Are you ready for a shot of colour?

The leaves are almost gone, and although it's still weirdly mild in Toronto (for November), the clock is ticking, and winter is just around the corner! In the corporate world, my go-to wardrobe colours, were black, grey and navy, but now with my beady, mixed media life, I find myself constantly reaching for colour (well acually, I still reach for black, but it's a sickness)! No, I'm not going to abandon my wardrobe completely! Replacing everything would be much too costly, but there's always the wild and wacky world of accessories!!! Bracelets, necklaces, rings, belts, hats, gloves and scarves, oh my....and don't forget, they can all be embellished with beads.

As a mixed media artist, my colour requirements, go way beyond accessories! I'm addicted to anything colourful (except in my clothing). Paints, powders, markers, beads, buttons, threads, leather, paper, pigments, waxes, feathers and fibre, are just some of the ways I've learned to cope with winter! BeadFX cannot possibly carry everything I need to buy (after all, they are a bead store), but they do have a nice selection of products, to enhance my arting experience. We'll explore, just a few!

Gilders Paste - "is a wax/resin product with a high concentration of pigment, for adding colour to metal, wood, ceramic, resin and many other items. It behaves much like a wax or a polish. Apply with a finger or a cloth, let dry - buff." I've used Gilders Paste on the edges of my Altered Dominios, paper collage/beads, metal (boxes and charms), shells and stone. It's wonderful stuff, and really, very easy to use!

MetalFX - Mica Powder - is BeadFX's own line of metallic powders. While originally intended for colouring epoxy clay, it's also very effective, when used with Ice Resin and polymer clay. A little goes a long way! You could also shine up your handmade cards, or paper collage, by brushing on a light coat. Also, how about those tired holiday ornaments? Could they use a little more sparkle (just remember to spray them with a light fixative, for protection)? Okay, I know.....it's not glitter....but sometimes you need to be a little more subtle. I wonder what would happen if I tried dusting it on metal? I'd need to spray on some type of fixative, but I bet it would work! I'll file that idea, in my "later" folder.....

Iced Enamels - "by Susan Lenart Kazmer, are a unique, custom-formulated, proprietary, Cold Enameling system for permanent adhesion of colour on metal. The combination of enameling medium, powders, and Ice Resin as a clear protective top coat, produce a rainbow of durable, brilliant colour on metal that is easy to do and lasts a lifetime." If you like the look of glass enamels, but are not ready to commit to the time, effort and expense involved, this is an interesting alternative. I started out using it on metal bezels and blanks, and then graduated to shells, watercolour paper (made into bracelets) and paper beads. I'm certainly not finished exploring this product yet, so you can expect more updates and workshops in the future......................................................................................................................................................................
Stones, crystals, beads, rattail (cording), soutache, feathers, leather, threads and more! Why don't you drop on by? BeadFX has walls of colour (both on-site and on-line), to seduce you out of the winter blues!

A Bevy of Bezels

Today, we're going to chat about the wonderful world of metal bezels!  As you can see from the photographs, BeadFX has quite an extensive collection, which is great for aspiring mixed media artists (all that metallic bounty in one place)!  I'll let you in on a secret though; you don't really need to know anything about mixed media, to use these remarkable products. Bezels are versatile, and suitable for an endless variety of uses. We even carry the popular Susan Lenart Kazmer, Hobnail bezels and the Klick line of interchangeable components.

Believe it or not, I haven't tried everything yet, but imagine your bezels, filled with any of the following: collaged paper, photographs, downloaded images, pencil sketches, minature landscapes, old love letters, a child's art, postage stamps, paper napkins, ephemera, text, commercial and hand painted papers, eggshells, broken china, sea glass, fibre, dried flowers, charms, beads, glitter, shells, and even more! Didn't think of that, did you?  If that's not enough, you could also fill them with either Crystal Clay or Apoxie Sculpt, and then embed Swarovski crystals, old keys, watch parts, game pieces, or other exciting stuff, and wait for it to dry! Don't you just hate, waiting for things to dry?

But what about Polymer Clay (PC), you say?  I'm sure that someone out there, has been purchasing bezels, and filling them with all types of PC.  They're metal, aren't they?   So why couldn't you bake them at low temperatures?  I'm not telling you to do this, but in the spirit of experimentation, I just might!  The official disclaimer is.....do this at your own risk, as I don't know how the coatings and finishes will react.......but I'm a Mixed Media Artist, so serendipity is my friend!  Besides, I like the distressed look!!!

You've filled your bezel, so now what do you do?  More choices! You could top it up with Ice Resin, after adding a lovely edging of Iced Enamels, and perhaps some of their Inclusions.  How about trying one of our glass tiles (but not all will fit)? You wouldn't need more than "a little spit and polish", for the various clays.....unless you'd like to add a dab of Renaissance Wax.

A few of my images to tempt you!

When using paper products, with your resin, remember to seal carefully.   Mod Podge or white glue is recommended (as are other types of collage or decoupage mediums), but don't forget to seal the front, back and edges, to avoid staining.  Botanicals should also be sealed!  Mix the resin slowly and carefully (instructions on package), wait five minutes, and then add to the bezel, a little at a time, to avoid air bubbles. Pop any that you see, and don't forget to cover your pieces while they dry.....no dust motes, or cat hair allowed!!! If you're not yet confident enough, to do this on your own, or just like the structure of a hands-on class, check out my November Resin workshop.   It's not on the schedule yet, but it's definitely in the works (and you could probably get yourself on a waiting list). Keep tuned!

Anne Marie