I’m a sucker for embossing resins. I love using them as topcoats, resists for watercolors, to fill bottlecap jewelry, and more. Glossy finishes make my heart go pitter-pat, what can I say?
At CHA last winter I happened by the JudiKins booth, and there was a large pink bottle of Fluxe Enameling Resin. It called my name, and now it’s high time to try it out and share my results with you.
First, let’s take a look at how it’s described on the website:
Avoid drips and spills with this easy-to-use powdered Resin.
Perfect for achieving a high gloss shine in Patera collage pendants.
Glaze over embossing ink with a thin layer, or fill a deep pendant for a thick, glass-like appearance.
Use a heat gun, or simply place in a toaster oven set at 250 degrees.
When using an oven, place pendant on foil covered flat surface and keep close watch. As soon as powered appearance is gone and surface is clear, you can remove tray. This takes approximately 2 minutes. Carefully remove pendant using metal tip pliers. Do not touch metal, it will be very hot! Allow to cool for approximately 15 minutes.
If your design calls for ink jet printed words or images, seal with Diamond Glaze and allow to dry before setting with Fluxe.
Pointed tip gives you control when pouring into collage pendants.
2 Fluid ounces. Measured by volume, product may settle in shipment.
So, just to recap, this is a dry white powder that when heated over 250 degrees F will melt and liquify. When it cools, it becomes a clear, hard, glassy finish topcoat.
I started by using it in the traditional way- as an embossing powder.
It performed just as well as any other embossing powder- in this next sample I used the embossing as a resist.
Next, since bottle caps are all the rage, I used Fluxe to fill some bottlecap charms.
Just by covering the warmer with aluminum foil, I was able to use the mug warmer to melt the Fluxe. Nice! Here’s how the finished pieces turned out.
To make sure the bell piece didn’t bubble, I didn’t use an adhesive at all- I just squirted a layer of Fluxe over it and let it melt. No bubbles!
Since the directions say you can use it as a top coat, I did my own version of a swatch test:
On the whole, I’m super-impressed with the effect on clay and shrink plastic. Some other embossing powders I use yellow with the heat- but Fluxe melts at such low temps that it didn’t discolor at all.
I’m going to finish some of these pieces into jewelry, and report back to you in 6 months or so and let you know how the Fluxe Enameling Resin holds up to everyday wear and tear.
For the time being, though, I’m going to say that this is a really nice product- and perhaps the icing on the cake is the great squeeze bottle! It made it very easy to apply the powder just where I wanted it. Now why didn’t someone think of this sooner?
Fluxe Enameling Resin retails for $8.50-$12.00 USD for 2 ounces online- which is a little pricey, but even after using it as liberally as I did in this review, I still only used about 1/8 of the bottle. That puts the price right on target with other embossing powders…but it’s still considerably more expensive than, say Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel by Ranger. However, UTEE needs a higher melting point and can turn yellow if overheated. So really, it’s a great product if you’re willing to spend the cash.
I’d love to hear if you’ve used it and whether or not you like it/feel it’s worth the money. Anyone?
Last minute addition: I just found a pendant in my dryer- it was in one of the kids’ pockets. It went through a warm-water wash AND a hot tumble-dry and the pendant came through unscathed. Hooray!
Disclosure: Sample provided for review.
- Spooky Spider Halloween Bookmark Craft - October 24, 2018
- Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
- Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
- Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
- Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
- Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
- SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
- Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
- Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
- Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018
Candy says
Looks like it’s worth the money. I love to emboss. Thanks.
Barbara Moore says
Well, I guess it’s definitely “wash and wear” isn’t it? lol Sounds like it would be a very nice medium to work with. Right now I’m looking for something that doesn’t have to be heated though.
Jenny says
Barb- Have you read my review of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic? On of my favorite water-based glossy topcoats. Or Ice Resin for an epoxy topcoat….-J
Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor says
Very interesting results Jenny! I like the fact that is went through the washer and dryer like that. Do let us know if there are any adverse effects on the clay over time. Like I am sure you already know, some products take time to react to clay. I would also be interested to see how much it scratches with wear. I usually prefer UV Resin over embossing powders on jewelry, because it is more durable. But an enamel would be easier to apply for beginners if the product was strong enough for jewelry and didn’t yellow. I am looking forward to seeing more of your testing results on this. Thank you for all you do!
Claire says
I have just heard of this product being available in New Zealand and read your post. As it is a few years on since you wrote it, can you tell me if there have been any adverse affects on the polymer clay? I am hoping it is compatible and has not yellowed with age.
Jenny says
Claire- I honestly cannot comment on what products are offered where! I’d send an email to the JudiKins website. Also, since it’s a heat-controlled plastic, I do not anticipate any reactions to the clay. As for the yellowing…well, I’ll cover a new piece and set it in a sunny windowsill for a month or two and get back to you. 🙂 Best, Jenny
Claire says
Thanks, Jenny. When I get some I was thinking of doing some trials on white polymer clay, keeping a piece exposed to the sun and another piece tucked away in a drawer, to see how much it yellows, if it does. It would be interesting to compare notes.
Cherry says
Hi Jenny,
Any yellowing over time? I know this is an old post – so by now anything adverse would have showed up! It’s been 6 years now 🙂
Thank you.