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Isn't it funny how one person can rise to the top of the heap and seem to stand out from all the rest.
There are so many talented people and designers out there and to be able to work with major companies in designing and forefronting
new products is really a blessing. I would say that Tim Holtz has truly been blessed. He has been in the front
running for several years now and is still coming up with new and innovative products. For all the talented people
out there- don't give up hope, one day you may be picked to rise to the top. Whether you are bringing enjoyment to 1
or 1,000 the important thing is to be content where you are at the time.
I recently saw Mr Holtz at a convention and he was telling his story that when he first started stamping,
the ink colors were like butterfly yellow, pretty pink, etc. Ranger, however, haa a line of inks called Adirondacks
and they had names like mountain stream, meadow, pitch black-manly names- so he started using them and they are a great product
so any opportunity he got to let Ranger see his samples, he took it. After about 4 1/2 years they told him "we think
you like our product better than we do" and asked him to be their demo artist at CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc- they have a
huge trade show each year). So, needless to say, Tim was thrilled and went to CHA and after seeing him demo there, they
told him they think they had him booked for a whole year and now, in 2010, 8 years after the fact, he is still going strong.
Tim Holtz Texture Hammer & Mat~ This is from his "Idealogy" line. This is a small wooden handled
hammer with 4 interchangeable heads. The hammer itself measures approx. 6" high. The 4 heads include 1 smooth
hard black rubber head, 1 smooth metal head, 1 black plastic head with 7 round raised metal areas (dots) on it and
1 black plastic head with 3 straight line bars on it. I expected the mat to be like a cutting mat, but it isn't it is
a very hard plastic, like a flat PVC and has a nice grey design on it. The mat measures almost 4" square.
This is what the mfg. has to say about the hammer---
Add cool texture to your projects. Use the hammer on the new product grungeboard, paper, metal brads and more.
Use the smooth rubber head for smoothing; the smooth metal head for flattening and attaching metal; the dots for a bumpy texture
and the lines for a canvas texture. (You should stamp your design first and then texture your surface-my thought).
You can sand the raised areas for a completely unique textural look. They also suggest dinging up brads and other metal
embellishments on your project.
I think this hammer will have a great application for people who make jewelry to texture metal, (copper, brass, silver,
etc). The smooth rubber tip is best if you want to hammer some metal wire without leaving hammer marks. I haven't
tried it but I think you may be able to texture the copper foil tape with this tool also. You can then add it to your
glass slides for a different decorative look-just an idea.
The only thing this hammer is missing is a hollowed out area in the hammer to store the inter-changeable heads.
You will need to get a little box to keep you hammer and heads in. Two of the 4 heads will always be screwed into the
hammer- it's the 2 you aren't using that will disappear into the room you have to be immediately hidden and take days to find
again- mu suggestion-get a box, mark it and keep it all together. (I textured one of my business cards with both of the texture
tips- pretty neat, I liked the dots better. The cards are thicker than most paper but what sort of impressed me was
that the texture was not so evident on the back of the card-I expected it to be poked out on the back of the card. I
assume it is because of the sturdiness of the mat.)
Includes hammer, mat and 4 interchangeable texture tips.
$14.49
DID YOU KNOW.....You can unscrew the head off the hammer, then use it (the end where the screw threads
are) to pound something small like the head of a brad.
Tim Holtz Non Stick Scissors~ These scissors are manufactured by Tonic Studios. Before I had these
scissors I had another pair made by Tonic and just loved them- I swear I could cut straighter with them! Anyhow, there
are several features I like about these scissors: they are non stick, the handles are Kushgrip handles- large sized for bigger
hands and work with smaller hands too. The Kushgrip handles- if you squeeze them, they will collapse in partially so
you have less fatique with your hands. These scissors are resistant to rust and corrosion, a micro serrated edge for
great detail cutting and come with a protective plastic cap. What I like the best about these scissors is if you are
cutting metal and then want to cut paper, you don't have to change scissors! The overall length of the scissors (including
handle) is approx. 6 3/4". Another cool thing I learned recently is that 1 side in serrated and 1 smooth- so depending
on what you need, you just hold them accordingly to cut smooth or serrated. I never even noticed. These are great
scissors to cut brass charms with.
$12.49
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Design Ruler~I love, love. love this ruler. Did I say I liked it too?
Why do I like it so much-glad you asked. First, it is made of clear acrylic and measures from one end to the other end
of the ruler- no pesky little 1/4" you have to make adjustments for. It is allset to measure as soon as you put it down
on your paper. The acrylic is very clear so it is easy to see what is underneath. It has solid dark grid lines
every 1/4" and lighter dotted grid lines for the 1/8" marks. It has the regular 1"-12" measurement on one side and the
other side is a centering ruler which means the "0" mark is in the center and you can measure out 6" each way. Now for
the really cool part. It has drilled evenly spaced holes on the centering side. These are nice if you want to
mark your paper or book for piercing for brads, eyelets, etc. I like it because it is a wonderful way to mark holes
for making books for Japanese stab binding or other bindings. If you use a slim line or fineline marker, it can fit
in the holes to mark them. I used a Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pen and worked great. You may be able to find
a mechanical pencil that will fit in the holes, also. It also has a metal strip for cutting on one side also.
You can't go wrong with good scissors and a great ruler!
$6.99
Ranger Ink Blending Tool~This is not specifically a "Tim Holtz" product but he uses it all the time.
It is from Ranger and it allows you to apply and blend inks in a mess free way. Plus it is just useful. The blending
foam creates a smooth transition of ink when applied directly onto papers, tags, chipboard die cuts, grunge board & grunge
paper, canvas, wood and more. I have personally found out that printer copy paper does not work so well but I really
like the tool. It also allows you to layer multiple colors with ease. I like using it with the Tim Holtz Distressable
line of inks. Comes with 2 blending foams.
$4.95
DID YOU KNOW....If you segregate the color palette of the distress inks and use a color blender for
each color (lights, reds, blues, browns, etc.) your color will go farther. I tend to just use one from color to color
but I like that idea. Also, I had some trouble with the tool hurting my hand after using it for awhile, if that happens
to you, just reposition you hand so that you are grabbing/holding the bottom of the tool, just above the blender and position
your forefinger on the top of the tool and you will have better control and less hand fatigue.
Tip for all you gals out there who just love tools~after we had the fire several years ago, I got one of
those metal Craftsmen upright tool chests from Sears. You know- the red ones- I LOVE it! I got
it with a great sale that included an extra tier to it. I have all my tools in one place ( I have a husband who is banned
from it- he will take tools out and not put them back and leave them in the yard- sacrilege!) One of the drawers is
pretty deep and I keep many of my papers and stickers in there. It has room for the melting pot from Suze Weinberg,
hand tools, files, screw drivers, etc. Check it out- would be a great Christmas, birthday, etc. gift!
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