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We are one of the few art supply stores who actually sell used art supplies. Some of them are rare finds. Others are just lucky finds. Right now, some of our listings include a gorgeous set of vintage Grumbacher oil paints in a wooden box, heat guns, a soap making set, a mat cutter, plus more! Check back daily to see what new finds we have uploaded on our website. Who knows how long these listings will last that we are posting below. Click here to see all that are still available.    
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Love surprises? we do too! Order a custom Mystery Box from us or choose from our options of mysterious choices. Loaded full of things to do and worth more than the prices we charge. Makes a great surprise gift to yourself or others! We have 4 different mystery boxes that you can order:
They all are meant to be affordable and super fun. Click on this link to purchase your mystery box for yourself, a child, a friend, or a family! It's perfect for the holidays coming up or for just being in lockdown during the pandemic!  There are 4 different mystery boxes to choose from.  Many different themes are available for the Themed Mystery Box! Each week, our art staff picks an art supply to talk about, letting you know what the product does, why you'd want to have it in your supplies and what to think about when you purchase it. If you're curious to learn more about any art supply or product. Let us know by sending us an email at this link. We'll be sure to do a feature on it. This week, our art staff pick is: JACQUARD PEARL EX PIGMENTS! What can you do with it, and how does it stand out?These metallic and iridescent powder pigments are very versatile and can be used in a number of different ways. Add them to your paint colors, or to clear acrylic mediums. Use them to glitterify your block prints, stamps or watercolors... They are only $2.99 per jar and come in a large variety of colors, as well as interference colors. Any tips or techniques for using it? Likes/ dislikes?One of the ways that I use these pigments the most is by incorporating them into my encaustic wax paintings. Once the wax is mostly hardened but still warm, I buff on the pigments over the top of the wax to create a metallic finish. Another way I use it, is by buffing it onto my wax surface and then going over it with a shellac burn, which will create a lovely metallic cell-pour sort of finish.  Do we stock it regularly, or is it a special find?Yes. You can buy it on our website at the link below or you can request it in a curbside order. Link to buy it on our art supply site:Who Else Supports Small Local Portland Shopping For Black Friday? The Scoop on "Small Shop PDX"!11/24/2020 Of course, we support and believe in shopping local and keeping our hard earned dollars in our community to keep it healthy and thriving. We believe you too might have some of those same beliefs and notions. One group that definitely puts their money where their mouth is is "Small Shop PDX". Here's what they say about how to keep our bucks in the community and how to support local:
This Friday, they have a whole list of Black Friday local Portland virtual and IRL markets. Check it out by clicking on the button below. Some of the Black Friday local markets include:
 Thanksgiving is almost here, but not quite yet, so we thought we'd get in one more fun Thanksgiving craft that you could make to decorate your table or do with those whom you'll be feasting this year. It's super simple, and can be the cutest way to remember all the many things you're grateful for. To make the cutest Thanksgiving craft, even more custom and special, you could:
Watch the whole step by step video at this link to make the 3-D thankful paper pumpkin (by Awesomely Crafty). Order all the art supplies you'll need from us at this link.  Halloween might be over, but we know there a quite a few folks out there who celebrate it all year long. They make Christmas into Hallo-mas, Valentine's Day into Valloween, and Thanksgiving into Ol' Hallow's Giving---or something like that. That means they want skulls, pumpkins, owls and other creatures of the night all year long. We are happy to say we've made several art kit that include many of those dark delights any time of the year. Anyone up for Hallo-mas? If you or anyone you know is freakish in this way, get our freakishly fun art kits at this link. Skull, owl, and pumpkin art kits oh my!  I don't know why it's so fun to see an adult and a kid drawing side by side, but it is. In these videos, perfect for Thanksgiving, Fall & November, you get to see step by step how to draw some really fun traditional Thanksgiving things like apple pie, a cornucopia and a realistic turkey. Draw along with "Art Hub for Kids" whether you're an adult or kid. Even better, if you draw together side by side. Why? Because it's way more fun! Scroll below to find the links to the drawing videos. Click here to pick up some great drawing supplies sets at this.    We picked 5 fun Thanksgiving drawing videos. Click on the links below to watch the step by step videos:
Each week, our art staff will pick an art supply to talk about, letting you know what the product does, why you'd want to have it in your supplies and what to think about when you purchase it. If you're curious to learn more about any art supply or product. Let us know by sending us an email at this link. We'll be sure to do a feature on it. This week, our art staff pick is: ANGELUS LEATHER PAINTS!   What can you do with it, and how does it stand out?This paint can be used to paint leather, shoes, canvas, and fabric. I think it's especially cool when used to rejuvenate items you may already own - like this leather bag I bought at a yard sale! It's advantage over typical acrylic paint is that it is self leveling - meaning the paint layer sits smoothly on the surface. Any tips or techniques for using it? Likes/ dislikes?I love the range of colors that these paints come in, and how smoothly they stay on leather. They pretty much come in all the colors of the rainbow, plus metallics and fluorescents! To get started, I recommend prepping your surface with the 'Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer', which you can apply with cotton balls. This cleans the surface, helps remove factory finish if there is one, and allows the paint to adhere properly. This paint works best in multiple thin coats, allowing the paint to dry in between coats. (Don't worry, since it's acrylic based it doesn't take too long!) One tip for using: The paints come with a brush attached to the cap, which could be helpful for covering large surfaces - but I recommend getting another brush to use as it may be easier to hold, and give you more control over the amount of paint you're using.  Do we stock it regularly, or is it a special find?Yes, we stock it all the time! Link to buy it on our art supply site:You can request it in a curbside pickup order by clicking this link.  On landscape artist, Anna K. McDermott's Instagram profile, it says, "Hike. Paint. Repeat." Since her feed is filled with her gorgeous photo realistic paintings that she paints from the photos she takes on her many hikes, you know this is her way of life. In fact, if you read the title of her instagram account it says, "Rather be hiking." Her art has been exhibited all around Oregon and has even won the "People's Choice Award" in juried art shows. Today, she gives us 3 great tips on how to make your best art and we suspect these tips and techniques are how she has become so adept at her landscape painting..  Tell us briefly about your art:I paint detailed landscapes from photos I take on hikes. I find hiking to be healing for my physical self as well as inspirational for my art. I paint landscapes to capture a place at that moment in hopes of people seeing it and valuing the outdoors, the need for conservation, and to resonate with your own memories of time spent in public lands. What is your main medium of art?Painting: Acrylic and watercolor What are your website and links?Website: www.annakmcdermott.com Instagram: @mcdermott.anna  Please share your techniques & tips with us:#1 Find someone who knows a little about art to critique you, then find someone who doesn’t. Critique is so important because it lets you know what other people are seeing when they see your art. Sometimes, it is hard to know for yourself what you are looking at after staring at it for so long. #2 Art takes time. Let it. You can have a deadline but make sure to give yourself more time than you think it will require. #3 I minimally sketch out my painting with an under painting in a wash of either yellow or French grey. Pencil far too often shows up through the paint. Work in progress images of Anna's paintings from her Instagram feed. 
 Make sure to check out more of Anna's art on her website and Instagram account where she shares many of the photos from her hikes and more work in progress images. She also sells prints and cards of her art in her shop which is on her website. Be Our Next Featured Artist!We still need a lot more submissions for our "Oregon Artists Share Tips & Techniques" series. Please submit your work at the button below.
Calligraphy Makes Any Holiday Card or Gift Better: Get Your Calligraphy Art Set At I've Been Framed11/16/2020 We are definitely thinking about the holidays now. It's getting closer and closer to Thanksgiving, and after it's over, we have all the wonderful winter holidays to think about. Whatever holiday you celebrate, you're sure to make it extra special with calligraphy on your cards and gifts. We have a special calligraphy set that includes parchement paper, several nibs, instructions and ink. Watch this video to learn how to choose the right calligraphy nib for the job you're doing. Get our calligraphy set at this link.  Click on image to buy the calligraphy set. On sale for only $7.99! |
Author
Heather Reed is the Assistant Manager/Buyer and office rockstar at IBF. She writes all of our emails, blog posts and and manages all of our social media sites. Heather is also an artist and has experience in lots of various mediums. You will usually find her researching new products, finding the best bargains, writing, painting, enjoying nature, all while chasing around her two vivacious little boys. 
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