Finally Copics!

I FINALLY jumped on the copic band wagon! I'm so excited! Here's a list of the copics I hand picked to be my starter set. I wanted some of each color family, so I would not be limited on images that I can color, but I didn't want the prepackaged sets either. I wanted colors that I know that I would love, and would be used often. So I researched long and hard. I used both pinterest and google images, looking at other peoples copic projects, and decided what I liked best. Most cards and projects online have the recipe listed of what colors they used to create the image. This was very helpful! I started seeing patterns in the colors that I liked and that made it a lot easier. Once I found a trio I thought I liked, I googled just the copic code numbers, and that brought up images that listed those colors. That pretty much confirmed what I wanted. So here's what I picked for my starter set. (click to enlarge)

If you'll notice, I'm a little short on greens and oranges (yellow reds, YR) and heavier on the yellows. That's because I will use some of the yellows for my green and orange blending combinations. It all evens out. Also, the first set of browns (earthtones, E) are my skin tone blenders. 

Now that I have all these copics, I needed a place to put them! I have found several different ways to store your copics. I knew that I wanted to store them horizontally, and I LOVE homemade storage ideas, so when I was in the hardware store I decided to grab a peice of $8 drain pipe so that  I could have something right away. So here's my current copic storage.....

Wow, my collection looks kinda puny all spread out like that huh. lol! Must buy more copics!!

It was so ridiculously EASY!!! I had the hardware store cut the 12 foot pipe in half (they used a hand saw) so that I could get it into my car easy. Then at home I had my hubby cut them into 5 1/2 inch pieces, and then just glued them together. THATS IT!!! There are plenty of pieces left to add on later too! CHEAP AND EASY, the way I like it! I am going to sit these on a small shelf on my wall right in front of my scrap desk so they will be eye line height. Otherwise I would glue a foam board back on to it. 

Now I did not come up with this idea, I always give credit where credit is due. I found this idea on this blog HERE. So go check out her blog and see how she spray painted hers, not to mention her more impressive copic collection! ;) I will get there!