Hello crafters, today we are reviewing Imagine Crafts  Creative Mediums.  There are three kinds of Creative Medium; Clear, vintage and shimmer.  Today I’m going to be showing you the clear and vintage mediums.  So what are Creative Mediums?

” Acrylic-based Creative Medium, an incredibly versatile crafting tool. For collage artists, this will be your first choice for both an adhesive and finishing layers that dries translucent.  Use with our PHOTO Elements or your own toner-based copies of photographs to transfer photos onto SHEET Metal, acrylic, dominoes and other non-porous surfaces.”

Still scratching your head as to what these are?  Well, they are similar in function to a Mod Podge or artist gel medium; you can use it as an adhesive, a sealer or to use for toner-based photo transfers.  Upon opening the jar I can tell you that these are very thick, like cake frosting.  The smell wasn’t noticible but once I got my nose in there, it reminds me of hair chemicals when you go to the salon to get your hair done.  If you are sensitive to smell and working on a large project, you may want to work in an open, well-ventilated area.  So let’s get to testing!

Both the vintage and clear have a glossy finish to them once dry.  They are both translucent but the vintage has a brownish tint to it.  You can see in the swatches above that you can add more of that tint with each layer.  Make sure your layers are completely dry between adding more medium or you run the risk of picking up your paper underneath the medium.  Next, I wanted to try a few transfers.

Here’s a transfer I tried using some toner-based copied sheet music.  It turned out pretty well.

Here’s a metal tag I tried with the toner transfer, as well.  This didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped.  I don’t know if I used too much medium but after soaking and soaking the tag, the sheet music did not want to rub off as easily as it did with a paper transfer.

Here is a transfer (the girl silhouette) I tried using a transparency and inkjet printer on sticky-back canvas.  I love how the girl came out with a dreamy look to her.  I finished off the little ATC with some watercolor and a background stamp.  Next I wanted to try a full collage piece…

I used torn pieces of paper and the vintage medium on this picture frame.  I used it as an adhesive and as a sealer.  It dries quickly and never turned tacky which was a nice surprise!  The vintage tint was great!  No need to ink all the edges of the paper!  I used one of the Tsukineko blushers as reccommended to apply the medium to the frame and since the was a larger product, it was messy!  I ended up with a lot of medium on my hands.  It wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but  I would suggest using a foam or paint brush when working on larger projects.

Overall, I was happy testing out this product.  I wished the image transfers would have gone a little better, but I think this works as a great sealer and adhesive.  It is a step up to a basic Mod Podge for artists, so I wouldn’t hand this over to the kids for their projects.  The Imagine Crafts website is currently under construction but you can still find Creative Medium online at multiple retailers for approxmately $5-$6.  What do you think, crafters?  Any projects in mind?  As always, let me know in the comments!

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

About SaraCarns

• Brand New Tim Holtz & Ranger Ink Distress Oxide Review - April 12, 2017
• Rhonna Farrer Chalkboard Wall Art Tutorial – - December 15, 2016
• Make Distress Paints into MARKERS! - March 15, 2016
• CHA 2016 – Ranger Ink Designer Challenge – - January 16, 2016
• Craft Product Comparison and Overview: Ranger Ink Paints - November 11, 2015
• Product Review: Ranger Ink – Dina Wakley Media Paints and Fine Tip Applicator - August 16, 2015
• Product Review: Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Paints From Ranger Ink - June 9, 2015
• CHA 2015 – Tim Holtz Idea-ology Booth Tour - March 18, 2015
• CHA 2015 – Heidi Swapp Booth and Minc Video - March 13, 2015
• CHA 2015 – Beadalon 3D Bracelet Jig - March 12, 2015