BONUS Trend Watch – Transparent Embellishments

After having so much fun researching and writing my ‘Transparencies” article last month, I felt like I left us in a bit of a cliffhanger–I really did, only touch the tip of the transparent iceberg with the creations I shared.

I’m very happy to be back in today’s Trend Watch Report with more translucent goodness, specifically focusing in on embellishments. Sometimes, these clear and translucent objects are what really makes you say WOW!! I know on many an occasion, I’ve been blown away by the creativity designers employ when using see-through embellishments in their creations.

This macabre, multi-media steampunk configurations book by Shelly Hickox is exquisite with all of its laboratorie secrets in corked domes and vials. Shelly’s config book reminds me of old black and white movies that take place in a crazed Drs’ cobwebbed, dungeon laboratory—MUWWHAHAHA!!

shelly hickox steampunk halloween configurationsSteampunk Laboratorie Configurations Book designed by Shelly Hickox-Stamptramp

Don’t think you’ll only see these fabulous little corked vials and domes in Gothic-themed creations. Harken back to a time when adventurers brought back their flora and fauna from mysterious lands and displayed their collections under bell jars or glass cloches.

Paula Cheney captures that feeling of exploration and wonder with her vintage Victorian shadowbox filled with untouchable delights, preserved under sealed glass domes. These magnificent specimens are sure to please the exploring eye for years to come!

IMG_7501Alice Meets Downton Shadowbox by Paula Cheney-One Lucky Day

Not ready to venture into 3D multi-media projects. That’s OK–there are many ‘flatter’, clear and translucent embellies that you can use on your card and tag designs with limitless creative possibilities-and not a lot of bulk.

Look at this group of playful and fun cards Cindy Lyles made using film strips not only as embellishment, but as a main focal point to frame all of her colorful accents. Clean, simple and clearly charming.

untitledFilm Strip Cards by Cindy Lyles-StarLitStudio

This rustic and vintage birthday card is designed with an explorer in mind and Cathy Parlitsis has created an adventure through and through! All of her fun and masculine embellishments tell a story–even the clear film strip. Perhaps life moments waiting to be captured?

6a00d8354c0ca169e201a3fcdb7c3e970b-500wiVintage Masculine B-Day Card created by Cathy Parlitsis-www.stampsandscrapbooks.com

Looking for a clear embellishment with more of a ‘bling’ factor to it? Check out how Linda Ledbetter creates multi-faceted Christmas Magic with a round TH/Idea-ology Facet and a vintage image of old St. Nick. Blingy & Bright!!

CC2C30Distress and Bejeweled Christmas card by Linda Ledbetter-Studio L3

You can also decorate and color facets with alcohol inks and rub-on type products. Shelly glamorized her gorgeous Sunflower card by adding an alcohol inked facet to the middle of the stamped and colored image. The brightness of the yellow Sunflower is enriched by the bejeweled purple center–Stunning!!

IMGP3462Sunflower card by Shelly for Scrap Affair

Another transparently hot embellishment is, the monocle!! Classic and elegant, the monocle is a clearly unique embellishment, well worth the look.

I can’t help but share another fabulous Paula Cheney creation. Here, she’s using a monocle as a clever shaker element on this Prize Ribbon card. In keeping with the upbeat spirit of this celebratory greeting, Paula included a positive sentiment right on the face of the monocle! Rub-ons work wonderfully on the slick, non-porous surface of the monocle.

final-600x800Prize Ribbon Card designed by Paula Cheney for Simon Says Stamp Blog

Where do your eyes get drawn to when looking at this next project? I don’t know about you, but my eyes are immediately drawn to the cute little face of this vintage girl, because of the clever way Kaz Hall framed her–Using a monocle!! Not only just a plain monocle, but one that she added Distress Paint to, dried, then scraped away to leave an exposed ‘window’ to look through. Transparent Terrific-ness!!

002April Inspiration Burlap Panel by Kaz Hall-The Little Shabby Shed

I can keep going with this subject of clear embellishments! There are still countless creations that I’ve found using so many more see-through ornamentations. The projects and cards that I’m finding, through all of the visits I’ve been making to blogs (worldwide!), is amazing!! It’s an endless parade of clever designers using clear embellishments in genius ways!!

I know I’m looking at the clear embellishments in my own stash a whole lot differently now and I hope you are, too. I’ll leave you with just a small smattering of clear and translucent embellishments out there that you may already have, or may now, have to add to your wish list. Enjoy!

Until Next Time–Happy Crafting!! Shari

1_71626_THTim Holtz/Idea-ology Corked Vials

1_125306_THTim Holtz/Idea-ology Corked Domes

1_51969_FSTim Holtz/Idea-ology Film Strip

1_67795_THTim Holtz/Idea-ology Facets

TH93129Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Monocles

1_126909_THPrima Flowers Pebbles

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