Category Archives: Mixed Media

Learn to Make a Pendant from Clay

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by Iris Rodriguez

Learn to Make a Pendant from Clay

Making your own jewelry can be so rewarding. You get to make fun and exciting creations, express yourself and make a statement. Making beads out of polymer clay is a great way to get started or simply experiment and see if you like it. The beads can be stamped, colored, and even embossed. For this project, I made a round, dome-shaped bead, stamped it and embossed with silver embossing powder.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes + baking time according to clay manufacturer instructions

Directions


Step 1

Set out your mat. Ceramic, glass or special mats like Polyform’s Sculpey Make ‘N Bake Mat surfaces work best when working with clay.


Step 2

Begin by conditioning the clay with a clay roller, or pasta machine. When first taking the clay out of the package, roll the clay a few times in order to soften it. If it cracks when running it through the pasta machine or roller; this means that it’s not conditioned. So continue to condition. If using a pasta machine, roll one sheet of clay to the third thickest setting. If using a roller, aim for 1/16 inch thickness. Place stamp over the clay, press firmly into the clay with your fingers or clay roller.


Step 3

Remove stamp. Ensure you get a deep indentation so that you have good dimension.


Step 4

Using the Premo Sculpey Circle cutters, cut out the clay. Use the second largest cutter from the set.


Step 5

Prepare the pendant for baking. In order to get a dome shape, place the clay over a rounded object, like a burned out light bulb or the round edge of a ceramic bowl. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.


Step 6

While the clay is baking, prepare the bail. Using the Premo Sculpey Circle cutters, cut out a circle. Use the second smallest cutter from the set. Then use the smallest cutter and cut out tiny slices off on opposite sides of each other.


Step 7

After the clay cures, roll out a small sheet of clay to the 4th thickest setting in the pasta machine. Spread a little bit of liquid clay on the back of the bead. The liquid clay adheres the clay to each other. Adhere the newly rolled out sheet of clay. Cut out the excess with a precision knife. Texture the back. This is in case, the bead flips while you are wearing it and it will still look fabulous. Add a couple of drops of liquid clay to the bail and adhere to the bead. Before doing so, lay down a piece of wire, so that it bakes with an opening. This is where the cord will go through. Bake the bead according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.


Step 8

Ink the raised areas with the VersaMark ink. Add embossing powder in Silver. The clay tends to attract the embossing powder so it will want to go into the non-inked area. Use a liner brush to remove the embossing powder from the crevices.


Step 9

Heat set the embossing powder, just like you would on paper. The clay will tend to get a little soft with the heat. Let cool off, do not touch and risk distorting it. The clay will harden again. Seal the bead with Sculpey Gloss Glaze. It is very important to seal the clay. It protects the embossing powder and clay. Add the leather or cotton cord and clasp. Now you have a necklace to add to your wardrobe.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Polyform – Sculpey Souffle Clay in Poppy Seed, Gloss Glaze, Graduated Cutter Circle Set
  • Lightbulb
  • Rubber Stamp
  • Leather or Cotton Cord
  • Jewelry Hardware: jump ring, clasp, needle nose pliers
  • Ceramic tile, crafting glass, or Sculpey Work ‘N Bake Clay Mat

Enjoy Every Moment with this 3-D Flower Cardmaking Tutorial

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by Steph Ackerman

Enjoy Every Moment with this Cardmaking Tutorial

Sometimes the daily grind in life can cause us to forget a simple truth–Enjoy Life! Today’s cardmaking project spreads the message of “Enjoy Every Moment” and would make a great encouragement card for a friend or family member. Kaleidacolor Ink pads are multicolor dye inkpads that allow you to create vibrant projects using one inkpad. Instead of searching for several colors of coordinating inks, select a Kaleidacolor is designed to make it easy. Using 3 colors from the Royal Satin Kaleidacolor ink pad plus VersaFine Onyx Black, I created a 3-dimensional card. See how I did it!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Stamp a floral image with VersaFine Onyx Black ink on a white panel which measures  4″ x 5 1/4″. Stamp 2 additional images on a scrap of white cardstock.


Step 2

Starting with the main image, add color to the flowers using a sponge dauber and Kaleidacolor ink using the Garnet color. Add color to the leaves with a Fantastix using Autumn Leaf and Bottle Green inks.  You have more control adding color with a Fantastix because it allows you to get into smaller areas. Color the flowers from the other 2 stamped images with Garnet ink, then fussy cut them.


Step 3

To shape the flowers for a more 3-D look, use a stylus and a foam pad to form the flowers. Once you achieve the shape you like then layer the additional flowers and use On Point Glue to adhere the flower centers to the card.


Step 4

Stamp the words “Enjoy Every Moment” with VersaFine Onyx Black ink on white cardstock and cut them out separately. Use a sponge dauber to ink the edges of both the floral panel and the words with Garnet ink. Mat each with black cardstock.


Step 5

Use a black card base and add a layer of white cardstock, another black panel, then add the floral panel. Stamp several leaf sprays around the flowers using Bottle Green ink. Add dots of Shimmer irRESISTible around the sprays. This adds some additional dimension to your card. Place the words around the panel with foam adhesives. Add a rhinestone to the flower center or any additional embellishments.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • 49th and Market stamp
  • Bazzill cardstock
  • Heartfelt Creations Flower Making Kit
  • Cardbase – black
  • Scissors
  • Acrylic block
  • Embellishments

Create a Happy Birthday Card with Fireworks Craft Spray

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by Elina Stromberg

Create a Happy Birthday Card with Fireworks Craft Spray

Heat embossing is a fun way to add dimension, texture, and shimmer to just about any paper craft project. With this technique, you can easily give an elegant look to stamped images, sentiments, or backgrounds. In heat embossing images are stamped using an embossing ink i.e. ink that is slow drying and enough sticky to hold the embossing powder. Then embossing powder is sprinkled over the stamped image, the excess is tapped off, and a heat gun is used for melting the embossing powder. Watching the powder melt into a stunning image is like magic on paper!

Today I’m showing you an alternative way to include embossed elements on your project. In this technique you will not be using stamps and embossing ink but die-cut patterns and two-sided tape. Let me show you how:

Skill: Beginner
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Cut the card front to the desired size. Die-cut the image you want to heat emboss. You can use various types of dies: background patterns, sentiments, single floral elements, swirls – basically any design will work. Cover the back of the die-cut card front with two-sided tape, and place on a solid color background paper.


Step 2

Place the card over scrap paper. Pour embossing powder over the die-cut image, completely covering it. Lift and gently tap the card for the extra powder to fall to scrap paper. Return extra powder to the jar.


Step 3

Heat the image with the heat gun. The glue on the two-sided tape will partly melt, too, giving the embossed finish a special grainy and textured look.


Step 4

Cut card front to size. Pour a drop of Fireworks spray paint on craft mat and use as the watercolor to color the card. You can paint over the embossed areas as melted embossing powder will resist watercolor. Mat card on the card base. Stamp sentiment. Using the same technique, I also made two small ATC cards. I think they look pretty cool, too!

Supplies

Imagine

Other

  • Sizzix – Pattern dies
  • Two-sided tape
  • Heat gun
  • Stampin’Up – ‘Birthday Blossoms’ Sentiment stamp
  • Studio Calico – Phrase stickers
  • Watercolor paper
  • White card base
  • Cardstock – dark pink, black

Create a Beautiful Marbled Effect with Waffle Flower Stamps

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by Roni Johnson

Create a Beautiful Marbled Effect with Waffle Flower Stamps

Red Sangria…brings to mind a deep rich red with swirls of light and dark from the various fruits floating in its depths. When I found out that’s what the color of the month was for August I instantly knew I wanted to try to re-create that luscious color kaleidoscope. I think that this faux marble technique is just the ticket. In this project, I have created Artist Trading Coins and a holiday or Christmas card. This inky marbled paper background can be used in multiple papercraft projects.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30-60 minutes + Dry Time

Directions


Step 1

For this technique to work you must use bristol cardstock. Regular cardstock will soak up the ink too fast and won’t create the depth and texture needed for this technique to be a success. Add a few drops of Rose Pink All Purpose Ink into a mini squeeze bottle with a microtip. Add one drop of Ink Potion No.9 solution to the bottle. Give it a quick shake to mix it up.


Step 2

Apply several drops of the mixture onto a piece of bristol cardstock; smoosh the ink around with an acrylic stamping block and let dry.


Step 3

Add one or two drops of Thistle All-Purpose Ink to the existing mix and give it a shake to integrate the new color.


Step 4

Sprinkle several dots of the current mixture over the cardstock and smoosh it with the block; allow inks to dry.


Step 5

Next, add 2 drops of Red Delicious All-Purpose Ink to the mix and shake.


Step 6

Sprinkle dots of the mix over the cardstock; smoosh and let dry.


Step 7

Continue to add 2 drops of Poppy Red All-Purpose Ink; mix, sprinkle & smoosh. Then add 2 drops of Wisteria All-Purpose Ink, mix, sprinkle & smoosh. Each layer of ink you add will create more and more depth of color and “texture”. Finally, add one drop of Real Black All-Purpose Ink to the remaining ink mixture and sprinkle just a few drops over the piece; smoosh with the acrylic block and let dry.


Step 8

Arrange marble stamps on a stamping press and ink with Golden Glitz Delicata Ink. Close the press and stamp the inked panel. Repeat as necessary to get a good image.


Step 9

Reposition the inked panel and stamp until the entire panel has been stamped with the marble texture stamps. You will be left with a beautiful deep rich red sangria marbled cardstock ready to spice up any project.

Once you have created this beautiful inky backdrop then get creative on collage themes like this in the photo above. I cut out the image of a woman and the word “queen” to make this piece.

For this holiday card, I have used the inky paper to create two panels that open in a double door style card.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Bristol Cardstock
  • Acrylic Block
  • Waffle Flower – Layering Marble Stamp Set
  • Joy Clair – Rustic Christmas, Rustic Sentiments
  • Cardstock – Black, White
  • Southern Blackberry Design – collage images
  • Queen’s Dresser Drawers – Collage images
  • Dymo Label Maker
  • Mica
  • Vintage Ephemera
  • Misti Stamping Tool

Learn to Create a Mixed Media Halloween Project

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by Kassy Tousignant

Learn to Create a Mixed Media Halloween Project

I admit Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I couldn’t let this year pass by without making at least one project!  Let me just tell you that the irresistible colored texture spray in Love Letter makes THE BEST blood splatter for all of your Halloween decorating needs.  From stamping a great skull background in VersaFine Clair to creating interesting and wonderful texture and color with Creative Medium and the iRESISTible line, you have everything you need to create excellent mixed media projects.

Skill: Advanced
Time:

Directions

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Gold thread
  • Clear glass glitter
  • Prima – black gesso, paper flowers, resin frame, clay moulds
  • Tim Holtz – Burlap canvas board, metal owl and spider
  • Carabelle Studio – skull background stamp
  • Used tea bag
  • Daler Rowney – white gesso

Participate in our Youtube Challenge

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by Kassy Tousignant

LABOR DAY GIVE-A-WAY

Head over to our YouTube Channel! Comment and subscribe on this video by the end September 3rd, 2018 (midnight) for a chance to win $30 worth of ink products by Imagine.

In today’s video, Kassy’s shows how to ink a canvas with All-Purpose Ink. The colors in this mixed media piece are vibrant and the ink can be used well on canvas surfaces. Kassy shows you a few different techniques using the All-Purpose Ink on this canvas to highlight it’s versatility and stunning colors. This art piece is inspired by a small resin face embellishment and text that inspires why a person should “Be” creative.

Skill: Advanced
Time: 1 hour + dry time

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • White Gesso
  • Arteza – Canvas panel
  • Prima – stencil
  • Relics & Artifacts – resin face
  • Brush
  • Ink dropper
  • Spray bottles
  • Heat tool