Looking to add a little extra flare to your resin jewellery? Mica is designed to add a touch of glamour to a range of craft projects. So, whether you’re just starting out in jewellery making or are looking to add another trick up your sleeve, find out how to use mica powder to create unique, pearlescent and shimmering effects that everyone will love.
What is Mica Powder?
If you’re a beginner when it comes to enamelling, you may be wondering “what is mica pigment powder exactly?” – because there’s often some confusion around the differences between mica and pigment. Mica is a natural stone mineral that contains small, shiny flakes.
It is then ground down to form mica powder – a shimmer pigment that looks like a very fine glitter and is available in a vast range of colours. This mineral is used to add colour and shimmer to epoxy resin, soap, candles, cosmetics and even translucent polymer clay. Although mica differs to pigment powder, as its main purpose is to create a sparkling or shiny effect, whereas pigments are the colours themselves.
How to use Mica Powder at Home?
Mica powder is a versatile substance that can be used in a variety of different ways. You can fully mix it in with your epoxy resin, swirl in a small amount to create a galaxy effect or even just flick some onto your design to create a speckled finish. Check out our video below for a small demonstration on how to use mica powder:
Wondering how to make mica powder and epoxy resin into a combined mixture? To mix your resin and mica together, take a mixing stick and stir gently to form the iridescent shimmer. You’ll find that just a small amount provides good cover and dispersion, with light-reflecting micro particles creating luminous effects. Here are some ideas for how to use mica powder at home:
- Add a small amount to clear resin to form a shimmery, pearlescent effect.
- Carefully swirl a small amount into coloured resin to form dreamy, space-like effects.
- Mix into coloured resin to create shimmery shades.
- Mix two or more powders together to form new colours and create unique colours and designs.
- Take a cocktail stick with some mica on the end and flick it onto your resin artwork for a fun, unique effect.
- Using a small, wet paintbrush, take a small amount of mica and swill it around on a palette to make it wet. Then simply paint it on to your chosen design! This method also works well with things like dried flowers as you can paint it almost anywhere.
- Adding mica powder to acrylic paint is also a great way to add depth to your artwork.
When it comes to learning how to use mica powder, always remember that a little goes a long way.
How to use mica powder in jewellery making
Now you’ve got a grip on the different ways to use mica, incorporating it into your jewellery designs is easy. Need some ideas to help get you started? Here’s some inspiration on how to use mica powder in jewellery making:
- Create moonstone effects by taking small amounts of the powder and mixing it into epoxy resin. This design works particularly well with a teardrop pendant bezel and a few flakes of gold leaf sheet.
- Got some faulty gemstones that you can’t use? Mix your epoxy resin and powder and fill a round pendant bezel 1/3 of the way full (the deeper the better, or you may have to break up your gemstone a little more). Take your stones and break them up into smaller pieces. Using tweezers, place your crushed pieces into the resin and then pour over more resin until the bezel is full. Leave part of the gemstone pieces uncovered to create a fine druzy effect, and use different shades of the same colour gemstone to add an even more unique effect.
- Create a pendant using sheet metal and jewellery stamps to form designs on the surface of the metal. Take some powder on a wet paint brush and lightly paint over the stamping. Use multiple colours to create a unique effect. This is a great way to brighten up your basic necklace designs – also ideal for drop earrings, too.
- Making clay jewellery? Mix the powder in with raw clay to add colour or brush the pigment on to your moulded piece, sealing it with a finish over the top.
Learn how to use mica powder with Cooksongold
At Cooksongold, we sell a range of mica powders that are vegan friendly, cruelty-free and ethically sourced. From iridescent mica powder to brighter colours that will add a pop of colour to your designs. We also have a selection of epoxy resin and equipment to help you bring your designs to life – including bezels, mixing tools and the colours themselves. You’ll find everything you need at Cooksongold.
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