Please tell me the secret to Pearl Ex Powders
 

Can someone tell me the secret to Pearl Ex powders? I just don't get it. I tried to mix it with Lumiere but I didn't like what I got. Are you supposed to do a certain mixture... what am I missing here? I'm about to put them up for trade.

the easiest way I have come up with is to use a versamark pen to draw wherever you want the pearl-ex and then use a small paint brush to paint the powder on. brush of excess and give a light spray of cheap hairspray so it doesn't rub off, and you're done!

At one party I went to we mixed I want to say 1/4 tsp. of Pearl Ex with about 1-2 oz of liquid hairspray. We mixed it up and sprayed our white cardstock with it and let it dry it came out a pretty gold. Actually this was like the card we made (she's my demo :) )

http://gallery.splitcoaststampers.co...cat=500&page=7

So it is just another neat technique with Pearl Ex. :D I made a neat card for my sister for her birthday last year like this one :wink:

Oh, don't get rid of your pealex so easily. Pearlex is one of my favorites and I use it often. VersaMark and Pearlex always wows my customers and they order both items. Here is a link to one of my Pearlex cards. If you like it, hang onto your pearlex. :lol:

http://gallery.splitcoaststampers.co...cat=500&page=2

Click on Forums on this site, scroll down to "Downloads" and click on Resources. There is an extensive Pearl Ex tip sheet there. HTH!

I like the effects. I guess I'm just not using it right. I'm going to check out the resources. Hopefully I can figure this out. I've never had good luck with them.

Uh, I didn't see any "Downloads" in the Forums... but then I am wearing bi-focals :roll: can you direct me to it again, please? TIA

I didn't know what to do with it either, until I read Beate's tutorial under Resources. It's at the top right of your screen. Then go to Technique Tutorials, and then look for Shattered Glass with Pearl Ex. I did the shattered glass thing, but didn't like how it came out. So I did it without the masking tape, and proceeded to make 3 of the most gorgeous cards I've ever made. I just used the Versamark pad all over my card stock and sponged color all over until I got the look I wanted. It looks great on black or darker cardstock. Here are links to my 3 cards. The pictures don't do them justice!!!

http://gallery.splitcoaststampers.co...cat=500&page=2

http://gallery.splitcoaststampers.co...cat=500&page=2

http://gallery.splitcoaststampers.co...cat=500&page=2

When you are done getting the effect you are looking for, make sure you seal the card, otherwise it will rub off all over everything. I used Krylon Low Odor Clear Matte finish. It doesn't alter the shimmer and shine of the PearlEx.

Looking forward to seeing your masterpieces!!!

Back to the original poster's question...

SU! sells the Lumiere to "mix with Pearl Ex."

I haven't bought it, but had assumed it came with directions. If it doesn't, then how is one to know the ratio to do this?

I know how to do the Pearl Ex on Versamark and it's great, this is a totally different thing, though, painting, I assume. If you mix it, could you use an old freebie CD as a palette? (I used that for Radiant Pearls when they were being sold by SU!)

Anyway, what I am wondering, and I think the original poster, is how to use the Pearl Ex WITH the Lumiere.

TIA!!

Just to add one more question...
Are there any uses for Lumiere besides mixing with PearlEX?

Yes, I bought the lumiere to use with the pearl ex and I played around with it but have no idea what I'm doing. I found tons of info on it but there are so many that I'm overwhelmed. I need to sit down when I get the time and read them.

I checked prhansen's photos. I LOVED the lighthouse card. I want to make one RIGHT NOW. But i just don't get it. I have stampers club on Thursday and would love to CASE this card for it. I think they would love it.

I have a heck of a time using these!

Here is a little tip sheet I put together when I did a Pearl Ex Swap a while back. I got most of my information from the January 2003 Stampin' Success magazine.

Pearl Ex comes in three different types:

Interference Pearl Ex looks white in the jar. It appears to best effect on darker colors of card stock or paper. They look different on every color of card stock you use. Be creative in your card stock color choices.

Duo Pearl Ex: is available in Red/Blue, Blue/Green and Green/Yellow. This powder looks one color in the jar but has shades of both colors once applied. You can see the different colors by tilting the card back and forth.

The other Pearl Ex powders are one color in the jar but appear differently depending on what color of card stock is used.

Be creative with your card stock color choices. Black and white aren’t the only colors that look great with Pearl Ex. Try the following:

Interference Blue on Night of Navy
Interference Red on Pretty in Pink
Duo Red/Blue on Rose Romance
Spring Green on Forest Foliage
Super Bronze on Close to Cocoa
Misty Lavender on Pale Plum or Perfect Plum


Because it is a dry powder you’ll need to use one of the following binding agents, either before or after applying Pearl Ex:
· Craft Stampin’ Pad. Stamp your image with craft ink and then apply Pearl Ex with a watercolor brush.
· VersaMark ink pad. Stamp your image using VersaMark ink and then apply Pearl Ex with a watercolor brush. You can also apply the VersaMark ink directly on the card stock and then brush Pearl Ex onto the cardstock for a shimmery background. Create interesting background by using more than one color of Pearl Ex. You can also stipple
· Lumiere-Pearlescent White. Mix Pearl Ex with Lumiere liquid medium and apply as paint.
· Embossing Powder. Mix ¼ teaspoon of Pearl Ex with 1 tablespoon clear embossing powder before applying.
· If none of the above are used while applying, use a spray fixative as your binding agent. You can apply Pearl Ex directly to Premo Sculpey Clay or with a stipple brush or watercolor brush before drying. Once the clay is dry, spray with a fixative to prevent the Pearl Ex from rubbing off. You can also use Crystal Effects for added shine.

Lizziestamps... that is exactly what I was looking for. I need to just get started simple. So these few simple explanations are just what I need.

THANKS!!

Those cards were too pretty. I'm going to a demo next Sat and we're learning how to use this product. I'm looking forward to it. I have the Wing thing stamp set and the butterflies would look beautiful with that effect over it.

The Pearl Ex Powders look best on dark coloured cardstocks.... my favourite use is to lay a layer of craft or pigment or VersaMark ink on a piece of dark coloured cardstock. I then tap a little of a few colours of Pearl Ex onto the cardstock in different areas. Then I use a big soft brush to blend it all around. Remove the excess, spray with sealer (I use Finesse aerosol hairspray) and voila... a background!

You can also stamp with the same inks and do the same technique and the Pearl Ex will stick to the image that you stamped.

Another idea with the polymer clay:
Brush the Pearl Ex on the stamp, and stamp on the clay!
This works great for lightswitch plates, small boxes, letter openers, votive holders, ink pens...

I use Pearl Ex with Future floor wax and it looks great. I haven't posted a card yet.
I attached a pearl ex technique sheet that I found herem I think.
Hope this helps.
I am not sure if I attached it right.

DEB

Lumiere with Pearl Ex
 

If you emboss your image first before apply the paint mix it helps.

Lisa Davolt
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