Spotlight Artist - Niki - Rusting Powder

Hello all! Niki here (Pawsitively Creative) and welcome to the first Spotlight Post at Anything But Cute! I have been asked numerous times about a product I use with my mixed media. This is going to be a heavy picture post so grab a snack and a drink, sit back and enjoy! 

Rusting Powder! Have you ever used, or even heard of Rusting Powder? It comes in a small container and sort of looks like gun powder, or embossing powder. I bought 3 jars because it is hard to get a hold of. I use Dusty Attic's Rusting Powder because that was the first kind I could find at an Etsy store-Moments of Tranquility but now that DA allows everyone to order from them you can find it HERE. There is also a Rusting Powder from Crafty Notions (UK) that our DT Branka uses. There are many, many different ways to use it and many different outcomes when using it. You don't need to heat it up, you just have to spray it with vinegar and wait. You can use Rusting Powder on Grungeboard, paper, chipboard, cardstock, canvas, and wood. I haven't tried it on metal-yet.

In order for the Rusting Powder to "stick" to your substrate you can use anything wet or sticky. Paint, VersaMark watermark, gesso, gel medium, elmers glue, a glue stick, or even Glossy Accents can be used to apply the rusting powder to your substrate. Here are a couple of ways I have used it recently:

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Rusting Powder added with VersaMark

The wet drop on this gear is the vinegar

Finished gears

For this first set of gears, I painted all with black acrylic paint and then embossed them with Rangers Verdigris EP. I then applied VersaMark's watermark to certain areas and added the Rusting Powder to that. Shake off the excess (just like embossing powder) and spray the entire piece with Distilled White Vinegar! Yep, I said vinegar. I use the Distilled White Vinegar because the smell isn't as strong as other vinegars. Once I spray my pieces, I then put them in the bathroom with the vent on, or I put them outside so my house doesn't smell. Lol! Wait 30-45 minutes and then go check your pieces. The magic happens with the vinegar and you get a unique rust effect.

White acrylic paint still wet and then the rusting powder poured directly on top of the paint, shake of excess, wait for paint to dry a bit then spray with your vinegar

Finished gears (I did add rusty hinge to these for more color variation)

This next set of gears were painted with white acrylic paint and I added the rusting powder directly to the paint while it was wet. I then waited for the paint to dry before I activated the rusting powder with the vinegar. Again, wait 30-45 minutes and see the dramatic change!

Gesso 

Rusting Powder added to wet Gesso (and I dabbed on some Distress Paint-Bundled Sage)

This final set (above pic) were painted with Gesso first and then rusting powder was added while it was wet. I waited for the Gesso to dry and then activated the rusting powder with vinegar and 35 minutes later it was done!

This last thing I am sharing for this post is an ATC base that was dry embossed, painted with silver paint and then I used Glossy accents to adhere the rusting powder to the ATC, before I sprayed the vinegar on it I added some Alcohol Ink-Pool and Rust to certain areas. Then I sprayed it with the vinegar.

Silver Distress Paint

Rusting Powder, Pool Alcohol Ink, Rust Alcohol Ink

Final product all dried and ready to create with!

The possibilities are endless with this powder! I hope you enjoyed and maybe learned something new. It was a blast and thank you for having a look see! If you have any questions please feel free to ask! 

Remember to check out our current challenge, Vintage Garden, hosted by the wonderful Branka! Maybe you see some rusty items in your vintage garden? Carpe Diem! Hugz to you all! ~Niki