So what can you cover with micro beads??? I think a better question is "What CAN'T you cover with micro beads!?"

This month I've been introduced to Penny Wise Art Supplies, (www.pennywisearts.com) a neat little on-line company started by Suzanne Glazier with the help of her "newly acquired" (at the time) husband, Brian. Their main specialty is glass micro beads and O' So Sticky adhesives but other products like idea books are also available. Currently they manufacture 21 colors of Glass Glitter Micro Beads in 13 opaque and 8 transparent colors.

This isn't my first experience with micro beads, but my experience was pretty limited so I thought I might try to educate myself a little more. Up to this point my experience had been working in a dental office where we use glass micro beads to flash sterilize the files used in root canal therapy... I've decided using them for scrapbooking is far more enjoyable and a lot less boring!

I joined the Penny Wise Arts Yahoo group to gain a better perspective on what others are sticking their micro beads on.  The group offers well thought out weekly classes, hosts "Shoebox" parties (really how all this beady nonsense got started) and has a bevy of information and ideas in their files. So far I've only beaded stickers, punch art and embellished laser cuts, but I understand you can also bead picture frames, votive candles, lamp shades, paper lanterns, purses, journals, checkbook covers, ball point pens, eyeglass cases, decorative boxes, greeting cards, hand made books, dog and cat collars, clocks, barrettes, hair bands, album covers, memory books, decorative bottles, flower pots, jewelry, wedding decorations, dolls, fabric sculptures, Easter eggs, candles, bird houses, silk flowers, garden decor, miniatures, doll houses, collage art, banners, buttons and brooches, corrugated paper boxes and purses, dominos and it wasn't listed, but I've seen pictures of toothbrushes and I bet they've even tried toilet seats! Phew!

Since the beads are glass and can withstand high heat (remember the sterilizer?) they can be baked with polymer clay or added to your melting pot without worrying about them melting! I'm told great results can be achieved with the O' So Sticky Tape, heat-activated Sticky Powder, Crystal Effects Glue or other clear adhesive that you like. The adhesive is heat resistant and can be used in combination with embossing powders. It's suggested to combine glass glitter beads with embossing powder. I've been using the sticky sheets and Scrappy Glue from Magic Scraps to apply mine and have been very pleased. Others have suggested running items through an adhesive dispenser face down to stick the beads to the face of small intricate objects.

Suzanne and company are gearing up for their first trade show in August. They will be in Bellevue, Washington for the ARTS. Also watch for them to be featured in Vamp Stamp News August and September issues.

The latest from Penny Wise is their new Paper Back O' So Sticky Tape. It comes in 6x8 sheets and both sides have a paper backing, making it perfect for punching and cutting without gumming up your tools. The O' So Sticky tape comes in six other standard sizes, the 6x8 sheets and also a megaroll of O' So Sticky measuring a whopping six inches wide by six yards long! All of Penny Wise O' So Sticky Tape rolls come in a six yard length on a plastic core allowing every inch of tape to be available to use, none left behind on the roll. This gives the customer six yards for less money than they'd usually pay for five yards with no waste for the consumer. This is just a follow through in the company's belief in giving the customer the most value for their... Penny!

These glass glitter micro beads add a touch of elegance to any scrapbooking or paper-crafting project. Now who amongst us couldn't use a little more elegance? Suzanne's stated goal is to "Bead the World"... and with the great value of Penny Wise products and a yahoo team of eager beaders out there, I'm sure it's a goal she'll accomplish!

Supplies

• Cardstock - Bazzill Basics
• Patterned Paper - Innovative Stamp Creations (grass weave)
• Micro Beads - Penny Wise Art Supplies
• Crystal Effects - Stampin ' Up!
• Laser Cuts - www.scrappersfriend.com
  (Hawaiian flowers and leaves)
• Chalks - CrafT Products
• EZ Chalk Enhancer - CrafT -(www.craftproducts.com)
• Pens - Sakura Micron (black)
• Galaxy Marker - (Milky Way White)
  
  Other:
• Reeds for title - Michael's Arts & Crafts
• Mounting tape - Therm O Web (Black Sticky Strips)
• Scrappy Glue - Magic Scraps
• Herma Dotto (permanent) - EK Success

Directions:

1. Start with a cardstock background.
2. Pictures are cropped from 8x10, 5x7 and Wallet size.
3. Chalk and enhance laser cuts.
4. Apply Crystal Effects to front of all leaves and vines.
5. Apply Scrappy Glue to fronts of flowers in a thin layer with a paintbrush.
6. Quickly press micro beads into glue on flowers.
7. Hand cut a random border from grass weave paper and adhere to the left edge of page one.
8. Crop photo to 8 inch square, adhere approximately ¾ inch from top and right edge of page.
9. Spell out title with cut reeds and adhere with Scrappy Glue to page one
10. For page two, crop 5x7 photo to a five inch square and mat on a 5 ½ inch square of the grass weave paper using dimensional squares for adhesive.
11. Adhere matted photo to center of page.
12. Trim remaining 12 wallet sized photos to 2 ½ inch squares.
13. Adhere square photos evenly around center photo being mindful of edges. You may want to lightly pencil in some guidelines first.
14. Adhere assembled laser cuts to both pages with dimensional tape when they're completely dry.

Supplies

• Cardstock - Bazzill Basics
• Patterned Paper - Innovative Stamp Creations (grass weave)
  Paper Adventures (pink, stripe & bamboo print)
• Micro Beads - Penny Wise Art Supplies
• Adhesive Sheets - Penny Wise Art Supplies (O' So Sticky Paper Back Tape)
• Crystal Effects - Stampin ' Up!
• Laser Cuts - www.scrappersfriend.com (Hawaiian flowers and leaves)
• Chalks - CrafT Products & Stampin' Pastels by Stampin' Up!
• EZ Chalk Enhancer - CrafT -(www.craftproducts.com)
• Pens - Sakura Micron (Black)
• Stampin' Up! - (Pink Passion)
• Galaxy Marker - (Milky Way White)
• Tag Die Cut - Dayco
• Eyelet - Making Memories (orange)
  
  Other:
• Acrylic Nail Sanding Block - Sally Beauty Supply
• Raffia - Michael's Arts & Crafts
• Mounting tape - Therm O Web (Black Sticky Strips)
• Scrappy Glue - Magic Scraps
• Herma Dotto (permanent) - EK Success
  

1. Cut Bamboo patterned paper to 11-½ square chalk edges with hot pink chalk and mount on cardstock making cardstock show a ¼ inch border on all sides.
2. Mount 8x10 photograph to yellow cardstock leaving a very thin mat.
3. Using pink paper from Paper Adventures, wad and wrinkle mat cut approximately ¼ wider than matted photo. Hand smooth and sand gently with nail sanding block.
4. Adhere matted photo to sanded pink mat.
5. Freehand cut a large wavy edged mat from grass weave paper. Mount on page at a slight angle.
6. Enhance laser cuts with chalk and pens.
7. Apply Crystal Effects to front of all leaves and vines.
8. Apply Scrappy Glue to fronts of flowers in a thin layer with a paintbrush.
9. Quickly press micro beads into glue on flowers.
10. Using Dayco diecutter cut tags from striped paper and cardstock.
11. Use eyelet to hold tags together and thread with raffia fibers.
12. Adhere assembled laser cuts to both pages with dimensional tape when they're completely dry.