here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

creating custom embossing powders...

I had a fun play day yesterday & thought I'd share some of the results of my experiments...

at CHA this past January, Ranger announced a revised & updated embossing powder program...

embossing powder is HOT HOT HOT!
get the pun?

so that means that I was sent a GIANT box of EVERY single embossing powder that is made by Ranger...
yippee!


I SO LOVE MY JOB...

anyway, that's what started the experiment...

if you follow my blog, you know that I LOVE to find new ways to use products...
so you'll know that I had so much fun playing working in the studio yesterday...

one of the embossing powders that I did not own prior to the big box delivery, was the TAN embossing powder...

SERIOUSLY? how did I miss this? it's BROWN!

let the experimenting begin...

here's the supplies I used...

tim's distress embossing ink...but any of the embossing inks will work...



and some manila cardstock...

I like to use a piece of cut N dry foam to add the embossing ink thru the stencil...


after the Tan embossing powder was heated & melted, this is the result...

beautiful tan...and very shiny...


because my style is more vintage, I wanted to see if it was possible to tone down the shine...

so, I grabbed a small jar & added equal amounts of the tan embossing powder & the frosted crystal embossing powder...
and shook the jar to mix them very well...



it was that simple to create a custom embossing powder...
oh the possibilities!

what you'll see in the photo below is that it's still tan-ish...
but it is significantly less shiny...
and it has an awesome rough texture from the frosted crystal powder...


here's a side by side comparison...
less shiny & a lighter tan...

I am so loving this!


and here's a closer look at the fabulous texture...


metallic are very popular these days, so I thought I'd experiment with the princess gold embossing powder...


the photo below shows what it looks like, used right from the jar...

a beautiful shiny gold...


again, I was aiming for a more vintage effect, so I mixed equal amounts of the princess gold & frosted crystal in a small jar...




and below is the result...

textured gold, that is less shiny...
I like it!


I got brave & added even more frosted crystal to the jar...

I'd estimate that I used 1 part  princess gold powder & 5 parts of frosted crystal embossing powder...
and this is the result...

still gold color...

but much less shine...

which to me means it looks more vintage...
and PERFECT to use with distress inks & my archival inks...


below is the example showing all 3 gold samples...

the far left is princess gold, used right from the jar...

top right is 1 part princess gold & 1 part frosted crystal...

the bottom right is 1 part princess gold with 5 parts of the frosted crystal embossing powder mixed in, to create an awesome vintage gold...

3 very different effects...



the key ingredient here is the frosted crystal embossing powder...
it adds texture & makes the powders less shiny...

it can be mixed in with any of the powders to create custom colored embossing powders...

I'll be using these powders thru my stencils, for art journal backgrounds and to sprinkle over my wet embossing pastes, to create tons of dimension...

I see lots of fun play work coming...

try it!

have fun and...

make art!
wendy
ps...off to look for more mini jars...
I can mix silver embossing powder with frosted crystal...
and...
and...
I guess I better find LOTS of jars...

45 comments:

Dee in N.H. said...

How awesome is that?!! I see I need some frosted crystal in my stash!

Meme said...

That my friend is really cool! I love when you experiment!

famillemarleau said...

Great tutorial. I like that we can have many uses for some products. Thanks for sharing with us. Johanne Lacombe

JPScraps said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I wonder if Ranger will start selling frosted crystal by the pound? :)

Marissa said...

I just want to run my fingers over that smooth beautiful gold! I love their embossing powders. Thanks for the peek at your play!

Bonnie Irvine said...

Well, who knew! That is so cool. I love the varied effects from the mixtures. Now I can customize. Guess what's on my shopping list :) Thanks for the tutorial.

Chris K said...

I guess I need to add the Frosted Crystal Embossing Powder to my stash! Love your examples. Thanks for sharing your experiments.

Scrapthat said...

Awesome Wendy!! Have fun working!

Patricia said...

Thank you for this awesome experiment...seeing that I am not that fond of too shiny, I can now try this technique!!!

dharmabum1966 said...

I'm always learning something new from you, Wendy! Please post photos of the silver/frosted crystal/lime experiment. It sounds intriguing!

Hels Sheridan said...

HOW FAB!!! I needs that Frosted Crystal powder now... x

Dorothy said...

You are having some fun!!!
Love it all!!!

Dorothy said...

You are having some fun!!!
Love it all!!!

Marsha Reed said...

Thanks so much for sharing this. I agree there are times when shiny is not always the look you are going for. I can't wait to give this a try on my next project. Totally enjoy your work.

SusanK said...

What a fun play day! I have a lot of embossing powders that could use a boost from being mixed with something else...thanks for the idea!

barbarayaya62 said...

What a fab tutorial Wendy!!!!!!!! I love love love your ART!!!!!!!!!!!!! BARbarayaya

Creative Tara said...

fun technique, I look forward to trying it... as soon as I find my heat tool LOL

Craftyfield said...

Snap! I was playing with a Frosted Crystal mix just yesterday... wish I had the full range to make more mixes myself!

Tona said...

You are such a clever girl! I love that you do the experimenting for me so that I don't have to worry about wasting product :)

Janie said...

Love the frosted crystal powder.

Vic said...

Ranger needs to offer Frosted Chrystal in a larger size jar!

Elaine said...

Not tried the Frosted Crystal embossing powder but I think I now need it. Thanks Wendy for all the photos - the results look amazing!!

Miriam said...

Such a fabulous tutorial - great ideas - thanks for sharing Wendy....

Lori said...

What wonderful experiments! Love the results!

Lisa McGushion said...

Love the effects. Just received my frosted crystal powder. May need to order more.

Jenny Marples said...

I adore mixing ep's so this is something I'll definitely be giving a go. Thanks for sharing this clever idea. You've shown us your ep technique, I'm going to have to show you mine! Jenny x

Helen said...

I think you're having WAY too much fun, lol - how fabulous!

sue said...

Wow! Is all I can say!

Lisa said...

Oh wow, how awesome!! Now I've got to have that Frosted Crystal Embossing Powder!! Thanks for the inspiration!! Have a great evening :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Yvonne said...

fantastic result...you're so clever! thanks for the tutorial

Lisa H said...

Fabulous!! I applaud your experimentation. =)

Debby said...

Very cool! Wish I had your job! LOL.

Sharon Y said...

Well, isn't that cool! Never thought to combine powders. Thanks for sharing! You do have a great job!

Nicole Wright Designs said...

I have the frosted Crystal and I'm getting some of the new powders tomorrow. Hmmm looks like fun. Thanks for the yummy inspiration.

Ellen said...

Thank you so much to share this GREAT tutorial with us Wendy!! Love your work!

Greetings from the Netherlands,
Ellen

Redanne said...

I LOVE your experiments Wendy, who would have thought that tan could look so good too! Thanks so much for the inspiration... Anne x

Elaine A said...

Wendy,

I love when you play, uh ahem, I mean work with supplies and come up with new ideas! It means that we are the happy recipients of you experiments. Awesome ideas!

Elaine Allen

Unknown said...

Wendy....great idea. I have some I'm going to try. Thanks for the tip. You're great!!!! Most of all...like you...I LUV VINTAGE!!!! can't wait to try.👍

Create Beauty with Laurajo said...

You're awesome! Love the results of your play...I mean work time. What I love most about these are that they would look great on most any background. Thanks for sharing!

Art By Wanda said...

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Clever girl!

Anonymous said...

That is VERY cool! I shall have to investigate embossing powders a little more...

Unknown said...

I want to buy this clour

Unknown said...

I need gold powder plz contact me

Unknown said...

I want to buy this colour