Mica Powder?

Mand · January 29, 2010, 01:10:20 PM

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

SilverGems89 · January 29, 2010, 01:12:48 PM

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!

princess pink · January 29, 2010, 01:18:25 PM

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

Mand · January 29, 2010, 01:26:21 PM

Great, thanks. Are you supposed to wear a protective "dust mask" when handling/using it?

princess pink · January 29, 2010, 01:28:22 PM

ummm...i never do! it doesn't realy go everywhere. it handles like powder eyeshadows (barry m) so i don;t bother x

SilverGems89 · January 29, 2010, 01:30:07 PM

I think as long as your not planning on chucking it around you should be ok without a dust mask

Trudi · 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!

Mand · January 29, 2010, 01:42:29 PM

Oh blimey, so it rubs off then?

Trudi · January 29, 2010, 03:14:56 PM

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!

Mary · January 29, 2010, 04:49:44 PM

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.

♥♥Tan♥♥ · January 29, 2010, 04:51:23 PM

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?

★★Terri★★ · January 29, 2010, 06:00:09 PM

got mine from Hobby Craft - probably was stupidly expensive :-(

Mand · January 29, 2010, 08:11:32 PM

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.

♥♥Tan♥♥ · January 29, 2010, 09:01:43 PM

Goldstone is lovely and easier than you think

Dee Dee · January 29, 2010, 09:28:13 PM

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......

I'm over it now, and I can laugh about it!