Thursday, October 18, 2012

All Hallows' Eve Candles

I have been stamping for so long, sometimes I feel like I've seen it all. I know stamping on candles has been around for ages, but when I watched this video from Stampington's recent email newsletter, it was like I was watching something totally new! All I could think of was how spooky and cool the stamps from Artistic Outpost's Gothic 31 stamp collection would look with this technique.

I've also been intrigued by the faux mercury glass technique I first saw on Pinterest. Beth Reames from Sizzix shared her version of it, using a Sizzix die cut as a mask. I thought the Gothic Boo die would look so cool...which is does, if you could see it! My impatience meant I didn't put enough coats of paint on, so my mercury is a bit on the weak side. I was in a hurry to get photos of the candles so I didn't go back and work on them more, but I think I'll add more paint and see if I can get it right!

If you've never tried this technique, you first stamp the images onto white tissue paper with permanent ink - I used Ranger's Jet Black Archival ink. Then, you trim the image closely, hold it against the candle and heat with a heat tool until the wax is absorbed into the tissue paper. The Stampington video had a cool idea for using waxed paper to hold the image in place, but I didn't find that to be necessary.

After my images were applied, I added a little idea-ology Tinsel Twine, some glittered chipboard die cuts, and a few little rhinestones for sparkle.

Have you entered this month's challenge over at the Inspiration Journal blog? It's all about Halloween decor and we'd love to see your projects. You could win a $50 gift certificate! If you'd like any of the supplies I used, they can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Don't forget to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save yourself 10%!


16 comments:

  1. The candles look fabulous - and I can definitely see the shadowy Boo in the mercury glass... awesome idea and technique!
    Alison x

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  2. I know they have been around a while but every time I see candles like this I am still always impressed - love your Halloween ones. Your love of Halloween really shows through in your art Shelly. Off to check out those links. A x

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  3. Love your candles. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Ohhh, love this! It gives the stamps a whole new twist!

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  5. These are fantastic....awesome job....

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  6. Beautiful! Your projects are always so inspiring.

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  7. The candles are STUNNING. I love how dark and vivid your images came out even after the wax was melted. I've used this technique and haven't had this type of success- I shall give it another shot. I love decorating candles with things like the rhinestones and the chipboard (though I admit I never thought to add glittered chipboard die cuts and will also be stealing that idea). I don't know if you saw my tag that I made which used your idea (but I did give you credit my dear) for the vial of silver glitter (I tried to do the mercury glass like you did but like your candle holders above I dint have the patience to wait for it to dry enough for the multiple coats it would need so I went with glitter). I literally screamed when I saw you left a comment on my compendium tag (skull with Perfect Pearls). I love everything you do. I'm always searching to find artists who inspire me. Artists who push my creativity in new and exciting ways. Unfortunately I don't often find them…but you are for sure on the top of that list. Cannot wait to see what you do next.

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  8. These are so intricate and detailed! The wax really takes the images superbly! Great using the white candles and the black images...they pop like crazy! What an awesome home decor piece!

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  9. Your candles look so creative Shelly, you've made gorgeous pictures too!

    greetings, Alie :-)

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  10. Hello shelly,

    I've used this technique before on small teacuplights : an idea i found in one of the technique junkies Cd's you always promote!

    Great effect on the big candles too : i will head out now for large candles to add to my halloweendecor!

    Greetings from belgium
    Inge

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  11. Ohhh Shelly what a very cool technique! This looks like so much fun! Thank you for finding that great tutorial video! I'm so gonna try this one! Hugs, Sandra

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  12. I love these, great tutorial video too!!

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  13. Love your candles very much Shelly
    Greetings Janny

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  14. Too nice to burn, Shelly! Love these candles and all the festive images and trims! TFS! Happy Weekend!

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  15. So cool! You're a really crafty cat, SH!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!