Here at Anything But Cute we love to see all the seasoned and expert mixed media artists, but we also want to encourage those who are just getting their feet wet. Our design team will always be on the lookout for these exceptional artists, and you just never know when we might be giving out something special to a talented mixed media newcomer.
Make sure to put 'newbie' after your name in the linky so we know who you are.
(new refers to 'new to mixed media' NOT 'new to our challenge')
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

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:

.
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

26 comments:

  1. Thanks for all those details Niki. Co incidently my current post too has rusting powder,I got it from Paper Artsy. I love the smell of rust,lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! Wonderful Rupa! Rust is a must on some mixed media pieces.

      Delete
  2. Fantastic Spotlight Artist post, dear Niki! Your rust technique is really spectacular! It's a perfect step by step tutorial! You have achieved absolutely stunning effect with the help of that powder! I love rust more than anything in mixed media art and your technique is one of the best I've seen! Thank you so much, my friend, for sharing your genius ideas with us!
    Huge hugs :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great tutorials Niki!!! I need to get some of that rusting powder!!! Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Samra-cakes! I provided a link to the DA website where they sell the rusting powder I use. Hopefully it is in stock now.

      Delete
  4. You have done such a wonderful job spotlighting this product Doc! Thanks so much for all your hard work, I am definitely going to try and track down some of this stuff, you make it look so amazing! big hugs my friend :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this tech. will have to try and track down this product to try. You have done a great job with the tutorial .

    ReplyDelete
  6. love it Niki. I'll have to remember to order some next time I get chipboard from Dusty Attic. I didn't even know about it. I have a very messy paint for doing rust. This looks so much better and easier and the results are fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing. I love the effects you have created.

    Love Chrissie x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fabulous post, great tutorial on rusting powder, thanks Niki!! Ruth x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow Niki, this is a fabulous post, I do love rusting powder but have not tried it out in so many ways, your results are amazing. I especially love the final piece, it is fantastic I love the result you have achieved. Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've not used my crafty notions rusting powder for ages....thanks for the reminder,fab tutorial by the way :)
    Hugs
    Donna xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. So glad you all like the different takes on using rusting powder! Can't wait to see what you all create. Happy crafting and Hugz! ~Niki

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great run down on the rusting powder! Love the results of all your different experiments! The effects are all amazing and great to see so many variations with this very versatile product!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fabulous tutorial, Niki! And what a great product! You have really done your homework and put this product to the test! Awesome samples and clear instructions! Thank you for sharing all this with us! I would love to get my hands on this, as I am in the middle of some rusty work right now! Big hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  14. what a great tutorial Niki - love how you've used this powder! Julia xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very interesting Niki. What great examples and tutorial you have done. Thanks so much for all your pictures and experimenting. GREAT INFO. j.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very interesting Niki. What great examples and tutorial you have done. Thanks so much for all your pictures and experimenting. GREAT INFO. j.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great tutorial and looks a super product to work with.
    TFS, Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great tutorial Niki, thank you! I've seen the rusting powder but it wasn't available here in Canada before this, will have to see if I can score some now :O) Wonderful results, love those gears!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amazing tutorial!! So sorry I'm late getting to this hun, but this is just fabulous and I so want some of this!! Is that really all you need is vinegar with this? Wow! Again I love this, especially those mind blowing cogs hun, they look perfect!!
    hugs
    Georgie xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeppers, vinegar and something sticky (glossy accents, VersaMark etc) to stick it to. Just remember to label your vinegar bottle so you don't accidentally use it when you meant to use water. Lol! Been there, done that.

      Delete
  20. How amazing with the vinegar! Thanks for sharing this fab tutorial Niki with its brilliant effects. Nicola x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for sharing this post of the techniques. Bought some Paper Artsy Rusting powder, then realized I didn't really know how to use it! Had no idea vinegar was needed to activate it, so really grateful to find this most interesting & informative post. Love the patina'd & rusted embossed piece. Looks like an old pickup truck's tool box!

    ReplyDelete