inerorer: Embossing on Slick Surfaces Mixed Media Technique

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Embossing on Slick Surfaces Mixed Media Technique

My new book Beyond the Bead is overflowing with fun and easy mixed media techniques for the jewelry maker. One of my favorites is using embossing powder on slick surfaces. I've embossed on acrylic, glass, frosted glass and even ceramic. You can seal the final result with a clear laminate so it doesn't chip.

1. Use a dryer sheet to clean your surface to remove any static electricity.
2. Get a rubber stamp with an interesting image that isn't too detailed or tiny. Stamp with an embossing medium.
3. Pour regular or ultra fine embossing powder on stamped image (on the surface you're embossing, not on the stamp!) Feel free to use colors if you like and even use a variety of colors for a varigated look.
4. Shake off excess powder on a scrap paper so you can put it back into the jar. Use an exacto knife to remove any stray particles. There will be a few that you won't be able to remove without damaging the image, I just let that go.
5. Use a heat tool to melt embossing powder.
6. Allow to dry.
7. You can (if you choose) use Alcohol Inks or Adirondack or other glass friendly pens to color the image in.
8. If you aren't sandwiching the image, use a clear laminate to seal it.

Tips:
Don't overheat plastic items or you'll end up with a melty mess! Some surfaces take longer to heat up, so be patient. Don't overmelt your powder, it's ready as soon as it turns glossy, you'll see it happen. Move the heat tool around to get the entire image. Don't use a hair dryer, it won't get hot enough, you need a heat tool designed for crafts!

(I used Ranger embossing medium, powder and inks and Diamond Glaze as a laminate.)

Here are a variety of projects I've done with this technique. I'd love to see what you do with this...so feel free to send a jpeg of your work to theimpatientcrafter@gmail.com and I'll post the images in my blog with a link back to you!