Art haul from The Range - did I waste my money or get bargains??

The Range is a UK-based retailer selling products in the home, garden, and leisure categories, with over 210 big stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It started out aiming to be the poor man's John Lewis, according to its founder. It's the sort of shop where you find utter bargains and also gasp out loud and wonder who in the world would ever buy a particular object. Their picture frame department is excellent if you ever need to frame something and their art and craft section has all sorts of varying quality. So join me as I go through all the different things I got on a recent visit to the Reading store. I'll test them out to give you my initial reaction and find out whether they are hits or misses.
If you don't have one near you, they do deliver and they do a click and collect system too. I have only used that once and it was not a great experience! But that's another story...
I got fabric medium, gesso (white and black), dual tip brush pens, varnishes (matt, satin and gloss), stamps, stickers, tissue paper, modelling paste and bits and bobs for mixed media work. Only one appears to be a dud, but you will have to watch to find out which!
The sneaker film I mention is here: • How to customise sneak...
The bookmark film is here: • How to make watercolou...
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#lizchaderton #therange #arthaul

[@amandahodgin9316]

Those are embossing folders. You sandwich paper in them and crank them through a die cutting machine. The paper gets squeezed into the texture on the folder and makes the paper textured. I don’t imagine that you have a die cutting machine but if you want to experiment,put a bit of paper in there and roll a rolling pin over it. The paper needs to be a bit heavy (or it will tear) and you can spray the paper with a bit of water to make it more pliable before you press it in the folder. You might enjoy experimenting with them. 300gsm watercolour paper is way too heavy.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you. That was my guess but I had never used that. I have a rolling pin…..

[@michelleinScotland]

Guess I'll have to have a good look around The Range, thanks Liz.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You never know what you’ll find (good and bad)

[@kimedwards3302]

Hi Liz. Thank you so much for this wonderful video. I am ALWAYS blown away at your amazing talent. You are incredible. Xoxo Kim from New Brunswick Canada. ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s very kind of you - thank you!

[@Didomum]

You know you get me in trouble every time I watch lol😂 but I learn about new stuff I didn’t know was out there and for that I thank.

[@LizChadertonArt]

oops!

[@effiecross2008]

When you were trying your set of manga pens, I was wondering if they were like Pitt pens made with India ink. if you use them on plain paper they soak in and become permanent almost instantly. But, if you use them on a sealed surface such as gesso, you have a minute or two before they dry to apply water and blend. Please let us know if any of the suggestions you've gotten have made them usable. It sure would be nice since they were so cheap. You got some absolutely AMAZING bargains! Wish we had some place like that in the US to get such bargains! Isn't mixed media absolutely wonderful? In my 60+ years I've tried many, many needle arts and fine arts, and liked pretty much everything, but now that I've discovered mixed media I've fallen in love! There really are almost no limits to what you can combine!

[@LizChadertonArt]

So far I cannot get those pens to blend nicely, which is weird as they are water based and not alcohol. And yes, loving mixed media too (though watercolour is my first love)

[@annmonaghan4360]

I get loads of crafting stuff at the range, i love it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Excellent!

[@karenirving7088]

Could you do a video on the image transfer method please?

[@LizChadertonArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXW7lWSMqbWVodU you wish is my command!

[@kayleighshaw21]

Thank you for sharing, it was great to see how they work also. Your mixed media work is beautiful 😊 I love The Range so I was excited to watch this, I use their cheap paintbrushes more than any others.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I was really pleased with the haul. I love to save money so I can spend it when it really counts!

[@jaynapodgorski8561]

What superb artwork. You are so talented Liz. I love your sneakers with the ladybeetle design. Fabulous !!! Blessings .... Jayna 🦘🇦🇺

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much 🤗 this is the sneaker film kzbin.info/www/bejne/opjOe3xmntGoorc

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

Thanks for sharing! Would love to see the transfer. Can’t really imagine how it works. If you ever feel like showing it on KZbin would be great. Thanks!

[@LizChadertonArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXW7lWSMqbWVodU here you go!

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you! It is brilliant!. Now I need to buy a printer! 😜

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478 ahhh!

[@rowenacorlett3146]

This is great Liz - I'm going to visit my local Range store. I really love your use of modelling paste and will try it! It's lovely to see your creative journal - I remember you being a bit sceptical about creative journelling when you started it! I definitely started following in your footsteps ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

I was skeptical! I've learnt so much!

[@hawkeye9382]

Try adding alcohol to your water when you try to blend with the pens.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thanks. will try!

[@theartisticactuary]

The Range is my go to place for picture frames. They're the perfect size for my paintings. I only ever buy them from the shop, though, having been sent too many broken frames (and being refunded) after ordering from their website. The desk chair, armchair and doormat in my studio all come from The Range too. There's always something interesting to be found there.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Agreed. But also all those things that you wonder ‘who buys that??’!

[@tracylamarca575]

Wellllll - no fair!! Good and useful supplies and great prices - but no Range in the US! I can only enjoy YOUR enjoyment of your "haul!" 😁 But - I guess it is a lesson - when I run out of supplies like these, I should check out similar stores and off-brands available here as they may just as good as the well-known ones! I mean, I always try to buy things on sale and from discount art suppliers online, but once in a while, it is fun to get out and about and do a little retail therapy shopping in person!🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

I think it’s great to save money on basics if they are up to the job and then you can afford the real specialist stuff when you need it.

[@tracylamarca575]

@@LizChadertonArt Absolutely!!

[@patriciaperrin8757]

Thanks for that, Liz. I usually buy my supplies online these days, but I shall probably pay a visit to The Range next time I'm near one!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun! I was pleasantly surprised. it’s nice to save so you can splurge on something really special.

[@jojojo8835]

Have you ever tried painting fabric without any fabric mediums? I’ve never been able to get paint smudges out of my clothes even with regular laundering, so never bothered with a special medium 😂. Admittedly mainly for embroidery backgrounds and bags which don’t get much abuse though.

[@LizChadertonArt]

the fabric medium stops the material going stiff or cracking (and yes, I have ink and bleach in most of my clothes…..)

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Oh wow that was absolutely amazing with your art supplies haul! Definitely a great deal. I’m wondering if you waited to long before putting the wet brush on the markers to blend. Looks like you’re going to be having a wonderful time with creating some lovely artwork & journaling pages. Thanks so much for sharing this fun inspirational video with us!

[@LizChadertonArt]

no, those pen just don’t move! I’ve tried with a touch of alcohol too….

[@Samantha_tookey197]

I go there for my paper pads and basic art supplies, also frames x

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes - makes sense to save on the basics if you can

[@katerose8393]

The Range are my first port of call for all my art materials now, at least to sense check prices! They are cheaper at 2.99 than anyone for the daler rowney graduate acrylics, even the big london supply stores. And my all time bargain was a pack of 6 acrylic ink primaries for the same as one bottle costs anywhere else. No annoying postage costs either because my local has click and collect. I just wish they’d get with the program on stencils and stamps though, i still have to do Temu for those.

[@LizChadertonArt]

They seem better for acrylic supplies than watercolour , but worth a look

[@katerose8393]

@@LizChadertonArt yeah I've not seen any watercolour paint that looked appetising. You do get the odd bargain on paper though.

[@StarBarks4U]

Another great video Liz!..thank you so much! The Range sounds like it is very similar to Target here in the states...Although I think your prices are much more affordable! ...There are many dupes of Tombow pens out there it seems but so far I have not found a good copy either...But in a pinch I think you could get away with using the ones you purchased..Thank you again! Rus from Bucks County Pennsylvania.. ❤️🤓🖌🎨

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, I think they seem similar type shop. I found Smiths pens which were half the price of Tombow and only a tiny bit not-as-good, so I tend to use those. But Tombows are great.

[@curlew-3592]

I will be having a trip to the Range tomorrow without doubt,to buy more stuff to try and find space for in my already overfilled drawers and cupboards! 😂😂🤦🏼‍♀️🇬🇧

[@LizChadertonArt]

oops, sorry!

[@CricketGirrl]

This was fun! ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

I was really pleased with everything apart from the pens. The jury is out on those

[@hilarypearce9796]

Love a bargain

[@LizChadertonArt]

me too! It’s nice to save so you can splash out when it counts

[@paulasilvester1]

I get all my art stuff from the Range

[@LizChadertonArt]

you are ahead of the game 😊!

[@bobbibrady9649]

Did you or would you do a tutorial on image transferring please. Thank you for your sharing of techniques.

[@LizChadertonArt]

your wish is my command! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXW7lWSMqbWVodU

[@karenirving7088]

The problem I've found with the cheaper water brushes is that they leak😢. Maybe you could update when you have used them awhile

[@karlab9557]

Wow, what great bargains!! Does anyone know if we have that brand, Artstudio, somewhere in the US since we dont have The Range?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m sorry, I don’t know who is behind the ArtStudio brand

[@beejayem42]

🐨👍

[@LizChadertonArt]

😀

[@judyt4087]

Love the Range for all sorts but not tried any of the things you bought, so thank you very much! What was the tooth of the gesso like - compared to the Galleria one?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hard to tell without using it properly, but slightly less toothy I would say

[@elizabethrowe5960]

Manga pens for £1.99? And water pens? This would pay me to fly from New Mexico! Let us know how the manga pens work!

[@LizChadertonArt]

they are the one disappointment! They don’t blend with water. someone suggested adding alcohol to the water so I will give it a go….