apopofgum

Sublimation for Beginners

October 17, 2023October 17, 2023 apopofgum

As a creative artist and entrepreneur I have dabbled in many genres of crafting and designing. With a lot of trial and error, I weed out what I don’t like to do, leaving room for more growth and focus on the crafts I do enjoy. With the creative world always evolving, sometimes it can seem overwhelming when you finally have something down packed and poof! the next best thing is out.

My first and long time love has been working with vinyl. From creating shirts, bags, accessories and drink ware, the possibilities have been endless. However, vinyl can be very time consuming. So when I stumbled upon sublimation, I just knew I had to learn it – and quickly!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with sublimation or maybe you’ve heard of it and haven’t been able to wrap your head around the whole concept here is a little breakdown of what sublimation is, what you can sublimate, and of course what are some of the basic materials needed to start sublimating at home or in your shop.

What is sublimation?

Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from a solid state to a gas state. It does not pass through the usual liquid state, and only occurs at specific temperatures and pressure. In layman’s terms, sublimation printing is a specific process of printing on a special sheet of paper then transferring that image onto another material (usually polyester or polyester blend). The ink is then heated until it disintegrates into the fabric.

What can I sublimate?

As stated above, if you are going to sublimate shirts or fabric, it must be polyester or a polyester blend shirt. The higher the percentage of the polyester the better the quality will turn out. There are also other media you can sublimate on but they must be specifically for sublimation use. For example, tumblers, mugs, glass, and metal signs must be coated with a polymer sublimation coating. You must read the item descriptions to make sure what you are purchasing is sublimation ready.

What materials are required for sublimation?

Unlike vinyl, sublimation does not require a special cutting machine or pricy materials to start. Listed below are some of my favorite items to use when sublimating.

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made using my affiliate links mentioned.

Printer

Through trial and error, I have discovered that the best printer option and most economical option is to purchase an Epson EcoTank model. The Epson ET-2800 is one of the most economical from the EcoTank line. There are other printers in the EcoTank line that support bigger paper options, so it all depends on what you plan on sublimating to determine if those are needed. The Epson ET-2800 prints up to 8.5 x 14 inch sized paper.

Ink

There are several sublimation ink companies out there. I stumbled across Hiipoo Sublimation Ink on Amazon. It is very affordable and the prints come out vibrant. Specifically Designed for Ecotank Inkjet Printer, Hiipoo Sublimation Ink Autofil l Bottles were created for the EcoTank series printers. You will get the best print quality and performance without any ICC Profile！The water-based dye sublimation Ink provides high heattransfer printing rate, and produces bright and vividcolor, which is in high saturation, good permeability, fast drying, waterproof and no fading.

Paper

Now that you have your printer and ink, next step is the sublimation paper. I have been using A-Sub Sublimation Paper since a group I’m in recommended it. I get the best quality prints when utilizing this trio.

Depending on what you will be sublimating on will determine which heat press you will need. Some crafters just like to make shirts, some just like to make mugs and tumblers, and well there are others like me that like to create all of the above and some🤪.

Heat Press

The Fancierstudio Heatpress was actually the second Heatpress I purchased. My first Heatpress was a 10 in 1 Heatpress and I hated it. Having to switch between the different attachments was so annoying and it was actually a little hard to take apart. I decided that my next heat press needed to be a single use item. And this is the one that I chose. This heat press is 15×15 which is an ideal size when pressing shirts, bags, and other flat fabrics.

Tumbler/Mug Press

If you plan on sublimating cups, mugs, or tumblers, the EENOUR Tumbler Heat Press is the way to go. It is easy to use and very versatile. They have a dual option as well where you can sublimate 2 tumblers at the same time or 4 mugs. The tumbler press allows for a more even transfer.

Convection Oven

I bet you’re wondering why this Black + Decker Convection Oven made it to the list. Well simple, this oven heats up to 400 degrees which is the desired temperature for most sublimatable items. Therefore, with this oven you can do multiple cups and tumblers at a time compared to a tumbler press. So I wanted to make sure to give you both options.

Other miscellaneous items

Now that you have the basics down, a few items that I’ll mention below will complete your new sublimation kit.

And there you have it folks – my Sublimation for Beginners list. If you’d like to see more list like these on other crafts, make sure to leave a comment below.

Reviews

Amazon Prime Deals

October 10, 2023October 10, 2023 apopofgum

Looking to score some great deals on Amazon Prime Day?! Look no further. Here are a few items that are definitely BUY NOW worthy.

Amazon Prime is October 10 & 12th exclusively for Prime Members only. Two days of epic deals ahead of the holiday season. With the holidays quickly approaching, Amazon has something for everyone on your list.

iRobot Roomba

I’ve definitely been eyeing this iRobot. The iRobot OS powers your Roomba j6+ to clean the way you want it to. It avoids pet waste and cords and allows you to schedule multiple cleanings per day by continuously learning and adapting to your home.

The iRobot Roomba has different models to choose from to fit your budget.

Amazon Fire TV

We can never go wrong with buying tv’s. When they are this cheap, it pays to buy a few extra as back ups. Or if you’re interested in watching the BIG games on multiple channels, buy 3 of these and watch a different game on each screen. Great for a man cave!

The Amazon Fire TV has different sizes to fit your needs.

The Children’s Place Christmas Family PJ’s

‘Tis that time of the year again. It’s time to stock up on your Christmas family pj’s. Make sure to head over to The Children’s Place, they have family pj’s for Halloween, Fall, & Christmas. The Children’s Place offers a huge selection of kid’s clothing! Shop us for jeans, shorts, leggings, chinos, polo shirts, dresses, uniforms, pajamas, and accessories. Made with premium quality materials at a great value. Kids clothing made simple.

Make sure to check out The Children’s Place Christmas PJ’s

Blink Mini Camera

The Blink Mini Camera is one of my favorites. They are so affordable and can be used in any location. My personal favorite is to be able to watch my dogs when I’m away at work. My favorite feature is the speaker function so that I can hear as well as speak back into the camera so my dogs can hear. With such an affordable price, why not have them in every room in your home or business? Except the bathrooms of course 🤪

Check out the options for the Blink Mini Camera here.

Oral B Pro 5000

I just recently started to use an electric tooth brush. I feel like they really do the job. The Oral-B SMART 5000 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush with Bluetooth Connectivity features a CrossAction brush head with bristles that reach deep between teeth for healthier gums.* Bluetooth communication allows the brush to connect with your smartphone to give you real-time feedback on your brushing habits and create a dental care journey based on your oral health goals. The Visible Pressure Sensor on the brush lights up to tell you when you apply too much pressure to your teeth and gums to help prevent harmful over-brushing. The toothbrush features 5 cleaning modes and a timer to help you brush for a dentist recommended 2 minutes. Oral-B SMART 5000 is compatible with a variety of replacement toothbrush heads and includes a convenient travel toothbrush holder. *vs a regular manual toothbrush Trust in the precision engineering of Braun and the dental expertise of Oral-B, the #1 brand used and recommended by dentists worldwide.

The Oral B Pro 5000 is available in black or white finish.

Lego Marvel Hulkbuster MK44

At almost 50% off, this deal is hard to pass up. This Lego Marvel Hulkbuster is a great gift for the Lego lover in your life. LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210) captures the scale and power of the Iron Man Hulkbuster MK44 from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron. Standing over 52 cm (20.5 in.) tall and containing 4,049 pieces, this challenging and rewarding construction project is sure to spark the imaginations of Marvel and LEGO fans alike. This detailed recreation of the Hulkbuster MK44 from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron is an impressive piece of engineering and features a multitude of movie-accurate features. Within the dark red armor and strategically positioned golden plates lies a spacious cockpit, from which the LEGO Marvel Iron Man Figure (76206) – sold separately – controls the heavy-duty armor. The set also includes an information plate and a Tony Stark minifigure. This model is part of an extensive range of LEGO Marvel collectible Sets for Adults and provides a rewarding build-and-display experience that lasts long after the construction work has been completed. A treat for Marvel fans and a great gift for advanced LEGO builders. The Hulkbuster measures 52 cm (20.5 in.) high, 47 cm (18.5 in.) wide and 24 cm (9.5 in.) deep. Contains 4,049 Pieces.

Check out the Lego Marvel Hulkbuster and other Lego toys this Prime Day.

Amazon Ceramic Heater

Face it, fall is here and so will the low temperatures. Don’t get stuck with in the cold. This cute small personal heater packs heat – pun intended 🤪. At a very affordable price, make sure to get one today. The heater has 3 settings: Low (750 watts), High (1500 watts), and Fan Only for air circulation without heat. Overheat protection and tip-over switch with auto shut-off for safety; power indicator light; TUV certification. Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.3 x 9.5 inches (LxWxH) Carrying handle for easy transport.

Check out Amazon Ceramic Heater and other home appliances here.

UIXJODO Gel Pens

If you’re a pen lover like me, then these Gel pens are right up your alley. The esthetic alone caught my eye. Cute design style, make the pens a great gift for birthdays, back-to-school days, Children’s Day and Christmas Day. It’s good for men women kids girls nurses students teachers friends and co-workers. This journal pens dry quickly, with no leak, no smears, no smudges, and no globs. It’s smooth and continuous when writing and drawing.
These black pens are great pens for aesthetic school supplies, office supplies, journaling, note taking, and planning.

Check them out here UIXJODO Gel Pens

4×6 Sticky Notes Pad

I love stationary. So when I came across this great deal I just had to have it. These sticky notes can be pasted on the wall, blackboard, computer, desktop, refrigerator and almost all other smooth surfaces.

Buy them here 4×6 Lined Sticky Notes Pad

Beats Solo3

I’ve had my Beats for years now, so when I saw this deal I had to have it. With up to 40 hours of battery life, Beats Solo3 Wireless is your perfect everyday headphone. With Fast Fuel, a 5-minute charge gives you 3 hours of playback. Enjoy award-winning Beats sound with Class 1 Bluetooth® wireless listening freedom. The on-ear, cushioned ear cups are adjustable so you can customize your fit for all-day comfort.

DRIVEN BY THE APPLE W1 CHIP
Incorporating the efficient Apple W1 chip brings seamless setup and switching for your Apple devices,* up to 40 hours of battery life, and Fast Fuel technology for 3 hours of play with a 5-minute charge.

Purchase your Beats Solo3 here.

And there you have it folks. My quick Amazon Prime Deals list. I hope you enjoyed this list I’ve created for you. And hope you come back to my blog to check out other product reviews and suggestions.

Disclaimer: I am an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you click on a link on this channel and make a purchase, this can result in this channel earning a commission.

Blog, Reviews

Business Essentials 101

October 8, 2023October 8, 2023 apopofgum

Being in business for over 10 years, there is always something new out there. Technology is always evolving, new products are always being launched, which in turn makes things get old quick or even obsolete. As you continue to read, I will show you ten of my favorite business essentials that I use day in and day out.

1. Computer: Mac Book Air

I’ve been using a Mac Book Air for over 5 years now. At first, it was so hard for me to transition from Windows to an iOS device. However, once I saw how easy it was to switch between my laptop, phone, or tablet, I was sold. I can access my files from anywhere and let’s not forget the sleek look is beautiful.

Quick description:

Mac Book Air – Apple’s thinnest and lightest notebook gets supercharged with the Apple M1 chip. Tackle your projects with the blazing-fast 8-core CPU. Take graphics-intensive apps and games to the next level with an up to 8-core GPU. And accelerate machine learning tasks with the 16-core Neural Engine. All with a silent, fanless design and the longest battery life ever—up to 18 hours. MacBook Air. Still perfectly portable. Just a lot more powerful.

2. Keyboard – UBOTIE Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Over the years, I’ve become such a girly girl and love ALL things PINK! I came across this UBOTIE keyboard and mouse and it has been such a great addition to my workspace. Don’t like pink? No worries, they have other color combos to choose from.

Quick Description:

UBOTIE Colorful Computer Wireless Keyboard Mice Combo, Retro Typewriter Flexible Keys Office Full-Sized Keyboard, 2.4GHz Dropout-Free Connection and Optical Mouse (Pink-Colorful)

3. Desk – FEZIBO Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk

Let’s face it, being an entrepreneur, we spend several hours sitting down at our desk planning, creating, thinking. And all of that takes a toll on us if we don’t remember to get up every now and then to stretch and walk around a bit. When Covid came around we were all bound to our homes and we had to figure out the best ways to make the best of it. Whether we were working from home or our kids were home schooling, these height adjustable desks from FEZIBO came in very handy. It allowed us to get up and move and not be bound to our chairs all day. This desk is also available in other color combos to match your theme.

Quick Description:

FEZIBO Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk with Double Drawer, 40 x 24 Inch Stand Up Table with Storage Shelf, Sit Stand Desk with Splice Board, White Frame/Light Rustic Brown Top

4. Desk Chair – Mimoglad Office Ergonomic Desk Chair

If you’re like me, back problems, neck pains, and just sitting down the majority of the day, you know one thing we must invest in is a comfortable desk chair. These can be pricy, however, the level of comfort is very important to me. Back in 2010 I was involved in a drunk driver accident scenario. My vehicle was hit from the back and the driver tried to flee the scene. Even though I was able to catch the plate numbers, the vehicle was stolen and we were unable to find the people who hit me. I was left with 3 herniated discs and my cervical curve in my neck was flipped. This causes for my neck to pain very easily sitting down in a chair where I can’t rest my head and neck. When I came across this chair, I immediately added to cart! It’s been one of the best investments for my home office.

Quick Description:

Mimoglad Office Chair, High Back Ergonomic Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support and Headrest, Swivel Task Chair with flip-up Armrests for Guitar Playing, 5 Years Warranty

5. Printer – Epson ET15000

Over the past 10 years I have gone through so many printers. I’ve used Canon, Brother, HP, and Epson. Cartridge after cartridge, print after print, I finally came across the Epson EcoTank Printers. This was a complete game changer for me. I had an Epson 8710 & 8720 that I converted to a sublimation printer, but the issue was the cartridges. Either the printer wouldn’t read it correctly or the print wasn’t as vibrant as I wanted, and most of all cartridge replacements every week. As much I print, I needed to find something more economical FAST. So when I feasted my eyes on the EcoTanks from Epson I was made a believer. It was months before I had to refill the tank.

Brief Description:

Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax, Ethernet and Printing up to 13 x 19 Inches, White

6. Label Printer – MUNBYN Label Printer

If you ship packages like me, then you know how handy it is to have a label printer. Printing labels on a regular printer can be costly using ink and copy paper. The MUNBYN label printer is a thermal printer that doesn’t require ink. And if you buy the labels, it usually comes in a roll of 500 which is a good amount to start with. This printer also came in pink so it was a win win there.

Quick Description:

MUNBYN Pink Label Printer P941 for Shipping Packages & Small Business, 4×6 Thermal Sticker Printer Compatible with Chrome, Mac Os, Windows

You can buy the labels here

7. External Hard Drive – WD 1 TB External Hard Drive

As a graphic designer, I work with a lot of businesses and utilize a lot of elements. Storing them on the computers hard drive will quickly use up the space and slow down your computer. By storing your designs on an external hard drive it alleviates utilizing your computer space and slowing it down. If you can spare a few extra bucks there are bigger storage capacity’s available.

Quick Description:

WD 1TB Elements Portable HDD, External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready – WDBUZG0010BBK-WESN, Black

8. Desk Necessities – Sharpie Variety Pack

Who doesn’t love pens, markers, and highlighters?!?! I love buying new pens to try out all the time. With this Variety pack you will not only get pens but it also includes markers, highlighters, pencils, glue and much more for a total of 38 pieces!

Sharpie Expo Elmer’s & Paper Mate Variety Pack

Quick Description:

Supplies Kit, Highlighters, Mechanical Pencils, Glue Sticks, Erasers, Permanent Markers, Gel Pens, Pencils, Glue And More From Sharpie, Elmer’s, Paper Mate, & Expo, 38 Pieces

9. Fan – Dreo Tower Fan

I like to be comfortable when I am in my zone. Fortunately and unfortunately I live in Florida so it definitely gets hot ALL the time! To not over work my AC, I like to keep this fan close by so that I can get that extra cooling that I need. Plus I love the white noise of a fan so I get a 2 in 1 🤪

Brief Description:

Dreo Tower Fan with Remote, Smart Oscillating Quiet Floor Fans for Bedroom, Standing Bladeless Fan with WiFi Voice Control, 4 Modes, 4 Speeds, 8H Timer, Works with Alexa/Google

10. Aromatherapy Diffuser – Pink Aromatherapy Diffuser

Last but definitely not least, something that you may have not thought of before, or maybe you have, is an aromatherapy diffuser. I like to create a space where I am most comfortable. Since I have to work a lot, some of the things that make me happy is a nice scent. I love for my space to smell good and clean. It clears my mind and keeps me in a calm space. Of course I found a pink one to match my decor, but they do have them in different colors to suit your taste.

Brief Description:

Diffusers for Essential Oils Large Room, 500ml Aromatherapy Diffuser. Low Noise & Sleep Better: Adopted noise reduction technology, ultrasonic diffuser operates quietly with no water dripping sounds, creates a restful and soothing environment for undisturbed relaxation, learning, working and sleeping

I hope you enjoyed this list I’ve created for you. And hope you come back to my blog to check out other product reviews and suggestions.

Disclaimer: I am an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you click on a link on this channel and make a purchase, this can result in this channel earning a commission.

Uncategorized

Easter Painting DIY

June 21, 2018 apopofgum

In April I had the pleasure of hosting an Easter DIY Mommy & me class. In this class, the mommies and kiddies painted their own Easter shirts. Everyone had sooo much fun painting. This DIY is such an easy and inexpensive craft that anyone can do at home with their little ones.

Supplies:

•cardstock paper

•scissors

•fabric paint

•sponge brushes

•stencil

•T-shirt

•tape

•printer

•cup of water

•iron

Step 1: Choose a design that you would like to paint onto your shirt and print out the design.

Step 2: Cut our design using scissors to create a stencil for your project. (Parents,please cut out the design if necessary.)

Step 3: Place the stencil onto the shirt and secure using tape.

Step 4: Now your shirt is ready to be painted. Use the cup of water to clean brush when changing colors.

Step 5: Once you have painted your design, remove the tape and stencil before the shirt dries.

Step 6: Let shirt dry. (Please read fabric paint instructions for dry time.)

Step 7: After your shirt has completely dried, turn it inside out and iron the back of the design to seal.

And wala, you’re done!

*Note: If you have a cutting machine, you can cut out a silhouette of what design you would like to paint onto your shirt.

Blog, Lifestyle

Pop Culture

March 2, 2018March 2, 2018 apopofgum

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my page, A Pop of Gum!

I wanted to start off by introducing myself so that you can get to know me a little better.

My name is Denise Lee, however, most of my customers at Bubblegum’s Creations, know me as Bubblegum or Mrs. Bubblegum. The way I came up with this name is simple enough – I Love Bubblegum. However, here’s the twist on how the name “stuck” (pun intended).

In an attempt to avoid giving out my real name to guys when I was out with my friends, I would always say my name was Bubblegum. So, when I decided to make my Etsy Shop, it made sense that I would stick with Bubblegum since 1. It’s what I love, and 2. My audience would be geared towards children. And there you have it.

Running an online store, I don’t always have the luxury of meeting people in person. Most communications are via email or text. I created A Pop of Gum, not only so that you can get to know me but also to be able to work on my second favorite craft—writing. In my blog, I hope you find yourself learning with me, laughing with me, and who knows, maybe even crying with me. To break the ice, I will answer a few questions that I found over at Torunn Lee Stuen’s blog beYOUtifulblog.

Where Do You Live?

I was born in Trenton, New Jersey. However, I moved to Miami, Florida at the age of 5 and have been here ever since.

Why Start a Blog?

My first passion has always been writing. I would always journal my day-to-day activities and enjoyed being in classes where I could exercise my writing skills. As an adult, I’ve found myself reading other blogs and questioning my own writing abilities. I realized that sometimes, it’s not about being the best at something, but, instead, sharing your thoughts and ideas in hopes that it could help someone else.

What Is Your Education Background?

Well, this is a tricky one for me. When I graduated High School, my mother’s friend had a Mortgage Company that offered to pay my schooling to become a real estate agent. I took the class and passed the final with a 100%. However, I never took the state exam. I later went on to obtain my Full Specialist License which included Esthetician, Nail Artist, and Makeup Artist. I have taken some college writing courses, but, to be honest, school is just not for me.

Family Background.

My mother is Honduran and my father is Puerto Rican. Our families on both sides come from a very mixed culture. The predominant ethnic group in Honduras is the mestizo— people of mixed native and European (mostly Spanish) descent. As for Puerto Ricans, it is well known that they are one of the most diverse cultures, with influences from several parts of the world.

What advice do you have for women wanting to become their own boss?

My advice is to stay focused on the goal. This is not something that happens overnight. Being your own boss takes a lot of countless hours, little sleep, a lot of dedication and COFFEE LOL. You have to give it your all to see your dreams become a reality.

My Advice to Women:

Be Ambitious! There has to be something that you are passionate about, but haven’t yet discovered that it can be your money maker. I stumbled upon crafting. I am not your typical stay at home mom who decided to explore their crafting side for their kids. I actually don’t have kids. However, I love them and mostly cater to them and their loving families.

What camera do you use?

I use a Canon EOS Rebel T6i for my blog posts.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me just a little bit more. If you’d like to see more Q&A blog posts like this one, let me know and I’ll find some more to answer. You can Pop on over anytime, I am always available to chat.

& Remember – Live Fabulous!

Mrs. Bubblegum