The idea for this tutorial was inspired by a glitter text tutorial at Amber's PSP Web Pages.
This is a simplified version of the animation part of the tutorial.
For a more in-depth look at the technicalities go to Amber's site.

I have also incorporated the dolphin brush from Tiffany's site at Playful Pixels
and she has given me permission to share it for my tutorial.

This tutorial has been done in PSP 8.1 which uses the Animation Shop version 3.10
It can also be done in earlier versions of PSP with a few modifications to the saving procedure.
Refer to Amber's original tutorial for these changes.

This tutorial is intended as a basis for any number of variations you may wish to try.
Experiment and have fun

Requirements

Paint Shop Pro  - download a free 30-day trial from here
Your choice of brush, mask and gradient.

I have used my zip file containing the 20-20 mask and MW-diamond_glitter.jgd gradient.
Copy the mask to the Mask folder and the gradient to the Gradient folder.
Tiffany's Dolphin Brush - copy into your Brush folder in the My PSP8 Folder.
You will also need to go to Files > Import > Custom Brush.
Click on Open and locate the brush and then click add, OK.
 

Remember to Save often!

Step One
Open a new transparent image 350 x 250 and flood fill with white.
Add a new Raster layer and flood fill with the gradient with the following settings
Linear
Angle = 45
Invert checked.

Step Two
Go to Layers > Load/Save Mask > Load Mask from Disk.
(or click on the Mask icon on the Layer Palette)

Note: In this screenshot I have circled the Invert Transparency option.
You can use this option to reverse a mask if you wish.

Select the mask of your choice and apply.
Right click on the gradient layer Merge Visible.
Right click and rename layer Gradient.
Save your work.

Step Three
Click on the Magic Wand with the following settings
Mode = Add (Shift)
Tolerance = zero
 and select the white corners.
Version 7 - hold down Shift key to select all the corners
Hit the Delete key.

Deselect and save your work in PSP format.

Step Four
Add a new raster layer and name it brush.
Click on the Brush Tool and then on the custom brush small arrow to the right

Select the desired brush and click OK
NOTE: You could also use a tube if you prefer.

Step Five
Choose a dark  foreground colour - I have used #50405B
Left click to apply the brush in the centre of the gradient.
Use the Mover Tool to move the dolphins up slightly if necessary.

Note: to make the brush darker, click twice in the same place

Save your work!

Step Six
Adding Curved Text

Click on the Gradient layer to make it the active layer.
Set the foreground to a darkish colour - the colour isn't important
as it's only a guide for the text placement

Set the background to null

Click on the Preset Shape Tool with the following settings:
Retain Style - unchecked
Create as Vector - checked
Anti-alias - checked
Select a suitable shape as a basis for the curved text - I've used the Jasc Moon1 shape.
For more help to  put text on a curve in V7 go to my tutorial.

As this shape is being created as a vector it will automatically create
a new vector layer between the gradient and the brush layers.

Step Seven
Draw out the moon shape starting from the left hand side.
It doesn't matter if it goes off the right hand side, it's only to give a guide for where the text will go.

Step Eight
Click on  the Text Tool and select a font of your choice - I have used Arnold Boecklin
with the following settings:
Create as Floating
Anti-alias checked
Auto Kern checked
Size between 48 - 72 depending of the font used.
Set the foreground to a dark colour and the background a lighter colour.
The glitter in the animation is determined by the foreground colour.
I have used gold #DACA46 foreground & white background.

Step Nine
Position the cursor on the left hand side of the curve, where you want the the text to start.
The cursor will change to a cross hair with a capital A and a curved line underneath.
Type in your desired text.

Deselect (CTRL + D)

Save your work!

Step Ten
In the Layer Palette click on the eye to hide the vector layer with the shape
or if you are happy with your text you can delete the vector layer.

Use the Mover Tool to centralise the text.
At this stage you could use an inner bevel, add a drop shadow and
you would have a nice simple tag.

If you would like to add some glitter and animate the tag

CONTINUE THE TUTORIAL

If you have any queries don't hesitate to contact me.

Please help me keep this site up and running....
ANYTHING is appreciated, thank you so much!