Transfers: Shimmer & Shine

As I mentioned in my first posting about transfer images on polymer, I had a couple of ideas of ways to enhance the transferred images.  This post shows my first idea.  I wanted to add a bit of shimmer and shine to the images. PearlX powders seemed like a good idea - and I'm pleased with the results.



This process was done before the clay was baked.  I tried putting on a light coat of the powders over the unbaked image, but too much of the picture was occluded. So, I tried a different approach to application.  I used a small, flat brush to apply PearlX powders to the sides and back of the pieces.  I protected the center surface of the piece from fingerprints, then applied the powders along the edges of the piece.  The resultant "overflow" of powder landed on the surface, and created just the right amount of shimmer and shine without hiding the image underneath.

I think you can really see the difference between a "plain" transfer and one using the PearlX powders in these two white pieces.  The piece on the right has the powders added, and it not only shimmers -  the pendant almost looks like a light snow is drifting by.  I sealed the pieces with Magic Gloss resin which gives them added dimension and helps make the powders look 3-D while protecting the finish.

One of the things I like about the powders is they can make a subtle color change occur in the image. For example, the earrings at the top of this photo have yellow flowers, but the use of an interference green powder makes the flowers look lime green from certain angles.  

Notice, in this last set at the right, there appears to be a green cast at the top of the pieces and a dark rust brown cast at the bottom.  Once again, the PearlX powders added their own twist to the finished product.