DIY Alcohol Ink Ornaments

A FiberArtsy.com tutorial

Hey, I’m back with another fun craft project using alcohol inks … DIY Alcohol Ink Ornaments! I’m sort of obsessed with alcohol inks, truly. You can create such gorgeous, painterly effects with them. Almost like watercolor paints but better, brighter. And Christmas is right around the corner.

My kids and I used to decorate glass globe ornaments by pouring different color paints inside and letting them swirl and marble. Those are still some of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments. So, I decided to try painting them with alcohol inks. The first one I did was pretty but the colors didn’t stand out on the clear glass. After some pondering, I decided to try painting a white background first. But, instead of painting the outside of the globe, I poured the white inside the globe and now the colors pop!

Did you see my DIY Alcohol Ink Switch Plate Covers?

Step 1: Supplies:

– Clear glass ornaments

– Alcohol Inks (I used Adirondack brand)

– Rubbing Alcohol

– White Acrylic Paint

– Craft paint brushes

– Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer

– Disposable cup

– Small disposable container (opening must be smaller than the globe)

– Table cover

Step 2: Prep the Ornament:

First, remove the hanger from a glass ornament and set aside. Now, open the bottle of white acrylic paint and squeeze a small amount into the globe. Turn the globe to distribute the paint. Add more paint as needed. You want the entire inside of the ornament to be covered with white paint.

Once the ornament is all white, you need to remove the excess paint. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to turn the globe upside down on an old container s.a. a tomato paste can or similar. The extra paint will drip out into the can.

Step 3: Paint the Ornament:

First, cover your work surface. Then, pour some rubbing alcohol in the disposable cup. Since these inks dry quickly go ahead and open all alcohol ink bottles.

Dip a paint brush in the rubbing alcohol and wipe on part of the ornament. Now, pick up one of the bottles of alcohol ink and drip a small amount onto the rubbing alcohol. Slowly turn your ornament and watch the ink flow. You can also blow on the ink to make it move. Give it a minute or two before adding more ink. These inks are hard to control but there’s really no wrong way here.

Step 4: Finish the Ornament:

Carefully re-insert the hanger. Thread a paint brush (or similar) through the hook and hang your ornament to dry.

Add a couple coats of clear spray sealer and you're done!

Enjoy!
Annette
FiberArtsy.com

Go see my DIY Alcohol Ink Switch Plate Covers

Comments

[ClaireM106]

These are gorgeous !! I think I’ve ruined mine 😭 unbeknown to me, the white paint after 2 days still hadn't dried. I took them out the containers I was holding them upside down in, laid them on their side and after a few hours the paint had moved!! They are so patchy. I’ve had to add more white paint 😬 And have still not got to the fun alcohol ink part!

[Old Bird]

I've just discovered alcohol inks and having fun! These are lovely. What sealer do you use? I've read that some smudge the ink or discolour?

[dborato]

OMGosh, these are gorgeous. How far will the ink go? How many bulbs will they cover?

[fiberartsy]

More than you probably want to make lol! Seriously, these inks go a long way.

[dborato]

Thats what I was wondering. Thank you

[TuFotoCarcarsa]

Really nice, congratulation

[fiberartsy]

Thank you!

[fiberartsy]

Thanks!

[mrsmerwin]

Beautifull

[fiberartsy]

Thank you :)

[sdhardie1]

Oh my, these are gorgeous! Thanks so much for this. I'm going to make some of these for our next ornament party. I bought two ornaments that were probably made this way and one broke, so I'm thrilled at the prospect of making one myself to replace it!

[fiberartsy]

Send me pix!

[Violet-Person]

Does the alcohol colour stay on the outside after it dries? It doesn't smudge off?

[fiberartsy]

After the ink has dried (overnight or so), spray it with clear acrylic sealer to keep it from smudging.

[KarenK116]

Beautiful. I might have to make me some of these

[fiberartsy]

Let me know how they turn out :)