Crafts With Copper & Glass Powder
Copper powders and glass powders are used for many different crafts. Copper powder is frequently used to add color to different items as well as producing a metallic finish. Glass powder is used in glass making and bead work. Dyes, such as copper powder, can be added to the glass to produce a range of colors.
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Embossing
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Copper powder is used in embossing. This powder works well in embossing as it easily conducts heat and produces a metallic as well as a raised finish. Embossing powder is applied over an ink stamp. The powder is dusted on and sticks to the ink. Excess powder is dusted off and then heat is applied. The copper powder melts and adds an additional dimension to the stamp.
Ceramics
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Copper powder is used as a colorant for ceramic glazes. Black copper oxide, red copper oxide and copper carbonate are all used to produce the black-green metallic colors known as gun metal. Copper powders are also used to create red colors and green or turquoise hues. It is possible to produce your own glazes and color by altering the combination of powder in the glaze.
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Glass Crafts
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Glass powders are made by grinding up spare bits of glass, and are used when fusing together different pieces of glass. This type of glass powder is known as frit and can be any color. Mixed with glue or water, the powders are then attached to the glass or item being fused. Glass powder can also be applied to the item using a stencil and then heated in the kiln.
Beads
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Powdered glass can be used to make a type of bead that originates from West Africa. The glass powder is poured into a bead mold and then heated in a kiln. Old beads and glass can be ground down into powder to make new beads. These beads come in all different shapes and sizes based on the type of mold used. It is possible to add colored dyes to the crushed glass to achieve different colors.
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