Heat embossing tutorial

Embossing Tutorial
Materials needed:
StampColoured Pigment Inkpad/or Embossing InkpadEmbossing Powder (many available - Metallics, Pearl Metallics, Tinsel, Clear, Sparkles etc)Heat tool/Toaster (Paint stripper works but be very careful)Piece of folded card to use as a funnel Before you start:
There is very little difference in embossing powders except that the finer the powder the better the finished embossed designs.
Before starting, always wash your hands very well. Oil from your hands can make the powder stick in places you do not want it to stick.
You can emboss on paper, wood, terra cotta, glass, mirrors, and other media so experiment!!
Highly detailed stamps are not best for beginners...select word or deeply etched stamps to start
Instructions:
1. Ink up your stamp with either the coloured pigment inkpad or embossing inkpad. If you are using a coloured pad, use clear powder over the top and you will see the colour of your pad. If you are using a metallic powder just use the embossing inkpad (make sure your stamp is completely dry, the fluid in the pad does not like water). Stamp your stamp.
2. Sprinkle your powder over the stamped image, be generous and make sure you cover the whole image.
3. Shake off excess powder onto your folded card and funnel this back into the powder container.
4. Now to heat the powder. If you are using a heat gun hold it about 10cm away from your work and gently move the hot air over the image until the powder has melted and is glossy. If you are using a toaster, place the image right side up over the toaster (so the powder doesn’t fall into the toaster!) and gently move it around until powder is melted. A hairdryer wont work as it will blow the powder off your image.
Tips:
Be careful not to burn your powder. You can tell when it is burnt because it goes a flat colour instead of being raised and glossy. Another good way to tell when it is burnt, is that your card scorches!! If the embossing is cracking its been overcooked - use less time to heat your embossing.
The powder will not melt evenly so make sure entire image is done.
Experiment with mixing small amounts of different colors of embossing powder for fun effects.
Make your own embossing ink by mixing 1 part water and 1 part glycerin.
Most ink pens will work as an embossing pens - I have found that only the water-proof ones, such as Crayolas will work. Permanent ink pens don't work! If you huff on the ink it will become wet again, then you can apply the powder.