Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (2024)

Filed Under: Home Crafts

One of my favorite things about Halloween is the decorating. Yes, candy and costumes are fun, but Halloween decorations means crafting! If you are throwing a Halloween party (or even if you aren’t) these pumpkins covered in metallic glitter and mica really bring the wow factor. While they are not suitable for the outdoor elements, they make fantastic centerpieces and indoor flair.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (1)Making these pumpkins is a ton of fun, and does not involve any sharp and dangerous tools. In fact, you probably have a large majority of the necessary supplies already! The mica painted pumpkins are a great rainy day project. If you are making the glitter pumpkin you may consider crafting outside or covering your work surface. The glitter can get a little messy =)
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (2)

What You’ll Need (for all three pumpkins):
Gold Nail Polish Glitter
Silver Nail Polish Glitter
Heavy Gold Mica
Black Oxide Pigment
Luster Black Mica
99% Isopropyl Alcohol
Mod Podge
Masking/painters tape
Various paint brushes

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (3)Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

Let’s make some pumpkins! This post includes three different styles: mica painted polka dots, glitter stripes and a combo of the two. Of course you are not limited to these ideas, there are so many designs and colors that would work well. Some other ideas include chevron, spiderwebs, neon micas and various glitter colors!

Technique One: Mica Painted Polka Dots
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (4)

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (5)ONE: To create the mica and oxide paint, mix equal parts mica or oxide with 99% isopropyl alcohol in a small container. If necessary, use a mini mixer to stir out the clumps.How much paint you need will depend on the size and quantity of your pumpkins, but a little goes a long way!
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (6)TWO: For this project, mix 1 tsp. Heavy Gold Mica, Black Oxide and Luster Black Mica with 1 tsp. 99% isopropyl alcohol. Fill a small container with alcohol to clean the brush in between colors. If necessary, wash off any dirt on the pumpkin and dry.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (7)THREE: Begin drawing polka dots on the pumpkin.Because the paint is thin, do not put too much on your brush or it may drip.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (8)FOUR: In between colors, dip the paint brush in a small amount of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol to clean the brush. Continue painting polka dots of various shades all over the pumpkin.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (9)FIVE: Once happy with the design, spray the design with a thin layer of aerosol hairspray about 10 inches away from the pumpkin. Spraying with aerosol hairspray helps seal the paint, making it more resistant to smudging. It will not water proof the pumpkin.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (10)TIP: Don’t spray too much hairspray, or the paint will begin to drip! Spraying the hairspray too close to the pumpkin can also lead to dripping. If this happens, use a wet paper towel or rag to clean up the drips, and touch up any smudged paint.

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (11)

Technique Two: Glitter Stripes
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (12)

ONE: Rinse and dry your pumpkin. Using masking or painters tape, apply stripes of tape from the stem to the bottom until the entire pumpkin is covered. Applying the tape as even and straight as possible will lead to better results.
TIP:Place the pumpkin on top of newspaper or several small pieces of paper to aid in the cleanup.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (13)TWO: Using a sturdy paint brush, apply Mod Podge glue to one section of pumpkin skin in between strips of tape.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (14)THREE: Pour gold glitter onto the glue, allowing the glitter to fall onto the sheet of paper that the pumpkin is sitting on. Continue applying the gold glitter until the entire strip is covered. Pour the excess gold glitter back into the container.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (15)FOUR: Repeat step three with silver glitter.Continue applying gold and silver glitter until the entire pumpkin is covered.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (16)FIVE: Gently remove the tape strips. If necessary, clean up any glitter that got under the tape.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (17)SIX: To prevent the glitter from falling off the pumpkin, spray the entire pumpkin with aerosol hairspray. Allow to dry, and apply another coat of hairspray.

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (18)
Technique Three: Mica Dots & Glitter Stripes

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (19)

ONE: Apply strips of masking or painters tape from the stem of the pumpkin, to the bottom of the pumpkin. Apply Mod Podge glue to every other section of pumpkin skin with glue. Pour silver glitter onto the glue, allowing the excess glitter to fall off.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (20)TWO: Once every other taped section of pumpkin has been covered with silver glitter, gently remove the strips of tape.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (21)THREE: Make mica/oxide paint using equal parts mica/oxide and 99% isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. Stir thoroughly to mix, and if necessary, use a mini mixer to remove any clumps. Begin painting dots of various sizes and colors in between the strips of silver glitter.
Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (22)FOUR: Once you’re happy with the design, spray the entire pumpkin with aerosol hairspray. Do not spray too much or too close, or the mica painting may drip (see photo above). Allow to fully dry, and apply another coat of hairspray. Allow to dry and enjoy!

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (23) Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (24)What is your favorite way to decorate pumpkins for Halloween? Of course, I’m a fan of basic carving too!

Mica Paint & Glitter Pumpkins (3 Different Ways!) - Soap Queen (2024)

FAQs

How to paint with mica powder on soap? ›

(Glycerin and isopropyl alcohol work too.) Add 1 teaspoon of mica to 1 tablespoon of oil, and blend until the mixture is smooth without any clumps. Then add 1 teaspoon of this mixture to your soap at a time until the color is just right.

How do you make glitter pumpkins? ›

Spray the top and middle portion of a pumpkin with spray adhesive. While the glue is still wet, use a spoon to sprinkle glitter over the sticky surface of the pumpkin. Allow to dry.

What do you mix mica powder with to paint? ›

Most artists love to add mica powders to a translucent pouring medium, such as Floetrol or Liquitex, to add shimmer or metallic accents to their acrylic pouring projects, and the results are remarkable.

What happens if you put too much mica in soap? ›

Don't: Add Too Much Mica at Once

Introducing too much powder can lead to clumping, which results in an uneven distribution of color throughout the soap. Instead, sprinkle the mica powder gradually and mix thoroughly to ensure uniformity. Too much mica powder can also make the soap feel grainy.

How do you get magical pumpkins? ›

It is obtained from harvesting fully-grown Pumpkins during Halloween, which has a 1/200 (0.5%) chance to drop a Magical Pumpkin Seed. When the player jumps high enough or outruns the Squashling, it will twirl and fly after the player.

How do you make foaming pumpkins? ›

Directions:
  1. In a small bowl, combine some dish soap, food coloring, and baking soda. Exact amounts aren't necessary. ...
  2. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the pumpkin.
  3. Slowly pour some vinegar into the pumpkin.
  4. Stand back and observe. You should see a big, foamy, mess ooze from the pumpkin's eyes, nose, and mouth!

How do you dissolve mica for soap? ›

The general rule of thumb is to use one teaspoon of mica in 500 g of soap. A trick I learned from Soap Queen, is to disperse the mica in a little lightweight oil – I use rice bran oil – and mix it with a electric mini-mixer until you have a smooth paste, and add this to your soap at light trace.

What does mica powder do to soap? ›

Using mica in soap and cosmetic bases. Mica powders result in vivid, steadfast colors, but it works a little differently than liquid dye. Mica powder is suspended within a base, while liquid dyes combine with and saturate the base.

What kind of paint to use on soap? ›

You can rub the back and front side of the soap to compare if you're naturally inquisitive like me. Start by placing a small amount of craft acrylic paints onto palette paper or a paper plate. For this project using runnier paints is actually better than thicker paints.

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