2019 #2 Brayers: Friendship And Flowers with EEV {by Miriam Grazier}

2019 Topic 2: Brayers

Continuing our brayer topic is Miriam with some gorgeous gel plate delights that look so dimensional it's hard to believe there aren't multiple layers. I love her handy tip for stamping out and about using the brayer too!

Hi everyone, it's Miriam with you today, and I'd like to share with you my experiments with the amazing new PaperArtsy brayer and the Gel Press plate.

I love using a brayer to create quick and easy back grounds but there are so many other uses for a brayer too. I set out to show you some of the ways that I use my brayer. I also wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and so chose really bright colours as I think they suit Ellen's stamps perfectly.

I used a combination of these Ellen Vargo stamps, EEV01, EEV02, EEV05, EEV06, EEV10.

        

I used my brayer to create a quick master board background for the flowers. I also created a separate gel plate background for the card. 

I used the plastic backing that comes with the brayer to add texture to my gel plate background.

I also like to use a brayer to add paint to large stamps. I find this gives an even coat to the stamp and is not too wet to stamp with. I used this method to add stamping across my backgrounds. For more detailed stamps I also like to run the brayer across the back of the stamping block once I have placed it onto my project. This is really useful when I craft out and about and don't have my stamp platform with me.  

By brayering lots of layers I was able to create depth to the flowers. I cut them up and paper pieced them. I was thrilled at how they looked.

Using the left overs from the backgrounds I also created three ATC's. 

The ATC's are one layer, but again, the multiple brayered layers have created depth and almost look dimensional.

Fresco acrylic paints work amazingly well with brayers. It enables you to layer the semi-opaque and translucent over the opaque colours really well.

I really enjoyed creating these projects with the new PaperArtsy brayer. It is just the right size and it's also super smooth. It makes it really easy to add layers onto your project, as well as giving you a helping hand in ensuring even and firm stamping where needed.  

I really hope that I have encouraged you to have a go for yourselves. I would definitely recommend the brayer. Create some brayered backgrounds and cut them up. A little goes a long way.

Thanks for joining me today. Happy crafting!

Blog: Miriam's Creative Dreams

2019 #2 Topic Introduction: Brayers

 2019 Topic 2: Brayers

Well hello everyone, Keren here! I hope it hasn't escaped your attention that PaperArtsy have developed a fabulous new brayer tool. It's slightly smaller for ease of manoeuvring and great for smaller projects but its chunky and really robust surface is perfect for picking up paint and ink and layering it smoothly. It has a STAND- so no more gunking up your worksurfaces when you put it down! The brayers are available from PaperArtsy stockists.

To start the brayer brainstorming, I thought a lesson by Leandra would be the perfect starting point to see brayers and paint in action and also how to solve the problem of combining less than compatible colours!

This next video shows one of the simplest (& very effective) way of using the brayer. Look out for all the Fresco Finish paints she uses on the second project.

Umot Radas

Brayer techniques aren't restricted just to canvases and cards- why not go for some real texture using paint and an embossing folder?

Tammy Hobbs

Perhaps you love the brayered scene look but brayering is new to you? This beginners 'how-to' also shows the technique to create beautiful subtle inked backgrounds; just perfect for stamping over and creating scenes.

Michelle Zindorf

The surface of a brayer is perfect for getting a smooth lay down of ink and paint. What if you want something more textured? How about pimping your brayer?! This post talks through adding elements like elastic bands etc. onto your brayer and gives some amazing ideas for adding texture to printed fabric by using textured surfaces under the fabric that creates the texture over the surface!

Threads

One of the first things that might come to mind when thinking about brayering is monoprinting or using gel plates. Here's a post going through simple techniques and showing how to use stencils too.

Made By Nicole

If that post whets your appetite and you want to explore more on using brayers with gel plates, check out this video by Kate Crane who proves that grunge can be pretty too!

Brayer techniques can produce surprising effects, and this Bouncing Brayer technique is the perfect example. I'm sure you can find lots of ways to incorporate this into your creating.

Charmaine Ikach

If you're wanting to stick to a limited colour palette, I thought that this 'Glow Technique' might fit the bill.

Jenny Hall

When adding ink to brayers, it becomes really easy to do image transfer. I love Kate Pullen's idea of brayering over feathers, and can see this technique being used with a multitude of everyday objects you already have at home.

We can't forget the brayer's capacity to create a variety of patterned backgrounds. This plaid design was easily created using Distress Inks.

Lisa Volrath

This introductory post could have been sooo much longer. If you look at Leandra's Brayers Pinterest Board, you'll see plenty more brayer inspiration. I hope this has got you thinking about techniques you'd like to try or even revisit. This rotating topic is sure to have us all in a creative spin! We can't wait to see what brainwaves you have with brayers! Do create along with us.

You're going to love the projects we have coming up. We are not doing the linked challenge  for 2019, so if you want to create along with us and this topic, please share on our social feeds so we can see what you get up to. The best places are instagram @paperartsy or post in PaperArtsy People Group on Facebook too. 

I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

~ Keren