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As soon as I saw the new Heidi Swapp Mini Lightbox, I knew I had to have one for my studio! I love the larger original Heidi Swapp Lightbox – my daughter has one in her room – but didn’t have the space for it in my jam packed craft room. The mini Lightbox is the perfect solution!
If you aren’t familiar yet with the Heidi Swapp Mini Lightbox, here’s a photo for comparison of how it looks next to the larger original Heidi Swapp Lightbox:
The mini box is about 2/3 of the height of the original box, and has four tracks instead of three. The smaller size is great for desks at work, tabletop displays at parties, and a variety of other applications where space is at a premium!
Like the original Lightbox, there are alphabets, words, emojis and backgrounds available for the Heidi Swapp Mini Lightbox. But see that word “Create” on my Mini Lightbox? That is a custom piece that I created!
The available design area on the Mini Lightbox Blank Word Strips is 1″ by 6″. To make a design, just open a file (or type a word) in your machine’s design software, and resize it to less than 1″ by 6″. Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cutting the vinyl, and use the transfer tape to adhere it to one of the blank word strips.
By combining your die cut machine with blank word strips for Mini Lightbox, the possibilities are endless for designs! Make quotes, decorative elements like swirls, use different colors for words, or different fonts.
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[Updated July 2020: A newer version of this product is currently available under the Cricut brand name. Click the links to see it on Amazon or the Cricut online store.]
Every so often I run across something in a craft store that I didn’t realize I needed until I saw it. For quite awhile now, I had a supply of Provo Craft Adhesive Vinyl just waiting to be played with, but I was a little intimidated about using it. Though it came with adhesive already on the back, I wasn’t quite sure how to go about applying it to a project in the best way. Then, while perusing new vinyl colors I happened across something I hadn’t noticed before, Provo Craft’s Vinyl Transfer Tape. After a short “Ah-ha!” moment I left the store with my new find in hand.
I am so glad I did. After using it with the adhesive vinyl I’m not sure the two should ever not be used together. The instructions that come with the adhesive vinyl in fact recommend it, and there is a “For Best Results” disclaimer about using the transfer tape on the vinyl packaging, I just hadn’t noticed.
The following is my experience with using it for a wall project that I’ve long been wanting to tackle.
Step one is to simply cut the vinyl using a Cricut machine. Though I’m not reviewing the vinyl in particular I have to mention that it is very easy to work with. It comes in 12″x 24″ sheets, in an array of eye-pleasing colors that will go with just about any home decor.
Once my design was cut, I set about using the transfer tape. Like the vinyl, the transfer tape comes in 12″x 24″sheets. There are 4 sheets to a package, and they are easily trimmed using a regular paper trimmer or scissors to fit your project.
Each sheet has a grid style backing which I thought would be very helpful, until I discovered that the part of the tape you actually use doesn’t have these grid lines. I found that a little odd. I wished that the helpful grid was actually on the tape itself so I could utilize it when laying out my design. Instead the instructions say “For best results use a ruler to make sure image is straight.”
I also found it difficult to use in large pieces. When it is peeled away from its backing, it tends to curl in on itself and become stuck. Due to this I trimmed it down to a more manageable size and that worked fine, but if you wished to create one large design at once it might be a little tricky.
Here’s an example of how it curls in a bit, even on a smaller piece.
That aside however, the tape worked wonderfully at allowing me to arrange my vinyl pieces. If a letter was a little crooked, I could easily peel and place it again until it was just right. Without the tape, I probably would have gone through a few ruined letters by having to remove them from the wall and start again.
Once the vinyl letters were applied, the backing to their adhesive is removed. And then the design can be placed on your project (in my case a wall in our hallway).
Using the tape made it easy to move my design around until it was the way I wanted it. The sticky side doesn’t lose any adhesive as it’s being moved around, and there is no worry about damage to the paint either. It is a very gentle adhesive when stuck to a hard smooth surface like a wall or glass (but it would not work on paper, it would stay stuck!).
Once the design is finalized, you must burnish the letters onto the wall with something like a rub-on tool (one actually comes with the package of vinyl). And then the tape peels very easily away to reveal the finished project. I had no issues with the letters staying stuck to the tape instead of the wall.
The completed design:
When all was said and done I was so happy I ran across Provo Craft’s Transfer Tape in the Cricut aisle at the craft store. Could you use the adhesive vinyl without it? Well, yes, but I would highly recommend using the two together. At a MSRP of around $10.00 for 4 sheets, it’s a wise purchase in order to use the vinyl you have in the best possible way.
Pros:
Facilitates using adhesive vinyl in your design placement, there is less of a chance of ruining a letter and having to cut it again.
Doesn’t harm the project it is applied to, adhesive is just strong enough but easily removed.
Stays tacky after use, could probably be reused at least once, stretching your dollar even further.
Cons:
Large pieces can be difficult to work with. If it gets stuck to itself, it’s almost impossible to un-stick without needing a new piece.
I wish the grid-lines were on the actual tape, this would be very helpful in placing a design. Instead you must use a ruler to make sure your design is straight.
You might not know you need it until you’ve started a vinyl project! I’m hoping you read this review first.
What about you? Have you used this tape in any of your vinyl projects? Or are you now inspired to do so? Let us know what you think!
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I’m a big fan of creating personalized gifts for people – things they couldn’t get anywhere else. It really shows them how much you care. Using Armour Etch on glass products allows you to do just that!
The first test I wanted to use it on was on a mirror. I started by washing off the glass container with dish soap and water to remove any dirt or other residues that could be on there.
Next, I used my Cricut Expression to cut out a design on vinyl (using the new Cindy Loo cartridge). I weeded out the areas of the design that I wanted to etch and then I adhered the vinyl to my glass jar using transfer tape.
I then needed to apply the etching cream to the mirror. The directions say to shake well, but since the product is so thick I’m not sure how effective my shaking was. Using a foam brush I applied the etching cream to the mirror so that it thickly covered my design and overlapped with the vinyl. Per the directions, I spread it up and down, and left to right. I let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Once the 5 minutes was up I rinsed off the etching cream off the mirror and then dried it off with a paper towel.
I also tried it on a glass Yankee Candle jar. I followed the same steps as above (using the Wall Decor & More and Home Accents Cricut cartridges) although since my candle jar was round I did rotate it so that gravity wouldn’t help the cream slide off any part of the design.
It’s such a fast and easy product to use. However, children should NOT use this product. The jar even states that you should be over 18 years old to use it.
Pros:
Quickly and permanently etches on glass
Can be used with vinyl to create custom designs
Cons:
Contains a lot of dangerous stuff! For adult use only (keep away from pets too!)
Cannot be used on all brands of Pyrex glassware
Have you had a chance to use Armour Etch on glass yet? Show us the link to your project…we’d love to take a look!
