Embossing Powder

[phanson]

Help! I'm fairly new to stamping and last week I used versamark with the Basic Bold flower stamp. Then I poured "michaels" clear embossing powder over it, shook off the excess and turned on my heating tool. Well, the ep blew all over the paper. What did I do wrong? I'm afraid to use my ep again.... Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Sereikastamper]

First of all, make sure your pad is still juicy and that you have your heat tool all warmed up then don't hold it too close to the paper.
Secondly, were you using Ultra Thick Embossing Powder? That is really chunky and gets a little flyaway with me! LOL
But for ease of use I highly reccomend using detail embossing. It is super fine and sticks really well. I love it. I have used Stampin' Ups as well as other brands...I do like the sheen that SU! has as well as it is really fine and "melts" super good!

[SunnyStamper]

I hold the heating tool under the card stock and move it around in a kinda of circular motion. You can then see the embossing powder easier and know when it is melted. The card stock also helps to disperse the heat more evenly this way, and I don't have any powder blowing around by mistake. I also use a pair of tweezers to hold the card stock so I don't burn my fingers. And like Keri said, be sure your VersaMark pad is juicy enough. It might need to be re-inked. HTH

[row4d]

I've used both SU! and non-SU! EP, and have never had problems with it blowing off of the paper. My guess is the same as Keri and Tina -- either the heat tool wasn't hot enough yet (takes several seconds), or the Versamark pad needs re-inking. Let us know if your next attempt is successful!

[phanson]

I checked the container of ep from Michaels. It doesn't say anything about being Ultra Thick, but it does seem like there are a lot of bigger chunks in there (especially on top). I will try all of the tips that you gave me and see how that works out. I didn't know that I should warm up my heating tool and will also try heating from the bottom. Good ideas!!! Thanks so much! I'm sure I won't have any problems in the future thanks to you!