Hello, crafty friends! A few recurring things have come up in the comments that I'd like to address: 1. They're cheaper to buy! This depends on where you live and what you already have in your stash. Here in the UK, craft supplies are usually expensive. We don't have many big UK-based papercraft companies, so a lot of products get shipped in from the USA, which means they're more expensive for us to buy. Also, because UK craft brands tend to have a smaller customer base than US companies, they can't offer their products at lower prices. For example, a small pack of Simple Stories enamel dots is £5 from a UK supplier, whereas the same enamel dots from scrapbook.com only cost £3.50 (at today's exchange rate). The circle die I use for making enamel dots is only £7 which makes it a great investment seeing as I already have the inks, paper scraps and glossy accents in my stash. 2. Using alcohol in home-made shimmer sprays to prevent mold growth: Please be VERY careful with this! Alcohol can be absorbed into your bloodstream by breathing it in and through contact with the skin. Please do your research about how to safely use isopropyl alcohol (aka: rubbing alcohol and surgical spirit). 3. How to stop home-made shimmer sprays from rubbing off once dry: Some pigment powders contain binders that fix the pigment and mica to the paper once they've dried, so they won't significantly rub off. If you find that your pigment or shimmer rubs off, you can spray it with hairspray or a transparent fixative. This should keep it in place. (Use in a well-ventilated area). Hope that helps! x

It took me decades to realize that I didn't need fifty-eleven colors of embossing powder and just needed clear. Now I have fifty-eleven ink colors. LOL!

Thank you so much for this video. Crafting is so terribly expensive, no matter where you live, and anytime we can save a bit of $$ helps.

If you use glitter paper with the glossy accents, you get glittery dots. I did this for Christmas cards. Very pretty

I love DIY craft supplies! I started crafting 35+ years ago - it was all about recycling, DIY, repurposing. In the last 10 years or so, the craft industry has pushed trendy things that are replaced with new trendy things on a monthly basis. The cost of these tools/supplies are crazy! I'm still using my Cuttlebug, which cost $35 in 2004 (a big investment in those days). 🤣 I did not know about DIY enamel dots until watching your videos - thank you!!! A couple of my DIY's: I make shimmer sprays with isopropyl alcohol and never have mold. It dries very fast compared to water. (It has the initial smell of alcohol when spraying it, but then fades away.) You could probably use a water/alcohol mix if the smell is too much for you. And I use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to seal my distress/oxides inks instead of Microglaze, blending with a flat blender sponge. It can remove some of the "chalky" look of oxides, so important that the ink is completely dry, you use a light hand in blending and a very thin layer. (It should not feel greasy afterwards.) Thank you for all your wonderful videos! ❤👍❤

Yes!! A special series about pigment powders❤ I have and love Brusho’s and Lindy’s

Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous! This has been one of the BEST videos on ways to DIY versus buying these supplies over and over again! Thank you for sharing! GREAT demonstrations!

Yes, a series about pigment powders please! I have a lot and rarely use them, got a great deal on them!!

I love how you make your own embellishments/enamel dots so much that I bought a bubble coverplate die with 3 sizes of small circles so I can make my own. I love being able to make them the color I want to use. The other toys are great too. I'm saving this video.

This is the first time I've seen your videos and having lots of different types of muca powders would love new ideas for using them. Thank you for sharing your ideas ❤❤❤

A series on pigment powders would be great! I have Brushos, Luscious, Nuvo Shimmer and Micas. Haven't been very successful using them, so look forward to your ideas.

Great ideas - not only saving money, but also storage space!

Love videos like yours that are DIY cost saving ideas. As I am a retired lab person, I enjoy creating potions and such in my craft room. Pigment powders would be an excellent video!

Excellent advice. Another reason patterned paper isn't useful to me these days is that I've come to prefer making clean-and-simple cards, and the busy-ness of so many store-bought papers takes away from that look. 😊

It's also a solution to only buy white dots and color them with an alcohol marker.

Perfect Pearls pigment powders ... yes pls to vid ❤

I used to buy a lot of psper flowers. I don't even prefer them anymore over my own creations. I have small paper punches that are very inexpensive and some die cuts I've had for 10+ years. I cut several bits and glue them together to make dimensional flowers. I save flyers from the mail and do my punches and cuts from the colored areas. I get great variation of color from a pile of lemons or strawberries, etc. in grocery ads. Even outdoor scenes provide winter greys and blues. Recently, I cut several sizes of hearts from ads for Valentines Day. I especially love when it is not a solid color and I get that variation in my pieces. that were very inexpensive

Pigment/mica other powders that rub off do not have a binder in them. Add GumArabic small amount to powder and mix it. Gum Arabic is a binder. I'm still learning about all these powders etc. You can get it at your craft store in art supplies.or at a art store. I have to start playing and see where it goes. 😅 have fun at what ever you do.. OH, you can also use clear nail polish for shine and if put on thick and several layers, works great to give shapes or areas dimension. Also glitter nail polishs. I got mine at our dollar store. Swatch out on a piece of card stock to see how they dry and how many coats need to get the effect you want. And write it next to it.Thanks for Sharing. I took notes.

I'm working on a low spend year, so I appreciate you demonstrating ways to make enamel dots and how to make use of embossing supplies.

Very helpful hints. Another way to create shimmer sprays is using metalic acrylic paint, folk art works lovely, and watering it down to a liquid watery consistency. It works beautifully and most crafters have acrylic paint in their craft stash.

Making shimmer sprays with rubbing alcohol instead of water helps it dry quicker and shouldn't mould. EDIT You could do the same but put the rubbing alcohol and mica powder into a water brush. One where you put water in the handle. Shake well before use.

I hit a sale on Lucious powders. I bought them because they look wonderful, but they have been sitting ever since. I’d love and appreciate videos on this product!!!🎉🎉🎉 This video is invaluable. ❤️👍🏻

Thank you for showing us this Natalie, some great ideas here. Can you please do a video on different ways you can use brushos & mica powders, and the difference between mica & pigment powders? Thank you

My pigment powders are mainly Pearl-Ex. I also have Tim Holtz, Prism and some from a candle making company. I am a terrible craft supply hoarder. I buy stuff that just comes out to try it. when I am tired of it or find something else to try, I just put it away for later. It seems like fashion, everything old becomes new again. Like I have a few paper crimpers from over a decade ago and Hunkydory just came out with one in their tool line. Oh, and I am a clearance and sale shopper as well as second hand. I live in the US so somethings get popular here at different times than Europe. I am always up to try new ways to use my stash. I recently purchased two dies that are supposed to make "shaped sequins" I will have to try out your Enamel dots with them.

Could you show us how to make refills for our Wink by Stella to again save money. Or just use the sprays you mentions and dip a brush to color or splatter. I'm thinking they are the same thing just delivered in a different expensive brush/squeeze system. Thanks for all you share. You have taught me soooo much in a very short time!!!❤❤

Peelable offable. Love it 😂😅😊

Great video and ideas!! Thank you for sharing this!👏🏼👏🏼🥰😍🇬🇧🐶🐶

I make my shimmer sprays with Isopropyl Alcohol/Surgical Spirit instead of water. It dries quicker and never moulds (well I haven't had any in 6yrs so far so good) I do a lot of what you do, but there was some that helped me. TFS and have a great Easter weekend. 👍❤

So glad you showed us mixing the powders with the clear embossing powders 😊

Your shimmer spray will last longer on the paper with a little liquid hair spray added. The mold can be prevented by adding a little isopropyl alcohol. I make it with no water, just hair spray and isopropyl alcohol . You can add mica powder or ink. A glass bead in the spray bottle helps to mix it.

Thank you for sharing your amazing gifts. Your ideas make a craft possible for those of us who choose not to break the bank.

Yes please Natalie. I have Brushos, Cosmic shimmer powders, Pearl Ex .and a heap of no name pigment powders I bought .online. Barb

Thank you..more pigment powder info…on my list..you are so generous for sharing…

I'm so glad I found your channel. I have just really been enjoying your content & creativity. -Sarah

Yes please! That would be awesome!! Thank you💖 This was so so helpful. Love your videos so much!!❤️👍

You presented so many good ideas. Thank you. I have perfect pearls, color sparks and Lindy’s powders. I would very much enjoy ideas that would inspire me to get even more use of them.

Love this so much!! Reduce, reuse, recycle - cut down on consumption AND match!

I have jeweller’s boxes and whenever I have little bits from die cutting that look promising for embellishments I pop them in one of the little containers. Then I can colour what I like later as required. Your idea about Glossy Accents on the top will make them that much better.

I hadn't thought to mix in my pigment powders with embossing powder! Also, your charity shops sound AMAZING! I haven't had much luck with crafting supplies.

I’m an Alphabet addict myself. Thanks for a great video.

I try not to buy patterned paper, but I still sometimes do. I dont just have a pouch of pretties. I think I probably have 3 or 4 large drawers full. Hard to throw little bits away...might just need that sometime 😅

I Thank you for this video and so does my wallet!! Best info ever!

I'm totally in agreement on ALL of these... and regularly do the very same as shown! Yay!

You are changing my thought process completely and I'm loving it. Anything that saves me money so I can buy more dies is so helpful. I appreciate your ideas. Whatever you can think of for a series sounds great to me. Thank you as always Natalie.

First time watching and now I'm a subscriber. This was very informative. I have Pearl X Powers and other brands and just didn't know what else to do with them. Thank you.👍🏻🙏🏻

Thank you for this video. I never knew about making embossing power with Lucious powder. A video on Lucious would be very appreciated.😊

I make my own sprays in tiny bottles with ink refills, water & perfect pearls for shimmer

I don't buy colored brads, instead, I cover the brass ones I have with nail polish.

Just found your videos & love them! I’m learning so much. Thank you!

Would you consider doing a video of your journaling? I also do mixed media and watercolor. I actually added card making to my repertoire more recently.

A video on pigment powders would awesome!!! I have Lindy’s, Elements and Brusho.

I love enamel dots. I make my own melting plastic beads. The sequins mix is very interesting, I have noticed that I get shaker cut out bits with a lot of dies. I made my shimmer sprays with alcohol a couple years ago and they are still good. One tip you can do when making your own thickers is use clear packing tape to cover the paper before you cut them out and they will be shiny

Peelable offable 😂 you just made my day!

Love the tip for embossing ink over a color ink! Genius!

😊I no longer buy colored paper. I customize white paper using ink pads, watercolors, etc.

Oh yes please do a series on the pigment powders.🙂

I would appreciate more ways to use pigment powders. Thank you for this video!

To make shimmer sprays I also have used alcohol there is less chance of Mould and such. These are awesome ideas! Thank you.

What a wonderfully helpful video. Thanks for all the tips!

Thank you. I am fairly new at card making and don't have much of a stash, so very useful to know what not to invest in. Your advice is very timely for me. 😊

Brilliant iv just gotten into pigment powders, iv luscious powders by Indigoblu, I also have some pearl powders, and I have loads of mica powders, cant wait for the video now.. xx

Great tips on making your own stash. My favourite is mixing mica powders with clear embossing powder. I have loads of the stuff and never use it because it never stays on the cardstock, it always rubs off so this is a great way to use it up. Thank you for the idea.

This is brilliant …I’m finding it harder to find enamel dots,so this will solve the problem! Thank you, can’t wait to try this technique!

I REALLY enjoyed watching. I do a bit of what you do. And, I get why a little better now... it is the process of MAKING my own that is fun. And making an exact match when needed is so satisfying too!😅

Just came across this video and it’s exactly what I needed. Your ideas are brilliant! I’m extremely new to card making (didn’t even know it was a thing). This video just helped me to save money just as I was about to go on a buying binge to get started with this new hobby. Really appreciate you doing this video.

Great hints and tips👌

Marvellous ideas. I shall be experimenting with your ideas. Thank you

great video, would love more like this. Using your stash in a different way or alternatives to expensive items.

Thank you for all these ideas. I still buy all of these categories but I never bought more than a few items in each, so I never had to stop, except for patterned paper, which I have waaayyyy too much of. 😂 I use clear Nuvo crystal drops instead of glossy accents. For me the glossy gets goopy and unusable. For embossing with mica, I prefer heat and stick powder. It’s like glue when heat embossed, then you sprinkle the mica (or glitter) over and lightly heat again to “set” the powder in place. It’s the strongest and most vibrant color method I tried. I also never bought into laminating machine or foiling heat machine. I am fine w ironing any laminating pockets (but I have never found the need). I have tried foil sheets with glued design sheets. I think just heat embossing is just as good. I never tried Cricut machine. I love cutting vinyl colored sheets to make decorative designs. But i use my dies for this. For alphabets, I prefer the stickers over dies, which is very expensive, I have one 12” die strip that has all alphabets and numbers and 2nd 12” die strip that says Happy birthday. that’s it. Bit I don’t make any thick letters, as you do. I use small sticker letters in various fonts, and I find them much faster and cheaper by far. To each her own! Please keep this up. Ideas for multi-use of card supplies are always in demand. ❤

Wow! Thanks for these great tips 👍

Another brilliant video. Thank you Natalie

Very good video for today's card makers. There are so many products marketed to us that we really don't need. We can make most of this stuff on our own, and it would help get rid of all the products we already own.

Ide like to see you make some mixed media backgrounds. I saw a wavy one in you stack that was sooo interesting 😁

Oh my gosh, this is brilliant, totally brilliant!! Love these ideas and thank you for sharing. Your video just popped up in my you tube and have no reason why!! But super glad it did. I’m commenting right after the “creating the dots” played! Have to stop video and tell you I’m already pumped to watch the rest of it. New subbie here and clicked for future videos. Great and again, thank you so much. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

When you make shimmer spray, if you add a little drop of clove oil, it will prevent mould!

I started using my paper punch, I mail lots if cards

Just found your channel….love your ideas, tips and tricks. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Very clever.

I’d love to see a video on using pigment powders. I have Pearl Ex pigment powders from Jacquard.

Wowza! So helpful!

Love these ideas! ❤🇦🇺

Thanks for these great ideas! ❤

Lots of great tips! Thank you!

Exceptional suggestions. Thank you.

Great great great ideas. Thank you

Great tips, many thanks x ❤

Brilliant, thank you.x

Super great ideas!!!❤

Thank you for all the great tips!

yes, please do the video on pigment powders

Fantastic as always, thankyou Natalie xxx

Great ideas! Thank you.

Great ideas! Thanks

Ty. Great ideas.

Thank you for this video!

Great ideas! Im a scrapbooker who is new to card making. Thank you!!

Brilliant!

Really great ideas thank you for sharing.

Thank you for all these wonderful tips!!

Great tips, thank you for sharing! 😊