Sunday, July 26, 2009

Product Focus









When Flourishes decided to add a line of embellishments to the store, we wanted to think beyond brads and found these great mini tags we call Mini Messages, which are perfect for cards, scrapbooks, altered items and smallest shape can even be used for a charm on a bracelet!


Each pack contains 12 tags - two of each shape shown below, along with mini jump rings. They come in three different finishes: Antique Copper shown here, as well as gold and silver.

While testing these mini tags we found that some of the nestability dies will cut shapes that fit with the tags! Here are the tags with paper cut with the corresponding nestability die.

For the ovals, the mini message tags were just a tad different in shape, so I used the closest nestability oval die and then used a bone folder around the inside edge to fit the shape - it now looks like it was embossed to fit! For the smallest circle tag (not shown below), I could not find a punch or die cut that small - but I'm sure there is one somewhere!! That small tag is just under 1/2 inch - about 7/16th's. If you don't have nestabilities, then cutting a square or rectangle is simple enought with a paper cutter. For circles and ovals you can try putting a small piece of paper on the tag and cutting it out with a craft knife.


Many Flourishes stamp sets include small images that work well with these shapes - you''ll be amazed at what you can find to fit these once you start looking!

In the photo below I stamped a flower from the Sweet Violets set and a sentiment from the Strawberries set then I place the stamped shape on the tag - note that you want to stamp before you adhere the paper to the tag. I used a paper glaze product to add a glossy finish to the tag - ArtQuest Perfect Paper Adhesive was used here but there are many others that are on the market and you probably have something similar in your craftroom!


Using the paperglaze opens up so many possibilities - make glazed charms for a charm bracelet, or just use it over pretty paper - you may not even need to stamp! Mini Messages are great for card fronts, ATC's, scrapbook or altered items.


Here is a look at my finished card - I paired the antique copper mini message tag with one of the brads from the Beautiful Brads collection. I love how the leaf brad looks not only with this tag, but with the card as well! Designer Paper - Basic Grey Perhaps was paired with suede and melon papers for this quick card.














I hope you'll take a look at the entire Flourishes Finishing Touches collection - they're the perfect accessory to dress up your cards!

Thanks for stopping by!

9 comments:

Stacy Morgan said...

This is so cool and beautiful! Great accent to a card, wonderful job!

Mrs. Nancy G said...

Wow-wee! Those are awesome and your card is so cool. I love the added dimension that the charm adds.

:-)

Sabrina said...

Wow, that mini message and brad makes a wonderful focal point on this.

Sewflake said...

What a great addition to the card without much fuss and as the focal point....elegant!

Create It Simply said...

These are very cool! Great work :)

Unknown said...

These are wonderful! What pretty accents and charms you've made. At USArtQuest, the technique is called paper enameling, because it looks so much like a copper enamel piece when it's done. But with the PPA on it, there's no yellowing and less chance of fading because the PPA has UV protectants in it. Thanks for showing this. It's so nice. Sue

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful ideas!! These make for very lovely accents!!
smiles,Deena

md said...

superbe
md

Laurie said...

What a great idea! I love your card sample.