Tips & Techniques

Tips for Applying:

For adhering, use a strong double sided Acid Free tape for lined patterns. Sprinkle the micro beads evenly and roll a brayer over them to help set them. For detail work, use a suitable craft glue and sprinkle with Micro Beads. Either way, a Bead Tray is a great tool to catch all those extra beads for reuse.

Creating the Hole:
In order to create a hole in your project, use a paper Hole Punch with the appropriate size tip. Place the punch where you need it then either pound with a hammer several times or simply apply pressure and turn into the paper. Either way will produce a nice even hole. Be sure to place a pounding mat beneath your project to protect your work surface.

Setting the eyelet
Place the eyelet through the hole from the front of your project. Turn wrong side facing, and place onto your pounding mat. Place a Washer over the stem and place a setter into the stem on the back of the eyelet. Pound the setter 2 or 3 times with your hammer. If the back of the eyelet is not flat (flush with washer), simple tap once on eyelet back with hammer. (Note: Some people will advise setting eyelets without washers, but the probability of deforming your eyelet or your project goes up without a washer. Washers also provide a nice smooth finish to your set eyelet). The 2 Bit Snapper is an alternative tool to the hammer/setter combo.

Ease of Use: The easiest eyelets to set are aluminum eyelets. Brass eyelets require a little more force...but are less likely to deform. However, if an eyelet bubbles in the setting process, the solution is simple. Flip the project right side up. Cover the eyelet with a piece of paper and tap with a hammer. The eyelet should resume its normal shape.

Shaker boxes can be as simple or as ornate as you please. To make:
1. First cut 2 pieces of cardstock (one will be the back of the shaker) and 1 piece of transparency into whatever shape you need...ovals, hearts and squares work well (these pieces need to be the same size).
2. Cut the center out of one piece of cardstock to make a frame.
3. Glue the transparency over the opening to create a "window"
4. Around the back of your "window" add foam tape around all the edges (make sure there are no gaps or your shaker pieces will fall out).
5. Inside your new shallow box, add your shakers of choice (micro beads, sand, lucky pennies, lock of hair, pebbles, little shells...be creative!). Be careful not to let your shaker pieces get stuck on the adhesive
6. Remove the backing from the foam tape and place the remaining piece of cardstock onto the foam tape. All Done!

Fun Alternatives:
1. Use ready made shaker tags. These great tags already have the back and front with the transparency. All you do is decorate and add foam tape and shaker pieces! Very easy!
2. Use vellum instead of a transparency. Use bright shaker pieces for a subtle look.
3. Instead of adding shaker pieces, use your box as a window. Add a small picture behind it for a shadow box effect.
4. Experiment with different shaker pieces...think texture and color!

Pigment ink is more like paint. Most pigment ink is oil based and dries more slowly. These are desirable when you want to heat emboss or if you are blending the inks on the stamp.

Most dye and pigment ink pads on the market are suitable for scrapbooking as well as stamping. As long as they are acid free, they are safe for your books.