Comments on: Alcohol Ink Techniques and Recipes for Polymer Clay Artists

By: Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz

Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:05:38 +0000

I just managed to salvage a message from my blog spam folder, with links to the YouTube videos (appended below) that Andi-Z (just above) was likely referring to. The person who made the effort to share this information posted anonymously as "SomeoneSpecial" ... so unfortunately I don't have a name to reference, but thanks anyway if you are still around. The videos are helpful.

By: Andi Z

Andi Z — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:30:27 +0000

Hi there, I came upon your site while searching for making your own alcohol inks.
I just found a video on YouTube where a woman from Austrialia posted a little tutorial on
using “Sharpee” pens, even suggests using “fake brand” “Sharpees” (named in the video)
Anyhow, she showed by removing the ink tube from the pen (by cutting it with heavy duty cutters)
then, slicing the tube open with an exacto knife and “pouring” the ink into a plastic cup (with the pieces of the tube-to be removed later) she was able to prepare the extracted ink from the marker and mix it with 91% alcohol in one of those plastic 2 ounce bottles. First you fill the bottle with the ink, then add the alcohol. It’s about a 2:1 ratio of alcohol to ink. She demonstrated the use on paper and the results were BEAUTIFUL!!! In fact, a rather dull color cap on the pen turned out to be a really nice purple. While I’m not sure if this wil bake well with polyclay, it worked wonderfully as an alcohol ink. I’ll try to find the name of the YouTube video and follow up later with the link.
Hope this helps, I plan to try it asap, I’ll let you know that as well!
Andi

By: Wendy C

Wendy C — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:22:02 +0000

Your customer could try ordering from the UK, lots of sites sell and buying within Europe means no tax to pay. hth

By: Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz

Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:23:52 +0000

Right before I read your comment I just got an email from CreatForLess website saying they were having a cardstock sale. I checked and they also have Glossy Cardstock on Sale. Since I don’t regularly buy the stuff, I don’t know if it is a good deal or not, but I thought I’d pass along the link anyway. Hope that helps!

By: Mzkitn

Mzkitn — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:12:57 +0000

I’ve been tossing around the idea of using the alcohol inks for awhile, and now I am finally going out and buying them…I have 2 Michaels & a Hobby Lobby near me, so I am going out each day this week to all of them, using 40 & 50% off coupons to stock up on all the supplies. The one thing I cannot find is glossy card stock! I really don’t want to use the vellum because of the cost nor do I want to order Tim Holtz glossy paper for the same reason. Any idea where I can find some or something similar at a decent price? Thank!

By: Cindy Lietz@How To Use Alcohol Ink with Polymer Clay

Cindy Lietz@How To Use Alcohol Ink with Polymer Clay — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:38:35 +0000

@Lynda Moseley: Hi Lynda, sorry I’ve been away from the studio for a few days and couldn’t get to your question when it came in. Although I haven’t tried using pigments in rubbing alcohol to make alcohol ink, it couldn’t hurt to try.

Since pigments tend to be a little grainy, you may need to use a coffee filter or something, after the color has been infused into the alcohol… that is assuming that this will work in the first place.

Fabric dye does work, and is readily available, so your customer may be able to use that. Another option to test would be inks.

I think in a case like this, it will be a matter of doing a little experimenting, to see what works.

If you guys do end up doing some testing, it would be great if you would came back and share your results… good or bad. It is so helpful to be able to learn from one another like this.

Good luck!

By: Lynda Moseley

Lynda Moseley — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:12:37 +0000

Hi, Cindy. I have a customer in Spain who purchased one of my polymer clay tutorials. She can’t find Ranger Inks and they can’t be shipped from the US to Spain, so we are trying to figure out if she could make her own. Does anyone know if you can use pure pigment, such that artists use, with alcohol?

Thanks!
Lynda

By: Cindy Lietz@5 Cool Ways to Use Alcohol Ink on Polymer Clay

Cindy Lietz@5 Cool Ways to Use Alcohol Ink on Polymer Clay — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:36:24 +0000

@Melissa G: I have no idea Melissa. I guess the best place to find out would be to talk with the company that makes the dye you use and ask if it is archival safe. Since the alcohol is pretty much the same thing as in commercial alcohol inks and they are safe, I don’t think that would be an issue, but the dye could be. Somehow I doubt the dye would be a problem though, since dyed clothing doesn’t seem to break down over time. But the only way to really know would be to ask the manufacturers. If you do find out, please come back and let us know. Now you have me curious!

By: Melissa G

Melissa G — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:07:10 +0000

Are the homemade alcohol inks archival safe? I would love to try this in my scrapbooks, but am afraid to.

By: Marie S

Marie S — Fri, 06 May 2011 07:35:16 +0000

Those are both interesting ideas. I could try both with a small piece of clay. I wonder if it would be safe to bake once dyed. I think it probably is but I know some things can be very dangerous to put in the oven. Things you wouldn’t suspect like certain plastics. If successful would be well worth it. I’m tired of making a mess squishing liquid paint into clay. Today I accidentally shot purple clay across my diningroom lol. Will update you as soon as I have a chance once I finish current project. :D Thanks for new ideas!