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Is it worth it to spend $20 on the SU embossing tray or is the $4.99 one from Michaels ok? The differences are that the SU one has a brush and one large and one small tray and the one from Michaels is just a small tray, no brush...
Is it worth it to spend $20 on the SU embossing tray or is the $4.99 one from Michaels ok? The differences are that the SU one has a brush and one large and one small tray and the one from Michaels is just a small tray, no brush...
Thanks so much!
I have the one from Michaels...but frankly I never use it...I just use a piece of paper folded in half...and when I'm through just dump it back in the container. Is that tacky of me? Works like a charm...I find that the powder sticks in the tray sometimes. When I did use it I used a old paintbrush(like an old watercolor brush)
I went and put all of my embossing powders into shallow rectangular containers. I use a plastic spoon to dump the powder right onto my project while holding it over the container. Works better for me than the tray, the powders alway clung to it.
I love my little embossing tray, HATE the larger ones I bought by accident. They are a PAIN to use. I reach for the small one every time.
The brush might be nice, but I bang out as much as I can and swipe one of the microfiber type of clothes thru to pick up leftovers when switching colors.
I bought the SU embossing tray set on my first demo order. I have yet to use the large one, and never get out the small one anymore. I generally use a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper, folded with a nice crease down the middle. That makes it very easy to pick up the paper with the excess EP on it and pour it back into its container.
I found that some EP would stick to the tray no matter how much I brushed off the excess. I felt that I needed to rinse it after each color to prevent getting the previous color into my jar of EP. That was a hassle to me.
My suggestion is use that money to buy stamps, cardstock, or other cool accessory that you will get more use out of.
I almost bought the SU embossing tray then thought...why when I can use a thick piece of cardstock paper and a stiff small paint brush so that's what I do and that works. Also I thought about buying the SU embossing buddy which helps the embossing powder not to stick to the paper being embossed. Well I put some cornstarch in a small cotton piece of fabric and wrapped a rubberband around it to close it off at the top. I use this to wipe over my project to keep the embossing powders from sticking where I don't want it to and just now thought that I should run it over that cardstock I folded for dumping my powder on so it will pour off better when putting it back into the containers. Happy Embossing ! Beckaroni
__________________ THE SECRET TO CONTENTMENT IS KNOWING HOW TO ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE. Lin Yutang
I don't think its necessarily worth the extra $ just to get the SU ones, unless you are in love with having everything SU black.
I actually use my tray quite often. It gets used for embossing powder as well as glitter. I think I actually use it for glitter more often. It works great to hold the glitter and then you just "slip" your paper with the portion you want to cover with glitter into the tray...works great!
I almost bought the SU embossing tray then thought...why when I can use a thick piece of cardstock paper and a stiff small paint brush so that's what I do and that works. Also I thought about buying the SU embossing buddy which helps the embossing powder not to stick to the paper being embossed. Well I put some cornstarch in a small cotton piece of fabric and wrapped a rubberband around it to close it off at the top. I use this to wipe over my project to keep the embossing powders from sticking where I don't want it to and just now thought that I should run it over that cardstock I folded for dumping my powder on so it will pour off better when putting it back into the containers. Happy Embossing ! Beckaroni
I do have the embossing buddy...but what a good idea...I never thought about the cornstarch!!!
I don't think its necessarily worth the extra $ just to get the SU ones, unless you are in love with having everything SU black.
I actually use my tray quite often. It gets used for embossing powder as well as glitter. I think I actually use it for glitter more often. It works great to hold the glitter and then you just "slip" your paper with the portion you want to cover with glitter into the tray...works great!
my thoughts exactly-I use it all the time, actually have 2, cause I won one as a doorprize-but cheap is the same
I went and put all of my embossing powders into shallow rectangular containers. I use a plastic spoon to dump the powder right onto my project while holding it over the container. Works better for me than the tray, the powders alway clung to it.
About the only thing I use my tray for is microbeads. It keeps them from rolling all over the place, and it's easy to get them back in the jar. I don't like the tray for ep. I use paper for that also.
About the only thing I use my tray for is microbeads. It keeps them from rolling all over the place, and it's easy to get them back in the jar. I don't like the tray for ep. I use paper for that also.
Me 2!!! BTW... I got my SU tray at a garage sale for 50� someone else didn't like it at all.
Ii use plastic sandwish containers with lids (like rubbermaid) and you can dip your card in and tap the excess off back into the container. When my powder gets low I do have to use a spoon but it works great !!! I and 2 friends have made over 8000 cards for a charity event the past 2 years and this is how we've done it as they all had embossed trees on them.
I say the small one from Michael's or HL is just fine. I have NEVER used my large one! I also wanted to mention that I have a Judy Kins sparkle brush that I love for brushing away extra glitter/embossing powder and cleaning out my tray. LOVE it!!!
I went and put all of my embossing powders into shallow rectangular containers. I use a plastic spoon to dump the powder right onto my project while holding it over the container. Works better for me than the tray, the powders alway clung to it.
This is what I use for my clear powder. I bought a big container of the stuff and dumped it all in. (I seem to use clear more than any other color.)
I do have one of those pink trays but also found that the powder sticks to it. That's not always so convenient either because if I don't get the tray completely cleaned off, then the powders get mixed.
Kimberly
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
I never use the trays. I keep an old magazine next to me when I'm using ep or glitter. I just rip out a page, give it a good fold, do my powder or glitter, pour it back in the container and throw the magazine page away. Never any "cross contamination" into my glitter or ep's. I think I read somewhere on this wonderful site to use a "glossy" type paper for best results. I have taken a few classes and used the paper trick instead of the trays provided and all my table mates agreed it was easier and no waste of product.
I also have the cheap one from Michaels but I never use it. Piece of paper works great for me! I actually use the tray to store smaller items in on my desk, lol!
Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I wanted to say that at an embossing workshop I just went to, my demo used the embossing buddy in the tray and that helped the powder not stick in the tray...
I never use the trays. I keep an old magazine next to me when I'm using ep or glitter. I just rip out a page, give it a good fold, do my powder or glitter, pour it back in the container and throw the magazine page away. Never any "cross contamination" into my glitter or ep's. I think I read somewhere on this wonderful site to use a "glossy" type paper for best results. I have taken a few classes and used the paper trick instead of the trays provided and all my table mates agreed it was easier and no waste of product.
About the only thing I use my tray for is microbeads. It keeps them from rolling all over the place, and it's easy to get them back in the jar. I don't like the tray for ep. I use paper for that also.
I also only use my tray for beads. I hate it for EP as it does stick and then you have to brosh it out. I use a paper plate and it is easier for me.
I also used the embossing buddy in the tray but some still sticks or you get alot of the Embossing Buddy powder in the EP. I just stick to my paper plate.
I have had the SU trays for almost 2 years. I use the small one all the time but have never ever used the large one. It is up on my highest shelf just to keep it out of my way. I'd say the trays from Michaels, etc. are just fine.
__________________ Wife of Greg & Mom of 5 GREAT kids!!! Being a mother is like taking your heart out of your chest and watching it walk around. MY BLOG
I always used a piece of paper as well but bought the tray from Mike's when I had to emboss ALOT for a swap I am in. It made it much easier.
I think for doing 1 or 2 cards that have embossing I would still use the piece of paper trick. Someone here had mentioned to rub a swifter cloth over the paper before using the embossing powder to help reduce static cling and it does work !!!!! Goes back into the bottle easily.
I must be in the minority. I use both of my trays, the small one for embossing, glitter, beads, PearlEx.....The large one I use to protect my table when I watercolor or do projects with the reinkers. It keeps the mess contained quite nicely and you can take the tray to the sink to be rinsed out and cleaned...and since room on my stamp desk is limited I can take the whole project to another area to let dry and continue to work at my desk. I must be the weird one!
I went and put all of my embossing powders into shallow rectangular containers. I use a plastic spoon to dump the powder right onto my project while holding it over the container. Works better for me than the tray, the powders alway clung to it.
Ditto! The shallow containers have worked wonders and made me emboss more as it's simply less messy. You can also do this with glitter.
I got the SU trays during that time when they were giving away discontinued items to hostesses, so I have the big one, which I never would have ordered. I have never used it and probably never will. It's just too big for any project I do. I'd go for the little one.
__________________ If you can't be a good example, be a dire warning.
-River City Rubber Works Stamp
Like everyone else I only use the tray for microbeads and like everyone else I use coffee filters for glitter and embossing powder. Works like a charm and the price is right!
Embossing Tray ?
embossing tray & embossing buddy
