I received this product for free in order to conduct the review, along with compensation for my time. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

Since we are not a very art-inclined family, I was very excited to have the opportunity to review a product by Art in History. I have typically outsourced our art classes so Kira can get something of substance, but when her art class canceled this year, I figured we just wouldn’t do an art course this year. Coming upon Art in History’s product line, it was quite the ah-ha moment as to how to get art in our homeschool!

Art in History has tons of projects to choose from, so it was easy to find something that fit into the period of US History we were covering, down to the exact topic: the Louisiana purchase. I’ve always found the Louisiana purchase quite an interesting point in history, so I was just as excited to receive our package as Kira was! Top it off, the sugar bowl is something I can see us having in our home rather than something that is filed away simply as something one of the kids did one day.

History Kit

Each project comes with all the materials you will need to complete it, along with a downloadable history lesson. We have already been covering the Louisiana purchase in US History, and sometimes when trying to mix together two sources, you find a big gap between what you already know and what you need to know. I like that the downloadable lesson includes a couple pages of history and a couple pages specifically about the piece you’re going to be working on. This would also work really well if you have more than one child completing a project, but given their different ages, they may not all have the same background information. Or, of course, it could be a project more focused on art, and you have a dabbling of a history lesson.

Art Kit

I was impressed with the quality of the paints in the art kit for our Louisiana sugar bowl. It was thick enough to be easy to work with and covered quite well. We used two coats of the light colored paint to cover the pencil marks, which I know to look for, but since it wasn’t in the instructions, Kira didn’t think about it. The art instructions were very detailed, but this one fine detail would be a nice addition for kids like mine who do exactly as they are told, and then walk away from it.

Fortunately, Art in History is now selling their craft paints for general use! Here’s what they have to say about their paints:

In addition to the kits, we are now selling our craft paint as well. AIH is happy to announce that we have created a paint line to meet the specific needs of the craft industry and the classroom. Our custom paints are safe, have no odor, are non-toxic, and conform to ASTM D-4236 safety standards. All acrylic paints are conveniently packaged in 2 oz. bottles. Our all-purpose paints can be used on bisque, wood, metal, plastic, and other general craft projects.

PLEASE NOTE: All historically correct paint colors are included with purchase of Artifact(s). Paint colors may vary depending on monitor variations.

Finished Project

All in all, I’m very happy with the finished project! We aren’t an art-inclined family, so it won’t be shown at the art museum any time soon, but it’s amazing how authentic it looks just from getting the right paint colors! One thing I love about the Louisiana sugar bowl kit specifically, is you can use it in your home as a functional item! I just need to find out how to get the final glazed look, especially if we are going to use it for food items, which is it’s purpose! No more storing away projects from days past… they can be front and center! There are quite a few other functional items throughout their US History and World History collections, as well.

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Keep scrolling for the giveaway and discount code!

The Giveaway and Discount Code!!

Make sure to enter the giveaway below! Can I say I’m a little jealous that I can’t enter? The grand prize is absolutely fantastic!! Also, If you buy a kit now and win the giveaway, Art in History will refund your cost of one project ($9.95 plus S/H).

PLUS, Art in History is offering a discount of 10% off all orders over $100 dollars. Enter coupon code: HOMESCHOOL10 upon checkout. Valid through 11/30/13.

Giveaway Details

Winner may choose one art kit ($9.95 value, plus S/H) from any World History or US History project PLUS be entered into a grand prize “win for life” drawing (along with 9 other entrants from other blog giveaways in the coming month) –  Each child in the winning family will receive one of each project from Art in History! That’s 34 projects, approx. $390 value per child! 

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