A Creative Guide To Coloring Aroma Beads

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets that can be coloured, scented, and made into air fresheners. They are made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic, which has a slightly rubbery yet firm feel. This type of plastic can absorb colours and scents and melt into different shapes. To colour aroma beads, you can use mica powder, liquid candle dye, or coloured pigments. It is important to note that food colouring or skin-safe dye should not be used as they will not work effectively. When colouring aroma beads, it is recommended to start with a small amount of colouring and adjust until the desired shade is achieved. Additionally, it is important to mix the colouring and fragrance oil together before adding them to the beads to ensure even distribution.

Use mica powder

To colour aroma beads with mica powder, follow these steps:

Firstly, choose your fragrance. You will need about 1 oz of fragrance per pound of aroma beads. Be aware that some fragrances may naturally have a darker colour than others, and this can affect the colour of your beads.

Next, choose your colour. You can use any colour of mica with aroma beads, but be aware that the chemical process of baking may cause some colours of mica to change slightly. It is recommended that you bake a small test batch of aroma beads before making a large batch to ensure you get the colour you want.

Now it's time to mix your fragrance, pigment, and aroma beads. You will need a scale to weigh your beads, a face mask (recommended for working with mica), a pipette (for transferring fragrance oil), a glass jar with a lid, and your chosen fragrance and mica powder.

Use a pipette to add 1 oz of fragrance oil to your glass jar. Then, wearing a mask, add 4-6 micro scoops of mica to the jar and swirl to combine.

Place the jar on the scale and tare it to zero. Add 1 pound of aroma beads to the jar using a wide-mouth funnel or a piece of thick paper/cardstock.

Place the lid on the jar and shake it up, turning the jar at different angles to ensure the fragrance and mica are evenly dispersed. Continue to shake the jar every few hours for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the fragrance is fully absorbed. This can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks.

Once the beads are dry and no longer stick to the sides of the jar, they are ready to use. You can add more fragrance or pigment if desired by following the same steps above.

Some tips to keep in mind:

• A little mica goes a long way. For most projects, 4-6 micro scoops of mica per pound of aroma beads is enough.
• Do not overuse mica, as it can weaken the plastic and cause it to melt in the heat.
• Always use pigment and mica in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling.
• Clean up any spills with a bleach wipe or wet paper towel.

Avoid food colouring

When colouring aroma beads, it is best to avoid using food colouring. Food colouring will bead up in the oil and transfer to your hands or anything else it touches.

There are several other options for colouring aroma beads. One option is to use mica powder. This can be added to the fragrance oil before adding the beads, or it can be added to the beads without fragrance oil. If adding mica powder without oil, the beads can be placed in a sealed container or bag and shaken to distribute the powder. The amount of mica powder added will depend on the desired colour intensity. It is important to note that adding too much mica powder can make it difficult for the fragrance to absorb and for the beads to melt together.

Another option for colouring aroma beads is to use liquid candle dye. A small amount of candle dye can be added to the fragrance oil and stirred before adding the aroma beads.

It is important to use a container with a tight-fitting lid when mixing the colour and fragrance with the aroma beads. The container should be made of glass or HDPE plastic rather than a plastic bag, as the oil can waste and taint plastic bags.

Add candle dye

To colour aroma beads with candle dye, start by gathering all the necessary items. You will need a large container with a lid, preferably made of HDPE plastic or glass. You will also need a digital scale, fragrance oil, liquid candle dye, a metal cookie cutter, and parchment paper or a silicone sheet.

Once you have gathered your supplies, start by measuring out your aroma beads using the digital scale. The amount of beads you use will depend on the desired size of your final product. For example, if you are making a large batch of aroma beads, you will need more beads than if you are making a smaller amount.

Next, you will add the fragrance oil and candle dye. Measure out your fragrance oil, adding between 1 and 2 ounces for every 8 ounces of aroma beads. You can always add more fragrance oil later if needed. For the candle dye, start by adding just a few drops, as a little goes a long way. You can add more dye if you want a darker colour. Mix the fragrance oil and candle dye together in a separate container before adding it to the aroma beads.

Now, it's time to add the colour and fragrance to your aroma beads. Pour the fragrance oil and candle dye mixture into the container with the aroma beads and secure the lid. Shake the container vigorously for a full minute or two to ensure that the colour and fragrance are evenly distributed among the beads. It's important to note that the absorption time can vary depending on the fragrance used, so be sure to check the mixture every 30 minutes to ensure that the dye and fragrance are not pooling at the bottom of the jar. If pooling occurs, simply shake the jar again.

The drying time will also depend on the specific colour and dye used. Some fragrances may take a few days to be fully absorbed by the aroma beads. Once the fragrance and colour are completely absorbed, you can move on to the next step.

At this point, you can choose to pour the loose beads into sachet bags, or you can use metal cookie cutters to melt them into fun shapes! If you want to create shaped aroma beads, preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the metal cookie cutters on the cookie sheet and fill them with the scented aroma beads. Bake at 350°F for 6-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Once your aroma beads are shaped and dried, you can pop them out of the cookie cutters and allow them to cool completely. Now, you have beautifully coloured and scented aroma beads that you can use as air fresheners, potpourri, or any other creative project you can think of!

Mix in a large container

When colouring aroma beads, it is important to use a large container with a tight lid. HDPE plastic containers or glass containers are recommended, but not plastic bags, as these will taint the other bags and waste oil. Glass mason jars can get heavy, so a dollar store container or Glad plastic container is also an option. The container should be large enough for the beads to move freely while mixing/shaking.

To colour the beads, add the desired amount of liquid candle dye or coloured pigment to the fragrance oil and stir them together. Remember that a little dye goes a long way, especially in aroma beads, so start with just a few drops and add more as needed. You can also use mica powder to colour your beads. If using mica, add it directly to the oil and swish it around until it is dissolved. You can also use a flat chopstick to mix any clumps that may form.

Once the dye or mica is mixed with the oil, add the aroma beads to the container and secure the lid. Shake the container vigorously for a minute or two to ensure that the colour and fragrance oil are evenly distributed throughout the beads. The beads should be wet throughout. Depending on the weight of the fragrance oil, it can take a few hours to a couple of days for the beads to be fully coated.

It is important to check the container every 30 minutes to ensure that the fragrance and dye are not pooling at the bottom. If this happens, simply shake the container again. The beads can take anywhere from one to four days to dry and absorb all the oil. After they are dry, it is recommended to keep the beads closed up and cure for an additional five to seven days to make them stronger.

Bake in the oven

To colour your aroma beads, you can use mica powder, liquid candle dye, or coloured pigments. If you want to add colour to your beads, you can mix the colouring agent with fragrance oil, which will help the mica adhere to the beads. You can also add glitter for an extra shiny effect.

Once you've coloured your aroma beads, you can bake them in the oven to create shapes. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F–350°F (162.7°C–176.6°C). This temperature range is recommended by most sources, but you may need to test and adjust depending on your oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone sheet. Do not use wax paper. Place metal cookie cutters or a silicone mould on the lined baking sheet, evenly spaced apart. You can use a roofing nail to create a hole in your final product if you want to hang it up.

Step 3: Fill the Cookie Cutters or Mould

Pour the coloured aroma beads into the cookie cutters or mould, filling them about 3/4 full. Pack the beads in tightly by tapping them with your fingers or the back of a spoon.

Step 4: Bake the Beads

Bake the aroma beads for 6-10 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of your cookie cutters or mould, as well as your oven. Check the beads regularly, especially after the 5-minute mark.

Step 5: Cool and Remove from the Cookie Cutters or Mould

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the aroma beads to cool for about 5 minutes. Then, loosen the aroma beads from the cookie sheet by gently moving them around. After about 10 minutes of cooling, while the beads are still warm, pop them out of the cookie cutters or mould. If you used a nail, remove it at this point.

Step 6: Final Cooling and Curing

Let the shaped beads cool completely, then they're ready to be packaged or hung up. It's important to note that you should allow the aroma beads to cure for at least 3-8 days after making them. Curing will help the fragrance last longer.

Frequently asked questions