Picket Fence Life Changing Brushes

[Boss]

Shaz, thanks for the link to your blogpost about experimenting with the brushes. I bought myself a set of these ($12 Amazon) and just ordered a set for friend’s birthday (same set now $15!).
I will share the link to your blog when I give her these brushes. So very helpful to watch someone else using the brushes and sharing what works and what doesn’t. I’m hoping she will really like using these because she hates using sponge daubers for background sponging.

[shazsilverwolf]

Thanks Suzy. It just shows how everyone sees crafters as cash cows, doesn't it?

[fl_beachbum]

I’ve had the chance to try my cheap version ones a few times how and am so pleased with the results. Like someone mentioned above, the neck of the brush does feel a little flimsy, but i tend to put my index finger on top if the brush area and that stabilizes it well.
I went in a bit heavy handed on the right here, but overall much better than what i typically got with the other tools.
This was inly my second attempt.

[fl_beachbum]

Incidentally, these brushes work well for makeup, too. I had zero skills there, now im up a level. Lol

[StamperDea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryalena

Gina K was a guest on Simon Says today or yesterday. She demoed the Picket Fence brushes with one of her stencils and did a nice job I thought. Good to see them in action.

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/b...ding-stencils/

I didn't need so many sizes of brushes -- until I watched this video. Good job enabling. LOL
Dea

[maryalena]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StamperDea

I didn't need so many sizes of brushes -- until I watched this video. Good job enabling. LOL
Dea

Happy to be useful.

[Kristy Tyra]

I just bought a small, cheap set at Walmart last night. Now to try them out!

[Kristy Tyra]

Quick update - I've just starting experimenting with the ones from Walmart (three in pack)...love them! I did try a nice fluffy make up brush that I had gotten from a garage sale (so who knows what brand...) but immediately had shedding. I don't know what is different about how the bristles are attached, but no shedding so far. So...I went an ordered a set of 10 from ebay for $6.99. Yea!

[dancingpurplecat]

https://www.amazon.com/VIVII-10-Piec.../dp/B01M0BJP13
and if you're tired of paying $36.00 for a roll of foam tape, give this one a try for $10.63 Robot Check
or 100' for $9.99 . Robot Check

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancingpurplecat

Amazon.com: VIVII 10-Piece Professional Oval Toothbrush Makeup Brush Set with Box: Home & Kitchen
and if you're tired of paying $36.00 for a roll of foam tape, give this one a try for $10.63 Robot Check
or 100' for $9.99 . Robot Check

Have you used it a lot? I first bought the 3M in very small rolls, then tried a couple cheap brands of foam core tape. The quality wasn’t there, and they were difficult to cut into small pieces or slivers when needed. So I broke down and bought the mega-roll of 3M, which has lasted for years.

[dancingpurplecat]

It doesn't tear as easy, but I never tear mine anyway. Here is a review and demo on it: What You Should Know When Buying Craft Tools | Comparing Quality and Price - YouTube . I have not tried the second tape listed, just found it browsing foam tapes.

[bjeans]

I never tear mine either, but found the cheaper brands - not the ones you listed - gummy and over time not holding up well, and not easy to cut into little slivers - not sure how to explain, they would kind of twist and not stay straight. Clear as mud... :rolleyes:

[dancingpurplecat]

Gotcha! I haven't had it that long to know if it gets gummy over time, but I have the same twist-y problems with the 3M. My hands are bad, so I have problems with everything that everyone makes look so easy but I just keep plugging along

[bjeans]

I feel your pain. My eyes are no longer good either, and one got worse after a fall, hitting my head near my eye on a desk leg. Hello tons-o-blood and E.R. Huge floaters are now adrift in that eye.

But one helpful addition - my eye doctor had me sit at her desk, write and cut with her scissors, pretending to craft. She measured distance and made crafting glasses (which also help with other eye issues). Actually two pairs eventually, the first for close-up and second a bifocal for close-up and mid-range. My regular glasses have been progressives for years, and have worked wonderfully, but due to recent eye issues, can only help so much for reading/close-up work.

[dancingpurplecat]

Ugh! Floaters are awful, plus they get worse as we age. Tell me why they are called the "Golden Years" again?! ;)

[bjeans]

More like tarnished brass? :shock:

[plumdiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancingpurplecat

Amazon.com: VIVII 10-Piece Professional Oval Toothbrush Makeup Brush Set with Box: Home & Kitchen
and if you're tired of paying $36.00 for a roll of foam tape, give this one a try for $10.63 Robot Check
or 100' for $9.99 . Robot Check

Dancingpurplecat - Thanks for the tip about the double sided adhesive. Just added that to my cart!

[dancingpurplecat]

You're welcome

[Stampnnatter]

I wish I had read this thread before ordering some of the 'life changing' brushes. The full set was sold out so I got the 6 small brushes, then read this article and picked up a full set of 10 make up brushes cheap. Needless to say, they look exactly the same as the 'life changers'.
Still, you can never have too many tools and stash, correct?

[Boss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampnnatter

I wish I had read this thread before ordering some of the 'life changing' brushes. The full set was sold out so I got the 6 small brushes, then read this article and picked up a full set of 10 make up brushes cheap. Needless to say, they look exactly the same as the 'life changers'.
Still, you can never have too many tools and stash, correct?

Thanks for sharing this info about a real life comparison between the LCB and the cheapos. It confirms what I, and so many others suspected. As for having the extras, you likely will find it to be really handy! I’ve discovered that there are about 3 of the sizes that I regularly use and one brush in particular that is seems to be my favorite.
Having two sets to use from means that you will be able to have doubles of what ends up being your favorite size brushs and you will be able to do 2 or more colors of Inks without having to stop and clean them. That’s a win-win-win in my book! :cool:

[dancingpurplecat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampnnatter

I wish I had read this thread before ordering some of the 'life changing' brushes. The full set was sold out so I got the 6 small brushes, then read this article and picked up a full set of 10 make up brushes cheap. Needless to say, they look exactly the same as the 'life changers'.
Still, you can never have too many tools and stash, correct?

I was testing out the largest brush yesterday, it did a great job of spreading/blending mousse across an embossed paper, and cleaned up great. The narrow slit type brushes are great for adding color to small flower petals. I bought 4 more sets of brushes (so now I have 6 sets), maybe I will use one set for each color family.

[fifiwesfan]

The Frugal Crafter did a comparison video (she used the Amazon-type not the Picket Fence brushes):

[dancingpurplecat]

I now have 9 sets of the $8.00 brushes. One set for each color family, it saves a lot of time if I don't have to clean between each color change. I also use one of the brushes for applying anti-static powder (best results EVER!) I also found using a glass mat is great for distributing the ink evenly in the brushes (I smoosh it into the glass, then onto my paper) and no ink waste because the brushes pick up the ink off the glass. Super easy clean up too.

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancingpurplecat

I now have 9 sets of the $8.00 brushes. One set for each color family, it saves a lot of time if I don't have to clean between each color change. I also use one of the brushes for applying anti-static powder (best results EVER!) I also found using a glass mat is great for distributing the ink evenly in the brushes (I smoosh it into the glass, then onto my paper) and no ink waste because the brushes pick up the ink off the glass. Super easy clean up too.

How do you store them and how many are in a set? Never would have thought about using them for anti-static powder!

[dancingpurplecat]

I store them in the boxes they come in. There are 10 in a set.https://www.amazon.com/VIVII-10-Piece-Professional-Toothbrush-Makeup/dp/B01M0BJP13

[maryalena]

Thanks for the update on these. I actually stored away my Clarity brushes. Not sure I need them after using these. The Amazon set is going strong after six months of use.

[SharonW12]

Hopefully I can treat myself to these some day!!!

[purpleflowers]

I finally found the free life changing brush I was given as part of an order months ago. I compared it to the closest brush in size that I had ordered from amazon. The size, softness of the bristles and feel of the handle are very comparable but you can really tell the difference when you run your fingers across the top. The life changing brush feels far more dense and firm. In terms of how they compare when applying ink, I would say they are nearly identical. I haven't used them long enough to know how each will hold up after use. I know some people have indicated that the less expensive brushes loose their bristles quickly.

[purpleflowers]

ETTwo more comparison pictures. For the test with ink I used passion flower ink by Hero Arts on Georgia Pacific paper. I tried to use the same amount of ink and pressure for both although I think I did one more pass with the brush from amazon. I was watching tv and lost count. They both seem to apply ink very similarly. The life changing brush is on the right in the first picture below.

[staceylovespaper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharonW12

Hopefully I can treat myself to these some day!!!

I was able to find some at a local dollar store. It was a "Debbie's Dollar" but you never know.
I don't have the Picket Fence or Taylored Expressions ones, so I can't compare, but they seem very close to the Amazon set I bought.
Also, a little more pricey, they sell them at 5 below. They clean pretty easy, so you could just have 1 or 2 and keep cleaning them.

[shazsilverwolf]

Regarding the storage question for these, some ladies in the UK found these on Amazon.

HERE is a link to some on Amazon.com.
Between $5-$10.

[PH in VA]

Do those of you with the sets of different sized brushes find yourselves using most of the different sizes? Or do you tend to use only a few sizes for most of your crafting?

[Covington Crafter]

I use all the brushes. The smaller brushes are great for getting close to an image. Pounce them to create shapes, it makes nice foliage on trees. The narrow one also creates nice strokes for grass. The small round work nicely for stencils and the larger brushes lay color down smoothly.