Wax Paper Resist Technique

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I needed a break from article writing. I have not been posting as many techniques as I sometimes do because a lot of what I am doing nowadays is for articles for this or that magazine. Some publications frown on my putting anything on my blog beforehand.

I read about this in another group. Most of you have probably already done this. I have not. All you need is some white card stock (glossy and plain white). Plain white will work if you don't have glossy -which I did not, piece of wax paper slightly larger than card stock, stamp pad or spray color like Color Wash. You can even use watercolors. You will also need an iron and ironing board. Use a large sheet of release paper or piece of newspaper between you and the wax paper so you don't goop up the bottom or your iron.

1. Crumple and uncrumple your wax paper a couple of times. Flatten it out a bit - just enough to have it about the size of your piece of paper. Don't flatten it out too much or you won't get the groovy lines.

2. Place the wax paper between two sheets of card stock. Turn your iron on a med high to high setting. Put a piece of release paper, scratch paper, or newspaper on top. You need the paper between you and the wax paper or you will get melted wax on your iron. Iron the paper slowly to melt the wax. Don't let the sandwich shift too much or the cool lines will be blurred. The melted wax from the peaks of the wax paper texture will come out on your card stock. If you look it through the card stock in the light, you will see the texture.

3. Put the card stock wax side up on your table with something underneath it so your table won't get dirty. I tried a Distress pad on it (DTP) and it worked. I liked the color wash the most. Just spritz on and let dry. I used several colors on one sheet of card stock. I also used a little gold Radiant Rain at the end. That might be the reason why the texture lines are not as white or as sharp. Love the shimmer though.

4. Let dry completely and use as a background for whatever project.

BTW, I tried it with paint on the wax paper and then ironed it. It did not work. The paint acted as a glue and stuck the wax paper to the card stock. Now I know what NOT to do.

My two mini-worshops last nite

I am so tired and sore from teaching and hauling yesterday. They were both went over very well. Before I tell you about it, I have to give a huge, huge "thank you!" to my friend, Sandy. She helped me with both classes. She was a tremendous help. I could not have done it without her.

I first helped out in someone else's class. Deb taught metal etching. It was only an hour and a half class, so the etching was not very deep. I have the stuff, so I will have to take the time and try it for myself. I could create some great looking copper pieces.

My first class was the copper book necklace class. I had oxidized the copper sheet, cut it up, and did a class kit with all the materials in it except for the chain. The class went really smoothly. One of my crop-a-diles broke, so I will have to work on getting a new one. The crop-a-dile went over so well that people were swapping Joann's coupons to get one. Some women could not punch through the copper sheet with the regular punch but had no problems with the crop-a-dile. Everyone got to finish theirs, even the ones who showed up late. I did not have time to take pictures - wish I had. They all came out fantastic. It was very satisfying to see how great they turned out. People came up to me and told me what a great class it was. They turned out a great piece of jewelry in just an hour and a half. I thought that the wire wrapping would be the hardest part. The punching and setting of the eyelets was the hardest. It was very nice to see all those women leaving with smiles on their faces - happy that they did something like that themselves. A lot of them commented on how organized I was and how well the class went. They loved the kit. I sold off all my extra ones. Yeah, I am feeling pretty good right now. Sandy was a huge help. She gave a private lesson to people who showed up late. There was a bus tour and they ended up coming back really late. It sucks to be late and flustered to a workshop.

The second workshop was mainly using Color Wash and Radiant Rain with some masks. We did the polymer gloss and mica technique. We dyed VIVA paper towels. We did the Color Wash and Radiant Rain on wrapping paper. We finished off with the masks. This class also went really well. Sandy had the chance to play in this class. There were less people in this class. It was a bit slower and more mellow. Some of the plastic gloves seeped through. I was surprised about that. Mine were fine. Sorry, ladies.

Today is a Dremel lunch and birthday stuff.

Dyeing muslin with Color Wash

Just wanted to share. Just put some color wash into some plastic containers. Add in about 1/4 water. You can also put some pearl ex in. I forgot this time. Wet muslin. Dip in color wash. Wring out. You might want gloves or have something on-hand to remove the color. It does not come off with regular soap and water. You can also twist the muslin and dip in different colors. Rinse, wring out. I then balled it up or twisted it around and dipped in different spots. So, you have rich colors in some spots and faded color in others. The look is fantubulous when it is dried. Put on some type of plastic to dry. I use cheap painter's tarp. Turn it over once to make sure the bottom side is completely dry.