learn-create-design

Hello everyone welcome to my latest skillshare class. I’m Jen Lezan and I’ll be your teacher for this course. I’m a graphic designer, illustrator and educator based out of the midwest and I run Bella + Sophia Creative studio. One of the things that I truly admire about design work is the ability to create something beautiful and practical. 

The idea of being able to apply beauty to simple things like stationery, books and even clothing is by far my favorite part of the design and creative process. I like things that help me, but that also are nice to look at. It is in this space, often, where my crafty side comes out to play. So, we are going to do just that in this class. 

In this class I wanted to take our  crafting skills to the next level.  We will be learning how to use the Heidi Swapp Minc machine to add a foiled finish to two different projects: a set of planner stickers and a greeting card. We will then use a Cricut machine to cut them out. I love the practicality of designing my own planner stickers and greeting cards that I often sell in my Etsy shop. But, the competition is quite high on Etsy and I am always looking for ways to stand out. Adding some shine is definitely a fun way to do that. This foiling technique definitely adds a bit shine to catch the attention of Etsy shoppers and gives your product a little something different. It’s also a great way to just add a touch sparkle to your own craft projects as the process we will be completing is transferrable to other craft projects. 

Tools You will Need 

An iPad with Affinity Designer loaded (or you can use the desktop version of the app) 

A laser printer (must use toner based ink for the project to work)

Cricut cutting machine (if you want to cut your items out)

Heidi swapp minc machine (or you can use a laminator machine) 

Reactive Foiling paper 

What You Will Learn and The class project   

In this class we will learn how to design a set of foiled planner stickers and a foiled greeting card. First we will design a set of planner stickers and our greeting card using our the Affinity Designer app on our iPad and export them with a transparent background as a PNG file. 

Then, we will learn how to cut them on the cricut machine using the Design space app. Finally, we will learn how to use the Heidi Swapp foil machine to actually foil each project using the machine and foil paper.  The Heidi Swapp Minc Machine is a simple but BRILLIANT product that allows you to apply foil to artwork, craft projects or anything else you can send through a laser printer!  

The basic idea of how it works is that with the heat and pressure of the Minc machine, you can use foil sheets to adhere anywhere you have toner on your paper.  This means that you cannot print your project on a regular ink jet printer, but need to use a laser printer.  

Who this class is catered to

This class is catered to the beginner crafter, as I will walk you through the steps of using both the cricut and minc machnes. Some knowledge in Affinity Designer will be helpful, but you can just as easily create your stickers  and greeting in any software you are comfortable with like Procreate or Affinity Photo or Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. 

Music by Reggie San Miguel - Ruby Grapefruit - https://thmatc.co/?l=378FCF9