Paint Case Option

My Snaz Jumbo Palettes are slowly disintegrating (Shannon, I don't know how yours lasted so long! Mine are...2.5 years?). I got some laptop cases from the swap shop, but alas! My rolling tool kit (below) and the laptop cases are just not compatible (will try to re-purpose, otherwise keep an eye on the swap shop, haha.)



So I'm wandering around Superstore, and come across a Crayola stand...and I find this "Color Wonder Tabletop Easel." It's lime green, but it opens evenly (IE top isn't way thinner than bottom). I was hoping that someone's child would have ripped the wrappings off of one so I could open it up, but no such luck I bought 2 and brought them home (no-tax day!) and if I stand it on it's side and leave the top drawer/shelf thing out, it does fit...

Has anyone used this before? It was $15 (because of the paints and paper inside) so I'm hesitant to rip it open if it won't work (though I guess I can always give them to my little cousins) but it's about the same price as a new Jumbo palette, haha. If the inside is the same size as the outside, it'll fit at least 9 32gr pots (maybe 11?) with room for some one-stroke pots etc.

Also, for the people who use laptops and travel with them on their side (as opposed to lying flat), how do you find that? As long as your pots aren't sopping wet after a gig I can't see a problem, but thought I'd ask

Some of my jumbo palettes are begining to break down I have to admit... but they get handled roughly as I use they for workshops, etc.

I've been using the Snaz Pro-54 tray... I take it to the gig on end in my trolley, but have to carry it out flat at the end... too wet to put on end and I don't want a mess!

Today at Michaels they will be selling Iris scrapbook cases for $2.99. Regular price is $8.99 and higher. They are 12x12 and appear to close better than laptops.

What I liked best about the Snaz Palettes is that I could keep them flat the entire time

I need to find something that can go TO a gig in my kit, and come back out the same way. Most of the time I have balloons with me, too, so I'm out of hands to carry anything extra!

Maybe if I put a towel in between, it'd soak up any dribbles?

Flopsie - I was at Michael's today! I saw the 12X12 scrapbooking cases ($3.99 in Canada ). I wasn't keen on how the top and bottoms are uneven heights, but the main thing is that those are even bigger than the laptop cases, and would definitely not fit in my toolbox. Even in the bottom section, the only way the laptop case would fit is if I took the tray out - and without the tray the toolbox doesn't fit together anymore!

Hmm. I may have to take one for the team and try this out, guys!

Putting a towel on top of the paints inside the lid would probably work... It wouldn't fit on the Snaz trays as the lids are tight fitting and flimsy. But in those cases it may work.

I always store mine on their sides, (laptop cases.) If they are too wet, I just dump out the excess moisture, or throw a baby wipe/paper towel across the top of the pot, I also keep a couple of extra lids in my kit to cover the pots if I need to. Works okay for me

Did you already open it Kristal? Cause my son has one of those and I can dig it out of his toy box and test it out for you...what size/brands are you looking to fit in there? I think I only have 1 container of snaz, but I have lots of TAG 32's, some TAG 50 splits, and lots of TAG one strokes and some silly farm arty cakes. I'll pack it in a few different configurations for you and take some pics .

Voila!



Let me know what else you'd like me to test out in there .

Stacia, you superstar!! No I haven't opened mine yet. Can you please show me how many 32gr TAG pots can fit there? I've got a lot of 32gr DFX pots so I figured that's what I'd use for consistency.

If I was to put paints in both sections, would it close properly? (Thinking that will let me hold at least 18 pots/case.) Does the top side of the lid have those ridges at the end, as well?

Shannon - that's why I loved that the Snaz palettes could lay flat in my kit!

Criss - Exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks. A few spare lids is a great idea.

Now I wanna case like that TOO! Hehe...(I love the way you did all that for Kristal & the rest of us, Stacia!)

No prob ladies!
Stand by, taking pics...uploading....76% complete

Ok, so I "can" fit two layers of 32's with no lids and it will BARELY close....and that's with no velcro or whatever you'd use to stick them in there.

these pics I took were to show you more detail about what will and won't work...
The first one on the top left shows why another row of one stroke wouldn't fit (as in the first pic I posted), those screw things are definitely in the way.
Top Right shows the latch at the bottom end of the case (opposite the hinges) which is the only one that will stay shut with 18 round 32's in there,
Bottom left shows the weird little hinged clear part where I guess you could fit a few brushes or whatever.
Bottom right shows the latch part that won't stay shut with 18 round 32's with no lids.
I don't know how long that one latch on the end will hold up with the case bowing to close with it packed to the gills, and there's NO way you'd be able to use velcro to secure the paints in there, maybe with double sided tape and nothing thicker than a single paper towel between them.
I hope that helped.

Oh, and I have less than I though I did of TAG 32's

I did use my TAG, and DFX 32's though to test out the double layered w/no lids.

Thanks! Hmm...so the one I bought is a bit different - there is no clear bit on the latch end - the latch is actually connected and is all part of the main case...think that's enough of a difference to make a - well, a difference?!

Are the walls on both sides of your case the same height?

Yep, both sides are the same when opened.
Yours IS totally different than mine now that I see it from that angle...
here's what I have...
http://www.target.com/p/Crayola-Color-Wonder-Travel-Tote/-/A-11246896#?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11246896&CPNG=NoCPNG&ci_sku=11246896&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=

Just for kicks, measure how thick yours is, I'll measure mine. If yours is even just a little bit thicker I'm willing to bet this would TOTALLY work for what you want to use it for.

Mine is 7/8 in thick.

Ooh that one comes in PURPLE?! That would have been so good...haha.

(I didn't realise it came in a marker kit! The ones I got have finger paints)

Bit tricky since the outside is curved, but AHHH!! Looks like 1.5" - this could work!!!

YAY! I think I might snag my son's for my one strokes, arty cakes, 2 color TAG splits...really everything I have in a rectangle container, that seemed to fit pretty well . Thanks for the idea!

Haha you can tell your son, "what? No, this isn't yours - I bought it for myself, and you're lucky you got the markers and paper!"

Ooh, I want to rip them open now, but I know if I do I'll never finish my paperwork...

We can start a new case trend!!

And maybe persuade Crayola to make them in different colours, haha.

i use this by sterilite..it a note book case...i get them at walmart or hobby lobby...i can put 24, 32 gram cakes with the lids on or off

here is the link

http://www.sterilite.com/productfiles/images/LG1_17254806.jpg

this case also opens flat and is very sturdy..i have 2 of them full of paint on both sides...

Great idea, Barb!

I have been searching for a scrapbook paper type case for ages now but all the ones I find are way too big (thick) or open up too unevenly to be able to use both sides while working....this looks like its worth trying out, and at least my kids will appreciate whatever it comes with! (Merry x-mas guys, here's some random paper,felts/paints!)