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Ok, I know I'm probably a little behind in the game here but---what is crystal effects? How is it used and where do you get it? I saw some cute message tiles in the gallery that said she "sealed" the ink with crystal effects and I'd like to make some of them. Thanks!
Crystal Effects is a product that SU sells. It is a clear liquid that can be painted onto a stamped image and when dry, gives a shiny clear suface to the paper. It can be thought of as a liquid embellishment. I use it sometimes on cards to add some texture interest. I hope this helps you.
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It is also used as a great glue! Use it to glue embellishments or many other things. You can paste it on paper with a paint brush and it adheres fantasticly! (Duh is THAT even a word? I think not!) haha
I have also made my own 'clear domes' make a ring with wire. Wrap it around the crystal effects bottle, the place it over a letter or stamped image, fill the ring with the Crystal Effects, wait a few hours and trim! WALA you made your own embellishment. There are many many other uses. I am sure others will post more for you
Oh yeah, I use it to make eyes (on stamped images) glossy too! Super cute
Crystal Effects with GLITTER!!!! Or Pearl Ex powders - mix and paint, or paint with it clear and then sprinkle the glitter or PE on top. CE is also great to re-stick stamps together. I don't know if this happens to everyone, but I especially have trouble with my alphabets. The rubber sometimes falls off the foam - maybe I scrub them too hard with I clean them. CE glues them back together wonderfully! (or shall I say fantasticly - I think it's a word!) I've done the wire domes too - sooo cute! And, I've used it to make puddles or raindrops on scrapbook pages. You can put a drop on a word to highlight a part of your journalling on a page or part of a verse on a card. Make sure it dries completely though, or it will smear. And don't shake the CE bottle - you'll have to wait a long time for the bubbles to go away.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lilorangemouse
CE is also great to re-stick stamps together. I don't know if this happens to everyone, but I especially have trouble with my alphabets. The rubber sometimes falls off the foam - maybe I scrub them too hard with I clean them. CE glues them back together wonderfully! (or shall I say fantasticly - I think it's a word!)
The 'WORD' huh? Stinker!!! hee hee(Another great use tho, I have done it many times, although I thought I was the only one the scrubbed the rubber right offa my stamps...apparently not! Nice to know!! LOL)
I saved the following info from this site some time ago. I apologize for not knowing who compiled it.
~Gina
Crystal Effects
(Also known as 3-D Crystal Lacquer)
Crystal Effects is water based, easy to clean up and is an easy way to enhance any rubber stamped art project. Best of all you can apply Crystal Effects to areas you would like to looked raised whether it be on paper or plastic!
Tips for using this product are:
* Prior to use, at least 5 minutes, I place the bottle upside down in a coffee cup, letting all of the air bubbles rise to the top, which now is really the bottom of the bottle.
* Once I start slowly applying the Crystal Effects, I try to NOT pick the tip up off of my project until it is completely covered. Viola . . . no air bubbles. For me, the key is move slooooooowly. It may take you a little longer to get all of you work covered, but the outcome, to me, is well worth it!
Other Ideas for Use:
Besides using Crystal Effects straight from the bottle to give a raised effect, there are other ways to use it.
#1: Layer it on with a paintbrush to give a smooth glass-like finish.
Spot Gloss: Apply a thick layer of Crystal Effects directly to the stamped image with the applicator tip. Let dry completely (about 30 - 60 minutes) before handling.
All-Over Gloss: Use a paintbrush to apply a thin, even coat of Crystal Effects to the entire image. Let dry (about 3-5 minutes).
#2: It is just one of the products I like to use for sealing my Shrink Art Pins.
#3: After applying it to an image, sprinkle a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter on top. This is great for adding sparkle to candle flames or camp fires.
#4: To give it color, add a drop or 2 of a re-inker.
#5: Use it as glue for poly shrink plastic embellishments, beads, feathers, and bows. It is very strong, great for adding hard to hold magnets, pin backs, and wire to your stamped projects. Be sure to let it dry completely before handling. To make marble magnets purchase those glass marbles/pebbles that have a flat side to them. Then use the circle punch to create the perfect shape to place behind these see-through marbles. Stamp desired image on the card stock circle and color it in. Apply Crystal Effects to the flat marble and then press onto the stamped circle. (Applying the Crystal Effects to the marble instead of the stamped image will keep the image colors from smearing.) Apply a bit more Crystal Effects to the back of the circle and then attach the magnet to it.
#6: Use it to glue vellum to card stock. It won’t show through. I’ve found the best way to keep vellum from wrinkling or “popping up” after application of CE is to apply it with a fingertip or Q-tip applicator in a very thin coat, not just straight from the bottle.
#7: Make Glitter Gloss.
Materials: Crystal Effects, Ultra-fine Glitter, Old paint brush
Directions: Okay, this is really simple. Squirt out some Crystal Effects onto a scrap of acetate or other non-porous surface. Using a toothpick, stir in some glitter until you have the consistency you want.
To Use: Using a paintbrush, brush the glitter gloss onto your stamped art, stamped tiles, polymer beads, etc. When dry, it gives a glossy and sparkly look to your art. Try using this to add glitter to snowcaps made with liquid applique, add highlights to ornaments, Valentine hearts, etc. Anywhere that you want to add a bit of sparkles. You can also use this same homemade glitter gloss on hand painted ceramics.
#8: Simulate dew on a petal by adding little droplets to flowers. You can also add it to the petals of actual dried flowers or fake plastic ones. This really does look like dew and you won't spend a fortune buying designers ones from stores.
#9: Use the applicator tip to apply a thicker layer of Crystal Effects to "select elements" of your design to add emphasis. Apply a second or third coat if your first layer was not standing up off your paper enough to please you. Some ideas are to apply it to leaves, flower petals, insects, teacup, umbrella, window, eyeglasses, Christmas ornaments.
#10: Highlight only special lines on an image such as the squiggle on Fruit Medley. Use the Strawberry and stamp it in red. Stamp the inside of the strawberry red as well. Use the Crystal Effects to outline the squiggle line that is used to fill the strawberry.
#11: Use it to create a stained glass window effect. Stamp image on window sheets, using AP pads (AP will dry on plastic without embossing), let dry thoroughly (over night is best), then use the tip of the CE bottle to move it (CE) around to cover each individual area with a thin layer of the CE. While it is still wet, dump on glitter. Only do one color of glitter at a time. let each area dry at least an hour before going to the next color.
#12: Use it for "fray check" on the ends of your ribbon after you have cut them to the desired length.
#13: Place on top of Radiant Pearls and get a pearlescent shimmer and shine.
#14: Fill in things after you've embossed and colored for a real "pop"!
#15: Use it to re-glue any stamps that have either come unmounted from the foam or that you took off the wood block because you wanted to trim and re-mount.
**Most of all . . . experiment!!**
Cautions:
*The only complaint I have heard about this product from other stampers is the air bubble that can happen when this product is not applied just “so.” To alleviate this problem apply slowly and do not lift tip from surface during application until you are finished. This way there are no air bubble being “blown in” to your work.
*Do not use heat tool to speed dry time. It becomes extremely “bubbley” and unattractive.
* Tip may become clogged. To prevent this you can unscrew cap and rinse with warm water, dry and replace cap. You can also use a piece of plastic coated wire in the tip as you seal it. This will keep an open pathway and it won’t clog. Be sure to wipe tip of the bottle first so the pin won’t be “glued in.” Also be sure you don’t use a standard straight pen because over time it will rust and color you CE to a wonderful “rust” color. (Unfortunately I learned that the hard way.)
Meant to mention that I use CE on the windshield of the pick up truck from Loads of Love to make it look like glass.
CE can make classic ink run so lately I've been stamping the driver of the truck with Staz On.
~Gina
Thanks for all the valuable info! I'll be ordering some CE after reading this thread! ...now a word from a fanatic, someone who SHOULD have been an Language Arts teacher or a proof reader (you know the annoying type!!) Fantasticly is a WONDERFUL word (AND in the dictionary) WALA and VIOLA are NOT! The word is "voila", French for "Behold!" "Look at this!"
Is Diamond Glaze by Judikins a similar product? I recently bought some but wasnt sure how to use it. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. Of course being a new SU demo I will have to by the Crystal Effects as well. Oh well! Shop, shop shop!!
Is Diamond Glaze by Judikins a similar product? I recently bought some but wasnt sure how to use it. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. Of course being a new SU demo I will have to by the Crystal Effects as well. Oh well! Shop, shop shop!!
I know the answer to that is yes. I had someone at a local stamp store recommend the diamond glaze.
Crystal effects?
