Perfect Pearls/Pearl Ex?

[hedgiemama]

Are they the same thing?

[cat_woman]

They basically are the same product except Perfect Pearls has a binding agent in it so that you can use it like water paint powder. Pearl Ex would need to have a binding agent (like gum arabic or watered down white glue) added or sealed with something so that it doesn't rub off.

[iamvics]

Good info here: Ink Stains: Why use.... Perfect Pearls vs. Pearl Ex?

She has lots of projects.

Vic

[Louisa May]

Roni Johnson, on her blog "Ink Stains" did a comparison test of the two earlier this month here: Ink Stains: Perfect Pearl & Pearl Ex - Dusted Images
with some surprising results.

[hedgiemama]

I haven't stamped in a couple of years. So at a LSS I saw Perfect Pearls, I purchased the Ranger (versamark like pad) and have been doing the brush technique then misting with water.

Well-- just the other day I was digging through my old craft stuff and found this huge 12 pack of Pearl Ex!! Beautiful colors. Not sure if I ever did anything with them? Do I do the same thing, brush them on the Ranger ink impression? Then mist with water? I have 12 beautiful colors and am drawing a complete blank as to what to do with them??

While I gather they are similar pigment mica's I still am not sure what is best for each product in terms of color, shimmer and technique???

I think I have lost a few brain cells since I did my last stamping! I found things I don't even remember purchasing!

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedgiemama

Do I do the same thing, brush them on the Ranger ink impression? Then mist with water?

Water won't fix Pearl Ex, it only works with Perfect Pearls because there is a resin built in to them and Pearl Ex doesn't have that. You can brush Pearl Ex over an impression that you've stamped with Versamark or the Ranger equivalent but then you'll need to seal it to stop it rubbing off. Something like art artist sealant spray (sold for sealing chalk or charcoal drawings) is good or you can try cheap hairspray, that usually works fine.

[hedgiemama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

Water won't fix Pearl Ex, it only works with Perfect Pearls because there is a resin built in to them and Pearl Ex doesn't have that. You can brush Pearl Ex over an impression that you've stamped with Versamark or the Ranger equivalent but then you'll need to seal it to stop it rubbing off. Something like art artist sealant spray (sold for sealing chalk or charcoal drawings) is good or you can try cheap hairspray, that usually works fine.

Thank you! I appreciate all of the responses!

[Cinnistew]

There is also a pre-made Perfect Pearls spray.

[Louisa May]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

Water won't fix Pearl Ex, it only works with Perfect Pearls because there is a resin built in to them and Pearl Ex doesn't have that. You can brush Pearl Ex over an impression that you've stamped with Versamark or the Ranger equivalent but then you'll need to seal it to stop it rubbing off. Something like art artist sealant spray (sold for sealing chalk or charcoal drawings) is good or you can try cheap hairspray, that usually works fine.

According to Roni Johnson's test above (see link in my previous response), Perfect Pearls don't last well with water either.

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louisa May

According to Roni Johnson's test above (see link in my previous response), Perfect Pearls don't last well with water either.

Interesting - I've only ever used water to fix them and have never had a problem.

[Louisa May]

I've also only ever used Perfect Pearls with water. But I don't know how well it lasted because I used it on cards I sent out.

[Rebecca Ednie]

I've found perfect pearls will brush off some if using water as a fixative but you won't lose your design, a bit just gets on everything it touches. I use workable fixativ (Krylon I think) for better sealing. I hear some use cheap (cheaper the better) hairspray. I think cheap hairspray contains less moisturizers, herbs, extra shine stuff etc when you don't want those things on your card, just pure spray glue!

Pearl ex definitely doesn't work with Versamark. Learned that the hard way but at least before I made 180 wedding favours using it! I found that perfect pearls doesn't work with Versamark either unless you seal it. I was surprised at that. I guess there isn't enough moisture in VM to activate the Gum in the perfect pearls.

You can buy powdered gum Arabic to add to pearl ex but it isn't cheap. Neither is liquid gum Arabic. In Canada, in Michaels they want like $20 for a bottle maybe 150 ml (5 oz). Online I've seen it cheaper but since it's a glass bottle they want a fortune to ship! My local art store doesn't and won't carry it.

I'd love to know if anyone has a source for cheap powdered gum arabic.

[Louisa May]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecca Ednie

I've found perfect pearls will brush off some if using water as a fixative but you won't lose your design, it just gets on everything it touches. I use workable fixativ (Krylon I think) for better sealing.

Pearl ex definitely doesn't work with Versamark. Learned that the hard way but at least before I made 180 wedding favours using it!

You can buy powdered gum Arabic to add to pearl ex but it isn't cheap. Neither is liquid gum Arabic. In Canada, in Michaels they want like $20 for a bottle maybe 150 ml (5 oz). Online I've filings it cheaper but since it's a glass bottle they want a fortune to ship!

I'd love to know if anyone has a source for cheap powdered gum arabic.

I've used gel medium successfully with both Pearl-Ex and Perfect Pearls. Just use a little of the medium, as you would the gum arabic. Also, a tip from an artist I know: any white glue works with either Pearl-Ex or Perfect Pearls in the same low ratio of fixative to pigment. I haven't tried the while glue yet.

[Ronijj]

The great thing about Pearl Ex is you can mix it with virtually any medium and achieve great results ~ glues, collage mediums, Accents, paints, wax, etc. It brings a beautiful shimmer to most any project.

I haven't tried Perfect Pearls in a vast array of mediums but it works well with the other products that they were designed to be paired with.

In my experience it is best if both are sealed with some sort of fixative or sealer. I have tried the water with PP and it still rubs off to some extent on other things it comes in contact with. As a result I just use a sealer on both now.

[tina van-eick]

You can also 'paint' with Pear-Ex using Future Floor Wax instead of water. It is the binder and the results are stunning.

[Glendatoo]

I've used Perfect Pearls mixed with water in a mini-sprayer for a little glimmer effect which worked well. I'm wondering if you can mix Adirondac Color Wash with water and Perfect Pearls with success? Kind of making a custom color "glimmer mist" as a cost cutting effort and not having a lot of product sitting around forever.

[meeyore151]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glendatoo

I've used Perfect Pearls mixed with water in a mini-sprayer for a little glimmer effect which worked well. I'm wondering if you can mix Adirondac Color Wash with water and Perfect Pearls with success? Kind of making a custom color "glimmer mist" as a cost cutting effort and not having a lot of product sitting around forever.

You could do this with reinkers, water & perfect pearls - I've seen Tim Holtz and Jennifer McGuire do this, as well as a number of other people in YouTube videos (sorry, can't give names as I lose track when I get sucked into the 'Tube!) - so I don't see why the color wash wouldn't work.

[Louisa May]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tina van-eick

You can also 'paint' with Pear-Ex using Future Floor Wax instead of water. It is the binder and the results are stunning.

Wow, that Future Floor Wax idea is great! I have some, and I'm going to try it. I want to see if you can make the mixture yellowish and encaustic looking.

[from the heart]

Dove blender pen will work with pearl ex. The blender pen has a binder in it that allows it to set. I did it in a class I was in and it turned out ok. You pick up a small amount of the powder on the end of the pen and "paint" with it.

[Sheena74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by from the heart

Dove blender pen will work with pearl ex. The blender pen has a binder in it that allows it to set. I did it in a class I was in and it turned out ok. You pick up a small amount of the powder on the end of the pen and "paint" with it.

I wondered if the Dove Blending pen would work. I'm glad to hear it will. I have a brand new one not even open yet I purchased for use with chalks, but now I will try to use it with all my Pearl Ex pigments..

Sheena

[eyestitch]

I would like to see a pearl ex gallery of cards. Would anyone like to post some in this thread? Thanks

[RavioliGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedgiemama

I haven't stamped in a couple of years. So at a LSS I saw Perfect Pearls, I purchased the Ranger (versamark like pad) and have been doing the brush technique then misting with water.

Well-- just the other day I was digging through my old craft stuff and found this huge 12 pack of Pearl Ex!! Beautiful colors. Not sure if I ever did anything with them? Do I do the same thing, brush them on the Ranger ink impression? Then mist with water? I have 12 beautiful colors and am drawing a complete blank as to what to do with them??

While I gather they are similar pigment mica's I still am not sure what is best for each product in terms of color, shimmer and technique???

I think I have lost a few brain cells since I did my last stamping! I found things I don't even remember purchasing!

This has been a wonderful question and great answers. hedgiemama, you and I could be twins separated at birth! I just found a box a few weeks ago of 24 PearlEx powders a dear friend bought me over 15 years ago! I wondered if they were still good to use? They've been through the wringer so to speak in the last 15 years.

My box has 16 beautiful colors and 8 white-looking powders that say things like "Interference" Red, Green, Gold, Blue, Violet etc. And then some that say "Micropearl" something or other. The print is so tiny I can hardly see it. I'm assuming these all turn colors when you use them???

Thanks for all the great suggestions and MANY THANKS to hedgiemama for posting this question.

Does your name mean that you like "hedgehog" stamp images? Just wondering.

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavioliGirl

My box has 16 beautiful colors and 8 white-looking powders that say things like "Interference" Red, Green, Gold, Blue, Violet etc.

Interference colours work well on dark cardstock and they appear to change as you move the piece, kind of like oil-on-a-puddle colours. The named color (red, violet etc) will be the dominant tone.

[RavioliGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

Interference colours work well on dark cardstock and they appear to change as you move the piece, kind of like oil-on-a-puddle colours. The named color (red, violet etc) will be the dominant tone.

Cool...sounds pretty.

Would one of you talented stampers be willing to just BRIEFLY walk me through the proper use of the Pearl Ex? I've read here about "binding agents" and floor wax and glue, etc. I DO remember hearing about gum arabic years ago and, like hedgie, have forgotten so much while I was away from stamping. Lets say we use the wax...do we put a little puddle of wax in a container then add the Pearl Ex and paint with it or how does that work? Then, we have to spray it with something to seal it on...right? I suppose there are different techniques that apply.

You are ALL AMAZING about sharing your knowledge and experience with all of us! Thanks so much.

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavioliGirl

Lets say we use the wax...do we put a little puddle of wax in a container then add the Pearl Ex and paint with it or how does that work? Then, we have to spray it with something to seal it on...right?

If you use it with floor wax (like Future) the wax does the sealing for you, no need to add anything else. There's a "painting with Pearl Ex" tutorial in the resources section (here) - Beate uses a waterbrush with the floor wax in it but you could do it the way you describe (small puddle with the powder mixed in to make paint).

I always use Perfect Pearls so I'm afraid I don't know the proportion of gum arabic you'd need as a fixative but somebody will most likely come along with that info. Again, the gum will act as your sealant, no need for a spray fixative - you basically need that kind of spray if you've used the powder loose over something like an image stamped with Versamark. Cheap hairspray fixes most things, by the way! (the cheaper the better, no "conditioning" agents in there).

HTH!

[NavyWyf]

I put Future Floor wax into one of my Aquapainters back when SU first started selling them. You just dip it into your pearl ex container, and "color!" Anyway, about a year later I wanted to use both my brushes for something, and removed the FFW and replace it with water. No damage to the brush at all after a year, and the inside washed out nicely for the water. So I got a second set to keep FFW and Bleach in, they held up great.

Here's a sample - VERY old one, of coloring with FFW and PE: Future Sunny Seasons by NavyWyf - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

(There are much nicer ones out there!) You can also use it like Poppin Pastels and then spray aerosol hairspray over it afterwards. You need the hairspray! You brush off the excess PE with a swiffer wipe, just like you do for Poppin Pastels.

[RavioliGirl]

Angelnorth and NavyWyf...you two are so HELPFUL. Thank you very much for all the info. Went to the tutorial from Beate and checked out the sample from NavyWyf. Love the whole idea of this. Can't believe I've had these for YEARS and never did anything with them. I must have heard that you needed a "fixative" and that discouraged me. Then so much time passed and life happend and I forgot what I had to do to use them. I'm going to buy some Future Floor Wax and I already have Swiffers...so now if anyone calls and I'm doing this technique, I can say that I'm "housecleaning!" Well...it's kinda, sorta true...wax and dust cloths??? Thanks again. RavioliGirl

[graceforever12]

here's where I bought mine for $2.99:
gum arabic : Shop | Joann.com