dye or paint white. It cures extremely fast, much faster than any clear drying resin I have used. I mean it sets up in minutes so be aware when using this product that it will set very quickly. The box says 10 minutes I think but I've had mine begin to set in as quickly as a couple minutes. One way to tell that it's about to begin setting is your stirring cup will began to get warm. In my experience when that happens its time to pour the resin into my molds or onto my project. I recommend practicing with it, as I do all other resins, before using it in or on an important project.
I've not had any problems with it myself. I've never had it cure soft or gummy. Resin can be very temperamental. It doesn't like water or anything water based in it. Be wary of what coloring agents you use. Others have said they had success with food coloring or inks but I never have. I use either the Casting Craft dyes or Mica powders to color my resin. I've not tried chalk yet. Also be sure that your ratios are measured precisely. Having even a small ratio of one mixture more than the other can throw off the curing process of any resin. I recommend this product and will continue using it.
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Awesome Tape! I love it. Oh my goodness I love this tape! I've never used Washi tape, and now I am hooked! Everything in the house is now decorated in beautiful black and white trim tape. It is repositionable which is nice because I am a clutz, and mess my projects up all the time. If it doesn't work the first time I was able to adjust it just by peeling it up and putting it back down. No more ruined scrapbook! I used some around the edge of a photo and it held it nice too. And I decorated my kindle! I love this tape.
I received this discounted product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review and receive no incentives or rewards or compensation for positive reviews. My aim is to highlight features and drawbacks that I would want to know about as a buyer, for the benefit of other people. This review is my own and I have personally tried the product. I DO NOT give good reviews if it's not deserving like many reviewers do just to continue to get free/discounted product!!!! I hope this review will be helpful to others. If you find my review useful please let me know and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them below and I will answer them as quickly as possible. Thank you.
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Good household scissors. As scissors go, these cut better than most of the ones I've purchased from office supply stores. I've cut paper, thin plastic (the container the scissors came in), and chipboard with no problems. I like that the tension is adjustable for the handles because when they arrived they felt very stiff, but it was easy enough to use a regular flat screwdriver to loosen the tension a bit.
I can get three of my fingers in the large handle, but my husband can only get two of his fingers in the slot. He says that it is comfortable to use the scissors, so there's no problem with that. The handles look slightly curved to the right, but I can use my left hand to cut with them. Left-handed people should have no problem with them, although they may or may not be the most comfortable scissors for lefties.
The blade tapers to a blunt point, so even though the packaging says "precision tip," I wouldn't use these for cutting fine details like stencils for paper crafts. They look like a very sturdy product, but only time will tell how well they hold up. So far I'm happy with using them for general household purposes.
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perfect for suminagashi. I purchased these for using with inks and suminagashi (paper marbling in water - specifically this kit <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/MARBLING-JAPANESE-SUMINAGASHI-by-Aitoh-Co/dp/B000H6CM4Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">MARBLING (JAPANESE SUMINAGASHI) by Aitoh Co</a>) and this paper is PERFECT. It is a delicate paper, meaning you don't want to soak it in the marbling tub and then mix it around, but if you are doing dipping it will take submersion and dries flat.
It's also good for *light* water-based media. Perfect for calligraphy, sumi-e, and very light watercolor. I wouldn't scrub my brush on the paper or submit it to layers of mixed media.
This is a great, lightweight paper. Highly recommended.
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A Very Happy Bride. I ordered these feathers to use to make centerpieces for my wedding. I was a little skeptical at first about ordering them and the way they would actually look, but i figured for the price i would give them a try considering everywhere else the price was very expensive and the quantity was very little. First off, they came a lot sooner than expected and when I received them they looked really great and were more than what I expected. Not to mention the price was awesome!! I have even placed another order for more since I am using the peacock feathers thru out my entire wedding! All I can say is you will not be disappointed at all!
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Try these before paying more for name-brand scissors. Since I've had 2 pair of Fiskars scissors break on me recently (at the joint), I decided it was time to switch brands. I ordered these thinking they would be my fill-in scissors until I decided which name-brand scissors to try next. But these are EXCELLENT! They're sharp and stay sharp. They'fre very comfortable to use- no blisters cutting through tough material. They are now the only scissors I would buy. They are slighly larger (longer, larger grip) than the Fiskars, but that isn't a detriment. I was so impressed with these that I bought more. I like having scissors in every room where I might use them- office, kitchen, craft work area, etc. They've worked well on every material I've used them on. Definitely recommend.
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The $9 furniture fix that WORKED! If you have appropriate expectations you'll be pleased. I want to start by saying that I tried two different leather/vinyl patch kits before I bought this tape. One of them I bought on Amazon (see my other reviews). Because the tear in my bench was at/near seams, the patch kits that involve putting a fabric substrate under the tear and using a vinyl adhesive DON'T WORK. In fact, after applying all that vinyl glue, the tears looked even worse than they did before. This tape was sort of my last hope of covering up some big ugly rips and keeping it from getting worse.
Our 4 year old son is autistic and jumps off of EVERYTHING. ALL. DAY. LONG. This leather/vinyl storage bench (which we use to store all of his toy trains and tracks) clearly just couldn't handle the amount of climbing on a jumping that it has had to endure over the last year even though it's of pretty decent quality (purchased at RC Willey). We're thinking of sending him on a college tour to teach frat boys how to trash houses more quickly and efficiently. In the meantime, if my husband and I threw out and replaced every piece of furniture that our son has destroyed, we would be bankrupt by now, but we also don't want our home to look like a dumpster.
Enter this 'last hope' tape. After the epic fail of the early attempts to repair the tears using kits, I had VERY low expectations of this product. I figured if it sort of matched and kept the tears from getting bigger, it would be a win. In short, I was very delightfully surprised and pleased with the result! Before I go any further, let me just get your expectations where they should be. This is leather colored tape. Period. Ok? Are we on the same page? Great. Let's continue. My storage bench is a dark brown leather/vinyl, so I bought the dark brown version of the tape. The match certainly isn't perfect, but close enough! The tape is more chocolate colored than our bench which has a little more red tones in it, but I doubt anything else would be closer. See pics.
What I love about this tape is it's completely idiot proof, which I always appreciate. If you can be trusted with scissors, you can use this product. Fixing my tears was so quick and easy and I'm really pleased with the result! Up close you can definitely see it, but from 10ft away it's invisible (and I have 20/15 vision in both eyes)! See the pictures I included of up close vs 7ft away vs across the room. Guests in our home probably won't even notice it which was not the case before! Also, there is a leather-like grain printed on the tape. It's not extremely pronounced but I think is a nice feature.
What I don't love as much about this tape is
1) It isn't a perfect color match, but again, is close enough. I think they would do well to offer more colors with subtle differences in tone.
2) I had hoped that, like duct tape, it had more of a thick "fabric" feel to it, but on the contrary, this is very tape-y tape.
3) I would've loved for the underside/sides of the tape to not be white. The white edges, while very thin, are definitely visible up close, and should it start to peel up in the future will be very noticeable.
All in all, for $9 I'm thrilled with the result and would ABSOLUTELY buy this again and recommend to other buyers, assuming you have appropriate expectations (that it's TAPE not leather or vinyl). This has saved what was an eyesore piece of furniture and will enable us to keep it at least another year or so. So far it has held up to our son climbing and jumping and he hasn't even noticed it! I hope this has helped some other poor soul in the same situation!
I did NOT receive this item free or at a discount
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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warning according to california law 25249.6 product may contain substances known to cause cancer and or reproductive toxicity. Woah, wait a minute these do not have the feel of stainless steel and create a constant metal powder residue while using , I used them once, my hands itch. so I got out my lead test kit out, they're test strips. I work with wax molds and jewelry, I test any jewelry components for lead before I use them. I was getting headaches after working on my jewelry years ago .....then I read the giant sign in the craft store. Now on most cheap metal beads and charms. Test your children's jewelry before allowing them to wear or handle. Why are we still importing these toxic materials? These tools glow bright red with my lead test kit .they might have stainless steel in them somewhere, Unless you're prepared to wear gloves every time you use one of these instruments, you are exposing yourself to lead or worse . Do not get them wet will rust in hours. Do not let children touch them. Do not bring into kitchen or places you eat. I was thinking how can make these useful? Dip them in tool grip? Coat them with clear nail polish? Nope it's not worth my health. How expensive could real tools cost at a dr supply or vet supply? Real SS will last a lifetime.. these will eventually get into someone's hands that don't realize they're potentially toxic. I saw so many ppl bought them, so I did too they were cheap,
Clearly printed on the tool wrap, and there's metal dust in the pockets, says
Made in India
The warning is so small I needed a 20x magnifying glass to read it
warning according to california law 25249.6 product may contain substances known to cause cancer.and/or reproductive toxicity
Use on only wax
Hardware use only
Aren't we worth more than this ?
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Such good quality plastic, plastic caps stay snap on, and no leaks. These squeeze bottles deliver exactly what you want and need... screw on tops that don't leak, good quality plastic construction that isn't going to split or crack, and snap on caps that stay on to keep contents from spilling and/or drying out. I got these to use for my laundry... I filled each one with various stain-removing concoctions that I use and created a label with my label maker. Also, the tip is precise so I can squeeze out just the right about and control where I want the stain remover to go. These bottles have worked out great!
I appreciate the opportunity to purchase these squeeze bottles at a discount and provide a review of my experience using them.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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outstanding product and great delivery. hello,
we have been using the standard aluminum xacto knives forever. but, after long time use, they are uncomfortable to hold. the aluminum version puts more "pencil dents" in your resting finger than a normal pencil. this X-ACTO X3251 Designer Series Craft Knife, Pink is so comfortable that working on long, intricate cuttings is a snap and not painful at all. this version is a little thicker and actually more comfortable than the skinny one. the color is great as it stands out in the drawer and you know that is the one with the sharp blade. this one fits well as the indention is easy to hold between your fingers and the thicker part of the handle gives more support for the finer cuts. no jiggling around. great product and super fast delivery. we now have a series of pink xacto designer knives. each one has its own use. yrmv
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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sturdy stand. I'm using it for a needlepoint project. This seems to be a well made, sturdy stand. I'm using it for a needlepoint project. My current project is on a 19x19 stretcher frame and is held securely between the two bars on the stand. My only complaint about this stand is that there is no easy and quick way to flip the stretcher frame over to access the back of the canvas. Doing small detailed areas on the canvas requires me to go to the back often and I'm finding it easier to just remove the frame from the stand and work without it. It probably will be easier to use this stand with a project where you don't have multiple changes in small areas and lots of details because you definitely need to check the back of the canvas often. So, if you're using a large stretcher frame it's easier to just rest it on a table so that you can easily flip it to the back when necessary. I think it will really depend on the type of project you are working on, so I'd still recommend this stand.
UPDATE:
After using this frame for a while now I will give it 5 stars instead of my initial 4. I was not liking the fact that I could not quickly flip my stretcher frame to the back side. I've found that it is very easy to place my stretcher frame into the clamp without securing the tightening screw. That way I can easily and quickly remove the frame and flip it over when I need to get to the back area without releasing and re-tightening the screws. Much faster. The frame stays steady even though it's not clamped in as I work and I prefer to keep my feet on top of the frame bottom to prevent it from sliding.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Strong, thin, but not perfect for concealed carry. These belt clips are strong, lightweight, and have a reasonably durable finish. They are identical to the clips used on OldFaithfulHolsters pistol holsters (and other Crossbreed style holsters), and I intended to use them on some homemade holsters.
I decided against it because the raised edge that allows easy clipping to a belt (just above the folded ramp which is just above the screw hole) also catches cotton tee-shirts as you raise your shirt prior to drawing. This also happened in my OldFaithful (not knocking OFH, they're super comfortable, I've slept in mine) but when it comes to certain fabrics it's a liability.
If you never wear cotton tee-shirts or similar fabrics you could use these. If you're using them for any non-critical applications they're actually great, but I can't have a belt clip that tangles my shirt.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Awesome Quality -- Flexible and Pliable While Still Very Supportive. I love making gift baskets or homemade treats for gifts and this is perfect!
This cellophane works great to wrap up baskets and baked goods. I love how flexible and pliable it is - it is so easy to work with and can wrap around just about anything. I really like that it is 40" long -- it is longer than the average rolls of wrapping paper or wrapping cellophane which makes it so much easier to wrap larger sized gift baskets. Plus, 100 feet of wrapping will go very, very far - I will be able to wrap quite a few baskets or treats.
The cellophane is very clear and holds together very well with simple ribbon and tape. It looks and feels great -- it is really great quality. Other cellophane wraps can be very fragile and flimsy and can rip and tear very easily. This is not the case with this cellophane. It holds together very well and feels solid.
I would highly recommend this cellophane wrapping. I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Like you, I use reviews to make purchases through Amazon so, I've provided a review that is truthful and completely honest as if I paid full price for the product.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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So far so Good. I have had really bad luck with punchers in the past and was a bit hesitant to buy yet another one that just ripped my paper and made me angry. This one so far has not had any issues. Its nice to be able to see the pictures from the bottom. Its light weight and I can turn it upside down to punch easily. Its not very deep so I do have to cut the paper to the location I want to punch but I'm okay with that. So far I've done about 100 punches and its been clean each time. I hear you can sharpen them with tin foil but I have tried that several times and the only thing that ever happens is the tin foil gets stuck in the punch. I would recommend this item.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Nice hacking tool. I love Sugru. I saw it first on Geekbeat TV and was very curious that I bought one even having to pay shipping from UK; now it is available on Amazon.
It is really fun to work with. It likes playing with Play-doh where you roll it in your fingers and then create.
So far I have used it to prevent furniture from slipping on hardwood floors, fixed a broken knife handle, place it on multiple switch knobs for better grip, etc.
One thing to remember, once you open a packet, you better use all it contents at once. I tried to seal it with multiple layer of adhesive tapes but I guess once air got in contact with it, it starts the curing process.
Pros:
- dries up like hard rubber which is good for grip and ergonomics
- it is not affected much by higher temperature unlike Instamorph
Cons:
- has a 6-month expiration date
- pricey. The one I bought from UK has 12 packets (I paid approx. 27$ total), this one only has eight; so it is still expensive for its current price of 18 bucks.
- curing time takes 24 hours
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Pretty good. This portable hole puncher has received some rave reviews from my family. My sister was around when I opened it up and has been using it every since. She is an elementary school teacher so it is a very handy gadget. I used it put holes in my planner pages. It is super cute and seems sturdy so far. The page capacity is around 5 for thin sheets, so this is not for big jobs. The included mechanical pencil is extra and I love it more than the hole puncher. I love to write so I keep various types of pens and pencils on hand. My other concern about this product is the page capacity and the durability. I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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ComPilot. This is my 2nd generation "ICom" from Phonak. It has great sound (for me as well as the caller on my phone.) I love that it will announce the caller's name if programmed into my phone. Pairing with TVLink is easy also.
Pairing with smartphone is extremely easy. With TVLink I can adjust volume to my needs without an effect on non-hearing impaired.
It also works well with my FM system; though I have not tried it yet with other FM systems.
The only drawback to "Bluetooth" devices is that they ALL create a huge drain on battery life (both phone and for my Hearing Aids.) Still, I believe it's well worth the expense to be completely hands free for phone/driving. I noticed that I can stream music while driving but it's block out all noise so I can hear car horns/emergency vehicles. That isn't the case when using a regular pair of ear buds with phone and is dangerous.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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No instructions, parts not marked, about a foot too short. My grandma had a stand similar to this but after she died I guess it got thrown away. I ordered this one thinking it would be as tall as hers and easy to use. Its not hard to use ONCE you get it put together tho it is 6 inches to a foot too short. I can only guess the company either thinks everyone sits on the edge of a chaor, in a dining table chair, or on a stool using this rather then on a coach, love seat, or comfy chair or even in bed (bed ridden) otherwise I don't know why they made it so short.
Over all this is a great idea and I'll use it BUT you have to be a mechanically inclined genius to understand the horrible instructions that DO NOT come in the box. rather you have to go and find them online : www. Faedmunds. Com/stitchery-frames-floor-stands. html
That's absolutely stupid!!! None of the bits are labeled to instant the instructions either.
It took us about 2 hours to get it put together, and that's with my seventy year rold father who is mechanically inclined putting it together.
It does hold my 18 inch square frame my project is on well, no rubber bans needed (how tacky is that to tell customers to do so...no...make your product better!!) I just wish it was taller so I could tilt it the way I'm used to holding this frame. Its just barely tall enough to reach over the arm of my chair and too short for me to use when my back is killing me causing me to have to rest on my bed. (I have a bad back and am often incapacitated from it).
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Disappointed. Because these masks are so small, it is very difficult to get the details inside the masks to show up well. Also, the mask has a light tacky adhesion on one side that is supposed to help you keep the mask on your paper while you paint over it. I used the Ranger Distress Ink with the foam applicator and the mask kept lifting up. I think I would bet better results next time if I sponged over the mask. You really need an up and down motion when you apply the ink. If you use any kind of swirling motion back and forth over the masks, they will move and you'll loose the image you are trying to get from the mask. If they improve the tackiness of the mask side that goes face down on the paper I would give this product a few more stars.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Okay face crayons, not the best. We bought these for our five year old for his birthday. He does love face painting, and often asks us to do various things on his face. While these have held up well, they are a little hard to use as the paint crayons don't really spread on the face very smoothly or easily, requiring lots of pressure. I once on his face, the paint stays pretty well put, though darker colors do smear even much later. We have not had trouble with staining fabrics, and also find that the paint washes of with a washcloth pretty well, though his skin is stained if he's had it on for a long while. One of the crayons seemed to get a strange black mold or growth on it (the red) which we could wipe off, but it was creepy. Overall, pretty satisfied, but not the best face paint crayons we have ever had.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Good kit Laser cutter. This review is for the 130W unit.
It arrived in a large crate. I paid extra for lift gate service and the driver dropped the unit right at my garage door. Nice large crate.
I removed the crate and the large quantities of foam that surrounded it. Then I slid some steel pipes under the machine onto a set of jack stands. I welded a cross bar to the pipes and used a floor jack to lift the machine off the crate. After sliding the crate out from under the machine, I was able to lower the pipes close to the floor. I was able to lift each pipe off the jack stand and set the end of the pipe on the ground. The machine easily rolled of the pipes at that point.
The initial inspection showed that I had all the parts but the cutting deck inside was at an angle. It turns out the lead screws were loose on the near side and they had worked their way down causing the cutting deck to be tipped. On the right side (near the controls) a sheet metal screw had stripped out of the cutting deck support. I was easily able to replace the screw and correct the lead screw problem and level the cutting deck.
Next, the lid stops that support the lid in the closed position were damaged. On the left side the support was a plastic washer with a machine screw threaded into sheet metal. On the right side the support was the limit switch. The plastic washer was crushed, the sheet metal was twisted and the limit switch destroyed so the lid was not supported properly. I 3d printed 2 end stops that sit on the lower frame and hold the lid up from the bottom. Then I replaced the limit switch.
There are a few dents in the lid from shipping but nothing that affects operation.
I ran the machine for a few hours with 30 lbs of ice in an ice chest. This works pretty well but in Arizona I needed a chiller. I bought a CW5200 unit from Aliexpress.
After running the machine for about 24 hours, the e-stop switch failed. When I went to diagnose this switch some of the crimped wires fell out of their crimps. I am slowly going over the machine replacing crimps and switches. The ground line to the laser was just twisted together with some electrical tape over the twists.
Overall this is a good price for a 130W laser. It seems to cut like a 130W laser and when I tested the current it seems to draw the correct amperage. The workmanship is pretty bad so expect to replace crimps, wires, etc.
The software is adequate. It is easier to setup cuts than with the K40 lasers. The large cutting area is wonderful.
Expect to buy the following:
1) electrical odds & ends to replace broken parts.
2) Water chiller ($500 ish)
3) Carbon filter (http://smile.amazon.com/iPower-GLFILT8M-Australia-Pre-filter-Reversible/dp/B00E582DM6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00)
4) lots of practice material
I also bought a 30mA meter to watch the laser tube power. I will need to drill a hole in the steel enclosure for this.
My unit is 110V and draws 1100W. The energy budget is something like this:
Laser : 1100W
Chiller : 1400W
Exhaust Fan : 900W
I plugged the chiller into a separate circuit in my garage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After using this machine extensively for a few weeks here is an update.
1) If you can get this machine wired for 220 and you have 220 in your garage... DO IT! I have burned out the on-off switch and the e-stop switch. Both are rated for 10A and all the power goes through these.
2) There are power drops out the back in the "universal" AC plug style (it will work with Chinese, European, USA style AC plugs". These are useless because the laser draws so much current that little is left to pass on to the down stream devices. If I rewire for 220v, these plugs will be death to appliances.
3) I am rewiring for 20A switches next. The machine is internally wired for 18AWG. I will also update the wire to 14AWG to the laser power supply. 130W draws more than 1KW and pushes the 10A. The PC power cord is quite warm after an hour of cuts.
4) Learning what the correct settings for different materials is a bit of a chore. This is similar to my 3d printer where my first 6 months were wasted "test" cuts to see what works. I am starting to build a database but there are still so many variables that what works today stops tomorrow and it takes a while to remember what changed.
5) Q-tips and alcohol are required to keep the optics clean
6) 3d printing little pyramids to hold your work off the deck can help with some materials. i.e. 1/4" plywood seems to cut more reliably when nothing is underneath the cut.
7) Focus is managed by an AC motor and two manual buttons. I am considering adding a stepper motor to automate the focus.
8) The rotary axis does NOT have a stepper driver. You must disconnect one of the axis and attach a connector. I think a second stepper motor control wired in parallel and an A-B switch on the enable pin would be simpler. This may happen soon. I have the controllers.
9) The airflow seems to work better when the enclosure is sealed. I have been adding lots of blue tape but I expect some weather sealing tape for screen doors will fix this up.
10) the laser pointer is nearly useless, it might as well point at the moon. I am considering a fix but likely it will be 2 line lasers in a 3d printed mount. Perhaps the laser dot + the laser line cross will allow a surface focus to be found by putting the dot on the cross.
All that aside we are having fun and I did expect a kit:
The kids blue taped a large sheet of plywood and laser cut a tape stencil. Peeling the tap and applying paint made a very nice sign for the neighbors. Then they engraved/cut coasters from 1/4" plywood. A coating of water seal and they work great.
I made a set of speaker boxes from 1/4" plywood. I made internal braces to stiffen the walls rather than try and cut thicker material.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Not bad for casting non-metal 2 dimentional objects. Not bad for casting non-metal 2 dimentional objects, or probably slow setting liquids.
4-stars. I couldn't get it to work to cast a 3 dimentional wax ring, but i'm sure it's possible if you own a wax injector or something. Pouring liquid wax into the mold didn't work even with vent holes, but i'm sure there is a way to get it right. The mold does what it says it will do. I'd give it 5 stars if I could cast silver in it, but I know it can't handle the heat. I would still recommend this to a friend for small object casting (which I have). If your planning to do 3- dimentional wax casting though, make sure you have a wax injector. Pouring it won't work since it solidifies half way through the mold. If your casting resin or plaster though I bet this product would be awesome. I stay with my rating though 4-stars, only lost 1 star because I was unanle to cast wax which this product claims is no problem. They don't mention that it's no problem as long as you own a wax injector, lol. Oh well, I will figure something out. Anyway this product is fairly inexpensive so buy it and give it a try. I'm sure you'll find all sorts of projects you can experiment on with it. Good Luck!
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Falls short of expectations. I really like having an embossing folder organizer, but I am so disappointed that it does not contain pockets to hold ALL sizes of embossing folders. This folder can only hold sizes 4.25 x 6.25 and the measurements of the pocket size capability was not listed in the product description. I have only found 2 brands that fit these pocket sizes, however Cuddle Bug, Terry Holtz, and others do not fit. I know now that there is another folder organizer available to purchase but it can hold slightly larger folders but not Terry Holtz folders. I don't want to have to purchase a lot of organizers to contain my embossing folders because that defeats the purpose of decreasing clutter in my craft room.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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Everything you need, paint included. My kids can't wait to paint these cute eggs. This set includes 3 unpainted wooden eggs, 4.5 inches tall. Each egg has a black outline of cute easter scenes. Some of the pictures include flower, a rooster, a bunny, and tulips. Each egg has a flat bottom, so it will stand on it's own as a beautiful decoration. This set also includes a paint set and brush with 6 bright colors including white, yellow, blue, green, green, and brown. I have purchased several wooden egg products from this company, and they are all exceptional quality. This set is perfect too, I have no complaints or suggestions. I love how well the eggs are outlined, and know my kids will love painting their own eggs. And best of all, the eggs will last for years to come. This product was provided at a discount for an honest evaluation.
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arts-crafts-and-sewing_crafting
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