Our first Art product review (we're psyched)

We love our art supplies just about as much as we love breathing!  I'm not kidding.

My husband, being the consumer insights, marketing trender he is, has told me that I am a marketer's dream.  Well, I think he told me something a little different but it was a little to R-rated for this family friendly blog.

Not only do I love product, I love the packaging the product comes in.  If you package it right: color, font, material etc.  I most likely will attempt to purchase it.  Even if there is no need or purpose whatsoever.

Hence, our first product review.  The products I find myself having the weakest self-control for are art supplies of any kind.  Spray paint, stamps, brushes, markers, crayons, glue, glitter, fabric.  I fall into the mixed-media artist category (in my own eclectic way).  I have come to the conclusion that you never know what you are going to need or use in the studio, therefore, you better be prepared and have it on hand.

It appears that I have Ava and Cate in training as well.  We were at one of our favorite artisan boutiques yesterday and Ava noticed a set of oil pastels.  As I was wandering through the shop I noticed the two of them huddled to around the pastels to take a closer look.  What am I going to do...not join in?

Upon further examination we noticed these weren't your typical oil pastels.  The set included 12 of you standard, everyday colors, however, you also get 6 metallic and 6 neon colors.  They're packaged securely in sturdy travel case that will fit easily into any bag of any kind.  Possibly even my purse, considering I carry the world in there. 

The color options looked great, but my first reaction was "what makes them so different from the other pastels I love?"

Here's the answer: The Black Paper Sketchbook

International Arrivals has a Black Paper Sketchboook.  This is the perfect accompaniment to highlight the colors from the Super Mix.  You want the neon and metallic colors to pop and the black paper makes it happen.

When we got home we all wanted to try it out.  Rather than ripping the sketchbook apart we each took a number.  Well, they took a number.  Ava got to try it out first.

Ava's reaction was simple.  She loved the black paper concept.  She enjoys sketching and will ocassionally accent with some color.  For the most part she used the white oil pastel but she liked the texture of the pastel and the ease of use against the black paper.  She agreed that without the black paper it would just be another oil pastel.  The beginning of her doodle.

Cate went next.  Cate's my color girl.  The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree with this one as I love color too!  She tried to use just about every color.  She loved the options and went as far as to say that she wished she had even more color options.  Possibly a bigger kit.  Cate's always dreaming big.  She said they felt like they were "gliding" on the paper and she was having a bit of fun mixing the colors together.  The Black Paper Sketchbook was a big hit with Cate as well as she said it made her colors "pop!" 

Certainly not our best work but not bad for experimental, 5 minute doodles.  We loved the Super Mix and the Black Sketch Notebook.  For kids and adults these oil pastels are fun and easy to use with minimal mess.  I work with all different brands of artist grade oil pastels when I'm painting and they can get messy.  

By far, though, the Black Paper Sketchbook was the hit.  It has a thin paper quality and the fact that it comes in a journal style adds a whole new dimension to the selling factor.  

In addition to the products themselves, the packaging is fun, eye catching and creative.  Just what you expect from a company like International Arrivals.  I suppose they will have people buying their products even if they're not art supply junkies like us!

In addition to the journal and pastels I couldn't help myself and picked up some ergonomic crayons that day as a gift for a left-handed friend.  Seriously, can you get more creative than this?

After perusing through International Arrivals website I came to find out I was already the proud owner of the Color Appeel Crayons.  I guess I know what I like.

Ava, Cate and I highly give the International Arrivals products a thumbs up.  They get an A+ for packaging and unique products that actually hold up to the reputation when you go to use them.

In addition, these creative supplies make incredible gifts for the child or adult in your life.  The packaging is so well done you won't even need a gift bad.  Tie a bow and you're ready to go.

We'd love to hear your thoughts if you own or have tried the International Arrivals products.