Abstract: An airbrush apparatus for use in generating a design on a desired object is disclosed. The apparatus and method of use are disclosed wherein the airbrush apparatus comprises a housing, boom, and sprayer head. A fluid to be applied is contained in individual cartridges and is drawn out by a vacuum effect caused by air that is being pumped from the housing across a feed tube which is in fluid communication with the cartridge.

Abstract: An airbrush apparatus for use in generating a design on a desired object is disclosed. The apparatus and method of use are disclosed wherein the airbrush apparatus comprises a housing, boom, and sprayer head. A fluid to be applied is contained in individual cartridges and is drawn out by a vacuum effect caused by air that is being pumped from the housing across a feed tube which is in fluid communication with the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for making crayons is provided. The method employs an apparatus which includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A timer and a cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A collapsible, freestanding oversized drawing board including a frame comprised of a plurality of frame members, a drawing sheet, and attachments to the frame. Specifically, the sheet can be drawn on, painted on, washed, or receive magnets.

Abstract: A device allowing a user to create creating artistic designs on an underlying surface is provided. The device includes a base comprising a plurality of legs. The base supports a central hub at an elevated position. A paint tube is rotatably received in the hub and is spun by a motor. The paint tube has an opening therein for receiving paint and a transverse section comprising multiple open ends for expelling paint during use. The user pours paint into a funnel, which directs the paint into the paint tube. Gravity pulls the paint into the transverse section. When the motor is activated, the motor rotates the paint tube. Centrifugal forces expel the paint from the paint tube, creating a swirl design on the underlying surface.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for making crayons is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for making crayons is provided. The apparatus includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable lap desk for writing or drawing upon that is especially suited for young children. The lap desk includes a generally planar desk element that provides a first surface and an opposing second surface. Releasably attached to the second surface is a stuffed toy cushion designed to imitate a real or fanciful animal or figure. To create the appearance of a real or fanciful animal or figure, the stuffed toy cushion may include a body portion and one or more appendages. When the lap desk is not being used to write or draw upon, the stuffed toy cushion can be detached from the desk element for a child to play with. In one embodiment, to provide storage for drawing utensils used in conjunction with the desk, the stuffed toy cushion can be formed with an inner cavity that is accessible through an opening.

Abstract: The portable easel includes a viewable storage compartment for enclosing and transporting artist supplies and drawing materials. The portable easel includes an upper housing portion hingedly attached to a lower housing portion so as to be movable between an opened position and a closed position. The storage compartment is formed into the lower housing portion. In the opened position, the upper housing portion is positioned at an inclined angle with respect to the lower housing portion thereby providing an inclined drawing surface. In the closed position, the upper housing portion overlays the lower housing portion so as to enclose the storage compartment formed therein. To facilitate viewing of the storage compartment when the upper housing portion is in the closed position, the upper housing portion or a section thereof is formed from transparent or translucent plastic.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an erasable colored pencil lead composition comprising, in an embodiment, a colorant, one or more binder resins, an antioxidant, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, and a filler. Also disclosed is a colored pencil lead composition which produces marks on paper, which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The mark made using the composition has a cohesive nature that assists in the removal from paper in sheet or film like sections by the use of an ordinary pencil eraser without smearing or leaving a residue. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is free or substantially free of low melting waxes or waxy materials. The colored pencil lead composition may further include a lubricant. Also disclosed is a method for using a colored pencil lead composition.

Abstract: A water-based, erasable marking composition comprising 1-86% by weight water, 0.3-38% by weight pigment, 13-45% by weight polyurethane, and 0-85% by weight glycerin, wherein said polyurethane has a viscosity which increases by at least a factor of 10 when said polyurethane is dried from a 30% dispersion of said polyurethane in water to a 65% polyurethane dispersion in water. The present invention also includes an application instrument comprising an outer body having a first end, an applicator at the first end of the outer body, a reservoir included within the outer body and in fluid communication with the applicator, and a water-based, erasable marking composition within the reservoir. The water-based, erasable marking composition comprises the composition of the invention.

Abstract: A coloring kit is disclosed which includes writing instruments for making marks in color, a storage container for the writing instruments, and a compact disc that has instructions for reproducing displays of interactive activities utilizing the writing instruments from a personal computer. The interactive activities may include a coloring book or similar such activities. The end user or customer may print physical copies of the displays from a personal computer coupled to a printer. In some embodiments, the storage container may also enclose and store the compact disc.