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I recently uncovered a stash of Powdered Pearls that I probably bought about 10 years ago at a stamping convention. Problem is I forget how to use them. Yikes! I know they are a mica powder, but am trying to remember if they can be heat set or if I need to mix them with something to keep them stable.
Are these "Powdered Pearls" or "Perfect Pearls?" I know Perfect Pearls are vastly different from Pearl Ex powders. I don't recall anything by the name of Powdered Pearls, though...
Powdered pearls have no binder in them.. they are like Pearl Ex. You can brush them over versamarked/embossing inked areas and I think they will set in that or spray your finished piece with a fixatif.
To use in Mini-Misters for your own glimmer spray, you must mix gum arabic with it.
What I have done now is to make my own dry "mix" in small clear screw cap jars you can get at the dollar store. Mix 4 parts of mica powder to 1 part gum arabic powder and mix in the little jars. Voila "perfect pearls" ;) You can use this mix to make your own shimmer paint as well. just scoop a bit out and mix it with a bit of water.
You can also paint with a dove blender pen. Just put a little bit on the tip of your nib.
To make a waterproof acrylic shimmer paint mix the powder with an acrylic varnish or medium.
you can also create "melted" pearls by heat embossing a solid image with clear powder and patting some loose pearl-ex powder into that while its still warm ( and rub off the excess)
I also make my own mists with pearl ex, gum arabic, water, and re-inkers to get any color spray I want. I love that I can get the saturation of color and amount of sparkle making my own sprays.
Powdered Pearls
* Fred
