How Much Is Your Kit Worth?

I'd just like to point out that it's good to keep track of your FP and related expenses, because most things you buy for business reasons are tax deductible! My mom told me that before I started face painting the spring, so I've kept a little notebook with the amount I've earned (not including tips) from my employment and the amount I've spent on thins I need for painting. My kit is little, so not very much so far.

I would say around the $1000 mark without adding it up. That includes paints, brushes/holder, containers, wipes, tissues, gemstones, table, directors chair with foot stool & sparkley cushion, gazebo, glitter tattoo kit, display board, mirrors, signage, business cards, buiness T-shirts (one on it's way & I'm going to try & make some of my own rhinestone bling work shirts). Mmmmm maybe $1400 oh & I'm planning on buying up big from Amy Grigg when I go to Sydney to do the Wolfe Bros course in Sept (only 10 more sleeps) so closer to $2000. Oh my I'm glad my hubby doesn't read the forum

twobluestripes wrote:I'd just like to point out that it's good to keep track of your FP and related expenses, because most things you buy for business reasons are tax deductible! My mom told me that before I started face painting the spring, so I've kept a little notebook with the amount I've earned (not including tips) from my employment and the amount I've spent on thins I need for painting. My kit is little, so not very much so far.

I have monthly expense forms that I keep track of my income & outgoing costs as well as milage & training, internet, cell phone, etc.

Been keeping the books and have had an accountant from the beginning... lots of things are write-offs that you wouldn't necessarily think of! He's worth every penny I've paid him over the years.

Same here. I need to decide if I should start filing quarterly now that I'm so busy.

Wow, this had made me take a good long look at what I bring along. I've always kept very good records of every business purchase, but never really considered the value of what I physically carry to each gig.

With tent, promotionals (magnets, brochures and business cards), signage, brushes, sponges, tables, chairs, table covers, paint and glitter... my son and I carry about $1200 worth of materials.

And the cost goes up $300 if we're offering twisting and glitter tattoos.

Thank goodness for insurance

I have a really lean and tidy kit that fits' into my over the shoulder metal, tool box. It's worth about €300 I think (not including tables etc.). I'm pretty thrifty and much as I look at websites and see more and more things I'd like to have, I genuinly have enough to do good quality and fast faces. My mate (who I work with) easily has thousands though she does glitter tats, balloons and everything!!

Paints and trays €150
Brushes about €30
sponges €25
Wash bags €8
Glitter €20
Mirror €4
towel €1
spray bottle €4
Box €55 (looks real slick)

Table €30
Board €7

My Pallet alone is worth $375. and I need more paint! Eech, to think of all the other goodies I take to gigs are worth that much too, and I like to keep my kit on the compact & neccessary side. Not to mention all the display posters, heads, books, mags & extras etc I have at home. I'd better stop at that, its getting painful to think how much I spent on all the FP goodies, er..neccessary supplies ; D
This is just my mini small party kit...$500+

I think my full FatMax that I take to all gigs (including birthday parties) is $800+. But then I have lots of backup supplies, EZUP, portable tables, portable 6-seat bench, 2 director's chairs, signage, etc. so all told, wow it must be easily $1,800. Holy COW!
Barbie

It adds up fast doesn't it? With everything, probably 1500-1800

Gosh, I had never even thought about that before
Probably (a quick add up from the top of my head) about $800, inside my kit. Fortunately I have been able to pick a few things up for free, including the kit itself which would probably cost a few hundred if I ever had to replace it.
I still want so much more too!!!

I am not even going to start adding up all the other bits, table, chairs, mirrors, signs, books, web pages, cards, car sinage....

Surprising how it all adds up when you stop and count...lol

I am ... I am a brush tart!! There. I admit it!! I have easily spent more money on brushes than anything else. I simply cannot resist them.

Sooo I guess my larger all inclusive kit ran me $3500. I probably drag half of it.

I go through quite a bit of balloons. (I actually blow them up in advance and put them in these great, satiny "laundry" bags I found at a dollar store). Balloons are a great announcement: "I'm here! Come on over and help me pay for my brush habit!!!"

Pathetic

TheSparklingLady wrote: I am ... I am a brush tart!! There. I admit it!! I have easily spent more money on brushes than anything else. I simply cannot resist them.

It sounds like you've tried 'em all...so do tell, what's your fav brand and size?

My all time favorites are Loew Cornell (#2 and 3), I have a thing for filbert brushes, the wider the better; I love to push those into eye sockets and ... flat brushes!! I LOVE big FLAT American Painter brushes and little flat square brushes and mops!! I have been liking the One stroke brushes too. Kolinsky sables are so prtty and precious that they are like good china, I never want to use it. I love a good 1 inch square brush with arty cakes. Liners are so important: I have this no name Japanese liner that does perfect calligraphy and features and no one questions me when it appears. Ohhh, and I love a good Japanese mop and round brushes, Mark Reid's brushes, ohh nice and butterfly brushes and weird chisel brushes and I JUST bought two heavy metal planters that will hold a million brushes!!!!!!!!

I think you need to join PBA

(paintbrush anonymous)lol

My kit value went up exponentially after Bodyssey damn vendors and my inability to say no LOL

I just read my post from last night. Sound like I was on BRUSH CRACK!

TheSparklingLady wrote:I just read my post from last might. Sound like I was on BRUSH CRACK!

You are CRACKING me up!

TheSparklingLady wrote:I just read my post from last night. Sound like I was on BRUSH CRACK!

No, but a brush intervention might be in order. Don't get me wrong...I was nodding in agreement for the majority of your post ... but I've just never SAID it outloud...let alone typed it.

My head is the safest place for my fetishes to reside.

...because that way, if someone says you're a bit obsessed, you have the ability to deny it profusely, yes?

It's gotten to the point where I'll go to Michael's with a coupon, wander around, not NEED anything, and get a new brush because - hey, coupon! But not one I don't already have. At LEAST 4 times now I've thought, hey, I'll get a ___ for a backup - and gone home and realised I already HAVE a backup. Or two.

Exactly Kristal...plausible deniability. That's where it's at!

I too have back ups for my backups backups! You can never have too many backups! The way I see it...if Shannon is allowed to have a makeup store in her house, I can have a paint brush refuge in mine...

I want a makeup store in my house!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just added some things to my kit today! weeeee! Honestly I don't think I'd ever admit to a soul IRL how much I have spent! (and my partner would probably have a heart attack!) So ya'll are my confidential cohorts!

You know you have too much stuff when your 6 yo says "Mama I think you have enough face paint.."

My response?

"NEVAH!!!!!!!!!!!"

LOL April - in that voice, exactly?!

Lady Jayde wrote:Exactly Kristal...plausible deniability. That's where it's at!

I too have back ups for my backups backups! You can never have too many backups! The way I see it...if Shannon is allowed to have a makeup store in her house, I can have a paint brush refuge in mine...

Good point. But see, because I would never want to make my brushes jealous of my "makeup store" (Shannon still wins), and I also don't want my makeup to be jealous of my backup brushes - I have both! And they live together in my storage bedroom, and I'm sure they have parties when I'm not there - where else would those bags of balloons come from?

TheSparklingLady wrote:My all time favorites are Loew Cornell (#2 and 3), I have a thing for filbert brushes, the wider the better; I love to push those into eye sockets and ... flat brushes!! I LOVE big FLAT American Painter brushes and little flat square brushes and mops!! I have been liking the One stroke brushes too. Kolinsky sables are so prtty and precious that they are like good china, I never want to use it. I love a good 1 inch square brush with arty cakes. Liners are so important: I have this no name Japanese liner that does perfect calligraphy and features and no one questions me when it appears. Ohhh, and I love a good Japanese mop and round brushes, Mark Reid's brushes, ohh nice and butterfly brushes and weird chisel brushes and I JUST bought two heavy metal planters that will hold a million brushes!!!!!!!!

Thank you...this response was everything I hoped it would be