Mica Powders can make your Gourds Shimmer
With a little magic of mica powders, you can make embellishments, paints, clays and even the surface of the gourd shimmer. Get to know this product. Plus a great recipe for making your own Shimmer Sprays.
Mica powders are additives.
They will dissolve in ink dyes, acrylic paints, gourd varnish, Formula 49, glycerin, or gel glaze. These mediums will create a transparent appearance. The Mica powders can also be applied to a gourd using metal leaf adhesive. Which will give them a slightly opaque look with a slight texture.
Mica powders have only a little color pigment in them.
This is true of the cheap ones which are usually padded with colored chalk, This is not a problem because their main purpose is to create sparkle or shine. They won’t create a solid wash of bright color. If you want a richer color, just add some pigment powder.
Let’s look at 7 ways you can use them with gourd products.
Add them to Welburn Gourd Products
The Welburn farm has this short video showing how to add the pigment powders to their products which are the same for the mica powder. Add it to your gourd dyes to create metallic colors. Add a little gold, silver, or pearlescent to the gourd varnish and rub it over a colored gourd surface and watch it shimmer in the light. Works also with the wax medium.
2. Mica Powders with Acrylic paint
You can make your acrylic paint colors metallic by mixing a little powder into a dab of paint with a pallet knife.
Or you can create a more controlled color by mixing the mica in only white acrylic paint. Any craft acrylic paint will work. You need to use this immediately, as it can’t dry and be re-wet.
3. Clays and Quikwood
You can add it to polymer clay and quick wood to give the clay a metallic color. Think about that when you want something brass or silver attached to your gourd figures
4. Decoupage
Mica powder can be mixed into any liquid adhesive product used for decoupage. Begin by pouring some glue into a bowl. Slowly mix a little powder into your adhesive until you get the amount of sparkle you’re after. You can also add this powder to the clear glaze used to seal your decoupage projects.
5. Epoxy/Resin
The most common use of pure mica powder is in the 2-part resin process. It is poured into a channel in a piece of wood, dried, and then sanded smooth. I have seen this on gourds but didn’t see the process.
Save Money and Make your Shimmer Spray or sometimes called Glimmer mist
It is usually applied using a fine mist spray, and if you were to purchase it, it would usually be found in the scrapbook section of craft stores. There are a few different brands out there, but I feel like they are a bit too pricey, this one is over $11! So, let me show you how to make your own. Thanks to Jamie Brock for the photos and new tips I agree with.
6. Shimmer Spray Recipe
- Empty Spray Bottle (2 oz or similar)
- Rubbing Alcohol (a higher percentage is better but not necessary)
- Glue- Something that will dry clear. You can use Mod Podge, Glossy Accents, Diamond Glaze, or anything like that.
- Mica powder
- Small measuring spoon or a craft stick
- Optional: Alcohol Ink or acrylic paint if you want to add coloring to your mist/
There are some important tips to follow because of the mica particles. So, read carefully.
First, you will need a fine mist clear spray bottle. Look closely at the plastic tube. It should not be touching the bottom of the bottle. This is where the mica will plug it up. Cut it off about ¼ of an inch. You will also need to add a glass bead to help the mixing process.
Direction and Tips
Fill the bottle ¾ full of 91% alcohol. Just adjust the portions to similar parts according to the size of your bottle. Some use just water, but the problem of mold arises if you store it for long periods.
Next, add the glue about 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. will do for a small spray bottle. This can be any clear glue. I always have diamond glaze handy. The glue helps the product stay on the gourd.
The powder should be open over a folded piece of paper so if it falls, you can return it to the container. Also, I wear gloves because it can stain your fingers. Add just a little of the mica powder to the bottle.
Now you can mix the solution. Move it back and forth like ringing a bell. This helps dissolve the powder. Spray it on a shard to test the color. Add more mica if you want it darker.
The final important tip is to lay this bottle on its side for storage. This makes the mica settle to the side of the bottle instead of the bottom and it will mix faster the next time you shake it.
My favorite colors to use are gold, silver, and copper. My last tip is to hold the gourd about 6 inches away from the spray, so only the mist hits the gourd, not big droplets.
Half of the shard is dyed with a mahogany color, then spayed with copper mica spray. The plain half sprayed with the same spray.
7. Mixing Dry Pigment Powder with Pearl White Mica
To give any color media a pearlescent glow you will need a container of pearl white mica. You can use the exceptionally fine or the course grade white mica powder. Just add a bit of dry transparent or translucent pigment powder to the pearl white pigment and thoroughly mix. This stuff is awesome! You just need little for it to color. Gives a pretty pearl color. Jacquard has an entire set of these. You only really need the white.
How to Source Mica Powders
The best quality mica powders are made by Jacquard They have last forever for me and they come in wonderful colors. When they go on sale. I buy the golds, coppers, and bronzes. But you can find the widest selection at the vendors that sell supplies for making cosmetics. Cosmetic suppliers will likely have at least 100 different colors and the prices are cheaper than you might find at an art store.
Just carefully read the label to make sure the mica is there. Amazon carries the Biutee Mica Powder set of 32 for $14 link: https://tinyurl.com/y66s5qc5.
Check out eBay for good buys and even look in the Dollar stores. They sell them in the cosmetic dept for $1. Look for L.A. Colors Shimmering Loose Eyeshadow.
Give them a try! I love using them on my gourd jewelry. When they are on display, the metallic embellishments make them stand out. Also, keep your eye out for spray bottles on sale online and at the dollar stores.
You can purchase a hard copy of this blog in the Library/Store.
How have you used Mica Powders on your gourds? Share it here in the comment or bring it up on our Facebook Group Page.
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