I've played with various types of mica for years, mostly because they sparkle and I like that.  However mica powders and mica flakes are not a patch on mica tablets or sheet mica!
I ordered some a couple of weeks ago and have been playing.  You can see the results below:
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| Looks like a stained glass window | 
 Mica is a rock, and when it arrived it was in a relatively thick sheets (like mount board thickness).  I was surprised to discover it didn't snap when I bent it, I wobbled it and eventually took a pair of scissors to it!
When I ran my thumb nail over the edge I found it was easy to de-laminate various layers, until they became super thin. and even more flexible.
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| You can see some minor de-lamination in the sheet above | 
The piece above is alcohol ink dripped onto glossy card stock as the substrate.  Unfortunately, you can't see the reflective quality of the mica in the photo's.   I peeled off a thin sheet of mica and stamped it with StazOn ink.  So far I haven't had much luck with other inks, but that is experimentation for another day.  After stamping, I glued the mica sheet to the substrate with Glossy Accents and once dry, I cut it with craft scissors.
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| Reminds me of ice! | 
I then tried embossing it in a folder.  The piece I embossed was almost full thickness and I was absolutely stunned with the result.  The various layers de-laminated where the embossing was and turned the whole thing into a beautiful mirror like finish.  Unfortunately it was too thick and reflective to see the substrate, so I carefully peeled off a layer.  It isn't as easy to peel whole layers once they are embossed.  There is a tendency for it to split away, but you get some lovely pieces that can be used elsewhere.
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| Close up of embossing and de-lamination | 
This piece is also alcohol ink on glossy card stock, with a layer of embossed mica over the top.  The stamping was done after it was put together and I added some blue dewdrops to finish it.
Thanks for looking and back to the experimentation!
Very pretty! Love both of them, especially the one with all the words :) Sal x
ReplyDeletebeautiful effects!
ReplyDeletewow, you are brave...:-)
I wouldn't have dared trying embossing the 'hardly bendable/non breakable sheet of rock' in a plastic folder. Does it not break the embossing folder?
The mica is rock but it is very flexible so no problem with it in the embossing folder. I have a feeling you could fold it in half without it snapping :)
DeleteYour experiments in art are always fun to read about. This one looks fascinating with all the shiny textural surfaces. I was wondering if acrylic inks would work, I have used them on metals and they seem to stick.
ReplyDelete