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Hey everyone....now I've heard about how good this stuff is but I read somewhere there was a recipe for it. I was just wondering if this exists. It was said that it's very simlar to the blend pen recipe...
I would like to know as well as I just can't continue to buy more crafting things right now. I wonder if I could dip my blender pen in the chalk??? I guess I could try it....
yes you can use your blender pen with your chalks...I've tried it and it des work nicely.
But I've been doin some research on the Chalk enhancer and I think it's the same recipe as the blender pens only thinner...that is however only an educated guess...I saw a video Gina K did with the Chalk enhancer and it seemed thinner but who know for sure really...
sounds interresting.
I have in the past colored my image with a versa marker and then applied chalk to that. You can see the effect on this card. The card stock is actually kraft, and I was surprised how nice the colors showed.
You card looks amazing BTW! Very nice I love Kraft Paper.
Well here's my thinking on the subject...I found the recipe for the blender pen...it contains alcohol which is what actually helps spread the color or blend the color to give that watercolor look. Maybe the recipe just need to contain more water...? I don't have the chalk enhancer kit to do a comparison but it would be interesting to find out
Subbing, as I was wondering along the same lines. Yesterday I saw a SU demo's blog where she recommended a non SU product -- chalk enhancer -- I thought it was made by Ranger. The image on her blog made me think it was a Ranger product. I saw something similar in Archiver's and wondered about it.
Then I saw GinaK's tutorial earlier and I wondered the following question:
Wouldn't SU!'s blender pen be just as good a tool with chalks instead of purchasing another product such as the chalk enhancer? There's a blender pen recipe floating around the blogosphere and I'd just as soon not spend another $5-7 on a "must have" product if I don't have to, KWIM? I guess I could test it out with what I have.
Subbing, as I was wondering along the same lines. Yesterday I saw a SU demo's blog where she recommended a non SU product -- chalk enhancer -- I thought it was made by Ranger. The image on her blog made me think it was a Ranger product. I saw something similar in Archiver's and wondered about it.
Then I saw GinaK's tutorial earlier and I wondered the following question:
Wouldn't SU!'s blender pen be just as good a tool with chalks instead of purchasing another product such as the chalk enhancer? There's a blender pen recipe floating around the blogosphere and I'd just as soon not spend another $5-7 on a "must have" product if I don't have to, KWIM? I guess I could test it out with what I have.
I would like to know how close it is to any other product, so if I go to my local art supply store I could tell him and he might suggest something simliar.
Ranger has the medium for Perfect Pearls which I would think is very similiar if not the same thing to the Craft-T Chalk Enhancer....? It adheres chalk...but the medium comes in ink pad form..don't know if it comes in a refill...Sorry I'm just sort of thinking out loud...:rolleyes:
The SU Blender pen gives it a different effect...almost marker like but will blend and fade for a softer look...I am assuming the chalks give a softer more watercolor effect...plus it's said that you actually get more colors out of the chalks with this CHalk Enhancer....I will be doing more research on the subject I would really like to find out...;)
I just use my versamark refill and a tiny cotton ball. I just put a little of the versamark on the cotton ball and dab it on. I tried dabbing the cotton ball on the versamark pad, but I get better coverage with putting the refill directly on the cotton ball.
Instead of buying a "cotton bool holder" I just got some little dowels at the hardware store, made a hole in the end, and pused in aligator clips from Radio shack. I have several of the holders so I don't have to keep switching cotton balls when I'm workiing with multiple colors of chalk.
Chalk Enhancer is made by Craf-T, who make palette chalks.
The Perfect Medium pen/pads are very similar to VersaMark pens and pads, but are a bit tackier. IMHO PM pens don't dry out as quickly as the VM pens. But VM pads hold up better than the PM pads.
The S.U. Blending Pen has glycerin in it. I've seen recipes online for this, but don't recall where.
Dove Blending Pens are similar to the SU pens, but are refillable.
I've tried all the above with chalks and like the Craf-T Chalk Enhancing stuff the best.
I've tried all the above with chalks and like the Craf-T Chalk Enhancing stuff the best.[/quote]
Hello, can you please explain to me how you use the enhancer. I have had a bottle for quite some time now, but haven't used it for lack of knowledge. Anything that you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Happy stamping days ahead!
Trish in Wisconsin
Quote:
Originally Posted by KathiR
Chalk Enhancer is made by Craf-T, who make palette chalks.
The Perfect Medium pen/pads are very similar to VersaMark pens and pads, but are a bit tackier. IMHO PM pens don't dry out as quickly as the VM pens. But VM pads hold up better than the PM pads.
The S.U. Blending Pen has glycerin in it. I've seen recipes online for this, but don't recall where.
Dove Blending Pens are similar to the SU pens, but are refillable.
I've tried all the above with chalks and like the Craf-T Chalk Enhancing stuff the best.
I've tried all the above with chalks and like the Craf-T Chalk Enhancing stuff the best.
Hello, can you please explain to me how you use the enhancer. I have had a bottle for quite some time now, but haven't used it for lack of knowledge. Anything that you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Happy stamping days ahead!
Trish in Wisconsin[/QUOTE]
Hi here is a vidoe Gina K did using the Chalk enhancer. I looks great when she's done with it
I pour a little bit of the solution in the tiny cup that comes with it, dip my pom-pom/clip thing into it, dip that into the chalk, then apply the chalk normally to my image. I use a pom-pom for each color to avoid contaminating the solution and the chalk palette colors. Then I dip a clean pom-pom into the solution to blend.
I looked at the chalk enhancer on ebay and it is about 6 or 7 dollars. They don't seem to sell it at my local Hobby Lobby, which is really too bad since it is a 40% off week.
I tried the recipe for blender pen refills and just found it to be a mess. Maybe I am doing it wrong but I couldn't really figure out how to get the solution into the pen. I just ended up dipping it and then it was too sloppy.
That's a good idea to try the solution with chalks.
Seems like all of our recipes have glycerin in them (blender pen refill and stamp cleaner refill). Does anyone know where to get glycerin? Our local drug store doesn't have it. Can you tell that I live in the sticks?!
I had to call around at the various places (Walmart pharmacy, K-mart, etc) but finally found it at Walgreens. Many of these pharmacies carry it, but you have to ask the pharmacist for it because they keep it behind the counter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by biblesistersmom
I looked at the chalk enhancer on ebay and it is about 6 or 7 dollars. They don't seem to sell it at my local Hobby Lobby, which is really too bad since it is a 40% off week.
I tried the recipe for blender pen refills and just found it to be a mess. Maybe I am doing it wrong but I couldn't really figure out how to get the solution into the pen. I just ended up dipping it and then it was too sloppy.
That's a good idea to try the solution with chalks.
Seems like all of our recipes have glycerin in them (blender pen refill and stamp cleaner refill). Does anyone know where to get glycerin? Our local drug store doesn't have it. Can you tell that I live in the sticks?!
Fortunately glycerin is cheap...I bought a smallish (like 8 oz.) bottle several years ago for 2 bucks or so. It will last a very long time, lol...
I've never heard of this chalk enhancer, though! I'll have to go watch Gina's video, but it does sound pretty much like coloring with a blender pen and chalk...
I think I'm going to have to buy it to really know what I'm working with...I know I saw a recipe for this somewhere I just on't know where..
Please let us know what your results are and please provide a comparison of this enhancer to the blender pens out there. I have both the SU and Zig blender pens. I almost purchased a copic colorless blender pen. I'd like to know if this is a "must have" or if my blender pens will work just fine. None of my LSS carry this product. I've not checked Blick, though they are rather pricey.
A word of caution when using the enhancer - it will "set" the chalk in your chalk pallette so is best to just use it on the very edge of whatever color you are using. I got a lot by watching Yvonne Arbritton at one of the local stamp conventions. She sells it and instuction books and also stamps (cute ones!) on her website, www.yvonnealbritton.com. She does not use Stazon (I don't either - it isn't really meant for paper) Check out her website - she is great and service is fast too!
She does not use Stazon (I don't either - it isn't really meant for paper) Check out her website - she is great and service is fast too!
What is StazOn meant for? I like to use it for embossing so that there is no bleeding when coloring in an image. Is it only meant for non porous surfaces such as tiles?
Stazon is meant for non-porous materials, like tiles or glass. It is also good on plastic, ceramic, or even metal. Can be used with Coated paper - I just tend not to use it as it is so permanent and it stains my stamps! There are lots of archival inks that are easier (IMO) to work with --- to each his own!
A word of caution when using the enhancer - it will "set" the chalk in your chalk pallette so is best to just use it on the very edge of whatever color you are using. I got a lot by watching Yvonne Arbritton at one of the local stamp conventions. She sells it and instuction books and also stamps (cute ones!) on her website, www.yvonnealbritton.com. She does not use Stazon (I don't either - it isn't really meant for paper) Check out her website - she is great and service is fast too!
Is the chalk blender that Yvonne Arbritton has the same as the Chalk Enhancer? I have this one and her instruction book but I wasn't sure if they were the same. You are right she does some beautiful coloring with chalk.
Is the chalk blender that Yvonne Arbritton has the same as the Chalk Enhancer? I have this one and her instruction book but I wasn't sure if they were the same. You are right she does some beautiful coloring with chalk.
Her site seems to be done at the moment I can click on any of the items for more details.
Nope! I keep looking and hoping some genius stamper would come up with it...lol
I know there has to be SOMETHING out there! 2Busy, thanks for the diligence. I would really like to know a good comparison of using this medium with chalk versus the blender pens. I have the blender pen recipe, but you are right, it seems as though the CrafT enhancer is a thinner product.
I know there has to be SOMETHING out there! 2Busy, thanks for the diligence. I would really like to know a good comparison of using this medium with chalk versus the blender pens. I have the blender pen recipe, but you are right, it seems as though the CrafT enhancer is a thinner product.
I wish I could find it locally in my area.
I will be out today so maybe I'll do some searching and see if I find it
The art supply store should know more of what I'm looking for they tend to be very good when I describe my needs...
I don't mind using the blender pens but even when looking at the video Gina did it just seems logical that some of the ingredients would be glycerin, water, and an alcohol substitute....I really like that you can get a watercolor effect with that technique. So I guess I'm on a mission today.. :mrgreen:
Is the chalk blender that Yvonne Arbritton has the same as the Chalk Enhancer? I have this one and her instruction book but I wasn't sure if they were the same. You are right she does some beautiful coloring with chalk.
I will be out today so maybe I'll do some searching and see if I find it
The art supply store should know more of what I'm looking for they tend to be very good when I describe my needs...
I don't mind using the blender pens but even when looking at the video Gina did it just seems logical that some of the ingredients would be glycerin, water, and an alcohol substitute....I really like that you can get a watercolor effect with that technique. So I guess I'm on a mission today.. :mrgreen:
Hi Michelle,
Any luck with finding this and using it? Just wondering!
Kelli
Any luck with finding this and using it? Just wondering!
Kelli
Nope not yet...I went to the art supply store and the hubby was out of town a about a week and the wife didn't know exactly what I was talking about that he would most likely know. She told to come back when he's back in town and get his input on what it could be..or at least what could be used instead. Still hoping a genius stamper will ease my pain and come up with a recipe...lol....:rolleyes:
Nope not yet...I went to the art supply store and the hubby was out of town a about a week and the wife didn't know exactly what I was talking about that he would most likely know. She told to come back when he's back in town and get his input on what it could be..or at least what could be used instead. Still hoping a genius stamper will ease my pain and come up with a recipe...lol....:rolleyes:
Michelle, keep us posted!
I have the blender pen recipe that is mentioned by the next poster, but am really curious about the "enhancer" product/recipe.
I haven't been able to find any info on this product other than what is posted here. I too would like to see if someone can come up with a recipe. Its hard to get products like this shipped to Canada sometimes. I did try using a medium extender for acrylic paints. It kinda worked but not really. It was very pale and some colours didn't work well. Although, it could have been the chalks. I bought some dollar store ones to try the extender with cause I didn't want to ruin my good chalks. I did see a blog where she used the blender pen with chalks. It kind of looked like the results achieved in this review: Chalk Enhancer Review - could be the blog person wasn't that great at colouring;) Hopefully, some wonderful person with a chem background will work on this for us.
I had to call around at the various places (Walmart pharmacy, K-mart, etc) but finally found it at Walgreens. Many of these pharmacies carry it, but you have to ask the pharmacist for it because they keep it behind the counter.
You can also buy glycerin many places that carry cake decorating supplies. It can be used to dilute paste decorating colors. Years ago my mom used it as a base for Halloween makeup.
A couple of weeks back I received a coupon from Archiver's and happened across the CrafT Chalk Enhancer. It was retailing for only $5.99 US and with a 30% off coupon I figured it was worth it with all the little extras that come with the liquid itself. If you have an Archiver's in your area check it out; I found it on an end cap across the aisle from where the inks/chalks are kept along with other blender pens and solutions.
Eventually the solution will run out and there has to be an alternative.
Chalk Enhancer Recipe...?
Clarification Needed...
