Analog Projects with Karina: Embossing Technique with Your Stamps
Hello, Analog Friends! I contacted our community friend, Karina, when I saw her making her own embossing project using Jesslynn Padilla’s Koinobori stamp! It looked like a fun project to take up this weekend, so I asked Karina to share with us how she did it!
In this new series of Cafe Analog’s blog called ANALOG PROJECTS, I invite you to enjoy long-form reading at a slower pace (preferably with a cup of coffee, tea, or chocolate!)—while finding creative ideas and inspiration for the next creative project you can take over the weekend! 🙂 Let’s get out of our heads into our hands! 😀
Enjoy!
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Cafe Analog (CA): How did you get this great idea of embossing with the Koinobori stamp?
Karina (K): I am making a Japanese-inspired Journal and I think the Koinobori fish is one of Japan’s beautiful symbols. Traditionally, the Japanese use a lot of gold. That’s why I chose that the beautiful Koibonori stamp should be embossed in gold.
CA: When did you learn about embossing? What do you usually make/create with the embossing technique?
K: I have been scrapbooking for 15 years and have used the embossing technique for many things. I have embossed texts or figure stamps in many colors, but I prefer gold, as I think it is very elegant. The beauty of embossing is also the structure, the slightly elevated expression. I have used the technique for Layouts, Cards, and in my Journals.
CA: What are the materials/tools we need to do the embossing project?
K: For embossing, you need:
- Vellum or cardboard
- An antistatic pad
- A heat gun
- A glue
- Embossing powder
CA: Can you guide us on turning a stamp design into an embossed one?
K: Alright, I’ll try to guide you through the process!
- First, you swipe the antistatic pad/pillow on your cardboard/vellum before using embossing powder. (In this way, you can avoid the embossing powder sticking to greasy fingerprints, etc.)
- Ink your stamp with embossing ink the way you would typically ink your stamp. I use the Versamark stamp pad.
- Sprinkle embossing powder on your stamped image, holding the paper slightly tilted over a paper you’re using to catch the powder. Shake on enough so that the powder is sticking to all parts of the stamped image. Then you use the heat gun and melt the embossing powder.
CA: What must we consider when doing an embossing project, especially if we’re a beginner or haven’t done this before? What can go wrong? What are the typical mistakes we may make?
K: The typical mistake is often that people do not use the antistatic pad and therefore get embossing powder in unwanted places, or touch the powder before using the heat gun.
CA: What is the role of your ‘creative-making time” in your life, soul, and well-being?
K: I love being creative. If it can be done, preferably every day. I do everything possible. Paper, glass, ceramics, etc. I love learning new techniques. Creativity is where I can relax and get into flow. Being creative is very stress-relieving for me. I always document my vacations in my journals, but it’s the creative collage part, that I love the most. I am doing my creative work in my living room, at the dining table 🙂
CA: How do you nurture creativity in your everyday life and keep yourself motivated/inspired to take on personal creative projects?
K: It is very much my travels that inspire me to Journal. But in addition, I use Instagram and Pinterest a lot for inspiration. I love the community that exists on Instagram with others with the same passion. I also participate in online classes and IRL meetings and hope to be able to come to the Netherlands one day for a Cafe Analog meeting with you.
