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Monday, June 21, 2010

Copic Alternative - Bic Markers!

Happy Summer!!!

Ahhh, the first official day of summer and the longest day of the year!
It's nice that it is official now since we've been having 90 degree days here - LOL!!

I don't know if you've been tempted by the Copic marker craze that is EVERYWHERE but I tell you despite the amazing look you can achieve I just CANNOT bring myself to spend $5.00 for a single marker. I don't have mounds of money sitting around so I have to spend what little craft $$$'s I do have where it will do me the most good.....a $5.00 marker just isn't the place to be doing it.

Recently I rec'd a thank you card from one of the Whimsy Stamp winners ~ Dee Dee...She has graciously allowed me to share the card she created with the stamps.

Bic Markers 004

Beautiful isn't it! I LOVED the coloring and the use of glitter on the horses main. I asked her if she had used Copic's to color the horse. NO...she used BIC markers!!!!! Well now just look at how awesome they look....

Bic Markers 005

That looks just as nice if not better than some of the Copic examples I've seen. I understand that it in part has to do with the coloring skills of the artist but I'm telling you it looks wonderful.

Soooo that set me in search of these markers.

I was at Wal-Mart of all places this past weekend and found a set very reasonably...around $12.00 for 24 markers!!! Now how could I pass up that kind of deal ~ $ 0.50 a marker sure beats $5.00!! And just look at wide variety of colors you get...

Bic Markers 006

I haven't had a chance to use them much but I did color a couple images I had on hand....
Stamp Credits: Frog ~ Viva Las Vegas Stamps & Baker Chick ~ Rubber Romance (Thanks S!!!)
Bic Markers 008

Bic Markers 007

Pretty cool don't you think?

I'm not the best at hand coloring (which is why I watercolor so much) so I'm pretty pleased with the results!

What do you think?

How do these compare to Copics?

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

19 comments:

  1. So glad you blog about this! I wondered if I was the only one who wasn't willing to shell out so much money for copics! I love the card you received. Great alternative.

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  2. I feel ya sista!! I lost my job in November and do not have the extra $$ and even if I did, $5.00 per marker is not gonna fly-- I found some Sharpies at Office Max about 3 months ago for $6 and also the watercolor Sharpies for posters - for $2.50-- I've mssed around with them and think it is a great alternative!! Thanks for sharing...

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  3. Hi Roni -

    I've also hesitated getting the Copic Markers. I just could not see spending that much money. Especially since I usually use colored pencils or watercolors for coloring in. I have to admit that there have been plenty of times I've been atempted, but something has always held me back. I think I will be trying out these BIC markers. I love how your samples came out. Thank you so much for sharing your views.

    Elaine Allen

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  4. I have been using my Bic Markers for about 6 months for this and am totally in love with them. I have all 36 colors in both sizes and I spent WAY less on those 72 markers! in fact, with my shopping around with Office Max, I only spent $27 total! :)

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  5. hi Roni! (((hugs))) the bics look great! I've been wondering how they did with stamp images.
    The images you used were from me in that swap(i think). The frog is from VLVS and the baker chick is from Rubber Romance. :~)

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  6. Like Denise, I'm so glad I wasn't the only one willing to pay $5.00 for a single marker! I love what you did and I think it looks fabulous....off to Walmart!

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  7. Hi Roni! I have several copic markers and let me just say I can no longer afford them. I will be looking to Bic when I have to replace!

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  8. Wow! Thank you for sharing, There is no way I could afford copic markers, This is great!

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  9. Great I say! :D but I'm guilty... I own 40 copics and I think I don't like them ~fine time to find out eh? {eyeroll}

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  10. It is so good to hear that I'm not alone! At most of the stamping forums I visit it's like Copic Madness so I was really starting to think I was the only person in the world who has yet to purchase any - LOL!!

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  11. Well I am glad to see that I am not the only one holding off on Copics! In fact, I am finding myself no longer visiting blogs where everything is Copic this and Copic that. I believe that the artists who successfully use Copics have the ability to use any medium and make it look terrific -- but I don't have that talent and I have decided not to put out the money for something that would probably end up in a bottom drawer. (Now if I had only been that rational about some other tools I have purchased LOL!)

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  12. I thought I was the only "miser" around that just couldn't put down that $5 for a single Copic!! Glad to hear I'm not. I purchased my first Bic Markers at Staples. They have every color available in both sizes. I think they had them for $.99 each or 12 for $6.99, which is about the same as you paid. I just got a check from Staples (recycling ink carts) so I'm headed back to buy more!

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  13. Check those Bic markers. I bought and returned them a couple of times because when I went to use them, some were dried out - and I had just opened it. I did finally manage to get a good pack though.

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  14. Hi, I was so pleased to read about about your trial with the BIC markers. I have not wished to spend my $$ for the Copics either. But I know that the difference between Copics and other markers is that the Copics are alcohol ink. That's what makes them so expensive. Can you tell what kind of ink BIC has? Do the BIC work with the blending pen? If not, what do you use?

    My blog is: seebeautyallaround.blogspot.com
    let me know what you find out please.

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  15. I wonder if it's the same kind of ink as Copics and if a Copics blending marker would work with the Bic ones.

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  16. This is such a great alternative to Copics. I shall go out and buy me a set of these. I'm always "in" for cheaper good things.

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  17. There is no way that I would spend the big bucks on Copics. I'd love to try them, but they are way too costly. I just purchased a set of Bic Markers and I am going to go try them. I understand that they work best on high quality (absorbent) cardstock. Sure hope I have some!!

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  18. I am so happy to have found this site and find that I am not alone in my refusal to pay the price of Copic inks. I've been looking for an alternative and will try the Bic Markers that so many have used. Now does anyone know of an alternative to the Distress markers and inks that are used for everything by the professional bloggers? They too are more than I am willing to pay.

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  19. Bic all the way. Buy bic singles bulk
    Wheresmybic.us I wish I could upload photo

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Thanks for your thoughts and comments!