How do you "set" your chalking?

Judy...on cards I use a clear spray sealer by Plasti-Kote and spray it quite far away and into the air. I let the spray mist drop on the piece and you can do the same with really "cheap" hairspray....avoid the one's containing conditioning agents!!!! As you say this is not likely to be acid-free but it is fine for cards. If it "ran" you were probably too close...I spray at least about a metre away from my project. You can buy chalk fixative sprays in art stores but you would need to check the AF status of those as they are intended for use with pastels.
On LO's that I have chalked I use I-Kan-Dee chalks which are AF or Artist's Pastels, which are more intense in colour. The acid-free status of the latter is questionable but if artists use them and they survive the test of time...who am I to question their wisdom...LOL I think application is key for staying power :o) I apply what would appear to be way too much chalk and then I use a clean cotton wool ball or soft tissue to sort of buff it back to a level I am happy with. This seems to make some of the pigment penetrate into the paper and removes loose chalk. I have recently bought the Chizzel-It but I haven't got around to using it yet.....LOL The demos I saw made the chalking look more intense so it will be interesting to see how it goes when I try it. Another thing I do with chalked LO's is to ensure they are quickly stored in a PP to reduce the wear and tear. It will be interesting to hear what other folks do :o)
Take care, Marilyn

Now this is a good question. I have not used chalk on any layouts, only cards. i was afraid of the dust getting everywhere marring or masking the pictures. I also really am not happy with the hue that i get from chalking and so have went strictly to inkling.
It is more expensive but I feel th results are more satisfying IMHO.
The hairspray i would be afraid of for pictures sake, but alas maybe only Shannon and couple other "youngsters" in here may outlive their pictures - LOL!!!
OKC Dave
Check out my pix and crafts!

Thanks Marilyn :) I think I made two mistakes - I sprayed from only about 30cm distance and I DID use hair spray with conditioner in it! I'll keep an eye open for the chalk-fixative spray next time I visit my LSS.
You know, I got a Chizzel-it for Christmas and haven't even tried it out yet! I did not know there was a tool-bit for chalking??!! I'll have to get my poach out asap.
Judy, SA

Judy...you what the cheapest can of hairspray you can find...LOL
Marilyn

Winter? :::looking wistful::: I'll trade you 10-15 degrees (fahrenheit) of heat for cool! We're at what's supposed to be our high for the day (77F/25C), which is about 20 degrees below what it's been (tho the area where I used to work had 20 or so days in a row over 100 ending this past week with several days reaching 119F/43C). Was usually humid for this area yesterday, which made it feel worse.
I haven't done anything with chalk for close to 25 years. Back then we weren't worried about acid ruining the artwork. Cheap hairspray was the method of choice for those on a budget (which I was).
Alicia

Here is an "n" Marilyn and I'll take that "h" off your hands, on account I'm such a "nice" person, LOL!

It is a version of "meno speak" called "meno type".......flick..... *tosses M-C the "h" she asks for and slots the "n" in the right place"* Thanks M-C....will that complete your next title? LOL
Take Care, Marilyn

I use a product by Krylon called "Workable Fixative"

Never hairspray! It yellows with time. Use a workable fixative that you can find with art supplies.
For cards I generally don't bother to spray unless it is a large area. For inclusion in a scrapbook, make the element separately, spray it, and when dry affix it to the layout.
Spray outside. You don't want the overspray on your desk, nor in your lungs.
Gina (ex art student)

i use Fixatif by krylon. it works great. i use it on all sorts of stuff. > I spring-cleaned and re-organized my scrap area today (after months of > neglect - I really have "scrappers - guilt") although it's still the middle > of the winter here! I just can't be creative when things are not in their > places :) > > Afterwards, I worked on an unfinished LO and did a bit of chalking. I'm > sure everyone have noticed how your chalking gets lighter as time goes by. > And this is where my Question comes in. Does anyone have some tips or > advice on how to "set" your chalking? The lady at my scrapbook shop said > that one could spray it lightly with old fashioned hairspray. I tried this > today, but it went a bit "runny". I probably over-sprayed it. Also, I'm > sure the hairspray is not acid free. > > Would love to hear everyones thoughts and ideas :) > > > -- > Judy, South Africa > Layouts at > LO's for 2006: 15 > Skinny Minnie Swap > Jessie's Birthday Page > Cards for 2006: 4

I use the cheapest hairspray I can find. Cheaper hairspray has more laquer in it. begin by aimmimg off the paper and dragging across. Spray about 12-15 inches away and at an angle so that it just sort of floats down to the chalk and not directly on it. It took me a few tries to get it. I practiced by rubbing some chalk on scrap paper and tested it until I got it just right.

Thank you everybody for all the ideas and advice! I tried spraying from a bigger distance today and it works much better! I can see that it will just take a bit of practice to perfect the technique. I'm keeping my eyes open for fixative spray aswell
Judy, SA