Creative Living Creativity Corner

Faber Castell Limited Edition

September 5, 2013

From time to time i like showing you snippets of my home and some of my home treasures.

Today, i want to share with you a rather special one. To be honest, i cannot remember the exact year i received this gift but think it was around 1996. It’s not often one gets such great presents but it’s rare to get a present that hit the spot and will be treasured and stay and with me forever.

Being particular when it comes to giving and receiving presents, as blogged about here, i’m of the belief that giving presents is an intimate affair and requires certain consideration and thought. It’s not just because we live in an age of austerity, it’s more because i like being discerning about what enters my home in the knowledge that i treasure everything i own. With that in mind i’m a great fan of birthday lists or simply telling friends and family what i’m wishing for. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Look at this rather genius idea. Surely this must be the way forward!

Back to my home treasure. This actually was a surprise, fancy that, and what a great one too. Here it is in it’s full glory! A faber-castell alexander vethers collection limited edition case.

Faber Castell Limited Edition - colourliving

Yep, i have number 586 out of 1000 limited edition cases. The plaque wit the drawing of the knights is in rosewood porcelain.

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Some of you might now go: ‘oh, those don’t look like faber-castell pastels’. To be honest, right from the beginning i started to tailor-make the content according to my needs. You’re correct. The majority here are wonderful hand-made unison soft pastels. There are 400 colours in the range. It’s a family run business and if you’re geeky like me, watch this keynote speech by the wife of the founder. It moved me to tears!

Below the unison pastels you’ll find some sennelier oil pastels. As oil pastels go, these are the biz!

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Sliding out the front draw. Here i filled it with stabilo carbothello pastel pencils and cretacolor aqua monolith pencils. Both great artist supplies.

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The mechanism of the case is wonderful and satisfying to use. It’s beautifully manufactured. Look at the draws on the right. These ones are actually full of faber-castell coloured pencils.

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And there’s more in the left draws.

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And this is the beauty in full bloom, well sort of….

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The left and right draws tilt so it’s easy to have them rest on a table.

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If i had a bigger space or a dedicated studio i would have the entire case open like this all the time. Bet i would draw more!

Unfortunately this case is no longer available but fret not! For their 250th anniversary in 2011, faber-castell brought out the art & graphic jubilee cabinet, combining the best from a couple of centuries of experience in developing and producing exclusive artists’ products. There are 1761 limited edition cases (the year of the start of the business). Ha. Good old amazon is selling it for nearly half price. Why not watch this short clip

I will show you more art materials in future posts. Do you own many art supplies? Why not get them out and doodle a little. Have a great weekend x

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22 Comments

  • Reply Chi @ 106 September 5, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    As you know I’m very discerning about what enters my home, too – moreso now that I’m a Mum. 😉

    I’m currently using Wishpot for much smaller, relatively more affordable items but I’ll be sure to check Patchwork Present out further – it looks amazing! 😀

    Anyway, back to your post ……
    This is truly an incredible gift. The best ones are those that keep on giving and this one certainly does!
    I let go of doodling some time ago but doing so with L and seeing how excited she is about it all has got me drawing again.
    I had a quite a lot of art supplies but now I’m sourcing more child-/eco-friendly ones. It’s such fun! 😀

    Great post – I’ll be back to watch the videos later. 😉 xo

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:08 pm

      It’s good to be discerning about what enters our homes:-)

      I do LOVE my case. Unfortunately it’s sort of tucked away.. this is why I’m dreaming of a big studio space within my next home where my beautiful artists materials can be displayed and within easy reach. I’m sure that then, if I had a spare couple of hours I would so more drawing and painting. In a small flat all the ‘taking out and putting back’ just takes up SOOOO much energy!

      Greta that L loves doodling. x

  • Reply Catherine Bedson September 5, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    What a stunning gift and exquisite case to store your pencils & pastels. I don’t have any art supplies but buy on an ‘as needed’ basis. I enjoy creating pictures with pastels & love the smooth feel as you draw. Writing this at the airport on an iPhone so will also be back to watch the videos when I get home. XO

    PS: don’t despair healthy recipes haven’t been forgotten ha ha. Just saw an amazing purple carrot cake in a mag also thinking beetroot burgers.
    Keep soaking up those beautiful rays of sunshine while it lasts x

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Hope you’re having a nice time in Sydney and thank you for commenting while at the airport. (Hint: you can do this on my site (WP) Unfortunately I cannot commment with my iPhone on Blogger. A real shame as it’s great to do while in transit .

      No sunshine here honey. Autumn has made a drastic appearance! Look forward to more healthy food stuff from you:-)) xx

  • Reply geraldine September 6, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Wow! What an amazing gift. It’s so befitting for you too. Definitely a treasure. Would love to see some of your art work next. Have a wonderful weekend Tina. xx

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks Geraldine. Exactly. How spot on was that??
      Haha. I sometimes show my art but haven’t lately xx

  • Reply Gudy Herder September 6, 2013 at 9:00 am

    My mother had a similar kit when she was very young. She gave it to me sister who never used it and my sister would then pass it to me many years later. The whole set had decades and when trying to dodle a little the color would literally melt in my hands. A little late it was, I guess…:) Your pictures gave back sweet memories!

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      Aww, what a shame. My point exactly. Why gift someone something that they won’t use and then it goes to waste. Do you know how many people would have loved that??

      Happy you had sweet memories.

  • Reply Anya Jensen September 6, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    Oh what a treasure Tina, I bet your heart skipped a beat when you got that. Art heaven. I unfortunately don’t own such an elaborate and perfect set of art supplies, mine are more random, although I do have a few boxes with treasured ribbon, washitape and acrylics – miles from you but one has to start somehwere. Happy weekend lovely, here it will be 25 degrees, the fruit-trees are blooming, sun shining – what’s not to LOVE.
    Axxx

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      Ha! Yes, my heart did skip a beat! “Art Heaven”.. like this…:-))

      Random is good honey. I like that too but have to be honest, I’m a sucker for sets:-) I will show more another time!
      I wonder what the weather is like in Denmark right now… xx

  • Reply Nicola September 6, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    This is the most exquisite and beautiful present. I believe presents are simply an art of communication. After all, the people you connect with the most are the easiest to find presents for and vice versa.

    You have inspired me to spend a weekend sorting all my pencils and materials! 🙂 x

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      Isn’t it just??

      What an interesting analogy: You are right, Presents are an art of communication… never thought of it quiet like this.
      You go on sorting and if you need any help, you know where to find me xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey September 7, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Firstly ‘Patchwork Present’ is an intriguing idea. The number of gifts I’ve had over the years that I hated… and even more I’ve hated that people waste good money on things. I tend to say what I’d like or wish for up front now. Tho I am generally good at buying presents for other people.

    Your Faber-Castell case is a beautiful piece. Who knew it could have so many drawers… like a veritable treasure trove. It’s wonderful open but I do prefer it closed. Less ‘clutter’. I don’t have anything like this. I used to own quite a few art materials, but gave them up over the years. Guess writing is more my thing now.

    Thanks for sharing lovely xx

    • Reply tina September 9, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      When I turned 40 I had a few Birthday lists going. Best thing I ever did. I recommend it highly. You know what I’m going to do for my 50th next year? Yep, same thing.
      I really cannot any longer accept presents that are so mismatched with me, although meant well by the giver. It’s a waste of time, money, energy and actually I’d rather have something that I need, want, can make use of it. Otherwise, prefer to give to charity!

      Ha. According to Nicola’s analogy you then must be a good communicator. Well you are and so am I and that’s why we’re good at buying presents!

      It’s beautifully made and I know you would appreciate that. Of course, I would like it open and you would prefer it closed. That’s why opposites attract!
      xx

  • Reply Holly September 10, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    I don’t think any other post has brought out the essence of Colourliving like this one. Tina, your life is truly filled with colour – this is such an amazing gift you got, and I’m not the least bit curious why. You’re such a colour geek, I’m in total admiration 🙂

    Thanks for sharing your COLOURS with us!

    Xx.

    • Reply tina September 16, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      Hahaha! It’s definitely colourful, right??? LOL
      Oh yeah, love being called a colour geek!!!

      Hahaha! In a few days you can see it all LIVE! xxx

  • Reply Igor September 12, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    This is truly an iconic brand and has gained world wide reputation although it stems from a tiny little town in Germany. Once I passed through the little town as part of a business trip, I so wished I had time to stop by and discover more of Faber Castell in situ.

    • Reply tina September 16, 2013 at 3:16 pm

      You know I’ve often wanted to visit their Akademie für Zeichnung!
      I would really love to visit them one day.

  • Reply Michaela September 12, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Wow I love this post!!! Seriously without wanting to sound like a stalker I love it when you show us the creative spaces in your home. Funnily enough I bought a box set of FAber Castell pens after reading your Boby trolley post (which is still one of my fave blog posts of all time – a veritable art materials treasure trove) xx Michaela

    • Reply tina September 16, 2013 at 3:17 pm

      Hahahaha! Michaela, you make me laugh out loud:-))
      I know how much you loved the Boby Trolley post and I cannot refer back to it without thinking about you:-) Thank you!!

      Thanks love xx

  • Reply monsterscircus October 28, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Just found you through eclectic trends blog and I’m sold by the first post that I read, this one! Simply couldn’t think of anything greater than this treasure box!!! My creativity started out with drawing, later acrylic/ oil paint. With the sight of this piece I simply want to go back a catch up on colors and paper. You and your box just got a new follower:-)

    • Reply tina October 29, 2013 at 4:08 pm

      Hahaha! Hello Mette. Welcome to Colourliving. I’m glad you got inspired by my treasure box:-) and I totally understand.. I also want to sit and draw and paint everytime I look at it. I’m going to check out your blog with time as there seems much lovliness to look at.
      Thank you for commenting and following:-)

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