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Jennifer McGuire did a video where she made these with this product and when I tried it, mine had dimples in the middle except the really small dots. Suggestions?
I just went in search of this video since I had never heard of it before. So my suggestions are only from having watched the video....I haven't done this myself....YET. :-)
She mentions something about "the little point at the top"...that it settles down and smooths out by the time it drys. To me this says be sure to pull up a little as you finish to leave almost a Hershey's Kiss shape...but maybe not quite so big a point. That way you are sure to be filling in the whole dot while leaving that little extra at the top to settle and smooth over while it drys.
The other idea I saw in a video somewhere. It's not for making your own enamel dots, maybe it was just applying Liquid Pearls directly to your card but it might help. After laying out your dots try giving the craft sheet a little shake to help the pointy part at the top settle in and give you a good smooth dome shape. I believe what I saw in this other video was the card maker picked up the card and actual gave it a little "flick" from the back to help settle the Liquid Pearls into a nice dome shape; but I guess that's not practical when using a large craft sheet.
Hope these ideas help! Now I have to go in search of coupons for my local big box craft stores and hunt down some of these Paper Pens myself.....:-)
Just don't flick the back too hard. My dots smeared when I flicked. Some of the pearl pens leave a beautiful dome and some are pointed. Maybe try shaking it well. I think the thinner the solution the better the dot. Thick makes a point.
OK. So I got out my pearl pen, ice white. Straight down and you get a point. Try turning your pen sideways as you put down the dot and when you have enough down, push down and slide it sideways away from the dot. I got a good pearl that way.
I noticed you are using paper pens. Mine are the pearl pens. I'm not sure what the difference is, but the sideways trick works great with the pearl pen.
I tried again and used these tips but got the same result. I'm so bummed - I really liked those that Jenn made. Maybe I shouldn't care if they have a dimple?? Am I being too OCD?
I tried again and used these tips but got the same result. I'm so bummed - I really liked those that Jenn made. Maybe I shouldn't care if they have a dimple?? Am I being too OCD?
Are you talking about the little point on the top of the drop? I don't like that either. Sometimes I've also used a toothpick to round it out.
I just watched Jennifer's video. I have never just made dots to peel off and use. I have always put the dots directly on the project. Her paper pens appear to have a thinner consistency than my pearl pens, and they seem to flatten out after she places them down. Try shaking your paper pen. Maybe even try warming the tube a bit and then shaking. I also noticed that I can use the tip of the pen to swirl the top into a better shape. I think it just takes practice.
Oh my! That's totally different than my experience! Try the toothpick swirl. That may help. It may also help if you wait until it begins to dry a little before trying to flatten. Is this just one paper pen or have you tried it with others?
I hold the tip on a slight angle close to the surface, but I don't make huge dots. I also made blobs and strings in my hair, clothes, and all over my craftroom a couple of days ago!!! I should have known better. It was tuck in the tube, I inserted a pin, then squeezed too hard. Of all the colors it had to be orange. Lucky I have a lot of hair, because I had to cut it out. My DH was laughing hysterically, I wanted to squirt him with the rest of the bottle :mad:
DIY Enamel Dots Made With Viva Paper Pens
