Crazdude’s list of Materials, Tools, and Suppliers

Have you ever wanted to know where I order particular items? How I get things printed? What type of laminator I use? Where I get my… HOLOGRAPHIC FILM?? :0 Well, hopefully this list will satisfy your curiosity!

Why is Craz providing her suppliers, materials, and sources?

The internet is a valuable resource for young artists and independent professionals to use to find materials, suppliers, and tutorials (with the help of Google, Amazon, and Youtube.) Professional artists like myself have done the legwork to find suppliers, test materials to see what we like, and develop our skills over time. Too many professional artists get the same question over and over again about materials or suppliers from various followers and young artists. I understand how the constant inquiry can be exhausting since I have gotten some of the same questions via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It is important to note that artists are never obligated to divulge their sources and suppliers. Whether it is from lack of time, constant questioning, fear of the market overflowing with similar products, or fear of their suppliers getting overworked and pushing back turn-around time, I respect those who chose not to say who they work with.

I personally feel that I’ve enjoyed helping other artists with other advice posts and don’t see this topic as being any different. Just as I have created lists for advice on shipping, preparing for artist alleys, and establishing your business, I feel that a comprehensive blog post of my suppliers could also help young artists. I would also like to help my suppliers to proliferate (expand their manufacturing capabilities, hire more employees, etc.) I don’t fear that it will affect my turn-around time or affect my sales. By sharing my suppliers, I’m not sharing my aesthetic or skills. The diversity of art on different products makes these products more collectable (people will want to collect them from various artists; especially with small items like lanyards, pins, buttons, and bandanas!) With this list, it is my goal to help fellow artists to connect with my suppliers so that they all can succeed and grow!

This is as much a reference for my fellow artists as it is for myself. It’s a quick stop shop to find all my favorites. As my preferences and suppliers change with time, I plan to update and add to this list.

NOTE: Please keep in mind that this list is only in regard to items that I have used (I don’t have preferences on enamel pin manufacturers, acrylic charms, wooden charms, or lanyard printing since I haven’t created those yet! Although Zap Creatives, Paw Printing UK, PinGameStrong, and QualityCustomLanyards are some good places to start!)

Also, I may list items below without shopping links for one of a few different reasons:

1. I don’t have a preference on shop
2. there are multiple shop options available
3. brand is irrelevant or I haven’t worked with enough brands to verify my preference.
4. it is no longer available for purchase or purchased in store
5. Or it can be Googled for more information

If you have items in mind that I haven’t mentioned
or want to suggest a favorite tool or supplier,
please leave a comment in the comments section below!

Basic Supplies

Papers

• Drawing & Painting
  • Canson XL Marker paper – for marker art badges
  • Canson XL Sketch paper – for preliminary sketching
  • Strathmore Mixed Media paper – for colored-pencil and some wet media
  • Strathmore Bristol Paper – for colored pencil or graphite
  • Arches Watercolor paper – Hot press 140lb
• Accents
  • Scrapbooking paper (from craft stores)
  • Neon index cards (from office supply stores)
  • Astrobrights Paper – Neon Assortment

Non-Photo Blue pencil – ideal for working out preliminary poses and proportion before finalizing sketches with graphite

Mechanical Pencils – I use both .05mm and .07mm thickness of lead. I have no preference on the pencil structure. Consider transportability and comfort when making your purchase. Also I had cheaper pencils while I was in college and I had more chances of losing them.

Pentel “Clic” Eraser

• Eraser Refills

Lining pens

• Sakura Pigma Micron pens – 005, 01, 02, 03, 05, and other tip styles (like chisel and brush) for lining or filling in larger spaces. I use black pigmented Micron pens and sometimes other various colors
• Faber-Castell PITT pens – I like the brush tip on the Faber Castel pens and greater variety of colors

Accenting pens

• Sakura Gelly roll Gel pens – white and various sets including “Stardust” (glitter), “Moonlight” (which contains Neon), and Metallic
• Faber-Castell PITT pens – in various colors including metallics
• Uniball Signo gel pens – white and metallic colors

Markers

• Prismacolor Premier Double-ended Art markers
• Copic Sketch Markers
• Sharpie Neon Markers – UV effect (Also use Prismacolor Neon colors for UV)

Colored pencils

• Prismacolor – ideal for rich, buttery color. blend well
• Crayola – ideal for sharp details on top of Prismacolor or adding a light base color before blending with Prismacolor

Pen, Pencil & Marker storage

• Global Art Brand cases – 120 pen case and 48 pen case
• Crafter’s Companion Marker rack
• RIDGID Professional Tool Storage organizer – Ideal for Artist alley materials transportation
• To help markers stand on end in tool box bottom, I have used a sock drawer organizer. (Do not leave on one end for more than a weekend!)

Watercolor

• Winsor & Newton Cotman Tube paints
• Artify or Prismacolor brand watercolor pencils
• Sakura Koi Brush Pens
• Paint Brushes – N/A (I have not found a preferred type of brush yet)

Other Materials & Tools

Holographic transparent film

• 12″x12″ individual sheets Hobby Lobby scrapbooking section
• PaperStreetPlastics on Ebay
• USATapes on Etsy

Accents

• Various kinds of Scrapbooking stickers
• Gemstones
• Ribbons
• Googly eyes

Scissors

• 5″
• 8″

X-acto Knife (for finer details)

UV Flashlight – Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light, 51 LED

Straight edge paper cutter – Dahle 508 Personal Rolling Trimmer

• 18″ Cut Length
• Cuts through 7 Sheets at a time
• Self-Sharpening Blade
• Cuts in Either Direction
• Automatic Paper Clamp

Laminator – Apache AL18P 18″ Professional Laminator

• can laminate 3-10mil lamination quickly and smoothly
• adjustable temperature
• pressure rollers help ensure a tight seal
• reverse option (comes in handy when you forget to sign a badge or want to use part of a lamination sheet and save the rest for later)

Lamination – Oregon Lamination Premium brand from Amazon

• 3mil – for thick or multi/layered papers
• 5mil-7mil – for smooth Bristol paper or cardstock
• 10mil – for copy paper or marker paper

Lanyard/Badge Punches

• ID badge slot-shaped hole punch
• Circle-shaped 1/8″ hole punch

Cell phone holder

• Used to hold my phone above my work space for live-streaming my traditional artwork

Traditional art desk light – BYB E430 Metal Architect LED Desk Lamp

Furniture, Ergonomic aids, & Storage

Desks + Chair

• Office Star Mesh back & seat w/ lumbar support Managers chair
• Merax L-shaped Office workstation computer desk
• Merax Modern Simple design computer desk table – same brand, similar look but color is slightly different, sturdier design than L desk
• Studio Designs 10050 Futura Craft Station, Silver/Blue glass

Ergonomic Aids

• Foot Rest
• Tilted acrylic computer keyboard stand
• Art Alternatives Adjustable desk box easel – used to prop up Wacom tablet
• Memory Foam set for mouse wrist and keyboard wrist rest – Mouse rest component cradles the mouse on tablet when it’s on the easel.
• Plus Ergo Grip for Apple Pencil

Storage

• Recollections Storage 6-cube honeycomb
• Ashland Organizer – 3 drawer
• Ashland Organizer – 2 drawer (formally Recollections brand through Michael’s)
•  4″x6″ Photo and Embellishment Craft Keeper – Ideal for holding my vinyl stickers so that they don’t get dirty, bent, or otherwise damaged. 

Other

• MIRA Stainless Steel vacuum insulated 40oz water bottle
• MIRA Straw lid for wide mouth water bottles

Technology

Computer

• Monitors – Dell Ultrasharp U2415 24″ screen LED monitors
• Macintosh OS X El Capitan – my husband built my current computer
• Wacom Intuos 4 tablet
• Adobe Creative Suite 6 (Illustrator & Photoshop)

Other Tech

• iPad Pro 9.7″
• Apple Pencil
• iPad Apps
  • Adobe Illustrator Draw
  • Procreate
  • Autodesk Sketchbook Pro

Apps & Behind the scenes

• WordPress (Website) with Woocommerce (shop plug-ins)
• Trello – Read more here
• If this then that App – to cross-post from Instagram and other social media

Material/Tool Suppliers

Jetpens.com – Pens, Papers, pencils, erasers

Blickarts.com – Copic Marker Refills, Colored Pencils, paints, papers

Amazon.com – frames, sharpies, large Prismacolor marker set, and various art and mailing supplies

JerrysArtarama.com – canvases, canvas frames, display

Clearbags.com – mats for prints, jewelry bags for pins

BagsUnlimited.com – poly sleeves for prints, mailing supplies, shopping bags

Craft and Office Supply Stores

• Hobby Lobby – holographic transparent film, scrapbook paper
• JoAnn Fabrics – fabrics for table display, scrapbook paper
• A.C. Moore – various pencils, pens, storage, stickers
• Michael’s – various pencils, pens, storage
• OfficeMax – sign clips for display, badge clips, simple lanyards, bubble mailers, tape

Printers & Manufacturers

Catprint.com – Posters, prints, greeting cards, business cards, sticker sheets (Like my art? Consider clicking the Catprint.com Referral link – Catprint will award my account $10 for each person who creates an account!)

Kittyboxpress.com – T-shirts

oneinchround.com – Buttons

OfficeMax/OfficeDepot.com – Digital badge photocopier prints (for pick-up in store), self-inking stamps, and return address labels

StickerApp.com – Vinyl and holographic indoor/outdoor stickers

Zap! Creatives – Acrylic standees (check out my referral links to see how you can save on your first purchase from Zap!)

Quality Lapel Pins – enamel pins and pendants

Convention Display

These are items that I currently use or have used in the past for my convention and arts & crafts sale displays.

Table cloths – I have 4ft, two 6ft, and two 8ft just in case I get a booth or two tables at a con, that way the table cloths are consistent in color.

Wire-grid interlocking Cube shelving – for walls to clip badges and posters to

Plastic-wall interlocking Cube shelving – ideal for light transport and easy assembly

Photography backdrop support – for holding up artwork, curtain and/or banner behind display

Print, card, and book display racks of various kinds:

• Clear Acrylic Retail Card rack
• Small Canvas print rack
• Medium Canvas print rack
• Steel Mesh Magazine Rack (2pk)
• Steel wire 6-tier Magazine rack

Other display tools:

• 10W LED UV light bar

• Tall Black Velvet Jewelry T-Bar (18″ Tall)

Sales Tools

• Cashbox + Cash Apron
• Money Marker – to check for counterfeit bills
• SquareUp – Contactless + chip reader device (SAVE $! use the referral link to receive free processing on up to $1,000 in sales and help me do the same!)

If anyone has comments or input to share, I would appreciate your comments below!

Much LORF!
Crazdude

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