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Glossary of Crafting Terms
Confused by collage? Daunted by decoupage? This alphabetic glossary should help to explain the meaning of common crafting terminology.
A
Acetate
A plastic film which is transparent. Can be used in card making to create wonderful effects and with stamping
Acid Free
This refers to papers and products that contain no acids. Over time acids can cause papers to yellow or discolour. If you want your crafting products to last beautifully, opt for acid free.
Acrylic Sealant Spray
This spray provides a transparent finish to any of your painted projects.
B
Bone folder
Used for scoring and folding paper this tool had one rounded and one pointed end. Originally made from bone - hence the name. Now usually made from plastic.
C
Card Bags
Transparent plastic bags for displaying cards in
Card Making Kits
Kits containing all you need to make your own homemade cards
Card Stock
Thick paper available in differing textures, colours and weights
Collage
Gluing objects and papers onto a piece of paper
Corner Punch
Punch suitable for cutting corner shapes. A great way to jazz up cards
Cutting Mat
These mats are used to protect the surface you are working on when using a craft knife.
D
Decoupage
This is the art of gluing paper cut outs onto an object. Each layer of cut outs is varnished
Die Cut
A system of cutting out shapes using a metal form called a die. Many die cutting machines are available. These shapes can be used for all sorts of crafting projects
Double sided tape
Adhesive suitable for securing embellishments, papers, ribbons and so forth. Available as foam pads or tape
E
Embellishments
Items added to a card or crafting projects. These include stickers, gems, flowers, beads, ribbons and buttons.
Embossing
Creating a raised image. This is typically done using powders, pastes and ink pads
F
Foil
Foil is available in a variety of colours and is usually used for embossing
G
Gel Pen
These pens are useful for fine, intricate work, or writing. They have a gel inked nib and are available in a multitude of different colours
Gesso
A chalky, opaque base, used as a primer to prepare a surface for other finishes
Glitter Glue
Glue mixed with glitter, ready to apply to projects and cards. Available in many different colours
Gloss Finish
A shiny, lustrous surface on a material. Can be achieved by applying varnish
H
Heat Embossing
A technique using a heat source, an embossing or pigment ink pad, and embossing powder
I
Ink
Coloured pigment suspended in soluable or insoluable binders. Ink is used for drawing, writing or for printing
J
Journaling
Journaling refers to the written parts of a scrapbook
K
Kraft Paper
Strong paper used for wrapping and packaging. The paper is usually brown but can be bleached white
L
Layering
Placing paper or card around an image to create a frame
M
Marker
A writing instrument without an external ink source. The tip is usually made of felt
Masking Tape
An easy to remove, adhesive tape, typically used in painting to protect unpainted areas
Mixed Media
A piece of artwork can be created using a variety of different media, such as paper, paint, embellishments, stamping
N
Nap
A fuzzy or soft surface on paper or fabric
O
Opaque
A surface or coating which does not transmit light. Not transparent or translucent
P
Paper Mache
A material constructed using small pieces of paper stuck together using a wet paste (such as newspaper stuck together with glue, wallpaper paste or starch paste.) As the paste dries, the construction becomes hard
Paper Piercer
A long thin tool which is used to pierce a small hole through paper or card
Pearlised/Pearlescent
Paper, cards and envelopes can have the lustrous sheen of pearls. Very popular for special occasion cards such as weddings
Q
Quadrille Paper or Graph Paper
Paper printed with fine lines making up a grid. Used for design layouts and making patterns
R
Relief Embossing
Relief embossing creates a beautiful, raised pattern on an object. This is created by tracing with a stencil and a stylus
Ribbon
A beautiful addition to any crafting projects, ribbons come in a variety of patterns, textures and colours and are usually made of cloth
S
Scrapbook
A book with blank pages ready to be filled with any pictures, treasures or clippings. Available in a variety of sizes
Self Adhesive
If an object is self adhesive it is ready to be fixed to a surface, by being backed with glue
Stamping
Also known as rubber stamping, this is the process of pressing an image onto another surface. The image is carved into rubber, and ink is applied to the rubberstamp
T
Topper
A topper is usually an embellishment for card making
U
Utility knife
Has many uses in crafting, for cutting paper or cardboard
V
Varnish
A clear coating applied to finished projects. Varnish helps to protect your projects and also enhance them
Versamark
A clear ink which creates a translucent effect
W
Watercolour
Watercolours are usually transparent and remain water soluable even when dry
X
X Cut
A market leader in the crafting tool industry, XCut produce fantastic, hot crafting tools
Y
Yixing
A purple pottery clay
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