After admiring some beautiful beads coated with mica powder on this week's S&T I have been thinking that I may give it a try myself. I have a few questions which I wondered if anyone could please help with:
1) Firstly, is Mica powder also known "fairy dust"? (not the Val Cox greeny frit blend tho'!)
2) Do you roll the bead in it as you do with frit?
3) Do you fire it the same way as beads with frit?
4) Where can I buy some?
5) Is there anything else I should know?
Thanks,
Mand x :)
I've been thinking about getting some myself! i found them here http://www.warm-glass.co.uk/Shop/CategoryProducts.aspx?CategoryId=114, but have no idea how to use them so i'll be interested in what everyone has to say about them!
i got my mica powders from warm glass. You heat the bead til just glowing and then dip and roll it in the mica powder making sure to cover all the edges. Then you put it back in the flame and heat the bead a bit at a time to a quick glow and move round. Don't heat the bead til it really glows or the mica powder will melt into the glass and disappear. hth xx
Great, thanks. Are you supposed to wear a protective "dust mask" when handling/using it?
ummm...i never do! it doesn't realy go everywhere. it handles like powder eyeshadows (barry m) so i don;t bother x
I think as long as your not planning on chucking it around you should be ok without a dust mask :P
Unless you want a glittery work space I would keep the powder in a glass jar. I have a small one - the size that you get the little tasters of Jam in. I make my bead near the end of the mandrel so that it all fits in the jar easily!
And don't drop it whatever you do - I think it was Dee who dropped hers and then had a very golden studio!
Once the beads are cleaned I spray mine very lightly with hairspray to stop it rubbing off!
Oh blimey, so it rubs off then? :o
sometimes a little can - but I never want to heat it tooo much. But a fine mist of spray over them sorts it just incase!
You can roll the hot bead on a wad of damp paper towel to get the excess off, save sparkling your kiln!
I got mine from a soap making site. It is the same stuff as eyeshadow, so it's not too deadly.
I've often wondered how durable this is on beads, there doesn't seem to be a lot of it in use, does it wear/chip off then?
got mine from Hobby Craft - probably was stupidly expensive :-(
Actually I've changed my mind, I don't want a sparkly kiln. :-\ I think I'll just go for goldstone if I ever want sparkly.
Goldstone is lovely and easier than you think ;)
Quote from: Trudi on January 29, 2010, 01:36:41 PM
Unless you want a glittery work space I would keep the powder in a glass jar. I have a small one - the size that you get the little tasters of Jam in. I make my bead near the end of the mandrel so that it all fits in the jar easily!
And don't drop it whatever you do - I think it was Dee who dropped hers and then had a very golden studio!
Once the beads are cleaned I spray mine very lightly with hairspray to stop it rubbing off!
Yes, it was me...... :D :D I'm over it now, and I can laugh about it! ;D
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4015657839_71285b99a3.jpg)
Did you have the midas touch for a while ;D
Well, that's certainly decided it for me, that's a BIG mica NO! :D
Quote from: Tan on January 30, 2010, 11:45:07 AM
Did you have the midas touch for a while ;D
I wish! ;D
Just think, for a short sweet time you were the most glamorous lampworker in the world ever. It's not everyone who covers themselves and their work surface in gold you know ;)
Quote from: Tan on January 30, 2010, 04:49:13 PM
Just think, for a short sweet time you were the most glamorous lampworker in the world ever.
That's what I tell myself all the time! ;D ;D ;D
oooh errr i just ordered myself some gold last week - its not here yet but i had better keep it well under control especially as i am still working on the kitchen table...
I don't use it for lampworking, but from my experience the best way to deal with it is just to designate a Sparkly Day, and make mica powdered beads, and only mica powdered beads, on those days. Believe me, even if you think you've got rid of all the sparkles, there'll be bits there for the rest of the day.
(Everyone in my house hates Sparkly Day :D)
Quote from: Hazer on January 30, 2010, 10:15:28 PM
(Everyone in my house hates Sparkly Day :D)
meanines!!! :D
Sparkly day! :D :D :D
i can honestly say i've never had a problem with mica powder going everywhere or rubbing off. i keep it int eh plastic jars it comes in and dunk the bead into it (being super careful not to touch the sides!) and give it a swirl then put it back in the flame. sparkles contained! lol!