Sketchbar Mirror Paper and Artist Fine Pens Review with Coupon Code

A while ago I shared with you a review of Sketchmarker Brush Pro Markers (click here if you missed it) and now I’m back with a review of the Sketchbar Mirror Paper Pad and Sketchmarker Artist Fine Pens.

The Mirror Paper Pad holds 30 sheets of A4 sized paper, each sheet is perforated for easy removal from the spiral bound pad. The paper is white ultra-smooth and is acid free and bleed proof and is made to work with markers, pencils and felt tip pens. The reason it’s called Mirror Paper is because you can color on both sides if you want because it truly doesn’t bleed, even with alcohol based markers, which are notorious for bleeding through to the back side, coloring on this paper does NOT show on the back!

I also got a chance to try out the Sketchmarker Artist Fine Pens. I tried set B which has a wide array of 36 colors with a 0.4mm fine tip. The ink is water-based and dries quickly so no need to worry about smudging and smearing or bleed through. If you are an artist these pens are perfect for drawing and sketching but if like me you’re a stamper these pens can work for you too. I tried them on this cat card using the fine tip to color in all the small areas of the kitty cats ears, mouth and nose as well as and her toys and accessories and then traced some color onto the stamped sentiment, these fine points get into areas so much easier than a wider marker can.

And as for the paper, I stamped, colored and die cut all the images twice on the Mirror Paper and you’ll have to take me word for it that the die cut white pieces are the back sides that have also been stamped and colored and there is no bleed through at all!

I also wanted to try a few other coloring techniques on the Mirror Paper so for this card I stamped and colored the images with colored pencils blended with Gamsol. And since the paper has a slight coating I thought I’d try ink blending and it worked really well, I used Distress Oxide Ink to stencil the moon and regular Distress Ink for the blue night sky.

If you’ve enjoyed learning about the wonderful new Sketchbar Mirror Paper and the Sketchmarker Artist Fine Pens and want to give them a try on your next stamping project we’ve got a promo code for a 15% discount on the Mirror paper as well as alcohol and watercolor markers for you, use code: craftgossip at Sketchbar

-Heather

Let’s be honest — there’s something magical about an old globe. Maybe it’s the promise of adventure, the feeling that anything is possible, or just that vintage charm that instantly makes a room feel more interesting. Whatever it is, globes are one of those items that are hard to pass up at a thrift store, even if you have absolutely no idea what you’re going to do with them.

I’ll be the first to admit it — I have a bit of a globe problem. Over the years, I’ve collected more than a few, ranging from nearly pristine to completely beat-up relics with peeling paper and outdated country names. I even found one once that didn’t have Antarctica on it at all. I’m not saying that makes it rare and collectible, but it definitely makes it interesting.

Eventually, the stack of globes started taking over a corner of my craft room, and it hit me — I either needed to start getting creative with them or prepare for a feature on a hoarder reality show. Naturally, the creative route won.

If you’re like me and you’ve got an old globe or two lying around, or you just can’t resist picking one up when you spot it for a few dollars, this post is for you. There are so many clever and beautiful ways to upcycle a globe, from simple crafts you can do in an afternoon to statement pieces that will totally transform your home décor.

Some ideas are as easy as adding a little paint or turning half a globe into a bowl. Others involve a bit more work, like rewiring it into a stunning lamp or cutting it apart for a series of wall art pieces. But no matter your skill level or style, there’s something on this list to spark your creativity.

Going Globe-bowl

Trash to Treasure DIY: Repurposed Globe Bowl

DIY Vintage Valentine Globe – American Farmhouse Style

Up-cycled Globe – LOVE Art — CraftBits.com

Ohhh So Easy Upcycled Globe Makeover

How to upcycle a children’s globe in 5 easy steps

Upcycled Globe Lamp : 5 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Upcycled Thrift Store Globe – Manda Panda Projects

Upcycled & Painted Thrift Store Globe

Unconsumption — In today’s GOOD NEWS: I salvaged a vintage globe…

Birdseeds: Let Your Light Shine

Build a Globe Clock : 6 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Peace on Earth Globe {Tutorial} | Endlessly Inspired

Going Globe-bowl

Trash to Treasure DIY: Repurposed Globe Bowl

Patina White: i’ve got the whole world…

Trash to Treasure DIY: Repurposed Globe Bowl

Dr-seuss-craft-quote-on-a-globe

Repurposed Globe Cloche

Upcycled Globe Art – Make:

An upcycled globe design

Earth Day Craft: Upcycled Globe – The Papery Craftery

DIY Globe Upcycled Bank

Eye-Candy For Travellers: Unique DIY Globe Clock – Shelterness

Le livre d’or qui fait voyager loin

Black and Gold Globe

DIY – TURN THAT OLD GLOBE INTO A HANGING LAMP

An old globe gets a coastal inspired make-over.

An easy ombre globe. | The V Spot

Upcycle a globe into a DIY gift anyone will love

Make a ribbon covered globe for Halloween. | The V Spot

He’s Got the Whole World In His Room – Bower Power

Scary Places chalkboard Halloween globe (huh….?) | The V Spot

Revamp an Old Globe : 7 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Cassie Stephens: DIY: How to Recycle an Old Globe!

How to create a light fixture from a vintage world globe | Debis Design Diary

Refinish an Old Globe with Chalk Paint – Simple Practical Beautiful

Sheet Music Globe – Cutesy Crafts

Easy Peasy Upcycled Globe

Oh, The Places We’ll Go: A Travel-Fund DIY – Radmegan

DIY {half} globe light fixture cover

Small World Decoupage Globe (Vintage Disneyland Room) – Persia Lou

How to Make a Globe Pendant Light | Upcycle That

What I love most about these projects is that they are not just about recycling. They are about breathing new life into something that has already traveled the world in its own way. Each scratch and faded border tells a story, and now you get to add your own chapter.

You also do not need a perfect globe for most of these projects. In fact, the more worn and battered it is, the better. It adds character and charm that a brand new globe could never offer. Plus, if you are going to cut, paint, or drill into it, it feels a little less painful when it’s already on its last legs.

Whether you are after a quick afternoon project or a more ambitious weekend DIY, this list of 45 ways to upcycle a world globe will have you seeing the world in a whole new way — literally.

So next time you spot a lonely old globe at a garage sale, thrift shop, or hiding in your grandparents’ attic, grab it. With just a little imagination and a few basic supplies, you can turn it into something beautiful, useful, and totally unique.

And if you do try one of these ideas, I would love to hear about it. There is nothing better than seeing how everyone puts their own spin on a classic craft idea.

Get ready to upcycle and let your creativity take flight — the world is waiting.

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