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glitter Momtaz Begum-Hossain
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Glitter: A love affair
Whether you spot it in a dew drop resting on a blade of grass, are enchanted by the shimmering beams illuminating the disco walls around you, or you just like that embossed font on your Christmas card; there is no denying that glitter is all around us. From the great outdoors to fashion, paving slabs to cupcakes, these twinkling specks of loveliness can transform the ordinary into a thing of extreme beauty. Glitter has many qualities and not just adding dazzle to craft projects. It has the power to evoke mood – most commonly putting you in a good one! Glitter possesses magical properties that inspire our inner child, making us feel excited, uplifted and happy. The vibrancy of the shades combined with their changing hues as they glisten in the light is a miracle of nature, even though glitter itself is human-made. I cannot remember a time when glitter was not in my life. At school, like every other classmate, I was fascinated at how just a dab of sparkle could
Through the ages 40,000 to 200 B.C.: Ancient Glamour Civilisations throughout history (Egyptian, Chinese, Greek, Roman) were attracted to shiny things and used shimmering mica flakes in their wall paintings.
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transform my art. When I was 12 years old, my sister worked in a chemist and one day she came home and told me they had started selling ‘Glitter Bug Gel’, an iridescent body glitter. I had never seen anything like it and I took several trips to the store to stare at it on the shelf and the brilliance of the particles, glimmering under the shop lights. I used to imagine what it would be like to actually wear it, until eventually I got to try a tester and realised this was it: I had well and truly fallen in love. In the years that followed, glitter cosmetics, clothing, products and crafting glitter were available in abundance, in every size, shape and shade imaginable. Suddenly the possibilities were endless…anything could sparkle. In an instant, a sprinkling of light-reflecting particles had the power to change everything. Despite its allure and irresistibility, glitter is commonly misunderstood. Some people think it is just for children, is only seasonal and that it
Glitter has been a part of society since time began. 1930s: The birth of consumer glitter Henry Ruschmann of Bernardsville, New Jersey is officially regarded as the father of glitter. He invented what we know as glitter today, turning large quantities of plastic into tiny glittering particles. He set up one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of glitter, Meadowbrook Inventions. Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz inspired a new wave of glittery fashion. Each of her shoes was encrusted with over 2000 red sequins creating a textured glittery finish.
1960s: Beautifying shimmer Shimmering powders, lipsticks and eyeshadows became easily accessible to the consumer when major brands such as Revlon, Estée Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, and Helena Rubinstein began selling glittery products that anyone could incorporate into their beauty routine. 1970s: Pop personas David Bowie pioneered cosmetic glitter when he appeared as his androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust with a glittery lightning bolt painted across his face by make-up artist Pierre La Roche.
is too messy to use. None of this is true! (Ok… maybe the messy part is, but that is part of the charm.) Glitter has infinite uses, it is even used by forensics to track down criminals! This book aims to equip you with ideas and inspiration for how you can incorporate the sparkly stuff into your own life. There are over 100 project ideas showing contemporary uses of glitter that split into four sections: interiors, gifts, fashion and papercrafts. Over 150 types of glitter have been used in the projects and there are lots of innovative techniques to try with hints and tips along the way. Keep the book to hand and flick through it whenever you need some creative motivation. You can follow the instructions for how to make each project, adapt them to your tastes or even combine ideas to come up with something truly unique. There are no rights or wrongs in making these projects- and certainly none in how you use glitter. The only restriction is your imagination.
1980s: Rock On Rock bands followed suit with acts like Mötley Crüe and Poison mixing glitter into their huge hairdos adding extra stage presence. Eager young fans copied. 1990s: Sparkle epidemic Glittery products became the norm and you no longer needed to buy loose glitter to get the effect you wanted. Glitter pens, paints, adhesives and materials were easily available on the high street.
2000s: Limited editions The marketing world recognised the potential to capitalise on glitter by launching desirable products that stylish consumers could not wait to get their hands on, such as Gold Flakes Supreme Vodka containing 24 carat gold flakes, and Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fragile fragrance contained in a glittering snow globe.
Present: A craft revolution Glitter is no longer seen as something that is only for children. Glitter has become a highly respected material in the crafting scene and makers everywhere are rediscovering the fun of working with it! Future: It sparkles! New brands and types of glitter continue to emerge, infiltrating into every aspect of society, making the world a happier place.
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Glitter in contemporary culture
Art: Glass Cathedrals by Lisa Swerling ‘I like the way a single sparkle that catches your eye can suggest the existence of a whole other world. I like the way glitter escapes into cracks in my floorboards and is never seen again, but may be invisibly bolstering the foundations of my house. My Glass Cathedrals works are art boxes that contain tiny universes, and make small statements about life. Adding glitter to the design instantly transforms the spaces from the mundane, into the magical.’ (www.glasscathedrals.com)
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Fashion: Hats by Janine Basil ‘My style of hatmaking is about creating something that’s fun, with a hint of burlesque, and a touch of geek. Glitter evokes nostalgia. We all recall making glittery pictures when we were young but now I’m grown up, I still love how it sparkles. I used to only use rhinestones in my work, until I rediscovered glitter!’ Janine Basil (www.janinebasil.com)
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Here Comes the Bride Weddings should be as personalised as possible especially when it comes to your outfit. Stamp on your character with some decorative doodling to add a flamboyant touch to your wedding accessories like these silky satin gloves, that have been given a mehndi makeover.
Make it: 1 Iron the gloves so they are free of creases and lie flat. 2 Cut a strip of card that fits snugly inside the glove leading from the hand to the edge, do not worry about the fingers. If you have purchased a new pair of gloves they will come with card already inside them, if this is the case, reinsert that card after the ironing. 3 Using the fine tip applicator, filled with PVA glue, get doodling! Customise the gloves in any pattern you want – do this freehand, whatever comes to mind. You may want to create a branching shape that starts from the edge and grows up to the fingertips, write words or draw motifs.
Craft stash:
es Satin wedding glov r to Fine tip applica PVA glue Card Dry brush Iron i Crystals Hot Fix Swarovsk and applicator
4 Only do a section at a time as the glue dries quickly. Before it does, pour on the glitter and shake off. Leave the gloves to dry for 48 hours then, using a dry brush, shake off any excess glitter that may have collected.
Glitter:
t Ultrafine (Deco Ar ystal) Cr in Glamour Dust
5 When the design is complete, the gloves are ready to wear. For added opulence, apply gemstones like these Hot Fix Swarovski Crystals that have been applied using a Hot Fix Applicator.
GLITTER 101+
Glamour Dust dries to fabrics permanently when used over a liquid glue or fabric paint. Add it to liven up other wedding accessories like your garter and even your underwear!
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Design inspiration: The pattern on these gloves is based on traditional mehndi designs which are applied to the hands of the bride at South Asian Weddings; a popular beauty ritual in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. A natural dye, it is made from crushed henna leaves that are made into a paste and applied from a cone a bit like the fine tip applicator. A modern twist on this concept, here the mehndi patterns appear on the gloves rather than the bride’s hands. Most brides have bespoke patterns created to compliment their outfit and modern brides don’t just restrict mehndi to their hands, it’s also seen on feet, arms and even their midriff.
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Things to do with Glitter Momtaz Begum-Hossain
There is something magical about glitter. It reminds one of fairy dust or of disco balls, or of the dazzling dresses worn by film stars. Glitter comes in a rainbow of colours and types, from the classic glitter well-loved by children to glittery fabrics to spray-on glitter and even edible glitter! This book contains over 101 projects that you can create: shimmery fashion, glistening items for the home, shiny gifts and even twinkling food! Not only will you learn a little about how glitter is made and the many types of glitter, but the author also offers tips and techniques for using glitter – and cleaning it up! Projects created by the author and contributors from across the world will inspire readers to add their own touches and release that creative urge that lurks somewhere within us all. There are projects appropriate for all ages, from t-shirts, shoes and totebags to lipgloss, bath salts and soaps, to chocolate truffles, glittery jam and iced biscuits and so much more. All, of course, using the right glitter for the job!
The author Momtaz Begum-Hossain is a journalist and enthusiastic crafter. She teaches workshops in crafting and has written widely on the topic, including Bollywood Crafts.
Contents Introduction How is glitter made? Types of Glitter Glitter SOS Inspiration Craft Stash Techniques The Projects Fashion Home & Interiors Papercraft Gifts & Food Templates Stockists Specifications 245 x 190 mm (7 ½ x 9 5⁄8 in) 192 pages with 200 illustrations Paperback Recommended retail price: £ 14.95 | € 19.95 | US$ 24.95 25,000 words ISBN 978-1-908126-23-8 September 2012
www.vivays-publishing.com