Originally Posted by Mrstkeller

Anyone know where I can get silver (not gunmetal) hexes that are .062" or larger? I'm also wondering which method you all prefer. . mixing up your glitters and adding base when you need to whip up a batch, or mixing each batch uniquely at the time you make it. I start with base and go from there but I'm having a hard time figuring out my recipe with the glitters when I go bigger. Maybe I'm totally missing something.

Don't know about the silver. Only silver I have is stars.

I measure them out one by one (for now at least). Depending on if I'm using a colored base or not depends on what goes first.

It pretty much makes absolutely no sense to anyone but me (as do my notes) I've got things like "white bit" "red bit" "white bottom" "black drop"

That's why the only thing other people get to do is shake and label.

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

I don't exactly understand this question .Are you looking for something to use naked or PETA approved ? Universal precautions wearing cap, gloves, full coverage safety goggles, long sleeves/apron and N95 mask are minimum human protections while handling ANY pigments. *A squirt bottle of sterile saline should be available to rinse eyes after working. ALL pigments are microscopically airborne and are potentially irritating to skin and eyes, and if inhaled, lungs too. ( Irritating is not the same as harmful but can still be a problem for many individuals.) This has nothing to do with PETA. As far as Spectraflair testing, Lots of human frankophiles have tested it, too. *Some pigments adhere tenaciously to anything because the very substance which facilitates dispersion is 'sticky'. Also, static charges cause flyaways. Not all rinse off skin with plain water. There is no connection between animal testing and safe work practices. You want something no monkey has tried, which is cool, but that doesn't mean you should breathe it. Only once the pigments are within polish are particles safely contained. Have you read MSDS for everything you are using? Spectraflair is trademarked, and as far as I know, no other product competes as a close alternative. * don't forget * Well ventilated workspaces are needed even for 3 and 5 free bases and polishes, too. I have no idea if this helps !

Thanks for the safety reminders Stormy!

It agrees with what I've heard. I asked TKB about the possibility of carrying something cosmetic safe like spectraflair and was told that it was too expensive to carry. If it was that pricey I imagine there wouldn't be a lot of other suppliers selling small quantities who could carry it. Also given the duds that we've seen in some commercial holo polishes like Color Club Revvvolution I imagine it might be hard to get a good consistent source of the pigment to make a holo or a linear holo.

Originally Posted by Mrstkeller

Anyone know where I can get silver (not gunmetal) hexes that are .062" or larger? I'm also wondering which method you all prefer. . mixing up your glitters and adding base when you need to whip up a batch, or mixing each batch uniquely at the time you make it. I start with base and go from there but I'm having a hard time figuring out my recipe with the glitters when I go bigger. Maybe I'm totally missing something.

I just checked my glitter spreadsheet and I don't have any silver hexes so I am no help.

I haven't made anything complicated enough to warrant writing out a recipe. Can you weigh the glitter as you go - to keep track of proportions?

Does anyone have any experience purchasing at the Kit Kraft site? None of their glitter specify if they are solvent resistant or not.

Thanks mothbeast and star. . I think I'd need a pretty sensitive scale to weight those amounts, which my husband tells me would be expensive, but I haven't researched it myself. Right now, I'm using my 'smidge/dash/bit' measuring spoons. LOL! I've just seen some pics of those that sell on etsy and I think they mix up their dry components ahead of time and then add base, but I'm just guessing.

temjendward, I think KK has bleeders in it, but I'm not sure. . did you check out polish & pigments? I'm pretty sure she's tested KK glitters.

Originally Posted by Mrstkeller

Thanks mothbeast and star. . I think I'd need a pretty sensitive scale to weight those amounts, which my husband tells me would be expensive, but I haven't researched it myself. Right now, I'm using my 'smidge/dash/bit' measuring spoons. LOL! I've just seen some pics of those that sell on etsy and I think they mix up their dry components ahead of time and then add base, but I'm just guessing. temjendward, I think KK has bleeders in it, but I'm not sure. . did you check out polish & pigments? I'm pretty sure she's tested KK glitters.

TKB sells gram scales and I have one. If I can find it I can test it for you tonight to see if it registers glitter in small amounts from those little spoons (I have those too).
I think that is how people do it for larger batches. There wassome interview with Lynnderella where you see her workspace and she had little bottles that look like the ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles but smaller and white. I was thinking those would be good for adding glitter to bottles if you cut the tip to be bigger but I haven't found small ones yet.

Originally Posted by teamjendward

Does anyone have any experience purchasing at the Kit Kraft site? None of their glitter specify if they are solvent resistant or not.

I haven't. I've heard too many reports of people buying the items they tell them are solvent resistant and they bleed. It's just not worth it.

Originally Posted by Mrstkeller

Thanks mothbeast and star. . I think I'd need a pretty sensitive scale to weight those amounts, which my husband tells me would be expensive, but I haven't researched it myself. Right now, I'm using my 'smidge/dash/bit' measuring spoons. LOL! I've just seen some pics of those that sell on etsy and I think they mix up their dry components ahead of time and then add base, but I'm just guessing. temjendward, I think KK has bleeders in it, but I'm not sure. . did you check out polish & pigments? I'm pretty sure she's tested KK glitters.

yea, for glitter I just use 1/8 & 1/4 teaspoons.

I'm really sad that glitter unique is switching over to baggies instead of jars. I like the jars :(

Thankfully I've got some empty ones I'll use but still.

I have a question, more like a poll. Do you ladies think there is enough glitter sources for the craft of making polishes?

I don't know if i'm just not in the know, but I can't seem to find everything that I want. I'm trying to find every available option. I think my problem might be that I can't look at a glitter from one place, and say hey it might go nice with this glitter from here, and that one from there, because of the difference in color in real life vs. what I see on the screen. So i've pretty much only bought a couple sample sizes, because I don't even know where to start.

Does everyone just buy there glitter from the places that sell small amounts, or does anyone buy huge amounts from manufacturers?

Also those of you using glamour base, is it better to thin it with thinner or cut it with clear? I find that after a few days it gets verryyy thick.

Originally Posted by DivaPlavalaguna

So, I'm experimenting with using micas and oxides to ting polish bases instead of existing polish. I'm getting good color payoff but it's leaving little..... chunks for lack of a better word. No matter how long I shake or how much I pulverize the powder before putting it in the polish, I'm still having this problem. http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/d17a81e0.jpg Any suggestions?

Most definitely get you a small coffee grinder, I got mine for $9 and change from walmart. It's by hamilton beach, black with a transparent charcoal lid.

I've not used it for nail polishes, but I make eyeshadows sometimes and I had to have it for that. It worked like a dream, much better than a motar/dish thingy.

You could also try the sieve thing that someone else suggested. I use to use those to strain my store bought glitter polishes for their suspension base. But if the chunks aren't big enough then they will slip through.

I think I would try a cheese cloth, I think it's called. My mom used to use it to strain yogurt, to make greek. That would probably get the tiny chunks out best. Sorry for the novel. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Star13

I haven't. I've heard too many reports of people buying the items they tell them are solvent resistant and they bleed. It's just not worth it.

Oooh okay thanks so much for the tip I won't waste my money there then. =)

Originally Posted by Mrstkeller

temjendward, I think KK has bleeders in it, but I'm not sure. . did you check out polish & pigments? I'm pretty sure she's tested KK glitters.

Oh yes I have checked that list out. Wow you're right that's a lot of bleeding glitters! Thank you!

Originally Posted by Star13

I just emailed them after double checking the color against the smaller of the same color and it's definitely not the one I ordered. It's not a big deal since it's such a small amount, but I just wanted to know I had some supplies if I need to make more polish with them.

hum... I need to start double checking my orders too... I don't think I got everything I bought last time.

Also, I email Kaila from TKB and she said they are aware of the curling problem with the large gold sqares. She'd be happy to give you store credit towards other items or refunds.

^thanks for reminding me. I spent about $20 on gold glitter so it'll be good to get that back. btw in my bottles I think all the gold was curling but it was especially noticeable on the larger pieces and the bar glitter.

Originally Posted by Mrstkeller

Anyone know where I can get silver (not gunmetal) hexes that are .062" or larger? I'm also wondering which method you all prefer. . mixing up your glitters and adding base when you need to whip up a batch, or mixing each batch uniquely at the time you make it. I start with base and go from there but I'm having a hard time figuring out my recipe with the glitters when I go bigger. Maybe I'm totally missing something.

I buy erikonail 2mm and 1.2mm sizes from Naillabostore.com, which is a Japanese nail art store. Not bulk pricing, but a selection of colours and sizes.