If you use a table

Would you please share how you store and organize your supplies? I need to paint standing so figured the Fatmax was not a good investment for me, esp. since I already own a wheeled suitcase. I've been storing everything in bags and bins inside the suitcase but I am still losing glitter in transport (since things go sideways as I roll the suitcase) and I am TIRED of dealing with lids on, lids off, lids on, lids off. I hate lids! lol Seriously I do. If I go the laptop storage route for my cakes are they going to be okay stored without lids and not dry out?

I'm toying with the idea of the Fatmax just for storage and transport but it is so expensive and bulky. I do love the thought of at least having a specific space for everything but I'm not sure there is even enough space if I carry my glitter tat stuff as well. How on earth did I wind up with so much stuff that I feel like I can't live without at a gig?

See my blog... link below. I have a page devoted to my kit which shows how it is stored and set-up.

Thanks Shannon! I thoroughly enjoy all of your resources. And I sure appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge.

Sparklyone, I will be watching this forum for replies as I too am curious. I anticipate more standing while painting and have been looking into a tall table but wonder about set up, take down, and transport. I have been doing some research and I see that there are a LOT of people who love their FatM@x/style carriers. It seems to make the most sense... and yet it doesn't make perfect sense. So I am still researching and weighing pros and cons, and trying to come up with ideas.

I have back issues and I think that bending over to the F@tMax/style carrier each time would cancel out any benefits of painting while standing. I like the idea of it for storage and transport, for fast and easy set up and clean up... but it's just not quite tall enough?
So I've been trying to think of ideas to make it taller, and/or attach a small work surface/table. I have seen the ones people here have put on their lids that look like trays. I suppose a 'lift' could be put underneath to raise it up, but I'm thinking at about 28" tall for the FM (is that before or after it's opened up?) it would have to be raised too much for my comfort, and now that 'lifted' tray has just become bulky, cumbersome and one more thing to transport?

I saw this organizer/table and while it's heavy and doesn't seem like a better solution by any means, it gave me pause with the flip-up table. I've been thinking of ways to incorporate it, especially if I could do it tall enough (say...38" to 40"?). I've been scouring for suitable pre-made drawers that I could adapt with it, and add wheels/a handle. But so far I haven't found anything remotely suitable.

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I like the idea of less is more for transport, etc. I suppose I could use a FMax plus table. Like this one.

http://www.pcconnectionexpress.com/1/1/8768-da-lite-screen-company-inc-da-lite-project-o-table-model-425-deluxe-projection-table-telescoping-legs-42067.html

I would have to make my own version though... the price is outrageous for what I want to use it for.
And the work surface isn't very large (meant for a projector) but I could make it 36" square and just put my water container and whatever colours/itmes I am using at the time, onto it.

I saw this and thought it would be a great idea if it were on a larger scale.

http://www.makeupcreations.com/zoom-JaponesqueProfessionalAluminumSeriesMakeupCase-open.htm

So then I found THIS beauty but it is far, far too big and cumbersome. I think it would almost be my perfect solution if it was only as deep (and light?) as the FMax.
(*edited: This is wheeled, with a telescopic handle, btw)

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*sigh*

I feel that there is a really good solution out there. I just have to find it

One way to cut down on glitter problems is to use Lisa Joy Young's suggestion. She only uses irridescent glitter. Since it picks up the color of whatever is underneath it, you only need the one color!

Yes, but not if you do glitter tattoos...

Check this out... kit and table in one.

http://www.artistsonthego.com/

I love my fatmax, and it's really only as heavy as all the stuff you put in it. I only use it for larger jobs, like festivals. I stand to paint, and it works out fine. I also have a small table (like 2x3) that I use sometimes (I like to use the fatmax as a seat for me if it's a really long day of painting, puts me at a good height to still paint).

where is that portable storage drawer thing from? i like that

SuzySparkles wrote:where is that portable storage drawer thing from? i like that

Me too... do you have the link?

I don't know if it is the same place she found it, but I found it on a DJ site:
http://www.idjnow.com/StoreModules/ProductDetails.aspx/PID=PORTA-DRAWER

$147.25?? That's not bad... kit box and table in one. hmmm

ok I think I"m going to have to take pictures of my kit.... I'll see if I can be bothered today or not... lol....

I have a backpack - a really good one I lucked out on - that holds my three laptops ( yes I store all my paints in the laptops with no lids - they are fine if the laptop stays closed), the backpack also has my towel and table cloth, and anything I may need from my handbag like a camera/phone etc.
Then I have my make-up case - it's a metal black and purple one with two pull out tiers and a segregated bottom. It holds everything from my glitters to my brush holders,mirrors,cards,wipes extra paints like TAG splits etc.
I have a table that rolls up and goes in a bag over my shoulder -it's heaps light weight... weights nothing at all but is not the sturdiest thing ever so I have to stop kids leaning on it.
I like having my kit on my body when it's packed up - that way if I have to get public transport to a gig or if I have to get up 5 flights of stairs when I get there I can.
If you want pictures let me know - my clients always tell me they are amazed that I can get all my stuff packed up so quickly and so compact.

I have a table I bought from naughty word's Sporting goods. Stands about 3' high (maybe more), is about 5' long and 3' wide. Folds in half and hooks closed for transport.
I have a case that was meant for scrapbook or bead storage. All 3 of my laptops, my cards, mirrors, photos, signs, laminated cards, sponges, brushes, etc. fit inside it. It has a telescoping handle and wheels. I put my water bucket, a bowl that holds my smaller things (liquid bling, detailz, pouncers in a jar) and my baby wipes in the trash bin, rest it on top of the rolling case, carry my chair over my opposite shoulder and my table like a suitcase and away I go.

I just buy it in a hardware store is a Tool Trolley with plastic toolbox available inside (I put my sponge), the bottom part is a great tray that comes off (I put my book, mirror and towels) to € 30, when I get a gig organizers make available a table and chairs, but here in France is not as facepainting known that the U.S. is working much less than you ....

I work with a table and pack all of my stuff in a suitcase since my fatmax fell apart. I just started using a caboodle for my brushes sponges and q-tips. If I have larger events I put my sponges in a storage bin under the table. The paint and lid thing I'm still working on. All of my solid paradise paints are in a laptop case that they sell for it but all of my splits and blending cakes I lay out on the table and take the lids off one by one. I think I may buy the scrapbook case for those to make that faster.

Somehow I lost this thread to see responses - thank you so much everyone for taking the time to post your pics and ideas! Tash I would love to see yours if you have the time!

I do glitter tats but do have a rolling scrapbook case I can use for fp-only events. I still can't seem to minimize my "stuff" to fit in there, though. I have a collapsable step-stool, towels, acrylic sign holders, my personal stuff..it's crazy. I need to get it all out and take a pic then ask everyone to help me consolidate.

This is how I fit everything in my suitcase...



And this is what it looks like all laid out on my table...



It's been working out for me so far.

Very helpful! Such a pretty and tidy set up, thank you so much for taking the time to share!

No problem. I face paint at Red Robins on Tuesdays and it's usually a little slow so I thought about this thread and decided to take a pic.

I just use a table they have (normal height) my tall chair & open my case (see avatar) super simple.

Shannon Fennell wrote:Check this out... kit and table in one.

http://www.artistsonthego.com/

Vi from Sparkiling faces has a video of this case but she says its great but preaty heavy.