Can You Mix Mica Powder and Mod Podge?
Mica powder and Mod Podge make the perfect pair. Learn how to use mica in Mod Podge projects and find some inspiration for using mica with decoupage glue.
Mica powder can be mixed directly in decoupage glue to add a burst of color instead of food coloring, acrylic dyes, or other colorants. But there’s an added benefit with mica: Thanks to mica’s natural mineral crystalline properties, mica adds color AND shimmer.
Mica has a wide variety of applications in decoupage. With jewelry making, mica adds a brilliance to DIY decoupage pendants, or it can be used to add a vintage golden hue to decoupage bowls and plates.
In general, there are two main techniques for using mica in Mod Podge and other decoupage mediums:
- Mix In Technique – Mix mica directly into the liquid glue. Then, use the mixture as a paint or to adhere paper and other materials to surfaces.
- Paint On Technique – Coat a surface with decoupage glue, then dust or brush the still-wet glue with mica powder.
This guide takes a closer look at these techniques, and also includes links to helpful tutorials for using mica and Mod Podge.
Technique 1: Mixing Mica and Decoupage Glue
Mod Podge and other decoupage mediums have two main uses. They can be used in crafts and DIY projects to adhere paper, glitter or mica to surfaces like glass, paper or metals. Alternatively, Mod Podge is also a useful translucent sealer.
Adding mix directly to the medium changes its color and provides sheen, which is helpful if you want to add glimmer to decoupage glassware, pendants, and other crafts.
To use this technique, simply combine a small amount of mica powder into the Mod Podge and mix thoroughly. This process is very similar to making watercolors with mica, in that you’re adding mica slowly to a binding medium.
Here are all the steps to follow to mix mica and decoupage glue:
- Pour Mod Podge onto a glass working surface or into a mixing cup.
- Add one-quarter teaspoon of mica powder to the medium.
- Stir (if it’s in a cup) or mix with a palette knife, and combine thoroughly.
- Test the color. Add additional mica for a deeper color.
This technique is great for painting on surfaces, or creating a sparkling sealer for your crafts.
Tutorial: Refinishing Bowls with Mica
Mica mixed with Mod Podge is the perfect medium for refinishing bowls. The below example used gesso as the medium (which is like decoupage glue), and decoupage was also used to adhere floral prints to the bowl’s interior. The process is easy to follow: Just paint the surface with the mica-decoupage mixture, and then, seal with a spray-on sealer:
→ One tip: Consider adding a paint conditioner or water to the Mod Podge-mica mixture. This will improve its fluidity. Just be careful not to add too much. Start with 1 teaspoon of water or conditioner at a time, and mix thoroughly. Stop when you reach the desired viscosity.
Technique 2: Adhering Mica to Decoupage Glue
This technique is common with micas and ultra-fine glitters. There are two ways to do it:
-
While Wet – Apply Mod Podge to any surface where you want to add color. Then coat the wet decoupage glue with mica or glitter. Finally, tap away any excess glitter or mica.
- After Drying – Just after the Mod Podge dries, it will still be tacky. You can add mica, without it clumping during this time. Use a soft brush to pat the mica onto the surface. Then, gently brush or dab away excess with a paper towel.
Tutorial: Decoupage Medium Tumbler
Coat a tumbler with black paint. Spray paint works or you can add a thin coat of black-tinted epoxy. Once the base coat dries, add a layer of decoupage glue and let it dry. Then, brush iridescent mica over the surface. Finally, use a spray sealer or craft epoxy resin to coat the tumbler and lock in the color.
More Mica and Decoupage Project Ideas
When you mix mica and decoupage medium, an iridescent shimmer is added. Here are some project ideas for this technique:
1. Mod Podge Pendants
Use DIY pendant frames, and adhere a paper embellishment to the frame. Then, coat the paper with sparkling mica and Mod Podge. Finally, seal the pendant with a product like Dimensional Magic, for an epoxy-like look. Here’s a quick tutorial for using this technique:
2. Coating Photos
Add a sparkling seal to any photo with mica. Adhere the photo to a wooden frame. Then cover with several coats of the mica-and-decoupage medium mixture. Another option: Try this technique with Mod Podge photo transfer for added shimmer.
3. DIY Sea Glass
Upscale old Mason jars with mica and Mod Podge. Simply mix your mica and decoupage glue. Sea green mica or bronze blue green. Coat the inside of the jar with mica, and then bake on a low temperature in the oven until dry. This tutorial shows the technique, and although it uses dye as a colorant, mica works just as great (and adds plenty of shimmer).
Learn More: Mica in Arts and Crafts
See the Slice of the Moon blog for more mica powder how-tos and tutorials. You’ll also find 60+ uses for mica powder in our quickstart guide.
Looking for some color inspiration?
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