Glitter’s not just for child’s play anymore! Now it’s a sophisticated, high-quality product available in hundreds of sparkling shades, sizes, and styles. Barbara Trombley—the owner of Art Glitter, Inc.—has pioneered the field, creating unique colors and designing her own magnificent line of cards. So, who better to explain the entire dazzling process? She discusses the difference between opaque and transparent glitters; the diverse sizes, from chunky to ultra fine; the categories of sheen, from neon to pearlescent; the all-important adhesives; and a variety of exciting techniques. What will really thrill crafters are the shimmering bag, tag, and card projects—some travel and vintage inspired, others seasonally themed, and still more for celebrations such as birthdays, graduations, and weddings.
A Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.
Born in Detroit, Barbara Trombley is a multi-media artist, a visionary and an entrepreneur. She has used her talents in a diverse spectrum of creative and business endeavors. These talents were evident from early childhood and on through her college years at The College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. Exposure to various art media inspired Barbara to explore facets of her imagination as revealed in her paintings, jewelry, ceramics and rock art.
For 20 years, Barbara individually created her personal Christmas cards, each year in a different medium. In 1982, she used chunky, metallic glitter and school glue from the dime store on the card. The radiant responses she received from this card lead to her handmade greeting card business. She developed Ultrafine Art Glitter and her Designer & Fabric Dries Clear Adhesives to create her handmade all-glitter, all- occasion greeting card line in 1984. The business grew from Barbara making just a few cards a day to a company of seven women that were producing 1500-2000 cards a day and shipping worldwide.
After numerous requests, Barbara decided she would market her supplies to stampers and crafters. They wanted to learn "The Art of Glittering" so that they could use the same techniques to create unique and sparkling cards.
Art Institute Glitter, Inc. now supplies artists and artisans, crafters and craftsmen with over 400 brilliant glitter colors and industrial strength adhesives. Her products have been seen on Martha Stewart's TV show, Home Shopping Network and on QVC and Ideal World in England. She frequently appears on the "Carol Duvall Show" on HGTV, showing people how to make glitter lace cards, glitter pumpkins, Faberge' eggs and gorgeous layered medallions. Her products have also been featured in several editions of "Martha Stewart Living Magazine". Hundreds of retail stores throughout the world carry her full line of Art Glitter products.
In 2003, Barbara was given the award of Entrepreneur of the Year from the State of Arizona. She is also an exhibiting artist at the Sedona Arts Center and a member of the Color Marketing Group.
Barbara's first book, "Glitter Artistry: Cards, Bags and Tags", was warmly received by artists in 2006 and is still a big hit today. This book is a testimony to Barbara's dedication to art and glitter. In this stunning book, she eagerly passes on her secrets to creating beautiful cards, bags and tags, with easy to follow directions. "It is my hope that these projects will prompt my readers to go beyond the techniques outlined here to create their own works of Glitter Artistry."
These days you can find her busy on her next work of art and of course, developing new glitter colors and a new line of earthly accents. When asked about her success, she excitedly replies, "Do what you love! I love art and I love color and I love creating."
Barbara has inspired many people to take the ordinary to the extraordinary. Her passion and love for glitter has motivated countless others to reach beyond their normal capabilities and attain artistic heights they never dreamed possible. She has added sparkle to lives all over the world.
