Embossing is the process of creating raised relief images and designs on paper and other materials.
Traditionally you use embossing ink, add embossing powders and then heat the powder until it melts. The results look fabulous on other people’s tutorials, but as we have none of those things in the house we devised our own version. This is our homemade version of embossing which the kids used to make their Christmas thank you cards this week.
How to Make Embossing Using Glycerine and Eyeshadow
We used glycerine, shimmery powdered eye shadows and some rubber stamps. We poured glycerine onto felt to make an ink pad and stamped images onto our cards. Then we sprinkled the eye shadow over the top and used a soft make up brush to gently brush it over the entire image, before brushing the excess away.
We tried using a paintbrush to write with the glycerine, which also worked well. Our stamped images looked really pretty in the flesh. The photos really don’t do them justice, as they are so delicate and shimmery. They would look lovely on tags and wrapping paper. I think this technique would work well with any fine powder such as ground up chalk or maybe even flour. We’ll definitely be try this again when we have more cards to make!
If you enjoyed this tutorial, please check out some of other crafts that can be made with store cupboard items – such as dyeing with stains, making DIY Fabric Paint and Marbling bottles with nail polish.
47 comments
SARAHHHH! This is *such* an amazing way to make adorable images without spending extra money. Thanks tons both for birthing this creative idea AND for sharing it. It’s crazy that the most recent comments are from 2016 — this definitely deserves more attention and appreciation — so I’ll be doing my part to share the awesomeness. We craft-crazy mamas (and grannies) have to help each other out as much as we can. Thanks again for the nifty idea – I’m loving your site and signed up for your newsletter. Merry Christmas
Thanks for you kind words Lynn and Happy New Year :)
Did you heat set the glycerin or just let it dry on its own?
I just let it dry on its own :)
It would be nice to use cinnamon or other spice for Christmas.
Hey these are great, I do have all the other things for stamping but this would be great for children to do ,I don’t let children use my expensive gear.i have used a pearl ex powder which is almost the same as eye shadow, just a little tricky……. if the eye shadow rubs off spray the image with heap hair spray and it will fix it and not allow it to rub off.
Happy crafting
Thanks Margaret, great tip about the hairspray – will definitely try that next time. We came up with this project for exactly the reason you stated – letting the kids get creative with out them exhausting my craft stash!
Oh wow, that’s seriously cool. I don’t wear make up but I might just have to buy me some eye shadow, lol. Hubby is going to think I’ve gone bonkers or have a boyfriend ;-)
Haha. I buy/pick up so many random things in the pursuit of craft!
Looks really fun to do and so effective! Lovely :)
Thank you, we had lots of fun with this craft. We’re thinking of making some Valentines cards the same way :)
I love the use of eye shadow for your powder, this would really appeal to Clio who seams to have built up a mountain of the stuff at just age 11! Certainly makes thank you cards look special and a lot more thoughtful than anything bought or drawn as mine usually do. Spices might be good too to make a sensory card as I did with my crayons. I may just have to try this. thank you so much for sharing with me over on #Trash2Treasure
Spice is a great idea – could make a scratch and sniff card like the stickers we used to get :)
That’s very clever! Thanks for sharing with #abitofeverything
Thanks, and thanks for having us :)
Looks great! I’m going to try this out.
It’s fun and easy, without having to invest in a load of craft materials :)
What a great idea! I’m always looking for new craft ideas, as my 2 are really starting to get into crafts now! I love them too! The pretty purses from pockets post looks really interesting, I’ll have to check that out too!!
#abitofevetything
Thanks :) It’s fun trying out new craft ideas, and even better if you can re-purpose something you already have!
I want to give this a try…the butterflies are so pretty. Fab idea and great tutorial xx #abitofeverything
Thank you – butterflies are a lovely image, and work well with the sparkle of the eye shadow x
This looks like great fun – what a good idea! #abitofeverything
The kids had loads of fun with this craft – they spent ages on it :)
Great tutorial – these are so pretty! #abitofeverything
Thanks, and thanks for popping by :)
This looks fab! I really want to do more ‘messy’ crafts this year, rather than just sticking to paper :)
It’s great fun – perfect for a dull afternoon :)
That butterfly is just gorgeous, I love butterflies things with them on pop up all over out house :)
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
Thanks, I love butterflies too, and they do look pretty with the glittery effect. The cards went down very well with the grandparents :)
They look lovely and so simple too! I need to do some crafty stuff with the kids will try and remember this one! xx #picknmix
The kids spent ages playing around with this, they always enjoy messing around with craft ideas – sure they secretly miss being toddlers!
This is fab! I love the idea of using household items to do crafts and I’ve never tried embossing as you need more things (expense!). I don’t have any eyeshadow (I don’t like wearing make up!), but could easily get some cheap from the £1 shop. Definitely need to have a go at this. Thanks so much for linking up to #HowtoSunday :) x
Thanks Jenny :) Buying craft items does really add up so I love a good recycling project too. There’s actually quite a lot you can do with glycerine so I’ve got a couple more things planned for later in the year that I know you’ll love too x
Lovely idea! These look really great and I’m a huge fan of personalised cards and stationary (and butterflies!) Very creative – I’ve never used glycerine before and would never have thought to do something like this :)
I think its lovely to make your own cards and tags too, and it was a very sneaky way to get the kids to do their thank you cards without them realising they were doing a job :)
This is very cool! Great idea when you have ran out of paint and the shops are closed but you need a card. Result I say! :) #HowtoSunday
Thanks :) From what I can work out it’s what they use to make the embossing pads that you can buy in the shops.
This looks so easy. Once you’ve sprinkled the powder on do you have to leave it to dry? I’ve never used glycerine.
We didn’t with the stamps as they only pick up a little glycerine from the pad, but found that we needed to with the lettering using a paint brush as it went on much thicker :)
Thankyou I am definitely going to try this!
It’s great fun, and I’m sure there’s other products you could substitute if you use your imagination. Actually just thought you could probably do an edible version with icing sugar – will have to think on that one!
That looks like a really clever idea! I’ve only ever used glycerine for making peppermint creams. Looks simple and effective. Thanks for sharing #HowtoSundays and Happy New Year!
I love finding extra uses for things. The kids had great fun with this project :)
This is so fab! I love this idea and is really helpful for the kids! we will have great fun trying this out #howtosunday
It’s great fun for kids, and I love a craft project that you can do without having to buy loads of bits and bobs – the cost soon mounts up!
Great idea – think we will give this a try. Mummy is going to Poundland tomorrow, may have to raid the make-up aisle! Sarah #howtosunday
It’s amazing what you can find in there. Hope you have great fun trying it :)