Sep 14 2007
I Dream In Color
This was a very vivid dream…
I really had no idea this was going to turn out so bright. I know it’s possible to exercise some control over your dreams but this one just got away from me.
I started out with this flower, one of the largest stamps in Flourishes’ new Fantasy Floral Garden, and I thought the look of it was perfect for coloring with Radiant Pearls. Do you know about Radiant Pearls? They were all the rage a while back. Quite a while back. They’re similar to Twinkling H2O’s but, honestly, much more shimmery. They take longer to dry but the heat gun fixes that right up and, again, the shimmer is remarkable. The tiniest bit of Radiant Pearls goes a long way — one little jar will outlive your grandchildren.
The most amazing thing about Radiant Pearls, that which sets them apart from other coloring mediums, is that they’re embossable. For this image I first black embossed the outline, then painted the flower with the only three colors of Radiant Pearls I own. I sprinkled with detail clear embossing powder and heated until it was shiny and smooth. I thought the result was so cool the first time I saw it — a multicolored embossed image! It’s very much like cloissonne, especially when the outline is embossed in gold. One thing, though — Radiant Pearls will virtually never dry on a non-porous surface, such as glossy cardstock. But…the extra slow drying time afforded by the glossy cardstock comes in handy when you wish to emboss because you can paint to your heart’s content and the embossing powder will still have something wet to stick to when you’re done. Just remember to use the RP very sparingly.
I wish I knew if these were even sold anymore. I did turn up this site when I did a search. There’s a phone number for ordering, but I have no personal experience with the site. If you’re interested you may have more luck searching than I did. Actually, I’d appreciate any info you find. I may have just rekindled my own interest in Radiant Pearls.
Back to the card — The part that shocked me a little bit when I was done is the nearly neon Green Galore that I watercolored and sponged around the flower image. Geez, is that bright enough, you think? I’ll confess I sort of like it, though. The panel behind that is Summer Sun with two more of the Fantasy Floral Garden images randomly stamped in Marigold Morning. The word that I stamped up the side is also from the set, and the designer paper is BasicGrey Fusion.
Last (but not least), I’m celebrating my new watermark. See it? Yes, that’s me, Leslie Miller. One of my very generous SCS/blogger friends made it for me because I was too helpless to do it myself. Thank you, Sherry! I love it! Have a great weekend, everyone!
Stamps: Fantasy Floral Garden
Paper: Basic Black, Summer Sun, Whisper White, BasicGrey Fusion
Ink: Versamark, Green Galore, Vivid Black, Marigold Morning
Accessories: Radiant Pearls, ribbon, swirl clip, black EP, detail clear EP, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
I don’t remember that these are still made; I’m pretty sure they were made by Angelwings Enterprises - and that they also make the Twinkling H2Os - and at some point became, LuminArte. They also make Primary Elements, now. This is the link:
http://www.luminarteinc.com/
but they only mention Radiant Pearls one time - on the about page. You could email them and ask.
Back then, I had found a product called Iridescent Accents from Dr Martin - this is the link:
http://www.docmartins.com/cpoint201/category.htm?categoryId=14625
I bought those instead of the Pearls, way back when - they have, I think, a glycerin base and act in a manner very similar to the Pearls - they take a long time to dry, shimmery, etc. They might make a good substitute - but they don’t come in any 40 colors!
HTH
Zanne
I LOVE the vivid colors in this card — WOWZERS! I have so forgotten about my H2Os and radiant pearls — see you really do inspire!
I love this card!!! I have those twinkling H2O’s and never know what to do with them…..now maybe I will try them again!
Leslie,
This is fabulous! I love the bright colors.
OMW!! you can emboss them?! Holy inspiration, Batman!!! Gorgeous, Leslie–and I love your new watermark, too!!
Wowza! Bold and beautiful! This is like psychedelic stained glass!!! I somehow avoided ever getting any Radiant Pearls, and I do think LuminArte has discontinued manufacturing them. But as you pointed out, they are still around a few places to purchase. Coleen has a few colors, and I’m seeing her today so maybe I should borrow a few and play! I love your idea of clear embossing them. BTW, love the Summer Sun and Marigold layer. Linda
How wonderful — and I must say — that neon green did give me a surprise coming from you — LOL!!! — but I LOVE it — it is just perfect here!!! I have never had the RP and I thank you for that great explanation of them!!! Your beautiful main image, the entire design, papers, etc. — just fabulous!!!
Oh, and I forgot — beautiful watermark!!!
Your card just jumped off the page - so beautiful. Thanks for breaking out the RP’s - I have a bunch of them and they sit at the bottom of my closet. I just love their look - nothing comes close in my mind. You’ve rekindled my love of these little pots of paint!
Wow…that flower is amazing! I can only imagine how much it sparkles IRL. Gorgeous, Leslie!!
Wow!!! This is a Vivid Card!!!!! You made a wonderful comeback for the RP’s!
Yowzers! This is amazing! I have never heard of Radiant Pearls but I think I need to find some now.
I don’t think they’re made anymore, in fact, I just sold mine a few months ago. You certainly made them work much better than I could. I love the rich colors you achieved. I had the worst time getting them to dry before I inevitably smeared them. :oP I’m thinkin’ H2O’s might be better for me!
Wow, what a gorgeous and shimmery result. I do hope I get to see IRL…….please! TFS
WOW! This is different for you, but really neat! And like the watermark - I always found it curious that a stamping superstar such as yourself didn’t use one - didn’t realize the true reason…
Amazing color. I think I have these radiant pearls!!! Somewhere! Thanks for the reminder to dig through my stash. You have such an amazing sense of style and color. Everything just jumps off the screen!
Now this is just lovely!
~Ang