2015 #2 Textured Treasures {by Gillian Simson}

2015 Topic 2: Shiny Stuff

Hi everyone Gillian here, joining you this evening with a post about using different mediums and layering to create a Faux Metal Effect. I love this technique as it allows you to incorporate a variety of mediums to create the desired outcome. My project tonight started out as basic Paper Mache Letters.

Step One: I started out by giving the paper-mache letters a couple of base coats using Little Black Dress {Opaque} before going on to apply the Pewter metallic paint colour in the next step.

At this stage I also mixed some Little Black Dress with some Grunge Paste and applied some DIY Plasterers Tape to create my first layer. 

The script stamp is from one of Sara Naumann's new stamp designs ESN13. Don't forget you can see the rest of Sara's new stamps in full this coming week here on the  blog!

Step Two: Next up I added a few thin layers of Pewter to bring in a more metallic sheen before adding some White Fire Treasure Gold. I then added some Treasure Gold Sapphire around the edges of the letters and over the textured areas.

Step Three: Next I stamped the star image from ESN13 using Archival Ink Jet Black onto tissue paper and cut out. I then adhered the stars with Gloss Glaze to the individual letters.

Step Four: At this point I continued to build up the layers of Treasure Gold, this time using Aquamarine until I was happy with the coverage. To add extra sheen take a dry cloth and buff over the entire surface area.

Step Five: I wrapped some beaded wire around the end of a paintbrush before attaching to the centre of the letter O.

Step Six: Finally I stamped a quote from ESN13 again onto Tissue Paper, trimmed, edged with a graphite pencil and adhered accordingly using Gloss Glaze.

I hope I have inspired you to dig out those little pots of jewelled gold wax, play along and enter our challenge. Treasure Gold is such a beautiful and easy medium to work with and the results are fabulous.

Until next time!
Gillian 
@f1racechick

Ohh, that's looking great Gillian, Treasure Gold highlights every lump and bump perfectly! Letters decorated this way can be used for all kinds of situations, and they come in lots of shapes and sizes too now! Itching to have a go!

If you fancy joining PaperArtsy challenge #2: Shiny Stuff, then you can link up your creativity HERE.  

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our New Product Announcements which starts Feb 1st for a week.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Shiny Stuff link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Feb 8th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

2015 #2 Clay Jewellery {by Alison Hall}

2015 Theme 2: Shiny Stuff

Hi everyone Alison here, joining you this evening with a post about making art jewellery using Fimo clay and Perfect Pearls. I have a wonderful book called Mixed Media Mosaics by Laurie Mika, and this challenge was the perfect excuse to dip into it and try some of the techniques.

Step One: 
I began by rolling out some black Fimo Clay to about 3mm thick, then stamped into it with the large patterned grid from Ink and the Dog Collection - 'Clocks - Plate 2'.

Clocks Plate 2

Step Two: 

I used a clay cutter (the long blade at the foot of the picture) to cut out a block of 8 squares for my pendant, and two blocks of 2 squares for the earrings.

Step Three: 

Using a soft brush, I added colour to the different sections with Ranger Perfect Pearls in Blue Patina, Green Patina, and Cappuccino.

Step Four: 

I used a coffee stirrer to make small dents between the sections, then placed some glass seed beads with the help of a piercing tool. I used the flat side of the stirrer to push the beads into the clay a little.

Step Five: 

I cut three eye pins to about half an inch, then inserted them into the tops of the pendant and earrings. Then I added three glass beads to each of three head pins, cut those to about half an inch, then inserted them into the bottom of the pendant and earrings.

Step Six: 

Here are my pendant and earrings ready to be baked as per the manufacturer's instructions. Once they were baked and cooled, I sealed them with Fimo Gloss Glaze, and added my jewellery findings.

Step Seven: I also made a triangular pendant in a similar way, using the script from Ink and the Dog Collection - 'Petals - Plate 1' ...

Petals Plate 1

... and one of the patterned squares from Ink and the Dog Collection - 'Clocks - Plate 2'. This time, I used my finger to apply the Perfect Pearls, so that it only coloured the raised parts, leaving the detail in the dippy bits black.

I hope that I've inspired you to make some unique wearable art for yourselves. I'm really pleased with how my pieces turned out, and had so much fun making them. Just remember to use glass beads if you have to bake your clay!

Alison x
craftytrog.wordpress.com 

These are gorgeous pieces Alison, thankyou for joining us this evening. I am sure many people, like me, have forgotton Fimo in a drawer, just waiting for the perfect inspiration. The deep red rubber of the PaperArtsy stamps creates brilliant impressions, really stunning pieces.

If you fancy joining PaperArtsy challenge #2: Shiny Stuff, then you can link up your creativity HERE.  

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our New Product Announcements which starts Feb 1st for a week.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Shiny Stuff link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Feb 8th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

2015 #2 Patina Clock {by Lou Collins}

2015 Theme 2: Shiny Stuff

Hi everyone Lou Collins here, joining you this evening with a post about creating a Faux Patina Metal effect using Fresco Paints. I love this effect...it is a very quick and simple way of aging and material by years! I have chosen to take a metal alarm clock and alter it to make it look old. Although it looks as if the effect has taken years to develop, it in fact, only takes minutes to achieve, by following the steps below. 

Step One: Using a foam applicator, dab a mix of Slate and Old Gold Fresco Paints all over your surface. There is no need for a primer with these paints, and the Opaque qualities of the Slate ensures a good solid base over the shiny silver metal.

Step Two: Repeat Step One but this time using Bora Bora and Toffee coloured Fresco Paints. Try not to mix the two colours two much so that there is lots of contrast between both colours. 

Step Three: Going back to the first two paint colours again, dab over a mix of Slate and Old Gold in places using a screwed up kitchen towel for a really uneven finish. 

Step Four: Squeeze some Old Gold onto a heat resistant mat, and press a stamp into the paint. I have used the cogs from the Eclectica Stamp Set EDY02. 

Dab off any excess and press the painted stamp into random parts of the clock to leave a subtle design and texture. 

Step Five: Finish by heat drying the paint, holding a heat gun over the stamped images until the paint starts to bubble. This gives even more texture. 

To complete my project I stamped some of the other designs of the stamp set on brown cardstock, and heat embossed the images in white. I took a small paint brush and added a small amount of coloured detail to the stamped images in the Old Gold and Slate Fresco Paints. 

This aging technique does not have to be used over metal...I love that it would work just as well on wood, plastic, cardstock...why not have a go with your favorite stamp set? 

Thank you for joining me this evening! 
Lou Collins x 
(Lou Collins Designs Facebook Page) 

Ohhh Lou this looks like so much fun, and like you say, wood mirrors, old biscuit tins...all kinds of things could be given this patina treatment so easily! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration tonight!

If you fancy joining the PaperArtsy challenge #2: Shiny Stuff, then you can link up your creativity HERE.  

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our New Product Announcements which starts Feb 1st for a week.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Shiny Stuff link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Feb 8th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

2015 #2 Texture and Gold {by Penny Nuttall}

2015 Theme 2: Shiny Stuff

Hi everyone Penny here, joining you this evening with a post about adding the glitz to your project with gilding flakes or foils.This is a great way to bring out the highlights on any textured surface....rich and blingy!

I am very happy to have been allowed a pre-launch play with some of the new Lin Brown stamps, so you will get a sneaky peek today......but will have to wait until next week for the full reveal!

If I decorate the cover of a new sketchbook it often inspires me to work on the inside pages

Step One: To make the textured stamping surface, I spread a layer of PVA glue over the surface of the book cover and then using a brayer, rolled on a layer of paper clay to a
thickness of about 1/8th inch.

 I used one of the new Eclectica {Lin Brown} stamp sets ...

Step Two: While the clay was still damp, I stamped the images to make a village landscape. These stamps make beautiful deep and sharp impressions in the paper clay.

Step Three: When the clay had dried, it was time to add some colour. I blocked areas with Fresco Finish Acrylics in lovely bright colours: Yellow Submarine, Turquoise, Tango, Guacamole and Orchid, brushing the edges of the areas into each other and then over layering using a dry brush technique.

Step Four: Now for the glitz!

Using the brayer. I rolled gilding paste/ glue over the surface, catching all the raised parts of the clay where I wanted the gold foil or flake to catch. This gets a bit tacky as it 'dries'.

Step Five: I applied gilding foil with a cool iron to the partly dried gilding paste (you could also use gilding flakes for this). It is up to you how much bling you want to add! Depending on the gilding product you use, you may not need an iron. Some just grab to the glue/ paste without the need for heat.

Step Six: Finally, I used my finger to rub in a few areas of darker colour. I used Fresco Finish Baltic Blue, wiping back with a baby-wipe to reveal the gold and the under layers of colour. Love the texture!

This started as a bit of an experiment and now I can see many other possibilities for embellishments, stitching and 3-D projects (yay!). Watch this space...

Why not have a go?... Best wishes to All, 
Penny.
cuttingmycoat.blogspot.co.uk

Wow Penny, we love your abstract gilding effect here, the paper clay looks fab! Such an unusual technique to brayer it on. Your journal looks so cheerful.

If you fancy joining PaperArtsy challenge #2: Shiny Stuff, then you can link up your creativity HERE.  

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our New Product Announcements which starts Feb 1st for a week.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Shiny Stuff link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Feb 8th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

2015 #2 Shiny Clay {by Lin Brown, PA Signature Designer}

Hi, Lin here this evening to share a project using some of my brand new stamps!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am by this new release and am delighted not only to be able to show you a project, fitting in with the shiny theme on the blog this week, but also ahead of the official launch of my new lines which is scheduled for next week.

My new stamps are completely influenced by my holiday in Tobago at the end of last year. I was amazed and completely blown away by the tropical plants, wild life, breath taking scenery and colour, particularly the colour of the sea........crystal clear water and turquoise, simply beautiful!

Today, my project uses some of my new botanical stamps, black polymer clay and mica powders, the shiny element. I really prefer using black clay when using mica powders, it really highlights the true colour of the mica.

Before you start working with your clay, you need to condition it. This is done by either kneading the clay with your hands or putting it through a pasta machine. I prefer to use the pasta machine option. I have one that I keep just for clay, please don't use the one that you keep in your kitchen for making pasta!!! 

Simply keep folding the clay in half, and pass through the machine, taking care not to trap air bubbles in the clay. It is not always easy to see them at this stage but the pesky little things will rise during the baking process!!! The clay will become more pliable and have more of a sheen to it when it is ready to use.

After rolling my clay through the pasta machine for the final time, I took the stem image from ELB15 and flower head stamp from ELB16 and pressed them firmly into the clay.

Before opening the mica powder, please put your stamps away. If you get some mica on the back of the stamps, the cling foam will need cleaning as the mica stops them sticking to the storage sheet or acrylic block.

Take a small paint brush and paint the flower with the Mica. I used Dreamweaver Metallic FX but there are other brands on the market such as Ranger's Perfect Pearls or Jaquard's Pearl Ex.

Here's a close up shot so that you can see how gorgeous the colours look, specially where two colours are blended together.

I was going to leave the background black but sadly, I managed to spill some mica powder on it and decided that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I coloured the background with mica powders too. 

One of the things that I love about working with clay is the ability to manipulate the shape. I really like the ragged/torn edge look, not only for the more aged appearance of the piece but it also reveals a black edge, which I really like. You can see in the photo below that I have torn a few splits into the clay  as well as pricking some background texture and piercing a couple of holes which I will use to dangle embellishments from.

Here's a close up

...and another

It is also possible to embed things into the clay. I like to use metal embellishments so that I can bake the clay with the embellishments in place. Most of the time, they stay put and don't need any glue. If you do need to use glue, a dot of superglue will do the trick properly.

As you work with the clay, you will realise that the mica can start to lift off the surface of the clay, leaving behind your finger prints. If this happens, not to worry, you can always pick up a paintbrush and fill in any gaps but my recommendation would be to seal the clay. I personally like to seal the clay after it has been baked to avoid any additional fumes. If you were using clay on a regular basis, you might like to invest in a small toaster oven that would be dedicated to baking clay. In reality, most of you are not going to do that and will bake it in your kitchen. Always follow the manufacturer's baking instructions and I would suggest making a tent of tin foil over the clay to contain any fumes.

OK, going back to the sealing of the clay. I ran a little experiment with different mediums that could possibly work as a good sealer. The Treasure Gold sealer worked really well and dries by evaporation quite quickly so if you want to build up a deep shine you could keep adding layers. Having said that, I personally struggle with the fumes of this product as I have very sensitive skin. I tested PaperArtsy Gloss, Satin, Pearl and Metallic glazes. I chose not to test the Matte one as I wanted to keep the beautiful shimmer of the mica. For me, the Gloss ticked all the boxes. Satin would be my second choice but of course the Pearl and Metallic glazes are not as clear as the others because they also have mica particles in those glazes.

Now for the background. I recycled a paper covered canvas for my background. I chose completely contrasting colours and stamped a few of the new images from ELB15 with Jet Black Archival ink. 

I added a splash of colour to the dandelion heads with a Fibralo pen and stamped my message on some masking tape. I love this shabby look, you can still see the images underneath the tape. 

A few more pieces of masking tape and washi tape for decoration.

To frame the piece, some black ink around the edges.

Finally, sorry it's been a bit of an epic post, a few close up shots to show you how nice the dangly embellishments look.

I hope that this will inspire you to have a little dabble with clay. I'm pretty sure most of you will have some mica powders somewhere in your stash so you can join in with the shiny theme here on the blog. I can't wait for next week when I'll be back to share the rest of my new products with you.

Wow, a big thanks to Lin for this wonderful post. I'm sure we all have plenty of mica powders lurking about to try this technique with. Back in the day we also used to cover little wooden boxes with stamped clay, just like this. Lin's panel is a stunning way to make a feature piece!

If you fancy joining PaperArtsy challenge #2: Shiny Stuff, then you can link up your creativity HERE.  

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our New Product Announcements which starts Feb 1st for a week.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Shiny Stuff link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Feb 8th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.