Embossing without a heat gun...

[frugalfeline]

For all you cheapies out there like me... what have you used to emboss without a heat gun? I have turned on the toaster and moved the paper around just above the toaster... that's my method! Has anyone tried a toaster oven or an oven? Would the paper start on fire??? Any other ideas?

[okstamper]

Have you tried 2-way glue and then sprinkling some powder on there. That works too!

Bonnie

[GreenDragonLady]

I've done it in my regular oven. I think I set it to 300 degrees, and it took 2-3 minutes. It works, but doesn't look quite as good (it seems to be flatter and not as shiny, and my cardstock was a slightly different color)

[MSBetsyZ]

Lightbulbs are much safer. Less likely to start a fire.... Toaster oven is much more unreliable than a regular toaster and will probably change the paper color if not set it on fire. I got by for quite some time (several years ago) using a lightbulb until I got tired of running up and down the stairs, lol! It takes a bit longer to get the powder melting, but once the process starts, the whole thing melts quicker.

Then start watching for coupons, lol! You can buy inexpensive heat tools for under $10 if you have a half off coupon. Might not be as good a quality as some others, but they are fine for beginners or low-use embossers.

[GarnetJ]

Haven't tried this myself, but someone else said that they used an upside down iron. Somehow, she set it in a "cradle" -- perhaps a small box -- lined with a bath towel. Turned the iron on a low setting. Moved the paper back and forth above the iron.

I think the light bulb idea sounds safer.

[babydal57]

I'm terrified of a fire and all the damage that comes with one.

So I vote for a coupon to buy a real embossing gun too. I think incandescent light bulbs are being phased out and I don't know if the CF bulbs will generate enough heat to melt the powder.

[jackie1]

If you can't find a heat tool designed for embossing you could always go to your local hardware store and get a heat tool that is used for stripping paint, I got one a couple of years ago to do some renovations and I used it on my embossing powder and it works just like a regular heat tool, and it only cost me $19. Just watch your fingers it can get pretty hot at times. I'm not sure if I would trust using an oven or a toaster oven, I would hate to see your home go up in smoke (try explaining that to an insurance adjuster lol).

[frugalfeline]

Thanks everyone for the ideas! I'll have to check out some cheap heat guns... and probably try the lightbulb idea until then!

[BunnyCates]

I tried running a high heat hairdryer on the underside of the paper. :rolleyes:
When I got finished vacuuming the floor I decided I would just keep an eye on ebay. LOL.....
:mrgreen:

[kphorse]

Hair dryer and a toaster here! LOL Those where the good old days!

[KLF]

Years ago, I held my paper over a stove burner (electric). Not as reliable as a heat gun and I sometimes ended up with scorched paper and very hot fingers! I'm with the others--spring for a heat gun.
Karen

[MSBetsyZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie1

If you can't find a heat tool designed for embossing you could always go to your local hardware store and get a heat tool that is used for stripping paint, I got one a couple of years ago to do some renovations and I used it on my embossing powder and it works just like a regular heat tool, and it only cost me $19. Just watch your fingers it can get pretty hot at times. I'm not sure if I would trust using an oven or a toaster oven, I would hate to see your home go up in smoke (try explaining that to an insurance adjuster lol).

Oooh...those get REAL hot! In between the lightbulb years and owning my own heat gun, I used to borrow a friend's paint stripper. Those have an exposed metal tip that gets so hot. I used to use an old ashtray made out of mosaic stones (to rest the stripper while it cooled off), and the tip would melt the places where I set it down! The final straw came one day when my son, who was 4 or so, decided to find out for sure just why I kept saying DON'T TOUCH, and put two fingertips on the tip. Man, he did not stop screaming for a good half hour. Instantly raised blisters on his fingers. I know the pain lasted for a good long while. I know MY guilt lasted for ages! I returned the paint stripper to my friend that same day and went out to buy a regular heat gun, the kind that has no exposed tip.

[parknslide]

Those little coffee mug warmers will work too.

[jazzytobi]

i would not be frugal with a heat source. if you really want to emboss, buy the real deal..

AND, as someone who is energy-conscious, i couldn't heat a big huge oven to 300 degrees, put a tiny piece of paper in it, then turn the oven off.. how much energy is that wasting?? I don't want to think about it...

[frugalfeline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzytobi

i would not be frugal with a heat source. if you really want to emboss, buy the real deal..

AND, as someone who is energy-conscious, i couldn't heat a big huge oven to 300 degrees, put a tiny piece of paper in it, then turn the oven off.. how much energy is that wasting?? I don't want to think about it...

On that note, true with an electric stove but mine is gas so it uses less energy than my toaster... :mrgreen: LOL
I'll be looking for the cheapest heat gun, not the hardware kind because it sounds just as bad as using a random kitchen appliance! So if anyone sees a good deal online... let me know! ;)

[pjw2855]

The methods mentioned in this thread are all potentially setting up for a fire. The results of a fire would cost a lot more than about $26 for a heat gun from the craft store. If you are a crafter and want to heat emboss, then the cost of a heat gun is a necessary expenditure. I know that AC Moore and Michaels allow their coupons to be used for a heat gun.

Patti

[R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyCates

I tried running a high heat hairdryer on the underside of the paper. :rolleyes:
When I got finished vacuuming the floor I decided I would just keep an eye on ebay. LOL.....
:mrgreen:

That is too funny!

[GreenDragonLady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzytobi

i would not be frugal with a heat source. if you really want to emboss, buy the real deal..

AND, as someone who is energy-conscious, i couldn't heat a big huge oven to 300 degrees, put a tiny piece of paper in it, then turn the oven off.. how much energy is that wasting?? I don't want to think about it...

I was only doing it because I had to emboss 70 pieces for shower favors, and the vibrating from the heat gun was putting my hand to sleep. I was trying to speed the process and save my hand at the same time.

[lyp66]

You could also hold it over the burner on your stove on a baking sheet, that way you can be sure it is far enough from the heat to not burn it but close enough the cookie sheet gets hot enough to melt the embossing powder.

[jmtaylor]

in my area emboss over a oil lantern as they have no electric of any kind. Doesn't look to bad, and they have some cute cards.

[stayathome247]

I've tried the iron two ways, set on NO steam:
1. place the paper on your ironing board. hold the iron 1/2 inch above until you see the embossing powder change. move the iron away to see if the powder melted. keep your face away!

2. hold the iron upsidedown facing the ceiling. use tweezers or something to place the paper ontop of the flat surface of the iron. remove paper when the embossing powder glistens. it only takes a few seconds.

Make sure no kids or animals are around when you try these!

[frugalfeline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyp66

You could also hold it over the burner on your stove on a baking sheet, that way you can be sure it is far enough from the heat to not burn it but close enough the cookie sheet gets hot enough to melt the embossing powder.

I like this idea!!! I went to Michaels and the heat gun there is $40!!! :eek: Crazy! I'll stick to cheap ways till I find a good deal. I wouldn't pay more than $15... ;)

[maconscrapper]

Michael's has them for $20 easy. Take a coupon. Also, watch websites during the holiday shopping season for 50% coupons and free shipping. I got great deals last year at JOANNS.com
Good luck and don't burn yourself.

[Lisa M in So Cal]

I did the top of the toaster oven for years without a problem. No issues of powder blowing off there.

Yes, I have a heat gun now, courtesy of a coupon. But I still use the toaster oven on occasion!

[daeve930]

You guys are cracking me up! I can't believe how many of you have tried a toaster! I'd never have thought of that, and I think I'm glad. I don't want to be eating embossed toast tomorrow. The heat gun I have for removing wall paper would set that little old cardstock on fire. Be very careful when trying to improvise with unintended uses. That's why they put warnings like "Don't dry hair in the bathtub" on hairdryers.

There are heat guns at Michael's for $20 - $24, and this week there's a 40% coupon. My motto is NEVER buy anything at Michael's for full price. Well, maybe some chocolate at the check out, but that's it! Hobby Lobby has 40% coupons too. I don't think I've ever seen one in a craft store for $40. I hope it cleans up after itself for that price.

I couldn't find mine after days of searching. I finally broke down and used my precious coupon on a new one. It's the same brand I have, but white instead of purple, and it was less than $15 with tax. I found the old one as soon as I got home, by accident while looking for something else, and returned it the next day.

[pjw2855]

jmtaylor.......If you live where there is no electric power (Amish), how is it that you are using a computer? Doesn't that need electric?

Patti

P.S. I've never seen a heat gun in Michaels or AC Moore for $40! Can't imagine the difference in prices between here in the US and Canada.

[Maleina]

[QUOTE=pjw2855;11518298]jmtaylor.......If you live where there is no electric power (Amish), how is it that you are using a computer? Doesn't that need electric?

Patti

JM Taylor did not say he/she was Amish - only that the Amish where she lives used the oil lamp because they have no electric power.

[daeve930]

Patti

P.S. I've never seen a heat gun in Michaels or AC Moore for $40! Can't imagine the difference in prices between here in the US and Canada.[/QUOTE]

I didn't realize Cat was in Canada. How much is $40 Canadian compared to $40 American?

[mezalkb]

Found this one at Joann's online on sale for $13.99 you may be able to use one of the online coupons or call if you have a local store call and ask them if they carry it:
http://www.joann.com/joann/search/se...uestid=2934919

You also might try Walmart, I know I have seen them and I don't think they were very much.

I definately agree that it is best to use a heat gun, much safer.

[mrs.tom]

20 years ago i used to do stamping and embossing at school. get this. i kept a waffle iron in my closet (it had reversible grids.) i put the paper on the preheated griddle side, and watched it closely til i saw the color change and the embossing look shiny. i never started a fire. paper has to get to 451 degrees F. to catch fire. (remember the book?) nowadays i use a heat gun.

[SaraK]

LOL, I love this thread. Before I found out that you could use a 40% off one item coupon at the same time as a 20% total purchase one at Mike's, I was using everything under the sun to melt my ep. Including the sidewalk in the middle of the summer. (I live in AZ.) Tried the light bulb until I started seeing spots. I heard the hair dryer and iron methods, so I combined the 2 and used my straightening iron. Worked pretty well and kept me confined to the bathroom counters, which helped with cleanup. But that burned out and a straightening iron is more expensive to replace than a heat gun. Finally broke down and bought the heat gun. After all that, it ended up costing me about $9 with tax.

[frugalfeline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve930

I didn't realize Cat was in Canada. How much is $40 Canadian compared to $40 American?

LOL... we were over the American dollar for a while, now we're about $.92 I think to your dollar. Not much difference really, eh?

We don't have Joann's here, but I'll see if they ship here.

I'll just put it on my Christmas list and my parents can buy me one! LOL! DH would prefer that anyway!!! ;)

Thanks for all the fun stories of what you used, makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one, and hey now that you all know it would cost me $40, you know why I'm burning my fingers over the toaster! LMAO! :mrgreen:

[BunnyCates]

I was just at Joanns,
not only do they have 30% off ink this week *I finally got some DISTRESS, yay me!* They had a heat tool for $14.99...
it was right beside the inks, and all the embossing stuff....

all paper cutting things were on sale too! Punches, trimmers, etc were all 40% off!

[AmberAKAmom]

Mine was $12 at Michael's with a coupon.

[Snuckers]

I too use a hardware store heat gun to emboss. I leave a wee bit of extra card stock at the top of the image I am going to emboss. Then I clip the cardstock to a clipboard (made of fiber board, not plastic) before embossing. I also leave the cardstock under the clip for a couple of minutes to allow the metal clip time to cool off before I touch it. Works like a charm!

[lindsaymay]

I would use a cupon and but a gun however for big projects, like stamping on coasters, I've put it in my oven under the broiler. Only do this with non flamible things like metal or ceramic...it's no savings if you burn your house down, try explaining that to your insurance adjuster LOL!

[wendyp81]

I tried the light bulb trick years ago before I found a heat gun. It worked, but the heat gun was definitely worth the investment. I use it all the time, from embossing to simply speeding up paint drying. I'm not a patient crafter, lol!

[rubyc]

hsn has the pink pig for 14.99 plus 5.00 shipping.... I just got one today

[cslarue]

Hobby Lobby runs their embossing tools on sale regularly for US $9.99. The non-sale price is 19.99, so they are still not that expensive, and you could use a 40% off coupon to make it about 12.00 plus tax if you can't wait for it to go on sale. It really is worth the price to use something safe and effective for the job.

[HeatherHolbrook]

When I first starting stamping and couldn't afford a heat gun for awhile I also used the light bulb method, it actually works surprisingly well!