Friday, July 31, 2009

Glitter Buttons by Emily M Miller

I am a sun goddess, always have been and always will be. So when I signed up to join a cooperative chunky book swap with the theme “Immortal Longings” I knew what my subject would be, the sun. I wish the sun could be up every day from 5am to 9pm. That would be my ideal!

My first thought was on creating the center and I decided to fill a used bottle cap with a mixture of our Silver and Gold Gala Glitz. It looked great!


As you can see I also filled some gold painted, plastic button caps. I had purchased a big bag of cheap buttons and then decided I didn’t like them. When I was just about to get rid of them one fell apart (very cheap) and I discovered I liked the separate pieces! So I tore them all apart and here is my first use of them.


Materials:
Art Glitter Gala Glitz
Art Glitter Glass Beads
Vintage Glass Glitter, Shards
Vintage Glass Glitter, Fine
Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
Used Bottle Cap
Button Backs
Spoon

Directions
This is almost too simple to write down! But anyway, fill your bottle cap or button back with a generous amount of glue, spoon in glitter/bead mixture of your choice and tap into glue with the back of your spoon. Dump out excess and let dry.

Make several so you have them at a moments notice for cards, collages etc. These also would be ideal for flower centers or what ever your heart desires!

Here’s a couple of the “Sun Goddess” pages. I made 31 one of them and each one is slightly different. Almost hated to give them up!


This is “Swirling Suns”. A fabric, fantasy film and glitter collage I did with the filled button backs, they're perfect.

I'm so happy I found a use for these button backs!


Emily M. Miller
www.artbyemm.com
No blog yet, but soon! I'll go into more detail with the two collage projects shown above. Sparkle On!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Designer Call

I just realized that we haven't actually made a post on our blog that we are looking for guest designers! I've sent out an email blast, twittered about it and advertised it on our home page: www.artglitter.com...but nothing on the blog!

Well you still have plenty of time to apply since you don't need to make anything new, just email me 3 (or more) photos of your designs to info@artglitter.com along with links to your etsy shop, blog, website, etc.

Visit our designer call page here for more details. It's a great opportunity for lots of PR and free Art Glitter Supplies!

Hurry, last day to enter is August 9th! We would love to work with you!

Monday, July 27, 2009

FLIP FLOP BLING by Nancy Ward

SUPPLIES
Art Glitter Ultra Fine Crystal Transparent (or color of your choice) Art Glitter ¼" Sticky Tape
Inexpensive flip flops, gold (or color of your choice)
Aleene’s Paper Glaze
Alcohol swab or rubbing alcohol and cotton ball, small scissors, soft brush, scrap paper or flattened round coffee filter, non-stick surface
Optional: Art Glitter Ultra Fine True Red Opaque (or color of your choice); ⅛" Sticky Tape; two small embellishments (ribbon or crocheted flowers, charms, acrylic jewels, flat-back beads or pearls, etc.)


INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pre-test the alcohol swab (or cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol) on the inner side of one strap of the shoe. If the surface of the strap is not affected by the alcohol, wipe off the tops of the straps of each shoe with alcohol. If the strap is affected, wipe off the straps with a damp cloth; allow to dry.
2. Place one end of the Sticky Tape at the base of one strap where it connects to the sole of the shoe; secure the tape on the strap with your index finger. Slowly position the tape along the strap so that one side of the tape is along the outer edge of one strap. Clip the tape at the front tip of the strap (when the divider is). Use your thumb nail to burnish the tape securely on the strap. Repeat for the other strap of that shoe.
3. Position a second strip of tape adjacent to the first on one strap; the two edges of the tape will meet, but will not overlap. Use your thumb nail to burnish that piece of tape securely on the strap. Repeat for the other strap. Remove the pink liner from the strips of tape on both straps. As much as possible, avoid touching the tape with your fingers.
4. Place two tablespoons of the glitter on the scrap paper. Holding the shoe by the slide, push the tape into the glitter. Ensure that all areas of the tape are covered with glitter. Set the shoe aside.
5. Repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 with the second shoe.
6. Add a quarter-sized amount of Paper Glaze to a non-stick surface. Brush a thin, even coat of the glaze over the glittered straps of ach shoe. Allow to dry overnight; apply a second coat of Paper Glaze to the glitter. Allow to dry for 24 hours before wearing the shoes.

NOTE: If the width of the straps exceed ½”, it will be necessary to add more than two strips of tape to the top of the strap. Add one strip along one edge of the strap; add a second strip along the other edge; remove the red liner form each strip. Add a third strip (either ⅛" or ¼"), between the first and second strips and remove the red liner. Proceed as directed in Steps 4, 5 and 6.


OPTIONS: Use either together or individually

1. Cut four pieces of ⅛" Sticky Tape that are ½” longer than the length of the strap from sole of the shoe to the center tip at the end. Fold over both ends of each strip ¼ " (adhesive will be on the adhesive). Hold onto this folded area when applying glitter to the tape; it also allows for easy removal of the red liner from the tape. Add one teaspoon of True Red to a piece of scrap paper; spread the glitter evenly in a ½ " wide line across the paper. Holding the tape by one end, place it on the glitter. With the strip between your thumb and index finger of your left (right) hand, and your right (left) thumb nail on the red liner, pull the tape through the glitter; ensure that all area of the tape are evenly covered with glitter. Turn the tape over and press the glitter into it to secure the bond. With the red liner still in place, brush one coat of Paper Glaze over the glitter on each strip; allow to dry overnight; apply a second coat of Paper Glaze and allow to dry overnight. Remove the red liner from the glittered tape, clip off the folded ends and position the glittered tape in the center of each strap. If necessary, trim away excess tape at either end; burnish to secure the bond. Do not wear the shoes for 12 hours.

2. Apply Sticky Tape to the back of an embellishment and position it on the front tip of each shoe. Press firmly to secure the bond. Do not wear the shoes for 12 hours.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Glitter Gift Tags By Laura Bray

Want to make your gifts really shine? Make some glitter gift tags. You can monogram them with your recipient’s initials, write on them with a permanent marker, stamp them or leave them plain. These tags are also great as ornaments, mobiles, window catchers too!


Monogram Tag

Supplies & Tools:

Art Glitter: Transparency Sheet
Sizzix ™ Die Cut Machine (optional)
Sizzix ™ Die #654991 (Tags, Scallop Combo #2) (optional)
Rub-on Transfers (K & Company™)
Aleene’s Paper Glaze ™
Art Glitter: Vintage Glass Glitter in Silvery Moon
Heart shaped confetti
Sewing machine (optional)

Directions:

• Cut tag shapes out of transparencies. I use a die cut machine, but you can also just use a shipping tag as a template to cut-out your own. Each tag requires two identical sized tags.
• Once tags are cut, apply rub-on transfer monogram & flourishes to one of the tags.
• Take two tags and apply a thin line of glue around the edge of THREE sides of the tag. Leave one of the short ends of the tag unglued. (Note: Make sure the glue you use dries absolutely clear or you will have a smeary mess on your tag!)
• Once the glue has dried, pour glitter & confetti between the two tags through the end you left open.
• Glue the open end closed.
• Once glue has dried, you may want to sew around the edge of your tag for an embellished look. I use an inexpensive sewing machine for this step. I don’t want to get glue on the machine I use for sewing materials!


Screen Printed Tag

Supplies & Tools:

Screen printed, clear overlay sheets. I used Hambly Studios’™ Home Décor sheet. Sizzix ™ Die Cut Machine (optional)
Sizzix ™ Die #654991 (Tags, Scallop Combo #2) (optional)
Aleene’s Paper Glaze ™
Art Glitter: Chunky Opaque Hologram Glitter in Stratosphere

Directions:

• Cut tag shapes out of transparencies. Again, I used a die cut machine, but you can cut your own too. Each tag requires two identical sized tags.
• Take two tags and apply a thin line of glue around the edge of THREE sides of the tag. Leave one of the short ends of the tag unglued. (Note: Make sure the glue you use dries absolutely clear or you will have a smeary mess on your tag!)
• Once the glue has dried, pour glitter between the two tags through the end you left open.
• Glue the open end closed.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Glittered Picnic Table


We have a new picnic table here at the land of glitter.
So when we painted it, you guessed it! We glittered it!

Just sprinkle the glitter over a coat of very wet glaze.
Watch the glitter fly!

After another coat of glaze and we're set to picnic... Art Glitter style!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Glittered T-Shirt by Nancy Ward


SUPPLIES
Art Glitter Dries Clear Fabric Adhesive
Art Glitter Ultra Fine Glitters: Azure (Transparent); Carnation (Opaque); Crystal (Transparent); Heather (Opaque); Vine (Opaque)
Sizzix Bigz Die: Flower, Daisy #4
Die cutting machine (BIGkick, Big Shot, Cuttlebug, etc.)
Blue painter’s masking tape
Reynolds Freezer Paper
Iron, ironing board, scissors, scrap paper or round coffee filter, white wrapping tissue, roller type lint picker-upper with tape (optional)



INSTRUCTIONS
1. Wash and dry shirt; do not use any type of fabric softener in either the wash or dry cycle. Press smooth.

2. Turn the shirt inside out and place a piece of freezer paper (shiny side of paper on shirt) under the areas of the front of the shirt that will have the glittered flowers. With a med hot iron, press the paper securely to the wrong side of the shirt. Allow to cool. Turn the shirt right side out.
3. Cut four pieces of freezer paper in the size of the top of the Bigz die. With the shiny sides together (there will be two stacks of paper), cut the papers with the Flower, Daisy #4 die. Separate the stacks and set the die cuts aside for another project. The negative cuts are the stencils that will be used for the shirt. Set one stencil aside.

4. Trim excess paper from the outer edges of the stencils. Leaving the stem and leaf in place is optional.

5. Position one flower stencil in the center front of the shirt; the shiny side of the paper is on the front of the shirt. Press all areas of the stencil with a medium hot iron to firmly secure the stencil to the shirt. In the picture below, the open stem area was covered with the masking tape after the stencil was pressed to the shirt.


6. Apply an even coat of Dries Clear Fabric Adhesive to the open areas of the stencil; immediately sprinkle Heather glitter over the wet adhesive at the tips of the petals and to the center area of the flower; sprinkle a blend of Azure and Carnation over the areas of the petals that do not have glitter. Carefully lift the stencil from the front of the shirt; set aside the stencil. Shake off excess glitter onto either a piece of scrap paper or a coffee filter that has been flattened.

7. Position the remaining two flower stencils adjacent to the center flower on the front of the shirt (Note: in the picture, the flower stencil on one side was placed slightly lower than the other side); the shiny side of the stencil is against the front of the shirt. Press all areas of the stencils with a med hot iron to firmly secure them to the front of the shirt. Apply the adhesive and glitter to one flower, as directed in Step 6; do not apply either adhesive or glitter to the stem and leaf. Shake off the excess glitter onto a piece of scrap paper or a coffee filter that has been flattened. Repeat for the second flower.


8. Blend a small amount of Vine into the excess glitter that has been removed from the shirt. Apply adhesive to the stem and leave of one flower; sprinkle the blend over the wet adhesive. Repeat for the second stem and leaf. Carefully lift the stencils from the front of the shirt; set the stencils aside. Shake off excess glitter onto either a piece of scrap paper or a coffee filter that has been flattened. Do not remove the freezer paper from the inside of the shirt. Store remaining blended glitters in a labeled container for use in another project.

9. Lay the shirt flat and allow to dry overnight. Turn the shirt inside out; place white wrapping tissue inside the shirt over the glittered areas. With a med hot iron, press on the freezer paper to heat set all glittered areas on the front of the shirt; the shirt should feel warm to the touch. Allow to cool. Remove the white wrapping tissue and the freezer paper.


10. Turn the shirt right side out. Use either masking tape or a lint picker-upper (the roller type covered with tape) to remove glitter that is not secured with adhesive and glitter remaining on the shirt front.

11. Do not launder for two weeks. To launder: turn the shirt inside out and place in a pillow case; secure the open end of the case with a twist tie; launder in lukewarm water; either air dry (remove the wet shirt from the case) or in a low heat dryer (remove the shirt from the case when dry). If wrinkled, press on the wrong side with a warm heat iron.

12. The stencils can be reused. Protect the iron by covering the stencil with white wrapping tissue when pressing the stencils to the shirt front.

Nancy Ward
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Glitter Toes Winner!


Jennifer is our $100 winner of Art Glitter products, now she can glitter her flip flops too!

Thank you all for playing along. For more "Glitter Toes" photos check out our Nail Art page.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Polymer Clay Beading by Linda Hess

A number of years ago I attended a polymer clay retreat in the mountains of Virginia. A very relaxing, tranquil setting where we all soaked in the peace and quiet as well as each other's work. I remember one of the ladies used hole-less beads to create the most beautiful cat pins. I watched her putting these teeny, tiny beads all in a row in the grooves of her cats and thought she has WAY too much time on her hands!


Imagine my surprise when I discovered the hole-less beads on the Art Glitter website and began to play with them. I found that the experience was very peaceful and meditative in a way. Who knew??!!

To create your own "Zen" experience you will need a few supplies:
*Liquid Clay (any brand will do, but I really like the Kato sauce for its clarity)
*no hole beads from Art Glitter in your choice of colors
*Pearl ex powder in your choice of color
*polymer clay
*straight blade
*A deep texture sheet (I used one from Clearsnap)
*disposable cup (in the spirit of being "green" I recycle old medicine cups)
*needle tool (I use a turkey lacer)


Condition the polymer clay and roll it out flat either using a pasta machine (set on the thickest setting) or 2 popsicle sticks and an acrylic roller. Once your clay is flat impress it with the texture sheet. Choose a part of the image that appeals and cut around it leaving an edge or wall (to hold in the beads). Rub a little of the pearl ex powder over the raised texture. Place the clay image on a baking surface and bake for 15 minutes at 275*. Let cool.
Now squirt a small amount of liquid clay into the bottom of the disposable cup. Add some no-hole beads and mix with the needle tool until well blended (the mixture should look a little paste like, not soupy). Using the needle tool pick up some of the mixture and begin to fill in the textured spaces. When you are happy with the look bake the piece again at 275* for 15 minutes.
Let cool and then rub a small amount of the liquid clay over the surface to seal the pearl ex powder. Bake one final time for 5-10 minutes.

Finished pieces can be used as pins, pendants, or in mixed media wall art. Enjoy the quiet time with just you...the clay...the beads...OMMMMMMM


On a final note: I discovered that the color from some of the brighter colored beads will "bleed" if left for long periods in the liquid clay. I did not notice the problem with the silver or gold beads. In some ways the bleeding works with the free-form texture that I chose. BUT if you are very particular about keeping your colors and lines clean you may want to keep this in mind when choosing your colors or in the speed with which you work.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Flying Fantasy Film

Isn't it just gorgeous! Here's long strands of our Fantasy Film flying in the Arizona breeze.


It sparkles and shines like you can't believe! I could see it from a half a mile away! It just makes me so happy! I can't use enough exclamation points!!!


It has really drawn a lot of customers to our store! If you have a store front you have to do this too! I mean it!!! I think we are going to add more, I'll show you if we do.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Glitter Pens by Nancy Ward

An easy gift idea for any time of the year!

A Bic Round Stic pen is recommended; discard the cap of the pen. Cut one 1 1/4" x 5" strip of Grafix Double Tack (or another double stick adhesive sheet). Remove the liner from one side of the adhesive and wrap it around the pen; the top edge of the adhesive should be just even with the black button at the end of the pen. With a craft knife, cut the adhesive so that it is even with the black area above the point of the pen.

Place about a 1/4 cup of the small hole-less beads on a piece of scrap paper and spread out the beads in a 3" x 5" line. Holding onto the point of the pen, remove the release paper from the adhesive. Place the pen on the beads and roll the pen back and forth in the beads until all areas of the adhesive are covered with beads; if necessary add more beads to the paper.

Applying heavy pressure with the palm of your hand, roll the pen on a flat surface to press the beads into the adhesive. Hold the pen by the tip and apply a thin, even coat of acrylic varnish (either brush or spray) to all areas of the barrel. Push the point of the pen into a piece of scrap STYROFOAM (the pen will be upright) and allow the varnish to completely dry. A second coat of varnish is optional.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Tea Party with Laura Bray


You simply have to check out Laura's Tea Party, actually she calls it her "Cupcakes, Candy and Pink Canary Cocktails" Party. You can see her Fantasy Film Candy Garland strung across the table above. There's some other glitter goodness-like the "cherry" on top of the flower cupcake and of course the Cupcake Queen's cocktail hat is full of glitter. This tea party is part of the annual Mad Tea Party on A Fanciful Twist. Another stop you have to make and blog hop to all the other Tea Party participants! June 27th sparkled beautifully!