Faber-Castell Creative Studio Review + Giveaway

Quick! How many companies, businesses or organizations can you think of that have been around for 250 years? That’s right, how many have been in business since 1761? If you’re like me, you have trouble thinking of any. That’s almost as old as our country and yet, artist supply company Faber-Castell is celebrating their 250th anniversary this year. What an accomplishment!

What does it take to stay in business that long? QUALITY. Always a supplier of quality materials for the serious artist, Faber-Castell now offers products for kids, crafters and amateur artists as well. The Creative Studio line features award-winning products for the budding artist and crafter, including the Watercolor Button Blossoms. This kit won the Informal Education Products Product of the Year designation and comes with all the materials and instruction you’ll need to make beautiful paper flowers.

The kit contains: Aquarelle pencils, Multimark pen, buttons, chenille stems, wire stems, florist tape, watercolor paper, craft glue, pencil sharpener, paintbrush, flower sample and 36-page illustrated instruction booklet.

Crafting with Watercolor Button Blossoms

I now feel it is time for two confessions: 1) I love crafts. 2) I am not an artist.

But when I started using the Aquarelle watercolor pencils to make my flower creations, I felt like I could create a masterpiece. These pencils are firm for easy use, sharpen easily and when water is applied, turn into a watercolor affect.

Red and yellow watercolor pencil line drawings

When water is applied with a paintbrush, the lines soften and colors blend.

I hesitate to show my flower creation from this point on because the instruction booklet that comes with the kit provides copious information about color and flower design, I went a “different way” with my first flower and it doesn’t do the kit or materials justice.

The instruction booklet tells you to color both sides of the watercolor paper so that your flower will look more realistic. I chose to keep mine white thinking it would look “modern”. Ummm, yeah.

You know that you are “craft challenged” when your four-year-old daughter makes a great flower just by looking at the pictures on the box and in the booklet. Sigh. I am humbled.

Did you notice the button center of my flower? Those cute little black dots were made with the Faber-Castell Multimark Pen. I’ve never encountered anything like this pen. It’s a permanent marker with the finest point. Correction, it’s a permanent marker on some surfaces. On others, you can erase! The Multimark pen is very popular in other markets and is available in black or a pack of eight varying colors.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Founded in Germany, Faber-Castell is now headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and has introduced many new product lines including Creativity for Kids, Design*Memory*Craft and Design Studio. If you’re a crafter, many of the Faber-Castell products or kits will provide quality tools for completing your project. The permanent marker pen and watercolor pencils provided in this kit are remarkable tools.

Or Not to Buy… Your first flower, like mine, may not be perfect. Though the instruction manual provides VERY detailed information about color and craft, this is a product that may take some time to master.

Shop! The Faber-Castell Watercolor Button Blossoms kit, which retails for $24.95, and other products are available at Faber Castell USA online and Amazon.

Win! A Faber-Castell Creative Studio Watercolor Button Blossoms Set!

How to Enter: Explore the Faber-Castell or Creative Studio and then leave a comment here with a project you’d like to try.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

• Spring into Spring! Enter the KitchenAid giveaway at Baby Loving Mama.
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Giveaway ends June 8. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Thanks to Faber-Castell for a sample and the giveaway prize.