Glitter Creme Base

Notes from Erika about working with new Glitter Crème Base:

I’m still perfecting the mixing methods and haven’t done all the glitter blends yet, so leave some wiggle room for experimentation when you mix your cremes.

My testing has mostly been done with 1.5 parts glitter to 2 parts base (by weight), but I found that some glitter blends (especially with the “whipped” base) can tolerate more glitter. 

When mixing a batch of “Felicity” with the whipped base, I felt that the mixture was too “white”.  You could see the crème base in the blend.  I added more glitter.  I ended up mixing 19oz of glitter to 20oz of base.  So you may find with some blends that you can even mix up to 50/50 glitter and base, if you choose the “hybrid” whipped base method.

There are several ways to go about making the glitter crèmes.

Cold methods:

• The method I used when initially the product was to use a strong spoon to press the base onto a work surface to get a softened, smooth texture. Then I folded in the glitter with a stiff spatula. (Actually, it was a silicone putty spreader from the hardware store).
• I have also put the base into my stand mixer, and ran the mixer to soften the base, then added the glitter and continued mixing.

The benefits of using the cold methods are that you don’t need a heat source, you don’t have to wait for the mixture to cool before using it, and they’re suitable for working with biodegradable glitters, since those don’t hold up well when heated.

Hot method:

• This method may be a little easier and less messy than the cold methods. Melt the base in the microwave, for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. You really only need to melt it until it’s softened enough that you can stir it easily and all the lumps are smoothed out. Then fold in your glitter. After adding glitter, I would suggest stirring the mixture occasionally as it cools, so that the product stays flexible enough to easily press into your containers.

Hybrid Method:

• A hybrid method that I am currently testing is to melt the base, enough to soften it, then whip it in the electric mixer. I waited for the base to partially cool and then folded in the glitter.  I think this may become my preferred method for making the glitter cremes in bulk.  It seems to create the most workable base, but you can still allow it to cool enough before adding glitter that it can also be used for biodegradable glitters.