We all know that I am an ImpressArt fan and love their metal stamps, hammers and other jewelry making supplies so I was excited to have an opportunity to review a new product from them called Bezel Effects.

Here is what the ImpressArt website says about the Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints:

Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints have a opalescent effect when dry. The solovent based paint can be used on any flat and horizontal surface.

And here is what the website says about the Fantasy Prisme Paints:

Pebeo Fantasy Prisme paints create a honeycomb effect when dry. The solvent based paints can be used on any flat and horizontal surface.

 

 

The kit I was sent gives us a little idea of what the finished projects will look like but honestly, I’m sensing a missed opportunity here with so little explanation of the product on the website.

But let’s pull the kit apart and do some testing, shall we?

 

 

I started with the Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints.

There is no mixing or combining of liquids to get started. Just stir and shake to mix the paint well – according to the instructions on the box not mixing the paint well may result in the effect of the paint not showing up. After the paint is well mixed apply the Pebeo Fantasy Moon paint to the bezel with the dropper and set it aside to dry.

TIP: The bezels I sent were already attached to earring wires which made it difficult to get the bezel to lay flat. You will probably want to remove the earring wires before starting to fill with Bezel Effects.

While that was drying I moved on to the Pebeo Fantasy Prisme paints and the three bezels that were provided.  On the left side is Mandarine, the middle is Eggshell White and Mandarine Mixed and the Eggshell White alone in the right bezel. The paints are fresh and wet in in this image.

 

 

 

 

 

This is what they look like dry. You can see the orange paint creates these little pockets that look rather cell like.  It’s a very interesting look.

The Eggshell White didn’t create many of the cells but rather kept the original swirls.

If you check out the Projects and Tutorials page on the ImpressArt website you can see how some of the other color combinations turned out.  The orange and white doesn’t have quite the color impact some of the ones on the website have.

 

 

 

One thing I did notice with the Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints is that even though I filled the bezel about half full the product sunk in a bit leaving the color higher at the edges of the bezel and lower in the middle. It’s really no big deal as the next step is filling the bezel with ICE Resin but I thought I would point it out.

On a side note – the shrinkage could be a bonus because you could add a few crystals, sequins or charms and still fill in with ICE Resin.

 

 

After the Bezel Effects paints are dry the bezel is filled with ICE Resin. It doesn’t change the look of the paints at all but gives the bezel a clear hard finish.

Over on The Creative Goddess blog today I’m also sharing a couple of tips about using ICE RESIN and you can find that post here: ICE Resin Tips.

 

And here are the earrings after the ICE Resin dried.

So are you ready for the downside? In doing research for this review I found that Bezel Effects isn’t available on the ImpressArt website AND none of the stores the website links to carry Bezel Effects. HOWEVER I did find out that the Pebeo Fantasy Prisme and Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints ARE available at Dick Blick for $5.99 USD per jar. You only need a little to fill a bezel so a jar would go a long, long way. I do wish they were more easily available from ImpressArt or other online beading retailers as I prefer supporting small businesses but a gal has to get her hands on new crafts supplies however she can sometimes.

Bezel Effects is a fun product to create with. I kind of like not knowing EXACTLY how the swirls and cells will look in the end – I like that elements of surprise. I’m curious about how Bezel Effects will work on other surfaces so you may see another post with some experiments in that department. I’m glad to see that there is something new to fill bezels with and that the final effects are so fun.