Pixie dust

[GoodMonkey]

I have been trying to track down a supplier for pixie dust for a while now without success - could anyone point me in the right direction please?

[Juniper]

I bought mine from frantz...

[glassworks]

yep, frantz still has some...

[dinah46]

I think I'm right in thinking that pixie dust is just mica? I have successfully used Mica supplies in my fusing from soap making supply companies eg. http://www.soapbasics.co.uk/
However - a note of caution, mica ends up everywhere if you don't clean all your tools and the kiln afterwards

I found this useful link showing the colours on wet canvas as well http://www.listen-up.org/kitty/beads/pearl/charts.htm

[LittleHen]

You can get some from Decorative Glass Supplies, Bradford www.decorativeglasshop.co.uk their website is rubbish but give them a call as they're really friendly.
They are my local stained glass suppliers and I have been going to them for the last 16 years since I was a teenager!
I've not given it a go yet but I'll wait and have a go in the New Year
Jessie 

[garishglobes]

I bought some from the US a while ago to mess around with and have never really got round to using it much. If you just want a play with some, send me a message & I'll stick a bit in the post for you.

[*rowanberry*]

Yup cosmetic mica will do the trick - its what I have used theres usually some floating around on eBay or try some soap making places.

I should get my mica out again sometime, i keep forgetting about it!

[Lush!]

Oooh, another new toy ... so how is it best used please guys?

[*rowanberry*]

usually best on a black or white base bead... make your bead then just roll it in the mica/pixie dust but try not to put too much heat on it - it dont like it!

[Lush!]

Thanks for all this info Claire, you're fab 

[GlassOcean]

Is it sparkley?

Has anyone got any pics of beads with pixie dust?

[*rowanberry*]

it gives it a pearlescent effect

[turnedlight]

I tried to encase it, but it just ended up as a blob inside!

[Juniper]

I made stringers of it... Mixed it to clear glass and pulled, but I don't think i had enough pixie dust in it. Those stringers had a few sparkles here and there..

[*rowanberry*]

It doesnt really like going anywhere near heat, so if you can make putting the pixie dust on the last thing you do thats the best thing.

As for stringers apprently you make a "paddle" on the end of your rod, make it a bit "spoony" add a load of pixie dust to the spoon then foldover the paddle glass on top of the dust until sealed. You heat the glassy package then pull into stringer I have never tried it though!