Search
Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
April 15, 2020
Q: Micheline asks: "What is an Embossing Buddy made of and is it something we could make ourselves?"
A: A little research revealed that what's inside these little anti-static pouches is an absorbent powder called Fuller's Earth - it's a clay powder that is often used in cosmetics, skin care products and absorbent cleaning products, and it's pretty widely available online. I've read that baby powder and cornstarch can also be used as a substitute. For the fabric pouch, just be sure to use cloth with a weave that allows the particles out very slowly with a little light patting motion - not too loose a weave, or you'll have powder everywhere!
April 8, 2020
Q: Ellen asks: "I want to create little gold droplets on a card I am making, like 15 -20 random size and pattern from grain of salt to 2mm in size. What technique and product would you suggest?"
A: To create this type of effect, I've used gold embossing powder... instead of stamping and applying the powder as usual, I just sprinkled it randomly onto my card panel, then heated from the back side of the panel so the powder wasn't disturbed while it melted. Click HERE for an older example in my Splitcoast gallery where I used this technique.
April 1, 2020
Q: Ingrid wants to know: "What are your favorite stamps to collect?"
A: I have a bunch of the original (Stampa Rosa) House Mouse stamps on wood blocks (plus some newer ones), and I have a large collection of retired Classic Pooh stamps. As far as unmounted stamps, my favorites are images from nature - my largest broad category is Animals (about a fifth of those are bunnies) followed by Floral (and about a fifth of those are roses). I have a lot of birds and butterflies, too!
March 25, 2020
Q: Ramona wants to know: "What's your favorite technique with PanPastels?"
A: I really like using PanPastels with Versamark ink! Stamp a background in Versamark, or press it through the openings of a stencil, then use a blender brush or soft pastel tool to apply the PanPastel to the panel. Versamark is a little bit sticky and it gives the medium something to hold on to, so the PanPastels will be more vibrant where the ink is. It's like the old Poppin' Pastels technique we used to do, but with more pigment and vibrancy! Check the gallery HERE for more PanPastel ideas.
March 18, 2020
Q: risalenee wants to know: "Is there any difference between hot foil dies and normal metal dies? Can we use hot foil dies in our normal machines the normal way?"
A: The difference in the two types of dies is the raised area that comes in contact with the paper. On a cutting die, this raised line is very narrow, allowing the rolling pressure of a die cutting machine to press it through material to cut the outline. The foiling plates have wider design lines which are intended to transfer foil onto cardstock or another surface using heat and pressure. They are not intended for cutting; however, if you don't have a heated foiling system you can use them to press into cardstock with or without ink for a letterpress effect. They're more like a metal stamp.
