Saturday 4 November 2017

2017 #16 Rust: The Colors of Iron with ESA {by Dounia Large}

2017 Topic 16: Rustification


OK folks, this is one of THOSE posts where you exclaim out lout 'SAY WHAT!???' ...go ahead READ IT!! Professor Dounia is in the house!
I can imagine Seth punching the air already!!

Hi everyone, it's Dounia with you today, and I'd like to share with you a different way to use the amazing Rusting Powder from PaperArtsy. It also involves tea and tree leaves...

I always like to use products different ways, make the most of them and I also try to work with natural objects and this is a great technique that combines both! It's also a bit of a cheat in this them, as I didn't actually rust anything...


From my chemistry background, I know that iron is involved in a form or an other in a lot of pigments and dyes. It is particularly reactive to tanins, and what has tanins? Tea! You probably already have heard or practiced tea dying, this is just taking it a step further. After infusing you paper or fabric in a strong tea, you can add Rusting Powder directly in the bath (in a plastic tub!) for a medium color. You can also prepare a iron (IS) solution the day before by mixing the powder with lemon juice. You can dilute and spray it for a darker tone.


The color takes a few minutes to fully develop, it's like magic each time! Of course instead of spraying the paper/fabric directly, you can use stencils!


Stamping is also possible! Either with the Iron Spray on the tea dyed substrate or by spraying tea on the stamp, printing it then using the Iron Spray. Both give slightly cloudy and grungy images that I think pair perfectly with Seth Apter fabulous designs! Here I used ESA05 with its gorgeous collage stamps.





Do you now what else contains tanins? Most tree and bush leaves! You can run them through your die-cuting machine to "juice them" them spray with the iron solution. The difference between before and after is striking!


I had a big play session with my tea and iron and used the results in a journal. Here are a few pages.


Hope this inspires you to get a bit messy and use your rusting powder differently!

End signing off with your name, and directly clickable links to your blog and social media hangouts.

Well it is certainly super-handy to have a Chemist blogging for us! I can't believe how those leaves turned out! From henceforth you shall now be known as Prof Dounia on this blog !! You win in the rusty experimentation challenge!! ~Leandra



We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

Why not join our 2-weekly challenge by blogging your create response to the current topic and link it here?

The current topic link Topic 16: Rust will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Nov 12th 2017, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.

17 comments:

Helen said...

wow, Dounia, this looks fantastic

Kirsten said...

The possibilities of rusting powder are endless! ;-) Fantastic project.

Craftyfield said...

It all looks gorgeous! Fascinating techniques... almost worth taking up tea drinking!

Nikki Acton said...

Great ideas and experimentation... thanks Dounia!

Mac Mable said...

Learnt lots, great inspiration....Thank you x

Words and Pictures said...

Fantastic ideas and information here, Dounia - what fantastic results from your scientific experimentation! Thanks for sharing it all with us.
Alison x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Amazing ! Thank you for so many inspirational ideas. Jennie x

geezercrafter said...

Very exciting techniques you have shared, love your project.

jean keay said...

Thanks so much for sharing these techniques - I would never have thought of using Rusting Powder in this way. Amazing!. Jean.x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! Brilliant results from your 'play' session! Chrisx

Unknown said...

Fab results! Great project.😊

Corrie Herriman said...

Very inventive ! Great project too !

Ruth said...

Beautiful project but oh wow, am I excited by this idea. Having recently created some pages from pressed and steamed leaves, I’m off to spray some iron solution on them! Thanks for the sharing! xx

SewPaperPaint said...

Such a cool project! Love the neutral palette and incredible cover. Hugs, Autumn

Annie said...

WOW !!!! Such an inspiring post....totally love the amazing outcome of your project and thank you for sharing the step by step details and so much more

Annie x

Etsuko said...

Stunning project Dounia. The very gentle creation with the natural colours and great idea. The chemical reaction was very helpful, I would like to try it!! xx

Scrapcosy said...

Wow!! I love your experiments! And the project is beautiful! Love it!