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I have worked on a Tim Holtz craft mat for years. (Well, a series of them, since as indestructable as they claim to be, I manage to put holes in mine and occasionally accidentally slice them with an exacto knife because I have forgotten to put down my self-healing mat.)
But I am lately finding it is too small. Is there a way to take two and adhere them together? What would I use to do it?
There are probably bigger mats out there. I don't want that TH glass thing. It would be pointless to me, for the way I work. I just want a large craft mat that I can use as a work surface, that will function as a palette for ink and paint, that I can use my heat tool on, etc.
TIA.
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
Ken Oliver has a craft mat that is very good. It is a little bigger than the Tim Holtz. I have used it and like it.
I thought there was a place that sold one of the craft mats by the foot by wasn't able to find it in a quick search. I did findb hst Ken Oliver has a table size mat:
Oh, thanks for that! The large one is the size I am looking for. Not cheap. But nothing is, these days. ;)!
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
Ranger directed me to Joggles to buy it buy their craft mat by the foot. A Joggles guy told me there’s a chance the ends could get damaged - though it’s packed in a sturdy roll - so they add some to make up for that. Or something like that - it’s vague now.
The bonus was finding a company that has excellent/fast customer service, good sales, neat videos on their blog - mixed media/techniques more than anything - and cheap and fast shipping. Though maybe the mat-by-the-foot cost a bit more than usual, due to its wonky size.
BTW, I tried a Ken Oliver regular sized mat, and found it liked dog and cat hair too much.
Good to know. I can't believe how expensive this stuff is. But it would make life so much easier if I had more of my table covered with it.
Yeah, Joggles is great. I order from them often. Too often.
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
Good to know. I can't believe how expensive this stuff is. But it would make life so much easier if I had more of my table covered with it.
Yeah, Joggles is great. I order from them often. Too often.
I didn�t want to post until I was sure I still had it, but I do have an unopened Joggles mailing tube with the by-the-foot mat. I don�t remember how long it is but we know it�s 39� wide (and the ends were not flattened). I�d guess 3� but maybe 2. It was purchased to cover a small table I ended up donating. So if you�d like it for the cost of postage, just PM me your name/address.
(I�d rather just pop a label on it and not open up, spread out, measure and re-package it.)
You can get teflon sheets for heat presses at Amazon. I got 6 for $9.99 (16" X 24"). They are just like the TH craft mats, only bigger and much cheaper. I use frog tape to adhere them to my desk so the edges won't curl.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
In case anyone is interested, I have the large Ken Oliver mat. I no longer need it since I have the Tim Holtz glass mat now. If anyone is interested in buying it, I'll sell it for $20 plus shipping. Please PM me rather than answering here since I won't check here. Thanks.
I have found the non-stick oven liner mats and silicone baking mats cheap at bargain stores and they are generally larger and work the same. You just have to watch that they have a non textured side to them...there are several different types and sizes out there.
I purchased a 14 x 24 heavy duty weight mat from Brutus Monroe...$25.00, It is white and I like it for its size and heavier weight than the TH brand, (which I also have)
__________________ Have a creative day, every day.
There are several differences between the Tim Holtz and the Ken Oliver mats. I use them both together to gain the advantages and overcome the disadvantages of each. The Ken Oliver one has about a 1/8" thickness to it, so gives some padding. It also sticks to my work surface and doesn't slide around and holds the Tim Holtz mat in place as well. That good quality also makes everything else stick to it. You can wipe off paint, glue, etc. while wet, but if hair, tiny pieces of paper sequins, glitter etc. get on it, it cannot be brushed off, but must be wiped off with a wet towel. That's why I put my Tim Holtz mat over the top of of the Ken Oliver one, so I can just brush off all those things that would stick to the Ken Oliver one. Best of both worlds!
There are several differences between the Tim Holtz and the Ken Oliver mats. I use them both together to gain the advantages and overcome the disadvantages of each. The Ken Oliver one has about a 1/8" thickness to it, so gives some padding. It also sticks to my work surface and doesn't slide around and holds the Tim Holtz mat in place as well. That good quality also makes everything else stick to it. You can wipe off paint, glue, etc. while wet, but if hair, tiny pieces of paper sequins, glitter etc. get on it, it cannot be brushed off, but must be wiped off with a wet towel. That's why I put my Tim Holtz mat over the top of of the Ken Oliver one, so I can just brush off all those things that would stick to the Ken Oliver one. Best of both worlds!
When you say the Tim Holtz mat, do you mean the Ranger mat - the tan one? Or the Tim glass mat? Ranger makes the thin tan one, but if it’s the glass mat, it shouldn’t slide - maybe the little feet would be missing?
So agree the Ken Oliver mat loves fur and bits. I donated mine because of that.
When I used to use the Ranger mat, I folded the edges around a self healing cutting mat and taped it in the back with Frog (painters) tape. It worked well. And since it can be purchased by the foot at joggles.com it’s possible to cover a large self healing cutting mat to get a little bit of “give” that some stampers like, though not as soft as some.
When you say the Tim Holtz mat, do you mean the Ranger mat - the tan one? Or the Tim glass mat? Ranger makes the thin tan one, but if it’s the glass mat, it shouldn’t slide - maybe the little feet would be missing?
So agree the Ken Oliver mat loves fur and bits. I donated mine because of that.
When I used to use the Ranger mat, I folded the edges around a self healing cutting mat and taped it in the back with Frog (painters) tape. It worked well. And since it can be purchased by the foot at joggles.com it’s possible to cover a large self healing cutting mat to get a little bit of “give” that some stampers like, though not as soft as some.
Yes, when I said Tim Holtz, I was referring to the tan one, not the glass one. Sorry I was not clear.
That makes complete sense since he uses the tan mat, just a Ranger product, not Tim’s. Or he used to use it before the glass mat! I don’t think the Ranger one has been seen being used by him since the glass mat hit the streets. ;)
Have any of you ever used the large mats sold for quilting? They seem sturdy and could be purchased at HobLob or Joanne's with a coupon...
Yes, I have used the quilting mats to protect tables where I'm making cards, but they are not non-stick (like Stampin Up's silicone mat) and they tend to hold ink and stain.
I used a Ken Oliver mat at one of his classes, it was very nice. We were doing ColorBurst and a huge advantage was that you could heat gun right on it.
I have found the non-stick oven liner mats and silicone baking mats cheap at bargain stores and they are generally larger and work the same. You just have to watch that they have a non textured side to them...there are several different types and sizes out there.
The oven liner mats are what I use. Feels like the TH, they are about 11x17 and I can get them at Menard's. Don't think I've spent more than $5-6 each for them.
Just in case anyone is looking for the TH mats, they’re actually Ranger mats, not Tim’s, but he - and many others - use them. Of course now he’s using his glass mat instead.
joggles.com sells it by the foot, in case you want to cover an entire table or other large area. When I contacted Ranger to see about a larger size, they referred me to Joggles. Joggles is a really nice company, btw - great CS, low cost shipping, lots of sales and a good blog.
Looks awesome and so nice and big! Couldn't find any reviews, however. Have two very different craft sheets right now and am looking to combine the qualities of both and eliminate the defects of both.
So, I did get the Art Anthology Big Craft Mat and so far I really, really like it!
I tend to spread out a lot of stuff when I work, and right now I dont' have my craft room set up, so this mat is really helpful.
so it is like a dull metallic silver or is that a trick of the light at Simon?
Good question. I was wondering the same thing. I am really interested in craft mats people like. I have two right now. One the gray rubbery one that is nice except for the fact that every piece of paper, all glitter and embossing powder and tiny beads stick to. The other is the Ranger one that nothing sticks to, but is super slippery. I usually put that on top of the rubbery one which solves most problems except that the fact that the Ranger one stains and seems to disintegrate. Which I could find a really good one and I'm interested in this one.
I have this one. It's big. It's silicone. It can be used for wet techniques and dry techniques and is pretty easy to wipe clean.
I'm sharing the link from my phone so if it isn't click and go, I'm sorry.
This is why I so enjoy this forum. I have the Ranger mat but need something larger as when I use distress spray stain the mat is not large enough to contain the over spray. Now I have several others to look at. Thank you!
__________________ Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
This is why I so enjoy this forum. I have the Ranger mat but need something larger as when I use distress spray stain the mat is not large enough to contain the over spray. Now I have several others to look at. Thank you!
You could also use an overspray box - homemade or purchased. I have an old one that’s plastic covered cardboard and folds flat with elastic bands. I’ll see if there’s a name on it and post if so.
Here’s a cardboard Splat Box though you can make your own by taking a cardboard box and cutting the sides at an angle. I know someone who’s had the Tim one for a few years and it’s still fine. She sometimes puts something on the bottom of it.
In addition to using them on my work table, I cover cheap clipboards from the dollar store with them for mobility, and working on multiple projects allowing me to set one aside to dry while working on another.
Larger Craft Mat Options?
