The Pen Tool has to be my favorite Pazzles tool, hands down. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the other tools too. Each one has helped me achieve the perfect touches to my projects at one point or another. I think the sheer mileage I have gotten out of the Pen tool tips it over as my favorite.
My absolute favorite thing to do is to use a glue pen and glitter to create glitter text or accents.
It’s a really fabulous way to add a touch of sparkle to your page and I could never make this look right without the Pazzles machines and my pen tool!
I just install the glue pen like I would any other pen and draw. After it is done I sprinkle my glitter on top and then tap off the excess. My favorite glue pen to use is the Sakura Quickie Glue pen. It’s a ballpoint glue pen with a nice flow. The glue is a permanent adhesive but dries to a temporary adhesive. That means that even if the glue dries a little bit before you get the glitter on it, there is still enough tack to hold down the glitter. I also have better luck with fine glitters.
One big word of caution is that if you have a really “juicy” pen and your design goes under the rollers as your machine draws it can smear your glue around, so keep that in mind when you are designing. I haven’t ever had any trouble with the Sakura Quickie pens because they just are not juicy enough to smear, but I have had this happen with other pens so it will just depend on the pen you are using. Also make sure you DON’T use a glue pen that you have to squeeze or push something to get the glue to come out, they won’t work in the pen tool because you can’t squeeze it while the machine is drawing.
Another great tip I learned recently from one of our members (thanks Vickie!) is to save your old mats that aren’t sticky enough to hold paper anymore. Then put your project down on the mat when applying the glitter, any excess or spille d glitter will stick to the mat leaving your crafting area a little cleaner (Although let’s be honest, what is a a good craft room without a little mess?)
If you have never tried the Pen tool before check it out! Also, we have a great new video tutorial on installing and using the pen tool! You can go to the Tools and Accessories categories under the Videos page to view it. It is a great tutorial so be sure to watch it!
>> Go to the Tools and Accessories Video Tutorials
You know that you get a thumbs up from me! I love this feature and have used it over and over again. I don’t usually use the glue pen on an entire page (though I have), so in reference to the rollers going over the glue….place the item in an area where the rollers won’t touch. I know what you mean though Amanda….I did that once and what a mess. I had also found a non-caustic de-greaser that is great for cleaning up this type of mess…and yesterday just found out that the company is bankrupted. I used this stuff on my glass top stove too! It smelled wonderful. Go figure.
But don’t forget to use your embossing powders, Pearl-Ex, foils (rub-on), and so on! The foil is nice on some of the fonts. You’ve just inspired me to make another project, Amanda. Thanks!
Vicki
I’m laughing as this is the tool I use the least! Guess you’ve inspired me to try again……oh for more hours in a week. Gee…..don’t we get an extra one this weekend!! Yippee.
I remember when I designed the Lucky card that I found it worked better to go around the edge of the clover about 3 times with the glue pen. I used a lighter pressure so each time around laid down just a little bit of glue but when I sprinkled the glitter it was “just right”!
Thanks for the wonderful idea. I am really going to have to give this a try. I keep meaning to…but then never do! Thanks for the nudge!