Blade Rubber Stamps: How to use PearEx and Perfect Pearls

How to use PearlEx and Perfect Pearls

Techniques by Freyja - based on a Class given at Blade Rubber

The lustre of precious, natural pearl has been reproduced for centuries using crushed shell and mica.
Crafters have the advantage of an endless supply of high quality colouring products and cardstock to experiment with. There is something magical about the sheen of pastel and jewel pearl tones; paper and Card, Inkpads, pearlescent paints and powders, mediums, glues etc, the list goes on. There is no need to buy all the products, a relative few can be mixed and matched to make an endless supply of beautiful and unusual 'potions' for terrific effects.

PearlEx: Made from mica and pigments and known to the Ancient Egyptians, this and other brands of pearlescent powders is an essential for all serious crafters. Available ready mixed as paint but you will miss out on the many lovely backgrounds and mixing with other products for exciting effects. Use sparingly, no need to waste as more can always be added as required.

Some uses - black card shows the strongest colours, white gives a more pastel or soft result.

Brush over Versamark for backgrounds or for a more colourful effect over coloured pigment inks. These backgrounds come to life when over stamped and or stamped/embossed.
Stamp with Versamark and brush PearlEx over the image, brightest on black glossy card; gently brush off excess powder, the colours 'pop out'.
Colour in images or backgrounds with a blender pen plus PearlEx, the pen fluid sets the powder, no fixative needed.
Mixed with fabric medium for excellent fabric paint.
Mix with 'Klear' vinyl floor polish for a suitable paint to use on acetate or any vinyl finish.
Mix with gum Arabic for the best pearl paint ever.
Brush over UTEE embossing to enhance the colours or add sparkle and shine, likewise with clay art.
For a great layer for finishing cards dab a paint mixture on card edges with a finger or stencil brush to match/enhance the main image,
Sponge or apply direct to paper 2/3 pigment ink colours onto card and brush over 2/3 PearlEx colours - delicious colour effects appear. Over stamp and emboss for backgrounds and panels.

Acetate and Pearl Powders;

Use Brilliance, Ancient Page or permanent ink for stamping images. Most dye inks will not dry on the acetate. When embossing use Versamark - it is nice and 'sticky' to hold the embossing powders.
When using a large stamp press hard onto the acetate especially in the middle, it takes some time for the ink to transfer or place acetate over the inked stamp-easier than you think.
Use any craft acetate when not embossing, and computer laser, inkjet printer or photocopy acetate to withstand the heat when embossing.
Don't handle the acetate, it will mark badly with oils from skin, use a tissue.
Dry ink thoroughly before colouring.
Ist method - on stamped side ( make sure that you have used permanent ink) paint on bands of any powders, PearlEx, perfect Pearls, eye shadow, powdered metallic pigment etc mixed with Klear (Future) vinyl floor polish. This is acrylic and dries nicely on acetate. Do not use gum Arabic, it will flake off.
2nd method - use sticky backed double sided film or a Xyron machine over a stamped image. Remove backing paper and brush bands of PearlEx or 'spot' colour over the sticky surface.
Emboss if you prefer and apply the sticky back paper on the reverse side, remove paper from back of film and brush over bands/patches of PearlEx. This is suitable for stamps with words as he image is not reversed.
An open design can be roughly coloured in, a little smearing is attractive and adds to the final effect...
Experiment, it is fascinating and the rows of dried images look like jewels that change colour at every turn - magical.

TIP:
For a slightly different look use stamped/embossed mica and 'sandwich' a second piece with PearEx /PVA glue paint between...