Let Me Stamp: Craft Crackle Heat Embossing Tutorial

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Yesterday I posted this card featuring an embossed chipboard butterfly. Most people know about stamping into the embossing powder but I had some questions about the "crackle" effect. Here's a quick tutorial for you!

Start with these supplies:

Craft Ink--light and dark color

Versamark Ink

Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder and Heat Tool

Chipboard Shape

Stamp and Ink (optional)

Use your choice of Craft Ink to completely cover one side of your chipboard piece. I just used the pad (Ballet Blue) directly on the chipboard--but you can use a sponge or dauber. Immediately cover with Glassy Glaze and tap off the excess.

Use a Heat Tool to melt the embossing powder on the chipboard. (Please use caution when heating--you don't want to get burned! Use tweezers to hold the chipboard or keep it on your work surface while heating)

This layer may be bumpy and that is fine. Allow to cool.

Use a Versamark Pad directly on the chipboard (cover completely), immediately sprinkle again with Glassy Glaze and heat.

This layer will look smoother. Allow to cool.

Tap the other color of Craft Ink across your chipboard piece. You want random coverage (not full coverage) on this step. Immediately sprinkle Glassy Glaze over the entire piece. It will only stick to the craft ink so it will not be fully covered this time.

Use the Heat Tool to melt this last layer of Glassy Glaze. Heat completely so the piece is smooth. The embossing powder will "float" the Craft Ink as it melts resulting in this crackled pattern.

WARNING: Don't get the Heat Tool too close at this stage because you can push the hot Glaze off the edges of the chipboard in a wave! Take my word for it--you really don't want this on your carpet OR your finger!

Optional--Use your stamp now before the Glaze cools--have it inked up and push it firmly onto the chipboard. I leave the stamp in place for about 5 seconds so the Glaze will keep the shape of the stamp...

Here's a sample using a light color (Pretty In Pink Craft) as the base and a dark color (Close to Cocoa) on top. Sorry--my camera had trouble focusing on this!

Or you could float some fine glitter in the Gassy Glaze--

I've also had good results using micro beads or a different color of fine embossing powder instead of ink or glitter. For example-- I put two layers of Glassy Glaze on a piece of white cardstock, inked again with Versamark, sprinkled spots of Silver Embossing Powder on top and re-heated.

Hope you try this fun technique--let me know if you do (or if you have any questions)!!

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