Last week i shared a couple different ideas about traveling with art journals and an artsy travel mini album. i hope you realize you can always be creative on the go. Today i want to share a couple ideas about how to carry these items with you while you travel and what i actually have packed in my mini tote.
i bought this tote years & years ago from Creative Memories. It is one of the best crafting purchases i have made. i bought a second one and use them both frequently. i use it for crafting supplies, to carry my art supplies to class, and when i am traveling. i searched the internet for something similar since these aren't sold anymore (you can still find some on ebay) and the closest i could find is this tote from Storage Studios. Don't be afraid to shop at home stores or office supply stores to find solutions outside the craft industry. An inexpensive toiletry case is great for supplies. Another good option are those plastic zipper cases sheets or bags that shower curtains come in that you probably already have in your house.
This little case measures approximately 10.25" x 6.5" x 3.5" and fits perfectly in my carry-on tote or my travel backpack. i love it for it keeps all my supplies together and holds a lot of items. i keep my larger items "loose" and place smaller items in a zipper pouch. A couple things to note:
- Make sure the water bottle is empty before boarding a plane
- Scissors need to have less than a 4" blade in the US
- make sure your waterbrush is empty too
- a plastic baggie (or two) can be very useful
i like bringing a plastic bag to collect ephemera for your art journal, mini album, or even project life pages. i place items in the bag, sometimes marking the date on the piece if i am going to cut it down to help remember what happesn when. i like to keep rubber bands around my inks to keep the lids in place.
So here's what i have in that one small tote and what i am bringing on my trip.
- 4 watercolor brushes (Flat, Filbert, Round, & Spotter)
- Sketch Pencil (2HB)
- Black Pen (Waterproof)
- White Pen (Waterbase sharpie)
- Compressed Charcoal
- a few hand-carved tiny stamps
- Label Stamp
- White kraft mini Jotter Labels
- small scissors
- 5" x 8" Journal
- small moleskin "mini album" with decorated pages
- Travel NeocolorII set
- Sakura Travel Watercolors with Waterbrush
- two washi tapes
- small punch
- gluestick
- Tim's tiny attacher
- Date stamp with plastic block
- Plastic baggie
- Mister Bottle (small water bottle)
- Grey Stamp Pad
- Empty plastic container for water
Quite amazing isn't it? All that fits into my bag & can go on the plane with me. i'm packed & ready, now if my vacation would just hurry up and get here!
Art on the go could also mean just embroidery supplies. i usually throw mine in a plastic baggie & go. In this art on the go kit i include scissors, smaller embroidery hoop, floss on a ring, and a plastic needle carrying case.
Or maybe my art on the go is a knitting or crochet project. i like to keep it simple by bringing one or two small projects. Again i just use a plastic bag to hold my items: crochet hooks or knitting needles (both are allowed on planes), small scissors, yarn, & instructions (not pictured).
Not going anywhere soon? Use these tips for Staycations to the park, swimming pool, and other favorite local passtimes for your art on the go.
Julie joined me at Rocky Mountain Memories this past weekend for my make & take. While driving Julie to the airport, we hatched some plans for an art retreat here in beautiful Colorado in September. Once we work out the details, we'll fill you in, but we are seriously super excited about the whole thing. Doesn't a weekend making art with Julie and Ronda sound like trouble the most awesome thing in the world?! ;)
