Shop Talk

Arts & Activities, Nov, 2000

SAX ARTS & CRAFTS now offers Folia Papers, a rich, full-spectrum line of art papers in variegated and solid colors. Several surfaces and types include deep-hued "Transparent Papers" for glowing stained-glass effects, as well as "Stretch," "Wavy" and "E-Flute Rainbow Corrugated" styles. Also available are "3-D Rainbow Honey-comb Paper," "Rainbow Print Paper," foils and more. Circle No. 392 on the Arts & Activities Reader Service Card for more information.

FISKARS CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC. has expanded its product line with the addition of "Brayer Backgrounds" and "Dye Ink Pads." Easily snapped into the brayer handle, the Brayer Background rollers create unique patterns up to 6 inches wide. The interchangeable rollers are available in six different designs including plain, streamers, hearts, stars, mesh, streamers, speckle and plain. The brayers will come in handy when decorating craft bags, construction paper, wrapping paper, stationery and much more. The ink pads feature a raised pad surface designed for use with all stamp and brayer sizes. The fast-drying ink is acid-free and fade-resistant. "Jumbo" ink pads are available in six bright colors, including chestnut brown, cherry red, midnight blue, hunter green, violet and the rainbow dye ink pad. For more details, circle No. 396 on the Reader Service Card.

At WWW.ARTSKETCHBOOK.COM you can learn about sketchbooks, view artists' and students' sketchbooks, as well as create, e-mail and exhibit sketchbook pages that include your own images and writing. To be one of the 50 art teachers to receive a free gift certificate for a "Sketchbook Page" or "Exhibit Page," visit the Web site, then e-mail your name, e-mail address and gift choice to gifts@sketchbook.com. For more information, visit on-line, or circle No. 387 on the Arts & Activities Reader Service Card.

STAEDTLER, INC. has added two new sizes to its line of "Mastercarve Artist Carving Blocks," which now totals five. Introduced earlier this year, the white vinyl blocks have been popular because they're easily carved to create custom rubber stamps. The new sizes include a 2 1/2-inch square (great for stamping) and a generous 9" x 12", which is good for blockprinting. The blocks are said to "cut like butter," yet hold tiny details and firm lines without breaking off or crumbling. With no markings or embossings located anywhere on the surface, and with each side being unmounted, the user is able to carve multiple sides. For more information, circle No. 388 on the Reader Service Card.

SPRAYWAY INC.'s No. 804 "Lint and Dust Remover" eliminates the need to brush, blow or shake away unwanted lint and dust particles. Producing a jet of high-powered, moisture-free gas, No. 804 blasts away lint, dust and tiny fabric scraps from delicate surfaces and equipment without leaving behind film or residue. The attached tube allows pinpoint accuracy of the gas stream, easily cleaning hard-to-reach places. For more information, circle No. 389 on the Reader Service Card.

SCRATCH-ART CO., INC.'s "Scratch-Foam[R] Board" is a soft-as-butter, heavy foam material designed for producing prints with just a pencil point, stick or other similar product. Great for youngsters, Scratch-Foam Board eliminates the need for potentially dangerous cutting tools. The surface is so sensitive that any shape can be pressed into it. Water-based inks may be used with any paper. Scratch-Foam Board cleans and stores easily and produces dozens of sharp, effective prints. For more details, circle No. 391 on the Reader Service Card.

The Fall 2000 School and Library Catalog from LERNER PUBLISHING GROUP offers interesting art titles designed to involve young students in art history and artistic endeavors. Topics include "Art Around the World" and "Art Beyond Borders," in addition to the "Tell Me About" series, which focuses on the lives of famous artists. Titles include Vincent van Gogh, Pieter Brueghel, The Journey of Diego Rivera, The Art of African Masks and Aboriginal Art of Australia. For more information, visit on-line at www.lernerbooks. com, call toll-free (800) 328-4929 or circle No. 395 on the Arts & Activities Reader Service Card.

Crayola Products' washable markers from BINNEY & SMITH INC. offer deep, rich colors in a new formula designed to wash cleanly from skin and most clothing. The nontoxic markers are available in three broadline color and pack assortments: Classic, Bold and Technobrite. These washable markers are available from school supply distributors and educational retail stores nationwide.

The Lesson Plan File Folder from CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS features a preprinted lesson plan form that allows fingertip access to art lessons. To create organized and detailed records of art lessons, simply fill in the information requested by the folder's preprinted prompts. In addition to a written record of the lesson, each folder stores resources including art reproductions, handouts and magazine clippings. The folders are available in sets of 10 and each set includes a User's Guide. For more information, circle No. 397 on the Arts & Activities Reader Service Card.