Hi! Carly here for another #throwbackthursday!
Enamel dots and epoxy shapes are a favorite embellishment of many of our amazing designers and I was curious about creating my own. I searched "diy enamel" in the classroom and found this great article from the fabulous Miss Julie Ebersole.
Julie included great tips and I thought it would be fun to create some custom faux epoxy/enamel Halloween embellishments with the new Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps Got Candy? and I was right, it was!
To create my little embellishments, I used the Poppystamps Dies, 4 Windows to die cut rectangles from Solar White cardstock. I stamped images from Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps Got Candy? set with VersaFine Onyx Black, Grape Jelly & Tangelo Memento ink.
Next I used the Poppystamps Dies, 4 Windows die again to cut more rectangles, this time from Essentials by Ellen, Craft-a-Board. Then I adhered my stamped rectangles to my Craft-a-Board ones and as Julie recommended in her article, glue stick works best for this.
With my rectangles ready, I glue dotted them to my non-stick craft mat (its easy to peel the glue dots off the Craft-a-Board later,) to make it easy to apply the Glossy Accents. Then I applied a thick coat of Glossy Accents, trying to apply it all in a steady stream, right up to all the edges. Applying all in one steady stream helps prevent air bubbles but if you do get a few, you can use a pin to drag them to the edge. (TIP: if desired, this would be the time to sprinkle a little glitter or a few micro beads into the wet Glossy Accents.) And then I let dry overnight.
A few things to remember:
- use permanent ink for stamping like VersaFine, Archival or Memento, so it doesn't bleed when you apply the Glossy Accents
- don't shake your Glossy Accents, it creates bubbles
- apply Glossy Accents in a steady stream if possible
- use a pin/needle to pull any bubbles in Glossy Accents to the edge while its wet
To create my card with my finished faux enamel accent, I used the Poppystamps Dies, 4 Windows die again on my card front. I watercolored the inside of my card with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. I die cut the speech bubble from Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Got Candy? set, stamped "Eek" from the Got Candy? stamp set in VersaMark and embossed in white. Then I die cut a second speech bubble. I glued the embossed bubble to the front of my card and then plain bubble behind, sandwiching the card front between them. Next I added a little twine "web", coming from the inside of the front of the card and using Glossy Accents to glue it down. And the finishing touch, a sentiment and sequins!
Check out more epoxy and enamel embellishments in the store by clicking this link.
Thanks so much for joining me!
xo, Carly
