What are Angelina Fibers?

Angelina fibers are a new, very fine fiber which is light reflective and luminescent. Used in scrapbook art, card making crafts and bonded over clear rubber stamps it adds sparkling images and highlights the design surface. Angelina fibers come in a wide variety of heat bondable colors. Angelina fibers only bond to each other so textures can be easily created in this shimmering medium.

What can I do with Angelina Fibers?

 Angelina fibers can be bonded together with a low temperature iron to create shimmering sheets of polyester fabric. These sheets can be created with a single color, or for a more custom look, you may blend colors before bonding them together. As each color has irridescent qualities, you will have the effect of color in motion on your page as it reflects and refracts the light that hits it. Watching light hit bonded Angelina fibers is very much like watching light reflect and dance off the surface of a lake or stream.

For even more texture, Angelina fibers can be used with clear hobby rubber stamps to create shimmering designs for your hand made cards or scrapbook art ideas. Below you will find instructions on how to do this. You can also bond Angelina fibers over lace or another textured surface to add unique textures to your rubber stamping crafts. (Be sure you don't try to bond it to a plastic texture plate as you could melt the template).

Once bonded together you can use your Angelina fibers on card making crafts, journals, scrapbook pages, and even to embellish clothing.

MAKING Angelina fiber sheets:

     You will need at least one color of Angelina fibers, a low temperature iron set on the silk setting, and some parchment paper.

     Fold the parchment paper in half to form a crease. Open it back up and spread a thin layer of Angelina fibers over the area. Close the parchment paper and run the iron over the surface of the parchment paper for about 3-5 seconds. You may wish to turn the parchment over and iron the other side as well. The longer the heat is in contact with the fibers, the more risk there is of dulling their shimmering qualities.

     That is it! You can add another layer of color over the first if you wish for a layered look. You may now cut your shimmering fabric into shapes or use it as it is on cards making crafts and scrapbooking projects.

Making Angelina Fiber Designs with Clear Rubber Stamps

     You will need at least one color of Angelina fibers, a clear rubber stamp, a low temperature iron set on the silk setting and a sheet of parchment paper.

Choose your clear rubber stamp and peel it from the clear carrier sheet. Place the clear stamp on the parchment paper with the design facing upward. Select enough Angelina fibers to cover the stamp. Before placing them on the clear stamp work the pieces in toward the center a little, folding them and working them together. The resulting ball should be thin but semi defined in shape. Place the Angelina fibers over the stamp and cover with parchment paper. Iron the stamp applying a little pressure. To preserve the life of your stamp, do not apply heat longer than is necessary. If you can see the lines of the design beginning to show through the semi transparent parchment paper, you know it is ready. Slowly peel the clear stamp from the angelina fibers checking the definition of your design. If you want more definition, iron it again before peeling the stamp completely off the angelina fibers. The fibers may contain some unseen dust and your clear stamp may lose much of its tackiness, however, this is easily restored by rinsing it in clean water. Allow it to dry and replace it on the carrier sheet for the next time you need it.

NOTE: Clear stamps can yellow and harden when subject to high temperatures and heat. You will preserve the life of your stamp as you check to make sure your iron is set on a LOW temperature (the silk setting) and by not over ironing the design. The end result using Angelina fibers will be determined by the temperature, pressure from the iron, and the time used to heat the fibers. Generally Angelina fibers only fuse to themselves but if they get on your iron, they will be easiest to remove after the iron has cooled.