How do you like your metallic stamp pads as opposed pearl ex
 

I like the idea of just getting the mettalic stamp pads.then I don't have to go through the pearl ex and the heating process.

So those of you who own both.what are your feelings about the two.Should I go with mettalic pads or just buy some more pearl ex powders.As of now I don't have any mettalic pads just read about them and it said that it gives you the look of the peral ex after stamping with them.I own 1 set of pearl ex powders. I need some oppions before I spend more money.Help me make up my mind on which ones to buy.

What are the best colors to start out with.

Pearl Ex
 

I love my Pearl Ex powders. I have the large flat watercolor brush and I use it for big backgrounds with PE and I use the medium brush if I am wanting to color different parts of one stamp in different colors.

I was a bit confused by what you said about the Pearl Ex and heat...you don't have to heat Pearl Ex, that is the beauty of it :)

The metallic pads are nice, but those you either have to let set and dry or you have to heat to dry, or you have to emboss. I personally do not like the metallic pads nearly as well. Besides the dry time, the stamps are also a real pain to clean up after you use the metallic pads.

I would recommend Pearl Ex and Versamark over Metallic pads any day...but that is just my opinion. I'm sure others will have other advice :)

I find the metallic pads messy and hard to clean. I would much rather use the versamark with pearl ex brushed on, heat and stick powder with pearl ex brushed on or a metallic embossing powder.

Okay girls. Then make me like Pearl Ex. I have never had any success using this stuff (other than putting it in hairspray!) I have several customers asking about this and don't want to tell them that I just don't like it! :oops:

Please help!
- Susan

You can mix PearlEx with clear embossing powder, or brush over VersaMark (needs to be sealed). I love the irridescence (sp?) of it compared to the metallic stamp pads. You get effects that you just can't get with the pads. You can also brush it over the Premo clay, and it melds with the clay when baked (no sealant needed). Have you seen the ads in stamping mags for the new PearlEx stamp pads? They look awesome. Maybe SU will replace the powders with the pads in the next catalog...

Try this thread for ideas...

http://forums.splitcoaststampers.com...113&highlight=

I have both and I feel like they are Apples and Oranges. I don't think one really could replace the other. Pearl ex has a lot of versatility and adds shimmer - but I really don't think it looks mettalic. The mettalic colors are the actual gold, copper, and silver inks. The pearl ex powders have so many color choices and can be added to inks, clear mediums, and versamark to creat just about any kind of shimmer from heavy to light. JMHO :) The mettalic inks are hard to clean off - I don't use my scrubber. I use a wet wipe or run them under water so they don't get all over eveything else. HTH

I haven't tried Pearl Ex yet but I have a metallic pad that takes forever to dry and is really messy like everyone has posted.
I am wanting to try PE but am needing more info too.
Kelli

I just made a polymer clay piece last week where I brushed the PE powder on before curing (I was experimenting with different techniques to see which one worked best), and it does still come off afterward. I used the Fimo brand clay.