Creating Homemade Shiny Paper for Valentine's Day Crafts

The skill level required to make shiny paper for Valentine's Day crafts is low. However, younger children will need supervision because of the materials involved.

Materials Needed for Shiny Papermaking for Valentine's Day Crafts

1. Tissue Paper

The final quality of the shiny paper hinges on the quality of the tissue paper used in the process.

Some tissue paper colors to consider include white, red, pink, fuchsia, lilac, purple, or silver. For interesting undertones, also use a yellow or orange tissue paper.

Cut the tissue paper in half, or into smaller squares, depending on how many different color combinations you would like to make. Also cut the tissue paper so the sheets will accommodate your Valentine's Day craft.

2. Paint Brush

Use a hard-bristled synthetic paint brush intended for acrylic painting. Watercolor brushes may be too flimsy. A foam brush may cause bubbles on the paper. The paintbrush should be at least one and 1/2 inches wide at the brush or bigger.

Be sure the paintbrush is kept in water when not in used. Also clean the paintbrush immediately after the project is done to retain the brush's pliability.

3. Freezer Paper or Wax Paper

The freezer paper or wax paper serves as a non-stick work surface for making the shiny paper for Valentine's Day crafts.

4. A Water-filled Spray Bottle

The water-filled spray bottle will be used at the second stage of the process.

5. Acrylic Gloss Medium

Acrylic Gloss Medium is the essential product in this shiny papermaking process. Golden and Liquitex brands both make Acrylic Gloss Medium. Acrylic Gloss Medium can be purchased at stores like Michael's, Wal-mart, online at Dickblick.com and Jerry's Artarama, as well as the local art store in your area.

6. Liquid Acrylic Paints

Purchase a couple of bottles or a sampler set of liquid acrylic paints if you'd like. Or you can water down acrylic paints that you already own.

7. Palette or Paper plate

The palette or Paper plate is used for the paint and painting medium.

How to Make Shiny Papermaking for Valentine's Day Crafts

Step 1. Applying the Acrylic Gloss Medium

Lay the tissue paper out on the wax paper or freezer paper. Squeeze out some Acrylic Gloss Medium on a palette or a paper plate. Using the brush, gently cover the tissue paper with the Acrylic Gloss Medium. It's best to apply the Acrylic Gloss Medium starting in the center of each sheet, and working to the edges.

It is normal for the tissue paper to become slightly wrinkled at this stage of the shiny papermaking process.

Let the tissue paper dry.

Step 2. Repeat on the Other Side

Gently lift the tissue paper for the Valentine's Day crafts and repeat Step 1.

Step 3. Paint the Tissue Paper

Although the tissue paper has dried twice, it is important to use the spray bottle to wet the paper with water. Use the paint brush to apply the paint.

The process should emulate a wet-in-wet technique, where there is enough water on the tissue paper to allow the paint colors to blend together on their own.

Tips: do not blend or mix the acrylic color paints before "painting" the paper. Only one side will be painted, although both sides will be attractive.

When the tissue paper is dry, you will have shiny, shiny paper that will add sparkle to Valentine's Day crafts.

Variations on Shiny Papermaking for Valentine's Day Crafts

A variation on the shiny papermaking process is to add any of the following materials while the paint is still wet:
iridescent powders made for acrylic paints
glitter
tiny glass beads
add Liquitex Iridescent Tinting Medium to the Acrylic Gloss Medium
add Sargent Glitter Glaze to the Acrylic Gloss Medium

When you are done the shiny papermaking process you will have a nice collection of homemade specialty paper for Valentine's Day crafts.