This class is designed for anyone interested in learning how to create bold, layered mixed media cards with a steampunk-inspired aesthetic. Throughout the class you'll learn 8 techniques — 4 grungy, textured backgrounds and 4 dimensional embellishment combinations — that come together into four finished cards that are rich, moody, and full of personality. You'll work with a variety of mediums including Distress Inks, Distress Spray Stains, Distress Paints, texture paste, heat embossing, and rubbing wax to build depth, texture, and that signature pretty grunge look.
Each technique is broken down into easy to follow steps, and throughout the class I'll be sharing loads of tips and tricks along the way. You don't need to have taken any of my previous Pretty Grunge classes to jump right in — this class is completely self-contained and everything you need to know will be covered from start to finish. Whether you're brand new to the pretty grunge style or you're a returning student looking to explore a new color palette and aesthetic, you're in exactly the right place.
The goal of this class is to build your confidence working with multiple mixed media products and techniques, and to show you how layering backgrounds and embellishments together creates cards with real depth, dimension, and character.
Class guide — a downloadable 27-page PDF that includes a general supply list, specific supplies list, supply checklist, tips for success, recommended substitutions, project prep instructions, step-by-step written instructions, and finished card examples See the class supply list below, and supplies are linked at the bottom of this page
Welcome video
Class prep video
Bonus Color Combinations Guide — a free companion guide featuring 8 curated Distress Ink color combinations that work beautifully with the steampunk aesthetic, so you can jump in with confidence even if color selection feels overwhelming
Lifetime access to the replay and all other class materials
You can also access the class and all materials anytime by logging into your account at julianamichaels.podia.com and selecting this class. Start with the welcome video, then download and read through the class guide. From there, the prep video will walk you through the supply list, substitution options, and everything you need to do before class begins. Juliana highly recommends completing all prep work ahead of time — it makes a huge difference in your ability to follow along and enjoy the class!
The live class sessions are hosted on private YouTube links, which will only be active while the class is live. Once the sessions are complete, the videos will be moved to the online classroom where you can access them alongside all other class resources.
We'd love for you to join the 17turtles Creative Classroom Community — a private group open to class attendees only. Share your workspace setup, works in progress, and finished cards, and ask any questions you have along the way. You can also reach Juliana directly at juliana@17turtles.com.
If you make anything inspired by this class, I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media, share it in the community, or send me a message — your creativity always makes my day.
Here's a general overview of the types of supplies you'll need for this class. Don't worry if you don't have everything — substitutions are encouraged and covered in detail in the prep video!
You can click the button below to view the full supply list with clickable links. When you shop through these links, you're supporting me at no extra cost to you, and I truly appreciate it. That support allows me to keep my class costs low and continue offering free content on my YouTube channel.
PAPERS
Watercolor Cardstock
Black Heavyweight Cardstock
White Cardstock
Black Kraftstock or DIY Black Kraftstock (refer to the prep video for details)
MEDIUMS
Water-reactive Dye Ink — 3 coordinating colors plus 1–2 neutrals (your choice)
Water-reactive Dye Spray Ink — 3 coordinating colors plus 1–2 neutrals; I recommend choosing the same or similar colors as your dye inks to keep your palette cohesive
Distress Oxide Spray — 1 color for splatter details only; a paint or other splatter medium could also be used
Acrylic Paint — 3 coordinating colors plus 1 neutral and 1 metallic; again, choosing colors similar to your inks keeps everything cohesive
Permanent Waterproof Ink — Black, Dark Brown, and Light Brown
Texture Paste — opaque texture or embossing paste
Embossing Ink and Powder — embossing ink pad plus a metallic-colored embossing powder
Rubbing Wax — metallic colored
STAMPS
1–2 focal image stamps with a steampunk or vintage-industrial feel (gentlemen portraits, top hats, or character imagery)
1–2 background stamps with a steampunk or vintage-industrial feel (blueprint/patent drawings, text, ledger, or aged document imagery)
A mix of ephemera-style stamps such as tags, labels, tickets, and collage-style imagery
Sentiments of choice
STENCILS
3 stencils with a steampunk or vintage-industrial style (gears, clockwork, cogs, or other mechanical designs)
1 of the 3 should be smaller in scale so it can be layered over the others
EMBOSSING FOLDER
1 embossing folder with a steampunk or vintage-industrial design (gears, clockwork, or mechanical textures work beautifully)
DIES
A mix of steampunk/vintage-industrial dies such as gears, cogs, film strips, slide mounts, and gentleman silhouettes, plus tags and labels
1–2 sentiment or word dies
You've got questions. We've got answers.
The live class will be hosted on YouTube. You will be sent a private link to access the class. Once the live class is over, a recording of the class will be available in the online classroom. You can also access the class and class materials by logging into your account at https://julianamichaels.podia.com/ and then choosing this class.
After the live class is completed, you will have access to the class replay and all other class materials in the online classroom. You can enjoy these whenever it fits your schedule.
You will have lifetime access to the class replay, pre-recorded content and all other class materials.
Because the link to the live class is shared with you upon purchase of the class, there will be NO refunds once you purchase the class.
The class is scheduled for two sessions of 2 hours each:
Session One 10AM - 12PM ET
Session Two 1PM - 3PM ET
Juliana recommends setting aside some extra time just in case class runs slightly over.
A general supply list is included above, and the downloadable class guide has a full detailed list as well. You can also click the supply list button above to view the exact products I'm using and shop with ease — everything is linked for easy browsing.
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