This page includes information about items and ideas that will prepare you for your journey inward.

A few of my favorite things....

ART SUPPLIES

Art Supply sites:

• http://www.joann.com (great for scissors, cloth, and glues)
• http://www.dickblick.com (great for almost everything)
• www.jerrysartarama.com (nice discount site)
• http://www.misterart.com (nice discount site)
• http://www.amazon.com (has almost everything you could need).
• http://www.beverlys.com/crafts.html

Pens/Markers

• Alvin Penstix (these are REALLY (not just reportedly) waterproof pens.  I like the set, (http://www.dickblick.com/items/20710-2019) but can be purchased separately
• Zig Markers (waterproof and archival) I like this 48-piece set (http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Zig-ColorTwin-48-piece-Marker-Set/2917477/product.html) but you can get these from many craft stores.
• Sharpies – widely available in different colors, sizes and now in metallic and brush varieties.  NOT always lightfast (I’ve experienced fading).

Pencils, Paints and Brushes

• Watercolor Pencils.  I prefer these to most everything else out there.  You get a nice combination of precision and beautiful color.  These pencils are Not created equal; some brands are awful. Try Derwent http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-watercolor-pencils/?clickTracking=true and/or Prismacolor http://www.dickblick.com/products/prismacolor-watercolor-pencils/?clickTracking=true
• Waterbrushes. These brushes are idea for the field.  They have the water inside the brush – just wipe with a rag to clean between colors. http://www.dickblick.com/products/sakura-koi-water-brush/?clickTracking=true
• Colored Pencils.  I’m a big fan of prismacolor pencils.  They blend well and are easy to use http://www.dickblick.com/products/prismacolor-colored-pencil-sets/?clickTracking=true.  If they fall on the floor, the lead can crack.  Put into the microwave for 3 seconds and it may fuse the lead and make the pencil sharpenable again…

Paper

• Watercolor papers.  These papers are ideal if you want to work in water-based media or paint.  If you want a rough texture choose “cold press.”  If you want a smooth texture, use “hot press.”  You can buy by the sheet (often huge sheets) or in pads.  I like watercolor postcards (4×6) for small projects, and large pads for larger maps.  You can browse online or at a store to find paper that appeals to you.
• Watercolor printer paper.  I’m currently experimenting with this.  I like to create a sketch, ink it in, then transfer it to watercolor paper with a photocopy machine.  Then I add color to the photocopy and re-ink the lines.  I just purchased 11×17″ InkPress Watercolor Rag paper so I can transfer larger maps.
• Sketchbooks.  This is a matter of choice.  I’d recommend bound rather than spiral books because bound books are less likely to smudge your pencil work.
• Old classroom maps.  You know – the kind that roll up.  These make great canvases in themselves – add your details to the map details – or can be covered with spray gesso to create a new canvas.
• Vellum (with or without lines). This paper is tough, transparent, and fun to use with pencil or ink.  Not recommended for watercolor pencil, but OK with prismacolors.

Glue

• Paper Glues.  I’d recommend Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue (like Elmers).  I’ve also used glue sticks and glue dots for paper projects.  You can also brush on Elmers or Weldbond (below) when bookbinding.
• Heavy-duty glues.  My favorites are E-6000 and Weldbond.  E-6000 will glue anything to anything and works for my leather, paper, and assemblage (3D-collage) projects.  Weldbond looks like Elmer’s but is much stronger.  I use this with leather and for making awesome paper mache.  DO NOT use superglue (it leaves white residue and disintigrates after a while) or glue guns (not really a permanent solution).

SCIENCE SUPPLY SITES

• American Science and Surplus.  http://www.sciplus.com/.  This site has EVERYTHING – sometimes :).  I highly recommend the printed catalog because it is really “punny” and fun to read.  The website is easy to navigate and has all sorts of science supplies, art supplies, craft supplies, and weird things you didn’t know you need.
• Home Science Tools. http://www.hometrainingtools.com/.  This site is the cheapest site I’ve found for petri dishes, microscope slides, coverslips, and slide boxes.

BOOKS (“textbooks” for my LIBS 320D Inner Geographies course and other favorites)

• Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed-Media Mapmaking, by Jill Berry.  ISBN-13: 978-1440308567.  A wonderful book full of art projects.  Plus two of my maps are featured in the book 🙂  http://www.amazon.com/Personal-Geographies-Explorations-Mixed-Media-Mapmaking/dp/144030856X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380577849&sr=1-1&keywords=berry+personal
• You Are Here:  Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination, by Katharine Harmon ISBN-13: 978-1568984308.   This book is full of personal and other interesting maps – plus some great essays! http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Here-Geographies-Imagination/dp/1568984308/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380577564&sr=8-2&keywords=you+are+here.
• The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography, by Katharine Harmon. ISBN-13: 978-1568989723.  A wonderful compilation of fine art that incorporates map elements.   http://www.amazon.com/Map-Art-Contemporary-Artists-Cartography/dp/1568989725/ref=la_B002L9CS5S_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380577778&sr=1-2
• What It Is by Lynda Barry.  ISBN-13: 978-1897299357.  One of the best books on writing EVER.  Fun, quirky, and contains one of the best methods for free writing ever put on paper.  The written version of her workshops “Writing the Unthinkable”.  http://www.amazon.com/What-Lynda-Barry/dp/1897299354/ref=la_B000AP9C0Y_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380578179&sr=1-1

NATURALIST SUPPLIES AND INFORMATION (I also enjoy nature journaling)

A WONDERFUL nature journal site by John Muir (Jack) Laws http://www.johnmuirlaws.com/

A wonderful messenger bag for taking your supplies outside or into coffee shops! This bag is comfortable, handy and durable  http://www.johnmuirlaws.com/product/naturalist-shoulder-bag

Here is an awesome field guide set for the SF Bay area  (these are waterproof cards that have plant and animal species from different habitats… http://www.johnmuirlaws.com/product/bay-area-set

Best binoculars EVER… SO fun to work with and good for close-up (insects) and far away (birds).  Worth the price. http://www.johnmuirlaws.com/product/pentax-papilio-close-focus-8-5×21-binoculars