Saturday, May 28, 2011

How to Retire Your Child’s Lovey by Clare Dempsey


My soon to be a Middle-schooler still has a lovey! This poor stuffed animal has been well loved and has been losing stuffing for well over a year. She is so threadbare and care worn that she cannot be mended. While the lovey is needed less and less, my son is still reluctant to part with her. So, I resolved to help him make this decision in a fun and gradual way: a shadow box! Why not part with the lovey gently, by framing it first and hanging the shadow box in his room? Want to give this idea a try? Since a lovey can be so special in your child’s eyes, it deserves a special shadow box. So, pull out your Art Glitter and make your child a shadow box for their own lovey!


I started by cutting a banner with my Sure Cuts A Lot 2 and heat embossing my banner. While my embossing powder was still hot, I pushed my embossed image face down into a tray of Art Glitter 297 Hibscus Ultrafine Transparent Glitter. This added a bit of bling in a subtle way to the banner. Each white banner letter was adhered to a scalloped banner piece, also cut with SCAL2.

If you try to add glitter to an embossed image follow these guidelines: 1) work on a small area only 2) have your glitter poured out ahead of time and close to where you are embossing 3) your embossing powder must be hot from your heat gun when you dip your image in the glitter and 4) use a brighter colored glitter for best results! If you take a look at the 297 Hibiscus color glitter on the Art Glitter site, you will see it is quite bright, but using it with the embossing powder will give it a more subtle look. While I did not get an even effect of glitter, I like the varied look to the glitter/embossed image!


I then used my Art Glitter Ultrafine Metal Tip and Designer Dries Clear glue to place a small dot around the dandelion like flower at the center of these medallions on Bella Blvd: Lovey Dovey: Circle of Love paper. Can you believe it!? I found a line of paper with pink elephants, called Lovey Dovey: for scrapping his lovey’s shaddow box! I used Art Glitter 207 Spring Creek Ultrafine Transparent glitter. I love this teal glitter! I also used the same glue and glitter to embellish the heart medallion from Bella Blvd Lovey Dovey: Cute Cuts.


My son filled in the journaling sticker, also by Bella Blvd, Lovey Dovey: Blurbs and adhered it to the box. The borders is from Lovey Dovey Borders N’ Blocks. The shadow box is from Michaels. Now wish my luck, convincing him the lovey is ready to retire to the shadow box!

Supplies Used:
Art Glitter 297 Hibscus Ultrafine Transparent Glitter
Art Glitter 207 Spring Creek Ultrafine Transparent Glitter
Art Glitter Ultrafine Metal tip
Art Glitter Dries Clear Adhesive
Bella Blvd Lovey Dovey: Cute Cuts, Circle of Love, Borders N’ Blocks Blurbs
Sure Cuts A Lot 2
Close to My Heart Cardstock Hollyhock
Shaddow Box
Ribbon Hobby Lobby

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Vintage Pendant/Pin by Candy Spiegel

I have been wanting to create a pendant using the Inkssentials Memory Frames for some time, but never had quite the right idea to “encourage” me to invest in something new – until I discovered the Champagne Gala Glitz by Art Glitter.

Made with chunks of Shards Vintage Glass Glitter, Art Glitter Glass Beads and Fine Vintage Glass Glitter, it takes on such a variety of color and depth as it moves in the light that I knew I had to do something with it.
This is what I came up with …


I started by cutting out a 1x1 inch square of paper from Creative Imaginations.

Then, I turned an Inkssentials Memory Capsule upside down and filled it with the Champagne Gala Glitz and then adhered the paper onto it with Art Glitter’s Designer Dries Clear adhesive. I applied the adhesive near the capsule so the little bits of glitter wouldn’t escape.

I then cut three squares of Grunge Board (so the frame was completely filled) and adhered them to the back and inserted them all into the frame.


Next came the flower … it is from Maya Road. I inked it with Butterscotch Alcohol Ink. When dry, I added Designer Dries Clear adhesive to the middle and then filled it with small 803 Solar Glass Beads.

Once dry, I attached it to the frame with Designer Dries Clear adhesive.
For the bottom, I added a couple of jump rings and a metal tassel from Tim Holtz and a clear bead from Maya Road.

It can be added to a cord, chain or ribbon and worn as a pendant or you can cut off the top ring and adhere a pin to the back.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Glitter Makes Everything Better by Janelle Burba

As I have been thinking about my post for this month and wanting to share my glitter with all of you, my mind went directly back to elementary school. Even as a young girl, I loved glitter!!! Of course, glitter has changed dramatically and its purposes right along with it. The thick glitter that we remember is probably still available somewhere but the glitter that I get to work with these days is truly amazing. The textures and varsity of colors Art Glitter make this glitter interesting not only to the eye but to the touch as well. I have been working with some different canvas this month. You will see what I mean as you check out the photographs.



My first canvas is something that you are all familiar with. Paper! In the first photo, I just wanted to show you how a little glitter makes all the difference in the butterfly and flowers. You see, you don't have to make a big production to enhance the beauty of any object you are working with. Honestly, a little goes along way. I have to be careful not to "over do it" as my motto is, "anything worth doing is worth over-doing"!

Which brings me to my next canvas: my daughter Natalie. As you can see, my daughter Natalie's make-up artist (my niece Valerie) used a lovely blue to enhance the beauty of her eyes. It was actually very simple as you can buy several types of body glue at any super store. You just add the glitter to the glue and WALAH!.. My challenge for you today is to enhance anything with glitter. Please use pictures to me at janelle.burba@gmail.com as I would love to see what you all are doing.

Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
Art Glitter Ultrafine Metal Tip
302 Honey Suckle Ultrafine Transparent
713 Fair Microfine Transparent
600 Indian Summer Fine Vintage Glass Glitter
97 Nirvana Ultrafine Transparent

NOTE FROM ART GLITTER: All polyester glitter is acid free and safe for wearing on skin. A few ultrafine opaque colors have a mix of metallic glitter in them and are not skin safe. Click HERE for a list of glitter colors that are NOT cosmetic grade. All other Ultrafine, Chunky and Microfine glitter are safe. Glass Glitter is NOT safe for wearing.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Overstock Glitter Sale and Elements Review

OVERSTOCK SALE AT ART GLITTER... YEA!


Yes, we made way too many 1/2 ounce jars of these colors above and they seem to be multiplying! That means wonderful savings for you!!!

The sale lasts as long as the overstock quantities last, so get your glitter now!

Half Ounce Jars are Regularly $5.90
NOW ONLY $2.50 each on selected colors

Go to our sale page to see exactly what colors I'm talking about HERE...
It's glitter, you can't go wrong!

While you're hopping around the internet, check out an honest, refreshing review of our Elements line from Marti Wills of Craft Critique. http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/05/elements-earth-textures-by-art.html


Marti brings up some very good points. Elements are made from organic components, therefore they are not acid free and will fade with time if left untreated. I would not recommend using them on a photo, however if treated with an Acrylic Spray or Spray Lacquer, they can be used near a photo. If you are very strict with the whole acid free idea, you probably won't want them on a scrapbook page at all. You will need to decide upon your level of comfort there.


When using Elements on all projects be sure to seal them after they completely dry with either an Acrylic Spray, which usually is a little on the glossy side, Spray Lacquer, which is very glossy, or Matte Spray, which is a little on the dull side, and is what I used on this piece. I think it is perfect for Elements.

The Elements has chunky pieces as well as smaller particles in it. And as I'm sure you know, with glue, the first one there is the winner. The smaller particles tend to shake down to the bottom of the jar. If you dig deep into the jar with a spoon, you will inevitably end up with the small particles winning. However, if you skim along the top, spoon on the chunky pieces first, then dip in deeper and spoon on the smaller particles while the glue is still wet, white and shiny, you will get a nice coverage of large and small pieces. I use this technique with our Gala Glitz too.


You'll have to click on this close up. The Elements work great on this fabric background. These are real cicada wings too, I strengthen them by dipping them into our Designer Dries Clear adhesive (watered down just a bit) a couple of times. Really dries clear doesn't it!!! And you'll notice just a touch of glitter on the frame. I use glitter on my "recycled" frames quite a bit.

If you ever have any questions about our products and how to use them please call (928-639-0805) or email us. We love the challenges you bring us every day! Enjoy - GlitterEmm

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day Glittered Tags at Art Glitter!


What a fun day it has been at Art Glitter! Well, every day is a fun day at Art Glitter, but anytime you combine glitter and kids, it's A LOT of fun! We opened up our doors to the community and invited them to come in and make glitter lace tags for Mother's Day. I only wish I could see the lucky Mom's faces! I'm content to remember the happy faces you see below.


You can see this group concentrating while they make the perfect tag for Mom. We had special stations set up for the kids with coordinating colors picked out in advance, but kids will be kids and they immediately started asking for this color or that and came up with their own creative color combinations that were quite stunning.


Here's our very own Miss Nancy teaching the finer points of applying glitter to this budding young artist.


This young gentleman learned a new word today, "template". He used the lace as a template for his glitter design. I actually saw a twinkle flash in his eye as we pulled the lace off the sticky paper and he "got it". We also talked about the words "opaque" and "transparent". They sure are smart and so willing to try something new. The boys even enjoyed the glitter!


If you could see their faces you'd see their smiles better! Kids are great, Moms are great! Have a very happy Mother's Day!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Paper Evening Dress by Clare Dempsey


The paper dresses at the Craft and Hobby Association show this last summer were the talk of the show. They were made by a paper vendor called Die Cuts With a View. You can find pictures at their blog HERE (http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cha-day-1-continued.html). You can get his look on a small scale with your paper and Art Glitter. I used a dress form that is actually a children’s toy by Ban Dai, called Harumika Style Your Imagination. You can also find small scale dress forms at most craft stores.

To make the dress, I chose my paper and paper punches. I used a Martha Stewart Border punch for the white piece at the top of the bodice and embellished it using my Art Glitter Ultra Fine tip, and Varsity Blue 185 Ultrafine Pearlescent glitter. I crimped my Bo Bunny Green paper and placed it behind my white border. I made paper darts in the white and green card stock where you would find darts in an actual dress. I embossed my blue cardstock and cut it to fit my dress form. I glued all of the bodice in place with a low temp hot glue gun. It is best to fit the curviest portion first when making your paper dress, so you do not flatten your skirt.


I cut and dry fit my skirt on the bottom of the dress form, but did NOT glue it. I used my Inkadinkadoo stamps with my glue pad to stamp the skirt. This glue pad, is like a stamp pad, with glue instead of ink and you should be able to find one at your local craft store. After I covered this with the Varsity Blue 185 Ultrafine Pearlescent glitter, I used my Art Glitter Ultra Fine tip to add Art Glitter 280 Lime Rind Ultrafine Opaque Glitter to my design and pull together my color choices. I love to enhance my stamped glitter images with a second color and my Art Glitter Ultra fine tip!


I also glued more of the crimped paper at the bottom, making small pleats to form the bottom. I then added the rolled roses, over the shoulder, at the waist, and near the hem.


After the skirt, I made mini rolled roses using a die and inking the edges. You just roll them up and place a dot of hot glue on the base to hold the rolls in place. I placed some across one shoulder, at the waist and a few near the hem.

You may not have a chance to walk the red carpet, but you can make your fantasy dress with just your paper crafting tools and Art Glitter.

Supplies Used
Art Glitter 185 Varsity Blue Ultrafine Pearlescent
Art Glitter 280 Lime Rind Ultrafine Opaque Glitter
Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
Martha Stewart Border Punch
My Favorite Things Mini Rolled Roses Die-Namics
Fiskars Paper Crimper
Inkadinkado Wellspring Stamps
Martha Stewart Glue Pad
Low Temp Hot Glue Gun
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Bo Bunny (Green patterned paper)
Assorted cardstock
Harumika Style Your Imagination by Ban Dai (Dress form)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Glittered Bird Wreath by Candy Spiegel


Lately, I seem to be on a bird kick … anything and everything that includes a bird pulls me to it.

So, when I saw this wreath kit by KaiserCraft, I was immediately drawn to it. And, when I discovered the Vintage Glass Glitter and Gala Glitz by Art Glitter, I knew I had to make this.
I used several techniques to create the wreath. First, I cut apart and lightly sanded the wood pieces from KaiserCraft.

Some of the leaves were sprayed with Adirondack Color Wash. Others were covered in papers from the Marjolaine collection from Basic Grey and then inked in Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

After putting the basic wreath together, I added flowers from Prima and some that I made using the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Tattered Flowers die. I added 600 Indian Summer Fine Vintage Glass Glitter to the centers.

Then, came the best part … the birds!



The blue ones are sprayed with Adirondack Color Wash before applying the glitter, to make sure nothing showed underneath the chunky glitter. I used 911 Lapis Vintage Glass Glitter Shards.


I love, love, love this glitter … It is rich and full of deep blue and purple hues.
For the lighter bird, I used a Paint Dabber to color just the edge in blue and then applied Champagne Gala Glitz.
When zoomed in on the glitter, it looks like this …


Because it is a mix of Vintage Glass Glitter, beads and other glitters, I didn’t worry about any color showing through … I figured there would be enough different size pieces in the glitter to cover and it did. This photo shows it a little more pink than it is … it is more of a tan/cream/gold color, but when light hits it, it reflects in pink. The larger shards almost look like mirrors … It is AMAZING!

The Vintage Glass Glitters provide so much depth — they keep you mesmerized.
By the way, I used Designer Dries Clear adhesive from Art Glitter to adhere everything — papers, glitter, flowers and wood pieces. This is a one-adhesive project!