Adding Glitz, Shine or Shimmer
 

This year I am using Stamperia Pink Christmas cardstock and ephemera to create my Christmas cards. In looking at the cardstock, it is so dull and flat. No sheen whatsoever. How can I bring my cards to life without using something like old fashioned (tacky to me) glitter glue blobs?

Can you show us an example of the kind of thing you’re making? I’m wondering if sequins might do the job for you (they don’t add much bulk if you’re making cards that need mailing) but I’m not sure whether I’m imaging the sort of thing you’re actually making.

I do not have a photo as I have not begun to create. I don't think sequins are my thing.
Thanks for the idea though.

OK, a few other ideas:

• use a similar ink colour and stencil a pattern for some tone on tone interest before you start assembling your elements
• use Versmark ink and a stencil then dust on a mica powder product (Perfect Pearls, PearlEx etc) for pattern with a sheen
• use a stencil with a product like Nuvo embellishment mousse or a gilding polish
• stamp a background pattern (either one big background stamp or use smaller stamps and repeat randomly over the card) with Versamark and dust with a mica powder
• spritz or splatter with a glimmer spray (you can make your own with water, reinker and a scoop of Perfect Pearls in a mini mister)
• splatter with a pearlescent watercolour or watered-down acrylic paint

Hope something there might spark an idea for you.

Krylon makes a shimmer/glitter spray. Its a short can found in the spray paint area of the craft stores in shorty cans. Very subtle if you buy the clear. I've bought this for years and do entire sheets of 12x12's. LOVE IT!

I would use a shimmer spray for all-over sheen and sparkle. Otherwise, I would dot it with a fine-tipped glue pen and sprinke fine glitter on it.

I've gotten into making some napkin cards this christmas to add to my other selections and have added some shimmer for interest using glitter spray. I don't use it on all the images but i find it makes a world of difference on some. I do like what I've been reading from other members about using versamark, stencil, etc...

Oh my gosh, such great ideas. I had no idea what Versamark did. I thought it was just expensive ink or for hot embossing only which I do not do (yet). I am going to get some today. I have very few stencils (Tim Holtz Shattered) but I have pretty patterns and French writings in stamps.
(I stamped my Halloween card witches with silver using Shattered and really liked the change.)
I Googled Versamark and see they have a frost. I don't really want silver (I have silver ink pads) but more of a creamy shimmer. I painted one of the embellies yesterday with pearly shimmer paint I had on hand and even though I dried it under some weight, it sort of did what wet paper does.
I will also look for the glitter spray another member mentioned.
Thanks!!!!!

I just did this on a card i did with watercolor paper. I used Distress Inks to make background, then when dried I lightly "painted on" clear shimmer from Nuvo Aqua Flow "pen". I went crazy and did whole card front but the pen lets you carefully do just certain spots
https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/g...&ppuser=319735

Wink of Stella really added a classy sheen to the Christmas trees I diecut.

I have used Versamark all over the page and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder that contains fine glitter. I have several varieties of that. Heat embossing is a lot of funf!
Also, metallic watercolors diluted to just a wash can add shimmer to your card.
I have Pixie Powders (a powdered pigment product) from England that have gorgeous shine and glimmer- they work just like Color Bursts and Brushos. (Color Bursts also have some glittery options, I think called Liquid Metals)
I keep forgetting my Pearl Ex, but that's quite lovely.
I have both gold and multi glitter sprays, and lots of the glimmer sprays.
Also, usually after Halloween, I go buy glitter hair spray when it's cheap. It's nice on cs.

I found some shimmery stuff at my local JoAnns.
Delicata dark brown shimmer ink (not shimmering so far).
VersaMark Dazzle (but did not get any powder medium yet).
Liquid Pearls in Brass, Pewter and White Opal (love how the Opal looks in tiny balls).
Imagine Crafts Shimmer Spritz in Sparkle and Frost, both.
So far I like the Spritz Sparkle and Liquid Pearls the best although I panicked some when my cardstock began to curl up after being lightly sprayed with Shimmer Spritz. Was able to flatten it back out. Mostly. I might iron them. Perhaps too flammable.
Using my own silver ink pad with a background French writings stamp looks pretty good already. I also saw that my Tim Holtz Snarky cat Christmas stamp set came with tiny stars and snowflakes which I have used as well.
Thanks for all the ideas...

I know not everybody has a laminator, but if you do, it's terrific for flattening out warped pieces.

You can always take double sided tape and run a line and burnish glitter into it. Goes with an ultra fine glitter. Does not have to be gold or silver. I personally love copper but any color works.

If you are ok with dimension there are a bunch of beautiful rhinestones...some are very tiny but carry a nice pop.

Ribbon with a sparkle aspect.

Some metallic thread you make a few rounds of under a layer.

I like Wink of Stella too to do single items.

Use a layer of shimmer paper or die cut your sentiment from it.

I like running a border around a card edge with metallic pens.