Yesterday (Sunday) was a great day at Art 'n Soul. John Petersen led us through a class on Bezel Basics. We learned quite a lot about using Ice Resin and the materials frequently used with it, i.e., designer paper, enamel embossing powder, glass glitter and other glitters, mica flakes, ephemera, and other embellishments.

One of the quick techniques we learned was using Ice Resin with printed tissue paper. It makes the unprinted part of the paper translucent. As a member of the Ice Resin Design Team, John Petersen has posted on the Ice Resin Blog how to make paper beads using this technique.

Click on this link to go to John's step-by-step instruction:  http://iceresin.com/icequeen/2014/08/how-to-make-beads-with-paper-ice-resin-and-wire-by-john-creighton-petersen/

These were our inspirations from John . . .

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

by John Creighton Petersen

Some of John's instructional poses . . .

The inspiration on the left is by John Creighton Petersen.
We were each given a 'watch' to work with as our first project.

With a VersaMark pen, we 'watermarked' the outside
surfaces of the watch, front and back, so we could then
apply Iced Enamel embossing powder to make a
finished surface.

We used a piece of pine wood to hold the
watch because when we heated it, the
temperature was extremely high.

The same process was repeated on the back.
The dark spot is the reflection of the camera.

After the watch cooled off, resin was applied
to the watch surface with a stir stick,
also known as a popsicle stick.

The coating was not very thick; what's nice
about the Ice Resin is it remains in a workable
state for about an hour, so you don't need
to rush. It migrates to its edge, filling out
most blank spots. If there are blank spots,
you're able to go back over the spot and it
will meld in very nicely.

After the Ice Resin has been applied,
you can sprinkle glitter onto the
surface and it will stay.

And here are the results of our creative labors . . .

by Laura Leach

by Laura Leach

by Laura Leach

by Laura Leach

by Susan Mahoney

by Susan Mahoney

by Sam Lee

by Susie Tracy

by Susie Tracy

by Susie Tracy

by Cindy Sharp

by Valerie Leach

by Debbie Gaetz

by Debbie Gaetz

On the current Ice Resin blog posting, John shows a stunning picture frame he has made with Ice Resin products.

by John Creighton Petersen for Ice Resin

Click on this link for John's detailed information:  http://iceresin.com/icequeen/2014/09/how-to-make-an-iced-enamel-picture-frame-by-john-creighton-petersen/

From the Hero Arts' blog, I found a posting on organizing and part of it focuses on 8.5" x 11" papers, one of my problem areas. I love this idea because it also takes into account what to do with those scraps too.

Click on this link to see this posting from Kelly on organizing your craft room:  http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2014/09/18/organization-ideas-kellys-craft-room-part-3/

The Amate paper is literally flying out the door; if you haven't stopped in, you might want to fairly soon. They are not offering it in 12x12 any longer. Sue was helping me check in The Paper Cut order this afternoon and kept thinking of the pretty holiday cards you might make with the metallic papers. And 6x6 pads of Authentique's Halloween paper was also delivered to the store today as well. See you tomorrow!