Beaded Pen Tutorial: More uses for Background Stamps!

DRS Designs carries a wide variety of versatile Easy Background stamps . When lined up with the previously stamped image, these stamps create a random repeating image -- no twisting stamps or special planning on your part. Not only are these backgrounds great for card accents, but they also create designs perfect for beaded pens.


Supplies needed: White address labels (1" x 2 5/8"), super tacky adhesive tape, glass microbeads, RSVP pen, glitter, heat gun, background stamp and inks.



Stamp background image, using rich ink colors since bead overlays tend to mute colors a bit. After stamping the Easy Flower Background, I used a marker to highlight the flower centers with an accent color.



Trim label to 3 1/2" x 1 1/4" and carefully adhere to pen barrel.



Cut three strips of 1" wide tacky tape, slightly longer than 1 1/4" so that ends will overlap when orange backing is removed. A thin line of the label may still be visible, but the microbeads will fill in this small gap. The larger tacky sheets maybe used (cut to size 3 1/2" x 1 1/4"), but I find the larger sheets more difficult to line up and keep from adhering to my fingers instead of the pen!

Remove orange backing and heat the tacky tape for a few seconds to soften the adhesive.



Quickly roll the pen in microbeads to coat surface. I like to use a large rectangular food container for this step. Not only does it store the beads, but also acts as a dual work surface with an area for bead application (the outer 'ditch') and an empty flat surface in the center to roll the pen and press beads deeper into the adhesive. Tap pen to remove any loose beads.



In a second smaller container, I store glitter which is then sprinkled over the surface of the pen and rubbed in by hand. Not only does this fill in areas too small for microbeads, but it also adds an extra hint of sparkle.

For the final step, roll the pen on a hard surface to be sure all beads and glitter are adhered. Decorate with ribbon accents, if desired.

For a quick Gift Ensemble, stamp the sides of a note cube and add matching ribbon.

If you enjoy creating beaded pens and other altered items, be sure to check out the DRS blog challenge on Monday, September 29th!

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