Workman’s Friend Superior Barrier Skin Cream Review

Workman's Friend

Are you rolling up your sleeves and getting ready to delve into your next messy project?

Before you get too far into it, let me tell you about a time saving tool that you’ll want to have in your tool box from now on. We were lucky enough to score some samples of a new product called “Workman’s Friend”. This time saving applicant will help with your cleanup at the end of your project.

Application and use in three easy steps!

Workmans Friend Instructions

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Benjamin Franklin had it right all along. While I was opening this up I couldn’t help but recall all the messy jobs that I’ve tackled over the years and how handy this would have been. Images of the Machine shop instantly popped into my head where you knew going into a project that you were going to come out a big greasy mess. Afterwards you would stand in the wash area with a pumice soap and warm water trying to clean yourself up. After removing 10 layers of your skin you felt confident enough to handle the food you were about to eat. It’s easy to recall the smell of that soap even today!

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream is odorless, non-toxic, and safe for all skin types.  My machine shop days are behind me but I still find myself involved in some messy projects around the house. From painting to landscaping, there really is no end to the amount of dirt and grime I’m able to get myself into. One thing that I always seem to be doing is painting. This isn’t just one of the gems you get from owning a home but also all of the DIY projects that I do as well. This chore will now seem less intrusive once I’ve taken the time to do a little preventative care with my hands.

Putting it to the test. I had an opportunity to give my new skin cream a try on a little project that involved painting the outer edge of a walk way. Using a cement paint and highlighting the area so that when people came out of the building they would see the edge to prevent miss-stepping off from it. This isn’t ordinary paint and most of the tools that I used to put it on the surface were going to be disposed of once the job was completed. My hands were not disposable and so this made perfect sense to give the product a good test run. I used one of the small packets that contain .11 fluid ounces. This was an adequate amount to cover my hands thoroughly. Once I had it rubbed on I set out to work. There was no oily feeling like some hand lotions leave and this was definitely a plus for me being able to handle the paint brush rollers.

No matter how hard I try to at least keep some resemblance of control for these projects I still manage to get paint on myself. My oops rag was used more than once and even by-passed for a quick touch with my finger to prevent a run over. By keeping the project moving because the paint was developing a skin on it even while I was painting, I never really had time to clean up after myself during the application process. Once the painting was completed I finished up with cleaning the brushes and casually wiped my hands off so I could drive home and do a more thorough cleaning. When I got to the sink to wash my hands it seemed a little strange that there really wasn’t that much paint on my hands. The casual swipe that I had taken with my painting rag had removed the excess paint with minimal effort.

Workman's Friend Skin Cream Products

I really thought that I had gotten off easy with this project until I realized that I had missed a spot on the back side of  my arm. No skin cream had been applied to this area and it was then that I understood just how reliable the Workman’s Friend really was. It wasn’t as dramatic as the shop days but there was a definite difference between the areas when it came to clean up.


End result. For a minimal amount of time that it takes to apply the skin cream it made up for all the extra time that you will spend cleaning up afterwards. I was really impressed with how well this product worked and it now has a permanent home in my tool box and work area. Now if they could only make something for my clothes!

 

 

Bottle Art That Tells A Story

We always enjoy looking at different bottle art projects on the many different social media sites. When you find something that really moves you, well you just naturally want to share it.

That’s how we came across Strokes and Stories. The art work is definitely one of a kind but what really makes these pieces special is the story that is behind each and every one of them. We had a chance to communicate with Richa Singh, the artist that brought the whole picture together.

BL: How long have you been painting?

Richa: I’ve been doing this with full throttle since last one year. I used to do it part time earlier but two months back I’ve quit my job so that I can give this full focus and more of my time.

BL: How did you get started painting bottles?

Richa: I have always been interested in painting and used to do it since when I was a kid, but in later years of school and college there came a gap and I got busy with other things. It’s only when I had started working, I was super bored one day and I needed to kill time, I picked up an old glass bottle lying in my kitchen, picked up some paints and brushes and started painting randomly. This was followed by a few more bottles, old coffee mugs I did not want to throw away, old bags and wallets that needed a makeover, and the interest started to grow again. And it felt refreshing.

A friend of mine saw these things that I painted and asked me to paint a bottle for him. I didn’t think of an idea in the beginning but when I actually got to painting the bottle, I thought of customizing it for him – with his stories, things he says, a picture of him and other stuff like that. And fortunately he loved the outcome and asked me to try more of these. That same friend actually gave me the first order. And that’s how this began. From one person to the other, friends and their friends and over Facebook and Instagram, people started discovering my work and more orders kept coming in. 

I always used to dream of creating something special for people with something unique to offer and I’ve always loved customization. And to actually combine the two and create such gifts for so many people brings in a great deal of joy and satisfaction.

BL: Do you have any advice to give to future artists?

Richa: I’d say keep trying new things, different ideas, different products and different techniques. Ultimately it’s the uniqueness in your art that’ll help you connect with people and take you places.  Also, art is a wide subject and different people relate to it on different levels. Only once you start experimenting, you’ll realize your own potential and how a simple thought in your head can help so many people connect with you and your art. So keep experimenting and find something that you love create and have fun with it.

BL: Your art work tells a story about the person that it’s intended for. Do you have people asking you to tell their story now that they’ve seen your work?

Richa: Yes, the stories are the highlight here. People love the idea of putting someone’s life on a product with all things special to them – the memories shared, things they are passionate about, some inside jokes, various places and incidents etc. And when all of this comes together, it gives you something very personalized that tells your story. That’s what people love to see for themselves and their loved ones – and that’s what makes each order unique and different.

Below are just a few of the many different bottles that Richa has put together. Each picture has it’s own descriptive text. Enjoy!

Strokes and Stories Hamburg

“An adorable love story and an idea of a surprise brought another order. This time the bottle was full and unopened with the cover not to be tampered, making it a little more challenging.”

 

Strokes and Stories How A Drunk

“Met in 2011, they were in same class. The girl starts liking this boy but he has no such feelings. Later they joined different colleges and drifted apart. In 2015 they started meeting up again, late night calls, people complimenting on how they look cute together and then the surprise dates when finally the guy confessed his feelings for her.”

 

Strokes and Stories Best Friends

“When you hear some people narrate their stories and you can totally imagine them right out of a comic strip, that’s when you know you gotta paint them the same way. It was a bit of a challenge to cover so much on such a surface, with its own limitations. But the content was so good that I didn’t wanna miss out on anything.”

 

Strokes and Stories Movie Characters

“Every new order brings something new to work with. And there’s nothing better than having to work around animated movie characters, writings, dancing and food, of course. It indeed was a roller coaster ride – just like the journey of these two people.”

 

Strokes and Stories Kousalya

“Kousalya gave some really nice insights about their relationship and their family. Also, different things her husband loves and we tried to put it all together for his birthday.”

 I’ve always been an art lover and a creative person, from making project works in school to organizing events in college and workplace. But I somehow ended up as a Software Engineer and kinda got drifted apart from art. And then one fine day I found myself surrounded by paints and brushes and stories and ideas – and that’s when i found a way back to my long lost love. 

I love talking to new people, listening to their stories and now that I get to paint these stories and their lives on bottles, I try to make each one the best, describing their lives in a way they can cherish forever.

And now that I’ve quit my day job, I plan on putting in more time and effort in this and tell more and more stories with my strokes – that’s how Strokes and Stories was born.

The stories and the art work make these keepsake bottles a very memorable treasure. We enjoyed the stories that went behind making each one of these individualized bottles just as much as the art work itself. If you would like to look at more of Richa’s work or if you would like to contact her for your own personal order she can be reached at:

Facebook – Strokes and Stories
Strokes and Stories – Flea Market
Richa’s Instagram
Strokes and Stories Instagram

We would like to thank Richa for taking the time to do this Q & A with us. Be sure to leave her a comment in space below!


Do you have a DIY project you would like to show off?

Submit your entry – include your picture(s), your name and a description and or any tips you would like to share with us and our readers. If you have a blog you can also include the web address and we will link back to you.

Handmade Bottle Art Projects On Amazon

Handmade On Amazon

If you are looking for one of a kind gifts or unique decorative items for your house then Amazon ‘Handmade’ is right for you.

One of the upsides to the internet is that you can find anything and everything you want or need. This may be said about it’s downside as well. Too many choices can be confusing. Hopefully by shedding a little light on the different bottle craft sites that are available, we will be able to help you find what your looking for.

First, a little bit about Amazon Handmade – Handmade at Amazon is a new store on Amazon.com for invited artisans to sell their unique, handcrafted goods to customers worldwide. This is by invitation only. By making it exclusive to crafters that only intend to sell their hand made crafts and eliminating companies that wish to exploit this market with mass produced products help keep this store front true to the artisan. To be considered, all of the products must meet their definition of handmade.

Below you will find just a few of the many bottle craft projects that are available. 

Handmade RED Remember Everyone Deployed Bottle Light ~ Table lamp with LED Lights By BottlesBeGlowing

RED - Remember Everyone Deployed

Just Married Wine Bottle Lamp By Infinity Baskets and Gifts

Just Married Bottle Light

Pendant lamp for kids By Vetreria Biellese di Selva e Lanza snc

Pendant Lamp For Kids

IRON MAN Whisky Bottle Lamp By BSW Crafts

Iron Man Bottle Lamp

Etched Recycled Wine Bottle Candle Shade Hurricane Lamp By Cronus Customs

Hurricane Lamp with Dragonfly

These are just of a few of the many bottle lamps that you can find on Amazon ‘Handmade‘. Be sure to check out the other items that these crafters sell. Unique bottle crafts make the perfect gift idea for your loved ones.

Do you have a favorite bottle craft on ‘Handmade‘? Share it with us in the comments below. 

Christmas Themed Bottles With Lights On Etsy 2016

Wine bottle art by wicks and wine

If you want to make your Holiday decorating easy, fun and truly one of a kind unique, look no further.

One of my guilty pleasures is shopping on the Etsy site to see all the cool things that our fellow bottle crafters have done to up-cycle their glass bottles. Imagination has no bounds and you really need to appreciate the time and effort they put into their crafts. When you purchase something from these shop owners you are acknowledging the artist themselves with your patronage and your kind comments that you leave. Bottles with lights make the perfect gift idea!

Once again we’ve pulled just a few of our favorite bottle crafts for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Christmas wine bottle lamp by songbird58

Wine Bottle Craft by Etsy seller songbird58

May the Magic of Christmas Shine in your Heart Bottle Light by BottlesBeGlowing

Lighted Christmas bottle by bottlesbeglowing

Handpainted Snowman Wine Bottle by theprimplace

Snowmen painted wine bottles by theprimplace

Lighted Wine Bottle Merry Christmas by WicksandWine

Merry Christmas lighted bottle by wicksandwine

Christmas Bottle Light by AccentBottleLights

Lighted Holiday bottle by accentbottlelights

With so many more Holiday decorated bottle lights on Etsy, we’re sure you will find something to match your own personal decor.

Would you rather try making your own Christmas themed lighted bottle? Watch our how-to video on the home page and get tips to drill a glass bottle to get you started. Have fun!

Which one of these Holiday inspired bottles is your favorite? Leave us a comment below.

Crafter’s Top Ten Wish List

The perfect gift ideas for the craft maker on your list

Do you know someone that enjoys doing DIY projects or crafts?

If you’re stumped on what to get them for the Holidays this year, then let this crafter’s wish list be your guide! I’ve generalized this list enough so that it’s applicable to everyone no matter what kind of projects they do. I do believe I’ve compiled a list of the perfect gift ideas.

There are certain ‘universal’ tools and items that every craft person should have in their arsenal of equipment.

The perfect gift ideas for the craft maker on your list

Stanley Trigger Feed Hot Melt Glue Gun Kit

Trigger Feed Hot Melt Glue Gun
Imagine a construction site worker walking onto the job site without a claw hammer on his tool belt. Same thing for a crafter without a hot glue gun. If they already have one then you might consider what it’s current condition is in. Upgrading or replacing is always a bonus. If you feel confident about the gun then why not more glue sticks? You can never have enough. It’s too hard to fathom but imagine that you are right in the middle of your crafting project and you can’t finish. Only $10.61 on Amazon!

Buy Now

Cordless Drill/Driver with Storage Bag and Stud Sensor

Cordless Screwdriver for Craft Lovers
Another must have item to add to any craft persons tool set. The invention of the battery and development of its ability to power a regular size drill with as much torque as electricity has introduced ease and convenience into the lives of contractors and DIY-ers everywhere. Long gone are the days of hunting for an electrical outlet just so you can work properly. Battery powered tools bring convenience and power. Small enough to lug around but powerful enough to pull off big jobs. Only $43.11 on Amazon plus free shipping!

Buy Now

5 Piece Soldering Gun Kit

The perfect gift for craft makers
A soldering gun is a little further down the food chain when it comes to the perfect gift idea, but you would be surprised at how often a crafter wishes they had one. This 100W Soldering Gun Kit is great for crafters. Get this brand new 100 Watt Soldering Gun, 2 extra cutters and a container of flux tube. The Solder/Wire Gun has a light bulb for easy viewing during solder and includes a blow mold carry case. Only $16.89 on Amazon plus free shipping.

Buy Now

General Homeowner’s Tool Set

Tool Sets make perfect gifts.
Now here’s something everyone should have, period. A 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit, you don’t even need to own a home,  I keep one in my car because you just never know when you’ll need any of the items that come with this kit. The set includes all the tools needed to complete basic DIY projects around the home. The tools are packaged in a blow molded case for easy tool storage and portability. A steal at only $37.99 (I bet you can’t this at your local hardware store).

Buy Now

Portable Paper Trimmer

Paper trimmer, the perfect gift idea for craft makers
A paper trimmer is another item with ‘universal’ appeal to it. No matter what craft is being worked on, at some point and time this tool will come in handy. If anyone handed me a scissors and told me to cut a straight line with them I would be reluctant.  You would get what my wife refers to as, ‘the deer in the headlights look’. (I didn’t realize that I used this expression that much until she went and named it). Anyway, I’m left-handed and can’t cut worth a darn. The Fiskars 12 Inch SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer is available at just over $20, making it the perfect gift. 

Buy Now

Mod Podge 5 Color Starter Pack

Mod Podge in five different colors
For every tool box with a roll of duct tape in it, there is a craft kit with Mod Podge in it. This ‘liquid magic in a bottle’ is so versatile it has whole books expounding it many uses. This fun starter package is great for beginners. The pack offers great 2-ounce trial size bottles of the most popular Mod Podge formulas. Cleans up easily with soap and water, and is Certified AP non-toxic. Only $8.98 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Precision Scissors

New Set of Scissors, A Perfect Gift Idea For Crafters
Did your Mom ever tell you not to use those certain scissors in the cupboard? They looked like any other pair, were super sharp and held some kind of magic that was beyond comprehension at the time (confession: Yes Mom, I used your special scissors to cut the rope for the tire swing in the back yard). No need to hide them any longer, here is a set of 3 ultra sharp 8″ scissors for only $14.34. The titanium-fused blades resist wear and corrosion.

Buy Now

Creative Woodburner Pen

creative wood burning tool for crafters

For this to be generalized might be a leap but hear me out on this one. For something as casual as a book shelf board, it would have been cool to be able to put a design on the end of it. Would I have gone out and purchased this just for that very reason? No. On the other hand, if somebody had given me  a wood burning tool like this pen from The Creative Woodburner as a gift I would guarantee that it would have found its purpose. Only $15.95 includes free shipping.

Buy Now

Steel Work Bench

New Work Bench - the perfect gift for craft makers
Now we’re getting to the brass tacks of the whole crafting mindset. An area big enough to be able to spread out on and yet sturdy enough to hold it all up, let’s enter the Industrial Gray Heavy Gauge Steel Economy Work Bench. Having all your crafts spread out on the kitchen table might work in a pinch but for the long term, this is the way to go. It measures 29 x 72 x 30 inches (H x W x D) and requires assembly, instructions and hardware are included. Available for only $188.32 plus free 3 day shipping.

Buy Now

Caster Base Stool

Artist and Craft Makers Rolling Stool The trump card. Have a seat, get comfortable and really start enjoying yourself. The colorful Artisan Caster Base Stool in red by Martin Tools is truly the perfect gift idea for crafters and artists. With this sturdy stool on wheels they’ll be zipping from one end of the work bench to the other in no time at all. What fun! Hurry, there are only 3 left in stock, available for $111.87 plus $4.49 for shipping.

Buy Now

There you have it! I’ve selected a lot of things that are small and easy to store until it’s gift giving time for your favorite craft makers.

Did I forget anything? Please leave a comment if there’s a perfect gift idea you would like to add. It might turn out to be the subtle hint you need to give to someone. ;)

Holiday Bottle Decor On Etsy

Are you looking for the right decorative items to help spread the cheer this holiday season?

Let Etsy help you find those unique one of a kind items that will set you apart from all the box stores. We have put together a few of our favorites for you right here. Scroll down to see all the lighted wine bottles we found for you. Bottle crafts make the perfect gift idea!

Merry Christmas Bottle With Lights

Merry Christmas Bottle With Lights courtesy of BERKSWINEDESIGN

Holiday Bottle Decor

Blue Snowflake Bottle With Lights courtesy of BottlesBeGlowing

Holiday Bottle Decor

Grinch Bottle With Lights courtesy of TheMuseCreations

Holiday Bottle Decor on Etsy

Let It Snow Bottle With Lights courtesy of WicksandWine

Holiday Bottle Decor on Etsy

We Believe Bottle With Lights courtesy of CountryCrafts14

Holiday Bottle Decor

Reindeer Bottle With Lights courtesy of CustomBottleDesign

These are just a few of the many bottle with lights that you will find on Etsy.

The thing to remember is that the people who have put together these pieces are making them with their own hands. The time and talent that they put into a crafted item is something that goes beyond anything that you can purchase from a factory.

Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think. Happy Holidays!

Top 5 Bottle Lamps As Ranked By Etsy Viewers

Frosted Glass Bottle With Lights

Amazing lamps that will get your inspired to start your own bottle crafts!

We’ve been selling our recycled bottle lamp crafts on Etsy for over 2 months now. We’ve compiled a list of our most favorite bottle lamps on the website. This list is based not only on the number of hits each individual bottle lamp receives, but also the number of ‘favorites’ a particular bottle may have within the Etsy community. Scroll down to get inspired to make your own bottle lamp or find the perfect gift idea!

5 Bottle Lamp Crafts On Etsy

Recycled glass bottle with pumpkin decor

Fall Decor Bottle Light

Autumn Decor Bottle Lamp or Night Light – This Autumn Leaf inspired bottle lamp is ready for your Fall decorating!
An up cycled one liter glass bottle has been frosted with Autumn Leaf cut outs. Our beautiful Fall themed lighted bottle will be a unique decoration for your kitchen or any other room in your home.

Recycled Glass Bottle Lamp

Makers 46 Accent Lamp

Unique Bottle Lamp Makers 46 Night Light – The heavy duty clear colored liquor bottle is filled with a string of white mini lights and amber colored glass marbles. The glass gems give the bottle extra weight to make it a sturdy lamp as well as add the illusions of liquid inside the bottle. Display our Maker’s 46 lamp on a counter, end table, night stand, in your man cave or bar. This hand crafted Maker’s 46 lighted bottle also makes a unique gift for any occasion!

Wine Bottle Lamp

Wine Bottle Nightlight with unique Lamp Shade

Ed Hardy Wine Bottle Lamp – Ed Hardy Sangria Wine Bottle Lamp with a fun and colorful label and unique lamp shade. Bursting with the sun drenched flavors of a hot Spanish summer, this lamp is perfect to use as a reading lamp and/or night light. Add a touch of color to your favorite room, place on your counter, end table or night stand. Our hand crafted wine bottle lamp makes a great gift as well!

Whiskey Bottle Lamp

Whiskey Night Light with Lamp Shade

Seagram’s 7 Whiskey Bottle Lamp – The brown colored liquor bottle is filled with cool to the touch LED mini lights and amber colored glass marbles. The glass gems give the bottle extra weight to make it a sturdy lamp as well as add the illusions of liquid inside the bottle.

Wine Bottle Lamp With Decor

Recycled Wine Bottle with Lights

Turning Leaf Lighted Wedding Gift – Use this Turning Leaf 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon wine bottle with lights to add a unique touch to your wine cabinet, your bar or give as a gift to any wine connoisseur. This Bottle Lamp is filled with colored mini lights and adorned around the neck with fall leaves and wine grapes.

Remember that you can find the complete collection from Bottle-Lamp.com in our Etsy store!

Have we inspired you to make your own unique bottle crafts? Leave us a comment below.