Does embossing powder ever go bad?

[ckstamps]

I inherited some embossing powders from a friend. I tried using one of the containers but rather than the usual fine powder/granules to sprinkle over my card, clumps of it was coming out. On top of that, the clumps stuck to my card in all the wrong places, and it made a big mess.

Perhaps some moisture got into the containers and affected it? Has this happened to anyone else? If so, any way to fix it or should I just toss them out?

[Novell]

I've got some embossing powders that are probably around 10 yrs old and they still work fine. Perhaps they weren't stored well. Could you sift out the clumps? Use an embossing buddy or used dryer sheet before stamping and embossing your image(s). That should help keep it from sticking to the wrong places.

[Kath]

your medicines dry, put those in your ep container to take the excess moisture out!

[SilverDragoness]

I've heard that in some of the more humid climates that the embossing powder can get clumpy if it isn't stored with silica bags in with the powder. Apparently the moisture makes it clump up somehow. I haven't expereinced it before personally but perhaps that's what happened.

[Happy Heart]

I had some white detail powder clump up on me, but I just put it in a larger container and gave it a good shaking, and now it's fine.

[ckstamps]

there's always a bag of silica in one of those! Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try it. I don't know why the EP was sticking in all the wrong spots, as I did use an embossing buddy. Did it 2 times with the same bad results. I was using the SU silver metallic paper, but I don't think that would make a difference. Embossed the same silver paper using other EP and the buddy with beautiful results, so I do think it was that particular powder.

[ckstamps]

I re-examined my container of "embossing powder". After a closer look, I realized that it is not EP at all! After some research, I've confirmed my mysterious little containers of powder are in fact.... Pearl Ex! I've never seen or used PE so I had no idea how it looked. My friend had just given me a large container of various powders, most of them EP but there are a few PE powders too. These must be sample/ mini sizes since there are no labels conveying such.

Actually I'm quite excited as I've been wanting to try PE and almost bought a few. Glad I waited!