Customizing Aroma Beads: Adding Color To Enhance Appeal

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets that can be coloured, scented, and made into air fresheners. They are made from virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic, which has a slightly rubbery yet firm texture. This type of plastic is ideal for melting into different shapes and can absorb colours and scents. To colour aroma beads, you can use mica powder, liquid candle dye, or coloured pigments. The amount of colouring agent needed will vary depending on the desired colour intensity. It's important to note that food colouring or skin-safe dye should not be used as they can bead up in the oil and may stain surfaces. When adding colour to aroma beads, it's crucial to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure the best results.

Use mica powder to colour aroma beads

Mica powder is a great way to add colour to your aroma beads. It is a versatile and fun method of colouring, and you can use any colour of mica powder to achieve your desired shade.

To begin, you will need to gather your supplies. Firstly, source a suitable container, such as a 32-ounce Mason jar or a large container with a lid. HDPE plastic containers work well, but glass is also an option. You will also need a scale to weigh your beads, a face mask (for working with mica), a pipette, and a wide-mouth funnel.

The next step is to choose your fragrance oil. You will need about 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of aroma beads, and you can add more later if needed. Once you have selected your fragrance, use the pipette to add 1 ounce to your glass jar.

Now it's time to add the colour! Put on your face mask and add 4-6 micro scoops of mica powder to the jar. Swirl the jar to combine the fragrance and mica. You can use any colour mica, but be aware that the baking process may cause some colours to change slightly. So, it's a good idea to test a small batch first.

Next, place the jar on the scale and tare it to zero. Add 1 pound of aroma beads to the jar using your wide-mouth funnel. If you don't have a funnel, you can create one by rolling up a piece of thick paper or cardstock.

Secure the lid on the jar and start shaking! Turn the jar at different angles to ensure the fragrance and mica are evenly distributed among the beads. Shake the jar every few hours for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Keep shaking the jar regularly to help the fragrance absorb into the beads. This process can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks, depending on the fragrance. You'll know the beads are ready when they no longer stick to the sides of the jar and feel dry to the touch.

Once the beads have completely absorbed the fragrance, open the jar and check the strength of the scent. If you want a stronger fragrance, simply add another 1 ounce of fragrance oil, put the lid back on, and continue shaking at intervals until it is absorbed.

And there you have it! You've successfully coloured your aroma beads using mica powder. You can now use these scented and colourful beads for various projects, such as car air fresheners, scented sachets, or decorative pieces.

Add liquid candle dye to fragrance oil

To colour aroma beads, you can use liquid candle dye. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add liquid candle dye to fragrance oil when making aroma beads:

Firstly, gather all the necessary materials, including metal cookie cutters, parchment paper or a silicone sheet, a large nail with a flat head (optional), and a large container with a lid (HDPE plastic containers or glass jars are recommended). Start by measuring out the desired amount of aroma beads using a digital scale.

Next, measure out your fragrance oil. Aroma beads can typically hold up to 2 ounces of fragrance oil per pound, but you may not need to use that much. It is recommended to start with 1 ounce of fragrance oil and add more as needed, depending on your preference.

Now, you can add the liquid candle dye to the fragrance oil. Start with just a few drops of dye, as a little goes a long way, especially with aroma beads. For pastel colours, use less dye, and for deeper, darker colours, use more. Mix the dye and fragrance oil together thoroughly.

Pour the fragrance oil and candle dye mixture into the container with the aroma beads and secure the lid tightly. Shake the container vigorously while keeping your hand over the lid to prevent spills. You will need to shake the beads for a couple of minutes to ensure the colour and fragrance oil are fully dispersed. The beads will appear very wet, but it can take several days for the oil to be fully absorbed.

Check the container every 30 minutes to ensure that the fragrance oil and dye are not pooling at the bottom. If pooling occurs, shake the container again to redistribute the colour and fragrance evenly.

Once the beads have fully absorbed the fragrance oil, you can use them in various applications, such as pouring them into sachet bags or melting them into fun shapes using cookie cutters.

Mix the colour and fragrance oil

To mix the colour and fragrance oil, you will need a large container with a tight-fitting lid. HDPE plastic containers or glass containers are recommended. You will also need a measuring spoon or a digital scale to measure your fragrance oil.

The amount of fragrance oil you need depends on the desired strength of your aroma beads. Aroma beads can hold a maximum of 20 to 30% fragrance oil, but a load of 4 to 12% is ideal for a strong scent while also making the most of your fragrance. This equates to about 0.5 to 2 oz of fragrance oil per pound of beads.

If you are using a dye, liquid candle dye is recommended. Food colouring or soap dye will not work. Add a few drops of liquid candle dye to your fragrance oil and stir them together. If you are using mica powder, add a couple of spoons of the pigment to your oil and swish the colour until it is mixed. You can always add more colour as needed.

Once you have mixed your colour and fragrance, add your aroma beads to the container and secure the lid. Shake the container vigorously for a minute or two to ensure the colour and fragrance are evenly distributed throughout the beads. Check the container every 30 minutes and shake again if the colour or fragrance is pooling at the bottom.

It can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days for the fragrance oil to be fully absorbed by the beads. Thinner fragrances, such as citrus blends, will absorb more easily than thicker fragrances like vanilla or cinnamon. If there is still liquid fragrance present after a week, simply add more aroma beads until the extra liquid is absorbed.

Pour the mixture into a container with the aroma beads

Once you have your mixture, it's time to pour it into a container with the aroma beads. This is an important step, as it will determine the success of your aroma beads. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Firstly, it is crucial to use the right type of container. Opt for a large container with a lid, preferably made of HDPE plastic or glass. Avoid using plastic bags, as they will waste your oil and taint other bags. Make sure the container is big enough for the beads to move freely while mixing and shaking. You can find suitable containers at dollar stores or in your kitchen, such as Glad plastic containers.

Next, prepare your mixture by mixing your chosen colour and fragrance oil together. You can use liquid candle dye, mica, or pigment colours. Remember, a little goes a long way with dyes, so start with a small amount and add more until you achieve the desired colour. For a pastel shade, use less dye, and for deeper colours, add more. If you're using mica powder, a few scoops should be sufficient.

Now, it's time to pour the mixture into the container with the aroma beads. Secure the lid tightly and start shaking! Keep your hand on the lid while shaking to prevent any leaks. Shake the container vigorously for a minute or two to ensure the colour and fragrance oil are evenly distributed among the beads. The beads should look wet throughout.

After shaking, check the container every 30 minutes to ensure that the fragrance and dye are not pooling at the bottom. If you notice pooling, simply shake the container again to redistribute the mixture. This step is crucial for achieving consistent colour and fragrance throughout the beads.

The drying time will vary depending on the colours and dyes used. Some fragrances may take a few days to be fully absorbed by the aroma beads. Thinner fragrances, such as citrus blends, will absorb more quickly than thicker options like vanilla or cinnamon. Be patient and give the beads enough time to absorb the fragrance and colour fully.

Once the beads are dry to the touch and no longer stick to the sides of the container, they are ready for the next step. At this point, you can add them to sachet bags or use metal cookie cutters to create fun shapes.

Remember to cure your beads for an additional 5-7 days after drying to strengthen them before using them in your projects. This step will ensure that your aroma beads are long-lasting and effective.

Seal the container and shake

Once you've added your chosen dye or pigment to the fragrance oil, seal the container and shake. You'll need to shake the beads vigorously for a minute or two to ensure that the colour and fragrance oil are dispersed throughout the jar. Depending on the weight of the fragrance oil, your beads could take from a few hours to a day or two to be completely coated. If the oil is not soaking up as quickly as you would like, you can add additional beads.

Keep the container sealed and continue to shake it every half an hour or so to ensure that the colour and fragrance are distributed evenly. If you notice that the dye and fragrance are pooling at the bottom of the jar, shake it again.

The beads will look very wet, but it can take a few days for the oil to be fully absorbed. Once the beads are completely coated and no longer appear wet, they are ready to use.

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