Ready, set..........SPARKLE!!!

Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to Hilary and all the team at CraftWorld/Craft Stash for such a fun and exciting opportunity. I was so very lucky to be one of the chosen few to receive and review these inks from Spectrum Noir and it really did feel like Christmas when they arrived because I got the actual pack I had secretly hoped for.

I have been a fan of the clear overlay sparkle pens for what feels like forever and I truly hoped that I would love these inks just as much, sadly this was not the case. Whilst they are incredibly pigmented and sparkly I found them quite difficult to work with at first due to lots of foamy ink being created after shaking each pot. Until I changed the way I was using them.

As you can see in the above picture I created some swatches to show how the inks looked/performed on different surfaces. All worked well but doesn't really work with black card and the foamiran did not dry at all, even after 24 hours it was still really wet. I decided that after making the swatches I would go ahead and decant the inks into some pipette bottles that I went to my local pharmacy to buy especially. I did this mainly because I was becoming rather frustrated at having to constantly shake the containers as all the mica powder quickly settles to the bottom. I'm also terribly clumsy and could foresee lots of spillage so thought this was the safest option for me.

I started to enjoy using the inks after a while because the more I played with them the better I became at trying to control them but I have to admit I struggled with getting a consistent layer of sparkle. Instead of a smooth finish I was left with concentrations in certain areas as seen in the above image.

I then decided to really test them out on some mdf and grey board pieces from my stash but I found that when I put it straight onto the unprepared surface the colour was very dull (as shown on the square coaster). I painted the other pieces firstly with a coat of white gesso and you can really tell the difference. Also I cut some holly from a tree in my garden and painted with the gesso, then overlaid the garden green ink. The pictures really don't do the sparkle justice because in real life it glistens beautifully.

If I am to be totally honest, even though I eventually did enjoy using the inks I am left with very mixed feelings. I guess in summary I would say I have a love/hate relationship with them. I love the price point (much cheaper than the pens) and the sparkle (when you get it right?) is beautiful but I cant help but think that Crafter's Companion have missed the mark with the packaging. Personally I wish they would incorporate a pipette type lid or even a flip top lid would be better as having to shake the containers, unscrew the lid and then wade through the foam to get to the ink was quite laborious.

I love the idea of these specialist inks and really want to try out some of the other colours in the range, especially the really bright ones. Even though I have found a few negatives (for me personally) I still intend to keep trying with them and I'm certain I will buy more of them in the future. I particularly want to try the clear pots as I think the option of being able to make any of my card glittery and sparkly is a real bonus and you do get an awful lot of ink for your money.

I've really enjoyed creating my first ever review, the whole experience has been great. I would happily do it all again and I urge you to put your name forward and give it a go!!!

If anybody has any helpful hints and tips to help me love these inks some more then I would be most grateful of any help and assistance given. Big Crafty Sparkly Hugs!!!

Craig xXx