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just dave
01-29-2003, 03:32 PM
So I had a new classroom to open and no art supplies except for most of the colors of contruction paper and some colored pencils. We did have gallon jugs of liquid tempera, too.

So one of many items I needed were paint brushes. Now we have used those large bristle rounds from the school supply store catalogs. I didn't have time or authority to order that way and I saw that those brushes are a dollar each at local craft stores in the kids section.

Then I saw the cheap individual bristle flats in the art section that were thirty-to sixty cents a piece depending on the width. I got a number of 1" and 1-1/2" brushes. The handles are unvarished wood so I used some spray laquer on them (after protecting the bristles) and I saved money and got a more suitable product.

The only problem with the brushes around our school is the staff leave paint-filled brushes to soak for long periods in water and thus the ferrules begin to loosen as the wood shrinks and rots. Also until I introduced brush soap and conditioner the conditions of the bristles was often attrocious.

The kids love them!

llis
01-30-2003, 07:19 AM
Great idea Dave.... as always, teachers end up spending money out of their own pocket for lots of things in the classroom. :( Glad you could find a way to save a little money and glad you are also saving money by taking care of those brushes and teaching students how to do it too.

just dave
01-30-2003, 09:25 PM
Actually, since I was so careful with the money I spent I got it all back.

NRN