Sand Art Crafts

Where can I buy colored sand in Northern Virginia?

I need small amounts of color sands. I need mostly dark colors. I checked in Michaels Art and Craft store. They just have three to four colors. I checked in A.C.Moore and they do not have colored sands. Where do I find colored sands?

Public Comments

1. Many years ago I owned a ceramic shop. We made our own because I figured I could do it cheaper. It worked out pretty good, actually. I purchased silica sand at my local lumberyard. Maybe the hobby shops have it. Maybe you can find a supplier on the net. Take acrylic paint, we used Duncan at the time. Mix into the sand really well, couple drops at a time till you like the color, spread out on cookie sheet, or something the paint won't adhere to like paper. Let it dry real well. We usually mixed one morning, next morning we came in it was dry. Get a fine mesh wire strainer, I used a spatter (splatter) screen for a skillet. Put your sand on the screen and use your hand to work it through the screen. Wall-la, colored sand the color you want. Remember it will lighten up a little when it's dry.
2. Check out aquarium fish stores. I've never purchased colored sand but while looking for natural sand, I've found some colored sand as well. This company has many colors including dark ones: http://www.moonglowcandles.net/play_sand.htm?gclid=CKbPos_31I4CFQcdYwod8HnMBA