Lustre Dust - Bling it on!

This is a very sparkly time of year, isn't it? A friend who's mom was a primary school teacher, said you always new when Christmas was approaching because her mom would come home from school covered in glitter every day. Do you think it is supposed to be evocative of snowflakes and sparkling icicles? And we, in the Southern hemisphere - glistening in the heat of Summer, follow right along with tradition ; )

So, here's how to bling up your edible decorations with luster dust.

Luster dusts are made using minerals such as titanium dioxide and mica. They are usually labelled "non-toxic", which actually isn't the same as edible! But the small amount consumed is generally nothing to be concerned about.

Luster dust can't be mixed into fondant or tylose paste the way that powdered colour can; the lustre can only be applied to the surface - the bling doesn't survive the kneading process.

You can use the dust dry, or add a clear alcohol to it and paint it on as a liquid. I'm talking about using it dry here.

Luster dust can be dry-brushed onto your decorations once you've already cut them out, or if you are making a lot of the same thing out of the same paste, a very easy way to apply the luster is to sponge it on....

(Using tylose paste)                           

Roll out the paste

Sponge on some luster dust

Use the sponge to "polish" on the dust

Cut out shapes

Luster dust comes in various colours. If you are applying a white or pearl dust onto coloured paste, it will make the colour look paler.

And if you want an intense luster - for example gold or silver, then it is a good idea to make your paste a corresponding colour first (yellow for gold; grey for silver) before dusting. 

If you re-knead the paste, the luster is lost, but the pigment remains, so you will have to re-luster after kneading.

....all done

Happy bling-ing!

xxM