Crystal Snowflakes

So you want to know how I make the crystal snowflakes, eh? Here you go, in 10 photos!

Punch your shapes! Ink the edges, if desired.

This is just a plain white snowflake. I added some Matte Accents by Ranger for my adhesive, but you can use the liquid glue of your choice, as long as it dries clear. I never apply the glue very evenly, and it seems to work just fine.

Drop the snowflake into your glitter. I'm using Diamond Dust Glitter (search ebay - there are several listed). Gently press the snowflake into the glitter. NOT TOO FIRMLY, or you'll have glitter MASS and it's not all that pretty. A light touch is best.

Remove the snowflake and admire. Oooh, pretty! See the sharp shard on the top? I'd remove that one. It's too wild. Set the snowflake aside to dry.

Now you're ready to take on a BIG shape! Notice the size! And the inked edges! Ooooooooo!

Add adhesive. The adhesive on this flower isn't spread evenly enough yet. Leaving gaps this large will leave gaps in your glitter, causing a glitter faux pas! Spread it out a bit more evenly.

Like with the snowflake, place the shape into the glitter and GENTLY apply pressure. Notice the Blu-Kote stain on my finger. Blu-Kote is an antiseptic spray used to treat wounds on animals. I had to apply some to a couple of the chickens today who have a couple broken tail feathers that the other chickens find way too fascinating to leave alone. Blu-Kote stains a deep violet color, as you can see.

Whoa! Look at all that Blu-Kote! You might be surprised to know that I actually did get more on the chickens than on myself! Really! It'll be on me for a while, I'm sure.

Remove the shape from the glitter, admire the pretty sparkles, set aside to dry.

Finally, make something lovely with your newly created crystal coated shapes!

Have fun!

Comments

[SusanLaz]

I cracked-up at the Blu-Coat hands. I've been fixed-up with that stuff all my life. Yeah, cute at church or when you are having to give a talk.

I became allergic to it because of the Scarlet Oil that's in it. Actually gives me an asthma attack now.

I still sneak in and use it with a really special mask from my firefighter husband (heavy medical ones) and make sure I use the dipper and not the spray.

I think our Queenland Heeler has got more purple scars on her than any other animal. This place is great fun!

[Tiffany]

hi, I was wondering if the diamond glass glitter is dangerous to handle. (especially around little kids). what happens if it gets in your eyes or nose? By the way, I love your snowflakes.

[Lacey Stephens]

Wow! I love this! I must have some of this glitter!! Oh, and thanks for the always humorous comments...I never know what to expect...so much information...more than you need to know about spiders (I actually showed that one to my mom...the one with the babies on the back) and now I know how to treat broken feathers on chickens!! LOL Thanks for sharing.
~Lacey

[Julie]

Hi Anna

Thanks for this very informative blog on the snowflakes. It is great to see for neebies like me, who don't know much about crafting.

Thanks for sharing and being sooo clever.

Do you have the frizzle chickens I have been reading about??

Hugs Julie

[angeljakki]

What a great tutorial tfs x x x

[sue]

Great tutorial, many thanks, and thanks rach for link, sue.xx

[Janet]

I love these snowflakes...but I have a stupid question. Since this glitter is cut glass, can it cut you? I have a 1 yr old and I'm sure he'll find them just fascinating and try to take them off of the tree if I make them with this. Yes, I could hang them high, but...he's crafty. Love all your stuff. The video with Tiny Tim in his coat was hilarious!

[Juanita]

AWESOME!! Thank you for all that you give each day!!

I am sending you HUGE CYBER HUGS.

[Erin]

I love these snowflakes...I made some this weekend and cased you in my blog...I also ordered some of these crystals yesterday...I cant wait to use them!! Thanks so much, Erin

[Joanne Basile]

These are just beautiful! Your directions are cracking me up, not sure which I like better the instruction to admire or the stained blue fingers! LOL!

[Dawn Burnworth (flowergal36)]

This is fabulous Anna. Thanks so much for the tutorial
Dawn B.

[Cynde]

Anna these snowflakes with the diamond dust are gorgeous....

[broni]

Just gorgeous, Anna! Love that beautiful card!

[Ann Hedvig]

Thanks for the tutorial, need to try this :o)

[Barb Hardeman]

Wow, Anna! Your colors are always so warm and rich, I just love your cards. The addition of the sparkle accents to this one is just stunning. Beautiful work...

[Tara]

Wow Anna, you always give me such inspiration, I am definitely going to have to try this, love the look!!!

[sherri]

I am cracking up. You are such a hoot. I love the step Remove the snowflake and admire. Oooh, pretty! IT might be the only one I would get right!

[blinksoflife]

love your snow flakes! thank you for the tutorial!. awesome..!

[Viv (VivLyn)]

Im going to have to find some of that stuff! It certainly looks wonderful on the snowflake and your flower shape! Thanks for the tutorial, Sweetie!

[Robin McCormack]

Today a HUGE jar of snow glitter arrived from a recent shopping splurge. I wondered how I would use it up...now I know!!!!

Thanks for the tutorial!!

[paula]

Anna, your snowflakes are FAB!! I love that glitter and how you layered a flower and snowflake...so pretty!

[Jackie Pedro]

What a beautiful card! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!!

[Michelle]

Beautiful card! I love Diamond Dust. I found mine at Michaels.

[Debbie]

Thanks for sharing your tips with us! I am loving the rich browns you have been using lately.

[Chelle]

fabulous tutorial, and even better card...really like the body art though too!
chelle

[Robb_eeie]

OOOHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh!
AAAAawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwWWwwww!

Thanks Miss Blu-Kote for demonstrating just how talented you are :) Where in the world did you get that big Honkin bowl of Diamond Dust Glitter? I have a teeny-tiny jar of it, similar to what embossing powder comes in, so I have to be ~cheap~ with it and only use it for people I really REALLY like :D Adore your card but found your commentary very amusing. heheheee

[Niki Estes]

Great tutorial, Anna, and I love the commentary, too! lol

[gailanne]

Thanks, Anna, for supplying us with great tutorials. Love the comments...now Ill be thinking of pinfeathers while Im sparkling up some Christmas card snowflakes!

[Lisa]

Anna ~ thank you for sharing not only your awesome techniques but also your fabulous sense of humor! I was smiling throughout the tutorial. Great job and thanks again!

[hello gorgeous]

Hi Anna, LOVE the tips you keep posting! :D xxx

[nise]

I really dont like s-n-o-w all that much, but dang, girl, your flakes are to die for! They remind me of these really cool ceramic ornaments we got from Aunt Diane one year for Christmas. Sniff, Sniff (insert happy childhood memories). Aunt Diane is also awesome with her sewing skills and her chicken raising skills. Thanks for making me feel all warm and fuzzy!

[Troy Louise]

Loved your glittery tutorial the blu kote info - I was afraid you had cut yourself with all that sparkle! Your vintage snowflakes are really nice - thanks.

[Tami McBeain (tmarie)]

Ooohhhh, Aaaahhhh! I was admiring your snowflakes! Thanks for the tutorial and your card is beautiful!

[jayne]

VERY C O O L!!!!! I LOVE your posts! The day is not the same without reding something by you Thanks for this tutorial!

[Cheryl R]

I thouroughly enjoyed your glitter turorial - have you thought of writing a book? Seriously! Youve got the professional cards and photos, and humor too! You could leave in the part about BluKote (or not) :)

[Cheryl]

Thank you- thank you- thank you- so much

[Simmy]

Such an enabler you are !! hahaha. Now I need to get some of that glitter for myself :-)

[Shannan Teubner]

Ok, so seriously this would take me so long...I would just sit and admire all day! LOL
Thanks for sharing...now I gotta get some Diamond Dust (psst...Hobby Lobby has it in the Christmas craft aisle and it goes on sale often!)

[Lori Barnett]

Thanks for taking all that time to show everyone how you do the snowflakes. I love how they look. :)

[Emily]

Oh! That is beautiful! I love the look of that chunky glitter!

[Jessie/knightrone]

Oh my girl, this is STUNNING!!

[Jennifer Scull]

thanks for the tutorial! now to find some of that great glitter!

I know Ive said it before, but your vintage/homespun cards are my absolute fave! :)

[diane mcvey]

You are the cats meow, the chickens cluck, the cows moo....and thats all GOOD!!!
Thanks for all the great info...and I know just what BluKote is...Oh mercy, it WILL be there awhile! haha
Thank you for all you do...you are magnificent! Have a fabulous weekend, too! :D

[Danielle]

Ooh, vintagy and sparkly and oh so lovely!!!

[Beth M]

Wow! Love this card and the snowflake play-by-play. Hope the chickens are over the pox!

[Cindy H.]

Love the snowflake tutorial! I have a miriad of snowflakes just waiting to be *dusted*:) TFS

[Lara's Laugh Lines]

~*TOTALLY FASCINATING!*~

The brown snowflakes look a little like the snow we see here in the Midwest!

Now that brown shape all covered in glitter (image # 9) has me drooling for gingerbread cookies.YUMMO...Think Id better go bake some biscuits just so I can glitter me some cardstock!WAHOO!

TFS!

[Tricia]

Thanks for the tutorial, Anna. I MUST get some of this glitter!

[kayjaydee]

Look at your inky fingers! And here I was picturing your pristine crafting area where glitter wouldnt stick to every available surface including your face and ink stays on the stamps, paper and projects, never straying to your fingertips, clothing, table, floor, walls...

I feel ever so better about my crafting now!

What a great project, by the way. Love it.

[Gabriela]

Holy cow! Talk about ask and you shall receive...thank you! Ill be looking for the Diamond Dust Glitter on ebay today. Thank you for the two tutorials: the diamond glitter dust and Blu-Kote application. Bonus! Fabulous card too. Thanks again. I love you - will you marry me? (thats a joke Anna - Im happily married in Virginia (not Utah)). Hee-hee.