Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Help! I am having sooooo many problem getting the beads to stick to the pen. I have tried several types of the double sided adhesive sheets as well as a couple of different brands of bead. I am so frustrated. They look so pretty and then all the little beads fall off.
Are you using the O'So Sticky Tape? Or another such as Wonder Tape or Terrifically Tacky? These are all SUPER duty tapes that are a REALLY thick and strong adhesive. And they will all work the same!
If you are not using a heavy duty tape, that might just be your problem. Double stick isn't sticky enough. Xyron isn't sticky enough either. Well, they are sticky enough to grab the beads initially, but as soon as the ahdesive dries out - the beads will all fall off.
When using the heavier tapes, the tape will shrink and mold to the beads overnight, to create a better bond and stronger hold!
But,.........If you ARE using heavy duty adhesives, then maybe you are touching the tape too much with your hands?? You want to handle it as LITTLE as possible, since oils, lotions, etc. from your hands will weaken the strength of the tape. Use the liners to manipulate the tape so that your hands never touch sticky stuff!!
Also, it helps if the tape is a little warm. If you are working in a cold area, you might try gently warming it (the tape) with your heat tool first - be careful though! The liners will melt -- even though the adhesive won't!
Another solution that I discovered one night when the power was out - is to sit on the tape for a minute or so! Hey! When a girl's gotta bead, a girl's gotta bead!! LOL!!
I suspect that your problem isn't with the beads you are using, but with the adhesive!
If you are still struggling after trying these things -- please email more information - specific products, etc. so that I can try to help you troubleshoot the problem! I promise - it's not supposed to be this frustrating!!!
I read somewhere that once the beaded pens are complete, some people coat their pens to seal the beads on. Do any of you do this and if so, what product do you use?
Thanks so much for all the wonderful instructions above. Can't wait to try them all out!!
Just wondering.... has anyone found microbeads at Michaels?? And do they work just as good as the SU ones?? Or do you recommend just using SU microbeads??
Any advice would be great... thanks,
Nicole
__________________ A goal is a dream with a deadline!!
I am brand new to Splitcoaststampers and have no idea how I can find the sample pictures of the micro bead pens. Can someone direct me? And, while we are at it - I recently saw a card made with a candy cane stamped in the background and the entire front was covered in clear micro beads. How would that be done?
Just wondering.... has anyone found microbeads at Michaels?? And do they work just as good as the SU ones?? Or do you recommend just using SU microbeads??
Any advice would be great... thanks,
Nicole
Yes, I just made my first microbead pen the other day using Michael's microbeads - they worked great! And the beads are staying on - just remember to coat the pen with Crystal Effects after you put the beads on!
Has anyone had any experience with the beads falling off? I ordered SU microbeads, but haven't gotten them yet so I tried some other small beads. I used the same instructions, but after using the pen a few times the beads start to come off??
Has anyone had any experience with the beads falling off? I ordered SU microbeads, but haven't gotten them yet so I tried some other small beads. I used the same instructions, but after using the pen a few times the beads start to come off??
Yes, that's why I coat them with Crystal Effects (CE) afterwards. I coat mine thickly. Just use a brush and brush over the beads and let them dry for a few days. I typed up some instructions and they're posted in the forums but I'm in the middle of changing them to include the Stampin Up beads so demos can sell them. When I'm done I'll post the new one, but in the meantime I would just put the CE on with a brush and let dry. They shouldn't come off after that. I even carry mine around in my purse and they won't come off. HTH.
I am brand new to Splitcoaststampers and have no idea how I can find the sample pictures of the micro bead pens. Can someone direct me? And, while we are at it - I recently saw a card made with a candy cane stamped in the background and the entire front was covered in clear micro beads. How would that be done?
HI Queen Mother,
you can look under *anything but a card* and keep going down the list until you see pens. You can also do a search and type in *micro bead pen*. For covering a candy can or other image with beads you can do 2 different methods. One is to put a layer of Crystal Effects or other type of clear glue over the image and then pour the micro beads over it and let it dry. The other way is to trace an outline of the image onto double sided sticky tape, cut it out, peel off the backing and then stick on top of the image. After peeling off the other piece of backing, simply pour the micro beads on top and they will stick. I hope that made sense.
Serendipity!
