pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 29, 2023 16:43:00 GMT
So I started out using inks on cards and pocket page cards last year. I use stencils and just ink right on the paper.
Because I wasn't sure if this was something I was going to keep doing, I bought the sb.com domed foam blending tool. I so have the flat foam attachments.
I have had to go through a lot of them. I noticed they start to rip or pull apart, the felt falls off easily or the velcro doesn't stay on the wooden handle. They just don't last long. I will get Ranger replacements at Michael's too.
Since this is something I really enjoy, I want to invest in some better quality blenders.
Are bristle style blenders better? Will they last longer?
I think the longer handle will be better for me as I have to work on not pressing too hard while using the shorter on top wooden handle. So the longer handle will be better for me.
I know what SSS blenders cost and saw another brand on Amazon that is half the cost with 5 stars.
This is still new to me so any advice would be appreciated. 😀
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Post by MichyM on Jan 29, 2023 16:55:20 GMT
I personally prefer brushes, as I have more control over how much color is put down as opposed to the foam top or felt top blenders. For me, the brushes blend out color really nicely. When i use foam or felt, i get blotchy results (even on the amazingly smooth Hammermill CS. But, if you want a lot of color on the paper, brushes (IME) take a lot more time than foam or felt.
ETA: I purchase my brushes on Amazon. I think the brand is Yoseng or something similar. And I thoroughly wash them after every creative session (many do not). I’ve yet to see any wear on them. If you wash, dry them bristle side down. In the last C&C we received several of the more $$$ GinaK brushes. They are no different than the inexpensive ones on Amazon.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on Jan 29, 2023 17:20:37 GMT
I much prefer brushes for blending but you definitely get a “lighter” looking blend than you get with foam tops. When I say lighter I’m not really talking about color, more of an airy look and feel.
I prefer the foam for more of a pouncing application of color.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,259
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 29, 2023 18:03:10 GMT
I personally prefer brushes, as I have more control over how much color is put down as opposed to the foam top or felt top blenders. For me, the brushes blend out color really nicely. When i use foam or felt, i get blotchy results (even on the amazingly smooth Hammermill CS. But, if you want a lot of color on the paper, brushes (IME) take a lot more time than foam or felt. ETA: I purchase my brushes on Amazon. I think the brand is Yoseng or something similar. And I thoroughly wash them after every creative session (many do not). I’ve yet to see any wear on them. If you wash, dry them bristle side down. In the last C&C we received several of the more $$$ GinaK brushes. They are no different than the inexpensive ones on Amazon. That is the brand I was looking at on Amazon! Thank you for the tip on washing them and drying them. What storage do you use for them? |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,259
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 29, 2023 18:04:00 GMT
I noticed with the foam ones I have been using, that I get circles even after I blot off on a scrap piece of paper and barely push down. So with the bristle, I wont get that?
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Post by melanieg on Jan 29, 2023 18:29:57 GMT
If you start 'in' the stencil you might get that circle shadow still. I start 'outside' the stencil and work into it. I have found that helps me. Same as when just going into paper, I start at the side and work in to help w the splotchiness. Does that make sense?
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Post by melanieg on Jan 29, 2023 18:31:50 GMT
I am also a brush addict. Like Michy I got them on Amazon in bundles of 15-20 and wash them after every craft session/day/evening/wknd.
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Post by MichyM on Jan 29, 2023 19:25:28 GMT
I personally prefer brushes, as I have more control over how much color is put down as opposed to the foam top or felt top blenders. For me, the brushes blend out color really nicely. When i use foam or felt, i get blotchy results (even on the amazingly smooth Hammermill CS. But, if you want a lot of color on the paper, brushes (IME) take a lot more time than foam or felt. ETA: I purchase my brushes on Amazon. I think the brand is Yoseng or something similar. And I thoroughly wash them after every creative session (many do not). I’ve yet to see any wear on them. If you wash, dry them bristle side down. In the last C&C we received several of the more $$$ GinaK brushes. They are no different than the inexpensive ones on Amazon. That is the brand I was looking at on Amazon! Thank you for the tip on washing them and drying them. What storage do you use for them? I let them dry overnight, then they go in a bin in a drawer when not in use. I tried using the do-hickey where they stand up (also included in the C&C box), but didn’t like it. When I have then out during a cardmaking session, I just pull them in and out of an old soup can covered with pretty paper that I set on my desk. |
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Post by MichyM on Jan 29, 2023 19:27:19 GMT
I noticed with the foam ones I have been using, that I get circles even after I blot off on a scrap piece of paper and barely push down. So with the bristle, I wont get that? Dab your brush, then start extra lightly (no pressure on the head of the brush) and within a swipe or two you can go full bore. |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,259
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 29, 2023 20:48:00 GMT
Thanks!
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Post by amyl on Jan 29, 2023 21:58:23 GMT
The Yoseng on Amazon are great. I have several sizes and sets. I have mine stored in a clear acrylic divided bin (meant for pens and pencils?). I have several for each color. I wash every few months. I always wipe ink off on a scrap sheet of paper after each use.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jan 30, 2023 12:46:29 GMT
It depends on the look I'm going for. If I want a lighter touch, or if I'm using stencils, I use the brushes. If I want a more vibrant look, I use the foam applicators. The brushes require more work and time to build up color.
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Post by cbet on Jan 30, 2023 15:03:50 GMT
If you have a choice, get the ones with the white bristles - just because it's easier to see what color you've been using it with  I have some from Taylored Expressions, some from Gina K, a couple from Rabbit Hole Designs, and a whole mess of the Yoseng. Aside from logos on the handles, I can't tell them apart. |
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Post by cmpeter on Jan 30, 2023 23:47:47 GMT
Also, make sure you start putting ink down off your paper. Don't make the paper you want to use the first thing your brush touches. So, dab off and then start off your paper. I use a brush storage holder I bought on Etsy. Here is the one I have. Brush HolderI don't care for the silicon style we got from SCT either. It's so lightweight, easy to tip and you have to use two hands to remove a brush (one to hold the thing down and one to pull out the brush). Avoid this style: Silicon Tool CadyI don't wash mine after every use, just when I notice the bristles look a bit clumpy. Or, before I had separate sets in between using Distress Oxides and dye inks. |
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Post by joblackford on Feb 3, 2023 23:33:52 GMT
I use the white bristle yoseng brushes too from amazon too. I don't wash them, or at least haven't so far, and I mix up which inks I use because I am a rebel. I use ones with colorful handles so I know which color family to use them with, I brush them off on a paper towel here and there, and I store them in an old mug or in a plastic bin in a drawer. I like light and airy inking most of the time. I have domed and flat foam applicators too. They do work well if you're trying to do really intense ink blending like in the video below. But I usually ruin my stencils if I use foam blenders. And I get harsh marks because I'm impatient and heavy handed. The kind of ink and paper you use will also influence whether you get harsh marks, and how much you blend over and over the top. I'm always shocked when I see someone do intense blends like this - she's got a very light touch but she puts a ton of ink on the paper. I think this is the right person to use foams and the rest of us are probably better off with brushes.  And I'm pretty sure she uses brushes with stencils. (video should start with her real time inking technique with foams) |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Feb 7, 2023 18:04:34 GMT
I was using the SB.com foam blenders this weekend, for only the second or possibly third time, and one of them fell apart. The black fabric that sticks onto the velcro on the handle came off the foam dome. Maybe I'm WAY too heavy-handed? Maybe they're cheap?
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,259
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Post by pantsonfire on Feb 10, 2023 23:46:46 GMT
I was using the SB.com foam blenders this weekend, for only the second or possibly third time, and one of them fell apart. The black fabric that sticks onto the velcro on the handle came off the foam dome. Maybe I'm WAY too heavy-handed? Maybe they're cheap? Same thing happened to me. And I used it for about 3 strokes/runs and took off the foam to use a new one for a new color and the black part fell off. Then the foam on several others ripped. |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,259
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Post by pantsonfire on Feb 10, 2023 23:49:46 GMT
I bought the 12 pk Yoseng bristle ink blenders and am very happy with my purchase.
I have used them to finish making my Valentine's Day cards and the difference is very noticeable. Way better than foam for sure.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 16, 2023 16:54:56 GMT
Having completed Crop & Create and now Hero Arts Stampalong, I understand the beauty of the bristled brush, especially since I’m more likely to ink a stencil than a background.
But I’ve ended up with a TON of foam dome blender tops. Do they really have a purpose? Is there something they do better?
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I have some from Taylored Expressions, some from Gina K, a couple from Rabbit Hole Designs, and a whole mess of the Yoseng. Aside from logos on the handles, I can't tell them apart. 
And I'm pretty sure she uses brushes with stencils. 