HINTS & TIPS

Welcome to our Crafty Hints & Tips Page

The following wealth of helpful ideas and information has been gathered from suppliers, manufacturers, stamp designers and experienced crafters. Each of the images you see on this page links to the relevant craft products on the website.

WHY USE ALUMINIUM EYELETS?
Aluminium Eyelets are acid free and easy to set. Other eyelets such as brass, copper and steel contain acids and turn in colour with time. With the Eyelet brand name you can be sure that they are safe for your scrapbooking and card making projects.

WHY USE WASHERS?
They help the eyelet maintain its true shape. They make swing tags more flexible. they are vesatile and can be used on two sided projects. They give eyelets and rivets a nice finished look.

HOW TO USE THE SPRING-LET TOOL

1. Put the magnetic 1/8" hole punch tip in the tool and position it where you would like your eyelet/rivet. Hold the tool straight up and down pushing down on your Mayt-Let. firmly grip the sleeve, pull on the ball no more than 1" to 1.5" high and let go in the air. The quick impact punches your hole.

2. Place the eyelet/rivet face down in a Plate-Let or directly on your Mat-Let. Place the material with the hole punched in it face down over the eyelet or rivet. (Optional) place a washer rounded side up over the eyelet or rivet.

3. Put the magnetic 1/8" setter tip in the tool and place it centred on the washer or back of eyelet. Firmly grip the sleeve, pull up on the ball no more than 1" to 1.5" high and let go in the air. The quick impact sets your eyelet/rivet.

Step 3 may need to be repeated twice if not using a washer and 4-5 times if setting brass/steel eyelets.

IMPORTANT: for ideal use, put the ball no more than 1.5" to punch and set. If you pull the spring more than 2" it may damage the tool in such a way that it can not be used again. Take me to see the EYELETS Product Range

HOW DO I START BASIC RUBBER STAMPING ON CARD?

1. Use a dye-based ink pad, press stamp 2-3 times on the pad or apply ink by patting the ink pad onto the rubber image. Check to see that all raised edges of the rubber stamp are covered.
2. Press the stamp onto the paper. Lift the stamp straight up, taking care not to 'rock' the stamp.
3. After the image has been stamped, allow it to dry, approximately 30 seconds.
4. The stamped image can be left as it is or coloured in with markers or coloured pencils.

HOW DO I GET A RAISED EFFECT WITH MY IMAGE ?

HEAT EMBOSSING WITH HEAT TOOL, COLOURED PIGMENT INK & CLEAR EMBOSSING POWDER - Stamped image will be the colour of the ink pad

1. Stamp image onto paper.
2. Sprinkle image with clear embossing powder. Tap off excess powder onto scrap paper and return it to the jar.
3. Apply heat with embossing heat tool until the powder melts to create a shiny three dimensional effect. When the powder had melted the colour of the pigment ink pad will show through.

HEAT EMBOSSING WITH CLEAR/TINTED EMBOSSING INK & COLOURED EMBOSSING POWDER - Stamped image will be the colour of powder

1. Stamp image onto paper using the embossing inkpad. The image should appear to have a slight tint, just enough colour to see where to add powder.
2. Sprinkle image with coloured or metallic embossing powder. Tap off excess onto scrap paper and return it to the jar.
3. Apply heat to image with an embossing heat tool until the powder melts to create a shiny three dimensional effect.

HOW CAN I CREATE A DIFFERENT LOOK WHEN EMBOSSING?

Experiment with different coloured embossing powders, combine similar tones or try opposing colours in different ratios to custom mix your own designer colours. You are bound to discover an original look for your project.

WHY DO I HAVE MARKS/BITS OF EMBOSSING POWDER ON MY CARD?

Static 'cling' often causes stray flecks of embossing powder to stick to the surface of your stamped project causing flecking. To avoid this brush away stray flecks with paintbrush and ensure hands are clean before starting project. Anti-static bags are available to avoid this problem or improvise with a little talcum powder in a baby sock.

HOW DO I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY RUBBER STAMPS?

When properly cared for rubber stamps will last indefinitely. Clean stamps with stamp cleaner or water and paper towels after every use and when changing colours. Never immerse stamps in water or other liquids as they may loosen the adhesive bond between the rubber and the stamp handle. Do not store stamps in direct sunlight as the rubber will dry out and become brittle.

HOW CAN I AVOID STAINING MY RUBBER STAMPS WITH PERMANEMNT INKS?

To avoid staining your rubber stamps with permanent ink first stamp your rubber stamp on a Versamark Pad to coat it and then ink it with the Permanent Ink Pad. You can still apply watercolours to the image without bleeding.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DYE BASED, PIGMENT INKS AND CRAFT INK PADS?

Dye Inks are water based, non toxic, washable and many are child safe. Dye inks are transparent and will blend easily and dry quickly on most matte and glossy papers, but will run if wet again. Dye inks do fade.

Pigment Inks are oil based, acid free, non-toxic and fade resistant and more opaque than dye inks. Pigments are not easily washed out of clothing. Pigments will not dry on glossy paper without embossing. Once embossed they are permanent and can be safely watercoloured. Their slow drying property makes pigments ideal for heat embossing. Pigment ink is available in pads and markers.

Craft Inks are acrylic based ink, acid free, non-solvent based, non-toxic and water soluble until completely dry or heat set. Once dry you can safely watercolor over them. You can use them on fabric, wood, paper mache, foam, leather and a variety of other surfaces.

WHAT IS A 'RAISED' STAMP PAD?

Instead of a recessed ink surface, which sits down inside the casing, most inks are now available in a foam cushion that is raised above the casing. A raised pad enables you to ink any size stamp.

How can I sharpen up my craft punch or decorative scissors?

To sharpen up a difficult craft punch or decorative edging scissors use heavy duty aluminium foil. If heavy duty foil is not available fold several sheets of thinner foil.

I HAVE DIFFICULTY USING SOME CRAFT PUNCHES DUE TO LACK OF DEXTERITY IN MY HANDS IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN USE TO HELP ME?

A punch mate is the ideal accessory for crafters having difficulty punching out. Placing the craft punch inside the punch mate helps the crafter to apply pressure with less effort.

I WANT TO SELL MY FINISHED HAND-MADE CARDS TO A RETAIL OUTLET, HOW DO I START?

The professional way to present your work to prospective buyers whether they are retailers or personal customers is to compile a portfolio. This a sample of all the types of cards you can make, together with any verses or sentiments you use inside them.

HOW DO I MAKE UP A PORTFOLIO TO SHOW MY WORK TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS?

Be selective, keep the content focused on the opportunity offered and keep the examples current. The portfolio should include cards that can be reproduced from materials you have, not from materials you need to source (they may become unavailable disappointing the customer) Try to cover all occasions such as births, christenings, weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, in memory, thank you, invitations etc.

Update your portfolio regularly and include a section on verses and sentiments, as not everyone wants a blank card to write their own message. For presentation ideas look at the wedding books in the local printers to see how they present their work to the public.

HOW DO I INCREASE MY SALES WITHOUT ADVERTISING COSTS?

Investing in a business card to include with your orders, to pass onto to friends, to leave in retail outlets such as craft shops, florists, garden centres, gift shops etc. A small label on the presentation cellophane bag or better still the reverse of the card with your telephone number is invaluable. But remember to keep it small and neat.

Sending a hand-made original card to someone in a work environment, where a lot of new people will see it can generate unexpected sales. Personal shoppers will soon spread the word to friends, work colleagues and families so remember to be business like in your presentations and don't under price your work to sell the odd card, as your orders will soon increase if people love your work. If you don't value your work enough to sell them at a good price, then buyers will see them as just as hand-made rather than individual cards designed and created by you.

Keep a range of cards for different pockets, simple cards costing little to produce and with a blank insert can be priced lower than those will more expensive materials and techniques. The lower cost ones will help to sell those with more work on them and intricate techniques, or lined with wonderful words and verses.