Dear Michael, Joann, and Hobby - beats the dead horse/storage..... has my first mob

I've plundered in the depths of dear Michael, Joann, and Hobby's sites this morning in search for portable storage for my paints.
I've decided that Joann is above the rest in providing information, a thoughtful site layout, and cost effectiveness.
Thank you, dear Joann!

Though I do have FatMax envy, I want/need/DESIRE some sort of storage where I can keep the paints in a "ready to go" state without having to stack/re-arrange/etc., hence the search for portable storage.
I, like other OCD'ers people - erm... enjoy a neat display where everything is organized by brand, by color, by hue, by , by... by... ahem.... neatly.
It is my thought to do this with some sort of storage where I can utilize both sides, securing the tubs of paint with Velcro or some other yet to be decided means..

Eventually, I may purchase the mystical FatMax. I'd still wish my paints to be stored neatly in some sort of container(s).

I am providing a link to the various choices that I've selected, and hope that you good people will help me to make an informed decision as to which (or would some other container be better) container would best suit my needs.

this is where the much abused horse comes in - I realize this subject has been threshed to death and back... but, hey! Stores change, items/stock changes, OCD'er.. PEOPLE change!

My problem is that several of these (or similar) items only come "online".

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=zprd_02265379a
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd74020
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=zprd_10628261a#pro_colors
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd37298

and, for those who work with glitter - something that (someone here recommended in a long-lost-to-me-post) I think may come in handy -
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd1130432

Now, I do have one bone of contention to pick with Ms. Joann. When someone says that an item comes in MANY colors - I expect to see a wide array of color - 10 colors - at the very least.

Not THREE (excluding opaque). I am considering offering a free Webster to the company with the word "MANY" underlined and highlighted.

And, no - it's not because I have this... this.... color.... thing!

deletes, editing out my rant on color selections and so forth.... TMI.
twitch



ahem....

moving along.....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being mobbed -

So, yesterday I went to the birthday party of my second cousin.. (I'm fairly certain of this... in East TN, it can be difficult keeping up with one's family tree) who is now a very mature 3 years old. (she told me so)

I had considered taking my kit - which includes my laptop! My laptop has all my cheat pictures on it... as I am (to my way of thinking) overly friendly with my arm, I've not had as much practice on real faces as I would wish - thus, my confidence level isn't where it would be if I had many a'face beneath my belt.
I usually set up my paints, flip my laptop open, thumb through a few pictures for inspiration - then paint away.

After some thought (and having already toted the paints to the car) I decided to not offer to paint faces - life has been harried of late, and I thought I'd take it easy... I left the laptop at home, the few cheat-sheets I've made, and other various things that I deem a necessity for an appropriate face painting experience! (the kitchen sink, of course!!)

We had a great time... I didn't know many of the little kids running around.. we laughed, played, I ran around sun-screening any child who would let me (with parental permission).... and then... the dreaded question was asked mid-spray. "Kat, did you bring your paints?"

I said that I had, BUT, that I didn't bring all that I needed... and that I'd thought to enjoy some time with the birthday girl (who was wrapped around my leg at the time) and not paint that day. The birthday girl looked up and said. "Kat, I only want one little butterfly, that's all... oh, and a snake!"
I quickly glanced around, in search of familial support.... I've never seen so many adults run the other way in my life!
I stood there with a can of sunscreen in one hand, the other hand in a white knuckled grip on the fence to keep from being toppled over by the birthday girl... and said girl, still wrapped around my leg telling me that it would be a little butterfly.... really.

I thought to myself that it was getting late, and that everyone would be going home soon... I told her that I'd paint one in a "little while". I pried myself away from her and thought seriously about heading for the hills!
Instead, I went back inside to fortify myself with some tea and a cupcake. My ever-helpful son (who I have to usually BEG to paint) had gone to get the paints for me ( without being asked) and set them up at the picnic area. (we were at a church)....

I drug my feet as I made my way to the table, seeing Ivy sitting there with a smudge of chocolate on her face (gotta love a fellow chocoholic!), swinging her legs back and forth, waiting on me to arrive.

We sat there alone for about... ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh ... THREE seconds before a swarm of 3 to 17 year olds hit us from behind! I kid you not... I think Ivy's mom called the neighborhood and invited everyone within a mile radius!
There I was, thinking to make a quick butterfly/snake combo and sneak away... because, after all, I didn't have any pictures to look at!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhgh!

I was hit from behind, breathed on from a little girl standing on the table, a little boy running all over the place, and other various little ...... cough ... children..... milling about yelling out that they wanted a lion's face, a skull, a hippo, a..... a......... at that moment, I envied jeannie her twitching nose and disappearing act. oh for a bottle to disappear into...

I raised my voice and gave vague directions to the mob, saying that only patient children were going to get painted. I also had to tell one not to pull his sister's hair. He said, "it's okay, she's not my sister!". eyelid twitch

I thought the party was supposed to end in 15 minutes so that everyone could go home to get ready for church... uhm.. NO!
The party was from 2 to 4. I painted little miss Ivy at 3:45. I finished painting the last 17 year old at 5:40!

After the last child was gone, I tiredly cleaned and packed everything away and smiled weakly to my cousin - who was holding his now sleeping daughter (adorned with a butterfly, a snake, and a strand of flowers woven in). He didn't smile back - no.... he laughed!

I told him that I'd send him a bill - he stopped laughing! *heh*
(I was joking - - - mostly)

No morals here - other than learning my lesson, and knowing that next time, I'm going to RUN the other way if I'm not prepared to paint faces!
This morning I spent a fair amount of time on layouts for my cheat-sheets for this upcoming weekend event! I've emailed them to OfficeMax, and will have them in my hot (desperate) hands tomorrow!

I'm going to use Mark's brow thingy for anyone that dares to ask for anything not on my board! laugh



I need a chocolate/chocolate cupcake

Have you thought about the stackables? I looked at the ones you posted and they seemed to be the big trays with the shallow lids. I don't personally like them because then there is upside down wet paint.

small

medium

large

Looking at that it would let you expand, leave some trays home, and still pack and unpack fast (and can leave paints open in each one). It would even let you carry brushes or glitters as well.

I tried the stackables for mine. It worked for a while, but then the little latches that hold the top on started getting loose, and low and behold, one day I picked it up from the top and the bottom fell right off. Thank God it wasn't full at the time.
Right now I am keeping my paints in one of these and all of my supplies are kept in a small rolling scrapbook supply organizer (The one I have is not listed on the website, but it is pictured here on the top of the page in the advertisement for scrapbooking supplies. It's the canvas tote in the front). I think that this method works really well, and I would wholeheartedly suggest it to anyone looking for portable storage.

Kat I totally heart your posts. You ALWAYS make me laugh.
I'm sure I would have not been as graceful as you were during a cousins party.
In regards to storage. This is what I store my paints in http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Craft-Crate-Rolling-Organizer/dp/B0000ARUNZ
Its no fat max. But it works for my small stash of FP supplies. I love how it has little sections to store glitters, details,other embelishment... etc. There is a rather large pocket in the back where I store my inspiration pics. I keep my paint brushes in a bush holder case inside the crate. I actually bought small rectancular container from the dollar store to keep my paints/ I store my paints(gasp) stored on ther sides. It's what works for me at the moment. Hope you find what works for you soon!

Dear Kat, thank you so much for your post, I really enjoy reading you
hahahaha!...Dragging your feet towards the table where Miss Ivy was sitting swinging her legs back and forward LOL too funny.

So I don't have any suggestions on the storage subject since I have the fatmax but have not used it yet. My husband said he wanted one, if I don't like it I'll give it to him hehehe

What I do suggest is for you to start a blog, I would be your follower

Currently, I have my paints stickied (using u-glue or mounting tape stuff) to both sides of a $6 Walmart scrapbook page case. It works great except when I go to clean it, each pot has to be un-stuck and re-stuck.

Here is what I like about them:
They only cost about $6
They are easily obtainable at my local Walmart
They are just the right size
I like having a handle

Here's what I DON'T like about them:
They're clear when you buy them so it gets messy looking (mine are now black since I painted them with black spray paint for plastic ...add another $5)
They have weirdo indents/bumps in them so they are not flat. I think they are just for aesthetics, but they make it so you can't put sheet metal in there to do a magnetic set-up.

Here's a picture but I couldn't find any that had a photo where you could see those wierdo indents/bumps:
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/scrapbook-case?id=176&sku=75123&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&utm_term=Stacks&utm_campaign=Home%20Decor%20%3E%20Crafts%20and%20Sewing%20%3E%20Craft%20Storage&utm_content=15113

So, I thought about doing a velcro set up (and that would be pretty easy) but I really want it to be a flat surface to clean and velcro just doesn't seem as "neat" of a solution as magnetic but I can't do magnetic with the weirdo indents/bumps. SO, next I'm trying magnetic primer (magnets stick to it) painted on the insides and I will attach some strong magnets to the bottoms of the paint pots. Hopefully it will be strong enough. I made sure I got the one with "NOW 3X STRONGER!" on the front of the box. I will keep you all informed. I will probably paint a coat or two of black over the gray primer.

I'm also thinking of buying a lot of 10 of these:
http://www.plasticase.com/productdetails.asp?node=185&lang=en
or these:
http://www.plasticase.com/productdetails.asp?node=31&lang=en
...because they only come in sets of 10. The problem is I don't need ten, so I would only do it if I could somehow resell most of them. I was thinking of painting the inside with the primer or fitting them with metal and then trying to re-sell them for about $20 but I don't know if they would sell.

gina you can get a free sample from these people ck out the samples I don't know how much the frieght is..

hehe I use a fishing tackle box(Walmart)!! It came with a 6 removable trays that store away nicely, I don't use the lure dividers. Although i too have fatmax envy That's just not an option until I make up the $$$ I have already spent. For me the tackle box works, everything fits and is organized for $35 bucks it'll have to do.
I feel for you getting blindsided...I never can say no to my nieces... oh and they know it..lol It must be because I have a son but pouting little girls get me all the time, I'm a sucker and they know it!!! lol

This is my new storage gem. I gush over it in the Face Painting Kit section. No way I'm gonna break a clasp on this baby! And it's actually cheaper than some of the craft bin options- only $25!

Sophie, I am going to go Ohhhh and Ahhhh here too, I got the feeling I am going to be ditching my fatmax

This is the pretty black, silver,yellow one that they wouldn't sell me. It shows how it works and the containers inside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jUW5EoWRfE

It looks like everything is OK with it now, so I'm bummed that I didn't wait to get the color I wanted. Sigh. I guess I'll have to just stick with red. I want to get another one for glitter/splits/brushes. The one I have is 18 inches; the bigger sizes get a bit cumbersome.

You've done it again Kat! LOL! Love to read your stuff
I travel very simple and light ..... I put my face paints, brushes & glitter all in a pretty aqua blue caboodle (and it has a built in mirror...although, I do carry along a separate hand held mirror).
Caboodle is only $12.99 at Target: http://www.target.com/5623-20-Caboodles-On-The-Go-Swag-Purple/dp/B00367KYK0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=caboodles&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-1&qid=1302621443&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=5623-20%20Caboodles%20On-The-Go%20Swag%20Purple&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

@abissfulaffair...i have that in pink.. i use it for my regular makeup. here is the box i got from walmart
really deep top compartment & i use the clear storage on top 4 hairclips

Hey Marzack, I like that Is it heavy? How much? Does it come in other colors?

I take the paint out of the containers they come in, and put them into a bead container. That way there's only one lid to take off and put back on and doesn't take up a lot of room on my "table".



I carry extra cakes with me just in case but I've never run out of the solid colors during a gig... I have had to put more paint into a split cake at a gig several times, but I carry a knife with me to do that on the spot and just dig it out of the bead container and smush it into the split cake container. We use alot of rainbow neon split cakes and I just refill them on the spot as we need them... I've gotten it down to 2 minutes or less LOL

Dawnie? I adore that box...... are the dividers fixed or do they pop out? I'm looking for something similar now, wanting something I don't have to risk the dividers moving (or paint or water getting under).

They are fixed and the bottom of each section is curved so it makes it easy to sponge. I bought it in Metina's shop about a year and a half ago... not sure if she still carries it? It's the perfect size

@ablissfulaffair it was right around $30 and since it's plastic very light even full easy to carry around. While buying it a guy walk by me and said "I have that same box everything fits great and I still have a ton of room and it'll float!!" I swear I never saw a smile so big until.... I told him I was using it for facepaints, I think I broke the poor guys heart. He thought he found his dream girl, a lady who needs her own tackle box! haha My bad luck it's been a while since I had a decent date!

Hahahaha, that is so funny.

What I'm currently using is shown HERE

I've changed from a rolling toolbox to a shopping trolley and much prefer it actually. And all my paints are in palettes. I've got a Snaz 54 Pro-palette, one of the round Snaz palettes and a "Paint Saver" that I use as a split cake palette. All of which take up very little table space.

Over the years I've used a variety of things, used the rolling toolbox for a very long time, but have now condensed everything.

My make-up kit is in a large fishing tackle box, and my glitter tatts in a professional train case (my kit from make-up school!)

Noella, thank you.

I had reviewed the stackables, but, had never seen them in person, and wasn't sure about how they'd perform.
Thanks for the recommendation!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

pjhamel, oops!

I was worried about some of the latches on the containers on the link above. I LOVE that we can ask people here about their experiences with various products!

How cool!
(checking out your caddy)

Do you let your paints dry out before packing them away?

thanks! -

-------------------------------------------------------------------

anramire, thank you!!!
grinning
You know what they say about laughter!

How neat!
goodness... everyone seems to have such great ideas when it comes to storage!! I like IT!

I had thought to get a brush holder as well.
Right now I'm using a ice tray to hold them.. but, transporting is a worry. I wish the paint brush holders had something to keep the bristle ends from touching.

Thanks for the inspiration!

-------------------------------------------------------------------
*s*
Thanks, maggie!

I have FATMAX envy! *L*
Let us know how it works out for you. I've heard some good things about it.

the only thing for me just now is that every entry to my home has stairs.... I don't want to lug it up and down them every time I go out the door... but, i WANT it.. laughing

I told Mark that our next house was going to have at least one entry with no stairs... I had to have both achilles tendons severed and re-attached several years ago... I had a long recovery... AND, I had to crawl up the stairs and down them....
lots of funny stories about that period of my life... *L*
I had complications afterwards.. and walking is about my limit.. my son kindly told me one day as I was trying to run after him that I didn't run as much as I waddled....

ahem.....


A blog... ugh.. I don't know what I'd write... well, I do - sorta.. but, then, people would read it! some people...... maybe..... *L*

a real nail biter for me.... *heh*

It makes me feel very vulnerable to put myself "out there", so to speak. When it's off the cuff, I'm okay.... planned, I .... dither....

I do have one at my website.. I just post pictures on it.... I don't want to get too involved, since prospective employers will view the site.
I don't know that they'd be as appreciative... *L*

Everything packs flat at the end of the gig EXCEPT the Snaz 54... that I do have to carry out and lay flat in the car as packing it on end damp doesn't work well... The cakes aren't soaking wet, but any water trapped under the paint can run and I hate messes!!

The palettes all have fitted lids too.

I've never used anything but palettes, just changed the sizes.

I completely prefer palettes.... and in my own kits use nothing but - if something doesn't fit in one of my palettes, it's staying home till it does.

At one point I did some work for an event company that "supplied" a kit for me to use - it was all Snazaroo, but separate 18ml containers and the lids were all broken - plastic bits everywhere.

Trying to figure out the type of plastic that Snaz reacts to? The milky slightly soft/flexible high vinyl content seems to be ok right? I've had RCMA (foundation) react to the ultra clear (high styrene content) containers before, but it seems safe in the milky containers - hoping Snaz is the same. The containers that Snaz comes in is quite brittle to me and I'm afraid I'll end up with broken bits everywhere if I don't put it in something.... but I don't want it to be the wrong something.