Tools / Class Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about what to bring to class? Not sure what a tool is?  Check out the Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs) below with pictures to help identify what to bring to class.  Do you have a question not listed? Let us know so we can add it!

Alcohol Inks

Alcohol Inks are made by Ranger.  They are an acide-free, fast drying transparent dye ink that have been formulated to create a polished stone effect.  They are best used on a slick/shiny surface such as glossy paper, dominoes, metal, shrink plastic, glass and similar surfaces.  Alcohol inks come is a variety of colors.

An Alcohol Ink Blending Solution is available to blend and lighten colors. It also works well for cleaning the inks from non-porous surfaces.

An Alcohol Ink Fillable Pen is also available.  This can either be filled with alcohol inks to create a marker for coloring, doodling, etc. or can be filled with blending solution and used with alcohol inks as if "painting".

Mettalic Mixatives are available to add metallic highlights to Alcohol Inks.  The metallics are fast drying and acid free.  They can be used on the same surfaces as alcohol inks. 

Use an Alcohol Ink Applicator and felt to apply Alcohol Inks.  (The Alcohol Ink applicator handle and the Ink Blending tool handle are the same handle.)

Bone Folder

A bone folder is used to score and fold paper.  It allows you go get a nice sharp crease.  Although called a bone folder, it is typically made of plastic.  It is pointed at one end and round at the other.

Chalk Ink

Chalk Ink is a dye ink with a chalk look. Colorbox Chalk ink is non-toxic and permanent when heat set.  Chalk ink can be used on paper, foil, clay, vellum, shrink plastic and more.

Embossing Powder

Embossing Powder is resin powder used to create a raised surface/image/outline.  To emboss, an image is typically stamped onto a surface.  Then the embossing powdered is poured on and the excess is carefully removed. A heat gun (not a blow dryer!) is used to apply heat.  The powder will melt and form a finish that can be shiny, metallic, clear, colored, puffy, sparkly or texturized, depending on the type of embossing powder used.

Gesso

Gesso is a product from the Claudine Hellmuth Studio line from Ranger.  Gesso can be used to turn any surface into a craft surface.  Gesso can be used as a base coat on your surface to add a slight bit of texture before painting it.

Glue Dots

Glue Dots are a double-sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive that bond instantly to virtually any surface. They are non-toxic, odorless, acid-free, lignin-free and archival-quality. Glue Dots bond to almost anything like paper, wood, plastic, glass, foam, polymer clay, textiles and more. While they bond to most fabrics, they are not machine washable. Use Glue Dots to create a quick, temporary hem on clothing or for no-sew craft projects that do not require washing. Some substances, such as oils, dust, moisture and hand lotions, can interfere with the bonding quality. Always make sure surfaces are clean and dry before using.  Glue Dots adhesives are not water-based, therefore they will not dry, yellow or crack over time.

Glue Dots come in various sizes and thicknesses in both rolls and in dispensers.  In addition to dots gue lines are also available.  The glue lines work well for ribbons.

Ink Blending Tool

An Ink Blending Tool is a tool from Ranger that can be used to apply inks and alcohol inks.  The blending tool can be used with blending foam (for inks) or felt (for alcohol inks).  The blending tool with foam allows you apply ink to paper, die cuts, chipboard, matboard, tags, canvas and more.  The blending tool can also be used with felt to apply Alcohol Inks to projects.

Inks - different kinds

Inks: What is the difference between the different kinds?

Dye based in pads are water based. They dry quickly and leave a clean image. The ink is easy to clean up  and usually leaves little residue on a stamp - darker colors do tend to leave a stain. As a water based ink, if it gets wet, the colors will run.

Tim Holtz Distress Inks from Ranger are acid-free, non-toxic, fade resistant, water-based dye inks. These inks can be used for stamping, embossing, to create a weathered look and photo tinting.  These pads are 2"x2" and made of a raised felt.  The pads can be used to ink stamps, to ink directly on paper and with an ink blending tool.

Adirondack Dye Inks from Ranger are cushioned, raised felt pads.  They are acid-free, non-toxic and faid resistant. 

Pigment based inks are water based and contain particles of color.  Due to the color particles, the impressions using pigment ink is more resistant to water when dry than dye ink. Pigment inks do not dry as quickly as dye inks and can be used for embossing. Pigment inks do not work well on shiny/glossy surfaces.

Adirondack Pigment Inks from Ranger are pigment inks that provide opaque coverage that air dries with a matte finish on paper. Adirondack Pigment Inks can be used for embossing and on the following surfaces when heat set:  glossy paper, vellum, shrink plastic, metal and glass.

Permanent Ink usually drys quickly and is water/bleed resistant.  Permanent ink is good to use on surfaces such as glass, wood, and plastics.

Rangers Archival Ink Pads are permanent on many surfaces.  The inamges do not bleed over water based inks/makers, acrylic paint, water colors, alcohol inks or Perfect Pearls.  Archival Inks are acid-free, non-toxic, water proof, and work on matte and glossy papers.  Archival Inks will air dry on matte paper and need to be heat set on glossy paper.

Adirondack Color Wash from Ranger is a water-based dye that can be used on paper, fiber, fabric, wood, paper clay and more.  These spray dyes can be used on most absorbent surfaces.  Color Wash is acid free and non-toxic. 

Embossing Ink are designed to stay wet for a long time and used with embossing powder. Some embossing inks are sticky. While embossing inks are designed for embossing, other inks are useable for embossing.

Mini Mister

A Mini Mister is a tool from Ranger that is a small, compact sized spray bottle.  It has multiple applications and uses from filling to with different inks, cleaners, washes and creating your own shimmer mists.

Multi Medium Matte / Gloss

Multi-Medium Matte is part of the Claudine Hellmuth Studio line from Ranger.  It is a gel medium that can be used for gluing, image transfers, sealing, glazing and mixing with paints. While it looks white in the container, it dries clear.  It comes in both a Matte and Gloss. 

At Cafe Crop we have found this to be the best thing for attaching/gluing heavy embellishments such as metals as well as attaching different surfaces/textures together.  The Matte now comes in both a jar and a small bottle.

Perfect Pearls

Perfect Pearls from Ranger are used to create a dazzling pearlcescent effects.  Perfect Pearls were developed with a built-in resin and can be used wet or dry.  Mix with watercolors, inks, acrylic paints, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel™, embossing powders and other mediums for pearly results.

Pearfect Pearls come in a large variety of colors.

Registering for a class or crop

Canceling a Class or Crop

DONATE YOUR EXTRAS, UNUSED and OLD supplies

Are you cleaning out your scrapbook and paper crafting supplies?  Do you have

• unused supplies that just are not your style anymore?
• extra paper from a paper stack that is taking up room?
• tools that you no longer use?
• left over ribbons, punches, die cuts, paper scraps?

We have found a great program to donate these items to.  The items will go to a hands-on job training workshop for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities.  The students will be learning to assemble greeting cards and then sharing them with several local adult care facilities were they volunteer as part of their job skill program.  Donations can include any type of usable supplies and tools (i.e. paper, ribbon, punches, die-cuts, embellishments, card stock, pens, markers, stamps, stickers, tools you've upgraded or no longer use, etc.)  A box is available in the store for any items you would like to donate.