Favorite brand of sponge and why?

I use these -
http://www.alwayswickedart.com.au/pages/sponges.html
I like having three diff consistencies to work with, and they are not too expensive, not 'cheap' either. I prefer the dark pink ones as they are firmer and work really well for the rainbow cakes, the green ones blend beautifully.

Suzy, thanks for the tip of the sale at Proface. I got my items like 2 days after I ordered. Can I just say I am dumping all my other sponges, cuz I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee my little greenies....O-M-G these things are superrrrrrrrrrr soft. Great deal on the body brush...shoulda got 2 and love the henna kit great starter. But the biggest surprise was on the Wolfe skintone palette. I thought is was the teaser size for $15.00, which is what I was expecting, but it was the larger size that I have seen being sold on other sites for $28.00 so thank you Jodi.

I am a greenie weenie convert........now what to do with all those other sponges

Don't dump 'em! You'll find different sponges are good for different techniques & textures. I have 3 mesh bags of sponges & now can dedicate a sponge per face at my events.

Yeah I didn't think of that. I do tend to go thru alot more sponges at festivals and fairs during the warmer months. Hmmmmmm perhaps I will dedicate the greenies to use on small kids and people who may mention having sensitiive skin.

I'm a big fan of the FWW sponges too

I love them!

ttfn
rebecca
www.artybrushstrokes.com

Shannon Fennell wrote:You CAN cut the sponges to any size you want to use... don't be afraid, they won't scream!

Yes, but if you cut them to small you'll scream. I cut my 1st bunch up into 1/4's thinking I'd get more sponges that way. What a mess & not easy to work with. I have a few for small details, but the rest just sit there like little puppies with their ears docked too short...

LOL... use them for the small rainbow/split cakes... easier to load and swipe.

I have some yellow foam wedges - same exact size and shape as the latex cosmetic wedges and they are REALLY useful for blending out in tight corners etc.

I LOVE the green Fantasy sponges. Definitely softer and I find that the paint goes on much more smoothly when I use them.

I am now a FWW "greenies" convert......I really love how they feel on the skin and in my hands.

i bought some from a feed and tack store they are in small rectangles..about 3x5 you can make 2 out of them but got a lot in the package.. i have not used them yet still using old one that are like the ones the painted dragon order from ebay..they look like the ones from michaels..a good price. i would of bought those but found the other ones first lol.

So, where can I find these? I would love to try them.

http://www.fantasy-worldwide.com/

Thanks Linda!

magicnewe wrote:Tack sponges are a great idea! I'm not aware of any equestrian/feed stores in our area anymore, but I'll ask my parents. They will know where the closest one is!

I found a great place on line for them, only 23 cents per sponge, but the shipping was crazy!

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions!

Not sure if you live in Southern California but if you do there's a city called Norco and there are a ton of tack and feed stores.

You know those big peanut sponges you can get for washing the car that come in all kinds of colors and cost about $1? I use those... cut up of course. I can get about a dozen half circle sponges out of them and that's a lot more economical for me, plus, I can then color code my sponges to go with each color if I wish, or if I'm doing long events, I'll use only one color per day so I can log how may I use each day without getting any mixed up from previous days.

Okay since this thread came up again today, I'll update based on my experience at the Wolfe brothers workshop I was at today.

Although I still love my smooth half-circle sponges, there are definitely times that the open/porous sponges are a better choice. As Psalmbook & Tash point out on the previous page, different sponges are good for different textures and techniques.

I can now see how the open/porous/holey sponges (not sure how else to describe them!) give a great texture. I am planning to get more of them for sure.

JBax, I have heard other people say they use car wash sponges. Are they really good?

I just bought a new sponge that works well. It is about the same consitancy as the little round tack sponges. It is called ProPlus Heavy duty Grouting &concrete sponge by Armaly. It is about the size of a car sponge but feels really good. I cut it up and got about 40 small sponges (20 if you like them a little bigger.) It cost $2.50 at Lowe's.

lilladyyoshi wrote:JBax, I have heard other people say they use car wash sponges. Are they really good?

I started with car wash sponges, they are ok BUT when I forked out for some actual FP sponges I noticed a HUGE differnence! I've been using TAG sponges - they come in 2 densities and are great. I also have a few of the little red Snaz ones which are awesome for rainbow butterflies on littler faces. I still take my old car wash sponges in case I run out but so far haven't needed them and I don't think I can go back now.. I'm hooked on the good ones!

Ditto to what JBM said, I needed a mass amount of sponges for some upcoming events and the homemade ones are back up. But still they work well. I use snaz mostly. I would love to try some of the green sponges, but then I'll get all spoiled! LOL

I miss the old Snazaroo sponges though - the peach/off white colored ones. If you cut them into thirds they were the perfect size for using smaller Arty Cake style rainbows with stencils.

Anyone getting rid of theirs

~Michelle[/quote]

The old Snaz sponges were the BEST! Especially for Snazaroo paints. Oh how I miss them!

Different paint brands definitely need their own type of sponge for best performance. For example, I've noticed that the "tack" or "pottery" type sponges (like Wolfe sponges) don't pick up or blend snaz colors so well, and vice/versa. I use Wolfe sponges for my Wolfe rainbow cakes and other split cakes made with this type of face paint. They work great and are durable, but are a bit too scratchy. Little kids don't usually appreciate that quality!
I've been using Sillyfarm sponges since the old style snaz were discontinued. Sillyfarm green sponges look like the pictures of the Fantasy World Wide green sponges, but I don't know if they are the same or not. I was not thrilled with the SF greens. They didn't hold up well and went mushy after a few washings. I wash mine in a lingerie bag, but the greens still ended up breaking down. They "appear" (I don't know) to be cut from the same upholstery foam you buy at JoAnn's for seat cussions!

I also use:

_ Sillyfarm pinks; PRO's:good for snaz paint, soft texture, nice size. CON'S: break down and loose firmness quickly, causing fingers to get messy with paint.
_Snazaroo reds; PRO's; kinda' like the old snaz sponges in texture. CON's: too small! Especially once you cut them in half. The small size means once they start to age and go soft, they are worse than any other sponge.
_Snazaroo Petal Sponges: don't like 'em at all. Too large, awkward shape, scratchy texture, too expensive to buy as many as I use (one per child)

Now I end up ordering a mix of greens, pinks, and reds, and am basically making due. I don't love any of them. I guess my "favorite" of the bunch would have to be Sillyfarm Pinks, for lack of anything better.

Buy the way, info for face paint newbies: wedge type makeup sponges are not good for face paint at all. They won't pick up or blend face paints evenly and many are made of latex, which is a common allergy risk.

I dont think you can get these tack sponges in belgium/holland/france - or anywhere near me...
I would love to try them though, any idea where i could find them?

I like the high density sponges you can get at Michaels and Hobby Lobby but AC Moore has some that have finer pores and leave a smoother texture also where I live there are tons of local pottery artists and they have the same kind of sponges but they are a lot cheaper I've been told

Tineke--try any equestrian supply, there have got to be some in Holland or call a stable and ask their groom...