Powdered Pearl Basics

Materials/Supplies

What are Powdered Pearls?

Powdered Pearls are pearlescent powered mica. The only difference between Powdered Pearls
and the other brands are Powdered Pearls are completely skin safe, less expensive and come
in more colors.

HOW TO MIX WITH GUM ARABIC

Use FOUR parts Powdered Pearls to ONE part gum Arabic.. Mix the two powders together,
then add drops of water, stirring after each one. It may take a minute or two for the gum
Arabic to become saturated with water, so be patient. Paint is the right consistency when
YOU are satisfied with it. Thin for a shimmer wash, thicker for complete coverage and
medium for sponging.

**If using liquid Gum Arabic OR Any other Extender Medium, add drops one at a time over PP.

**Other Medium that can be mixed with PP:

• Aleenes Satin Varnish (or matte)
• Liquitex Acrylic Extender
• Glaze Medium (extender)

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Project #1

1. On a piece of Cardstock, Stamp your image with a Memories Pad or any kind that would
   not run if water is painted over.
2. Mix your PP on the colors that you desire.
3. Proceed to paint your image with a thin brush (this depends on the size of your image
   or details). Once mixed with Gum Arabic, your PP paint just like acrylic paints.
4. Mount your finish product on another piece of Cardstock.

Variations:

1. You can Stamp and HEAT emboss your image with embossing powder.
2. Proceed to paint over with PP.
3. Stamp and Heat emboss another of the same image (flowers work very well for this..)
4. Cut details of your 2nd image and glue on the first for a 3-D effect.

**You can use double side foam, silicone, or beads of Hot Glue to do this 3D technique.

Project #2

Using PP dry:

1. On a piece of Cardstock, Stamp the image you desire.
2. Dip brush (round brushes are good for this) in dry PP.

***Important!! You only need a little bit of it!!!!!If you think you have too much on your
brush, get rid of it by tapping on paper or in the jar.

***REMEMBER...you can always add more color!

3. Proceed to "paint" your image with light strokes. (It will look like eye shadow)

Do this randomly, and with different colors.

**DO NOT WORRY to keep within the lines..That is the whole idea of this

technique.

4. When you are done "painting", lightly tap your paper.
5. Use Acrylic Spray (like Krylon) to fix the colors in your paper.

**Remember you have no fixative here since we are using them dry.***

Making a Background:

1) Stamp randomly on cardstock.

2)Dip brush on PP (gold for example)

3) Spray with fixative

Making a Background #2

1. Dip brush on complimentary color and brush over tissue paper.  (Plain or with designs)
2. Spray with fixative.

Use it for wrapping boxes or making envelopes.

***You can use any kind Wrapping paper too.

OTHER USES FOR THIS TECHNIQUE:

**Tea Bag Folding:

1. After you fold all the papers, brush lightly with PP to make your designs shine. 
   These are random projects with tips to try your Powdered Pearls with other techniques
2. Use them with stamps on sealing wax. Mix with the sealing wax for a whole new color.
   Swirled marble patterns are beautiful. Use the Powdered Pearls as a release agent in place
   of embossing fluid or ink. (Like an ink pad)
3. Use Miracle tape for a border of pure shine.
4. Apply Miracle Tape or Double side tape on a piece of cardstock.
   **you can do this on a terracotta pot too for a variation**
5. Press the PP on it.
6. Spray if desired with acrylic (Krylon)
7. Mix them with embossing powders for extra punch. Gold or Silver with the dark colors of
   EP are especially dynamic.
8. Mix with polymer clay while pliable or brush on after it's baked. Fimo or Sculpy can be used
   as imitation sealing wax or as beads for use on books and boxes. You can also stamp in polymer
   clay, bake and use the Powdered Pearls. Be sure to seal.
9. Sprinkle some powder on an old stamp pad and then re-ink.
10. Mix with Perfect Paper Adhesive or Mod Podge for a glimmer finish. You may also use acrylic
    gel or medium.
11. G)--Mix gold Powdered Pearls with just enough clear embossing powder to make it stick and
    sprinkle over black nd brown mottled background for a great faux tortoise shell. Powdered Pearls
    don't need fixative when mixed with embossing powder or glues.  Sponging works very well to
    make the mottled black and browns background.
12. H)--Use dye re-inkers and make matching pearl colors for your inkpads.
13. I)--Thin the paint you make with the gum Arabic and Powdered Pearls down to a ink consistency
    and use it in a dip pen for calligraphy. The 'old fashioned' dip type pens like Hunt work the best.
    Stop working and clean out your pin nib frequently. Any dried or caked on Powdered Pearls will
    soap right off with warm water, and a short wait. A soft brush like a child's toothbrush will get any
    stubborn spots.
14. J)--Powdered Pearls powders also mix well in your paste mixture for making paste papers.
15. K)--Use Powdered Pearls with your markers. Color a bit of your favorite marker on to a non
    porous surface, pick up some Pearls on the tip if your marker and mix back in the puddle to mix,
    then use. The tip cleans up easily with a damp tissue.