pixie dust

[flowerjasper]

just got in from the shed, my glass came from moretti and more today,
sooo lovely didnt mind paying customs to much!!
i seem to be getting the hang of the seeded glass etc,(intense black frit is fun)
but the pixie dust is so light and clumpy i wasnt sure what to do with it!!
i have it all over my hands, two coats (its cold out there!)
any tips on how to use it?
i have two tubs of it!!
sandy

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

Make a bead, let it cool ever so slightly then roll it in the pixie dust, tap off the excess then put the bead back in the very tip of the flame, the coolest part and gently warm it so it sticks, .....voila!!

[jaz]

I keep mine in glass jar that I bought herbs in - threw out the herbs first of course. The jars are long enough that you can put the bead and mandrel in and give the jar a turn to coat the whole bead. Just don't keep the bead in there too long as the jar gets hot.

Helen

[Caroline]

oh thats a fab idea Helen

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

ooo that is a fab idea Helen

[Billie]

Indeedy, that is a fab idea Helen 

[GlassOcean]

Oooo what they said Helen, I can feel a trip to the pound shop coming on!

[Kay]

can I be thick and ask what pixie dust is

[flowerjasper]

i brought 2 tubs not knowing what it is!!
meant to add sparkle,      would you like a sample? pm me,
thanks for the tips will try tomorrow,
should i encase or leave it ?
sandy

[Kay]

is it Mica powder?

[jaz]

Yes, it is mica powder and I think encasing it will spoil the lustre effect but I don't think I have ever tried encasing it. Also don't heat the bead too much after you apply the mica or it will disappear.

Helen

[Kay]

I have Pearl Ex pigments, not sure if its the same stuff???

[jaz]

I haven't used PearlEx but I have tried similar stuff. It seemed more dense than the normal mica and went on in a thicker layer. It survived annealing and stayed on. I guess you just have to try it and see what happens.

Helen

[Mary]

Some PearlEx just burns to ash, some is good, it depends on the colour. Mica for soap making works well and you get loads.
Here's a useful chart.

http://www.listen-up.org/kitty/beads/pearl/charts.htm

[Kay]

Thank you for the link Mary, very useful x