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March 19, 2019 by D9

22 AMAZING Alcohol Ink Projects

Alcohol Inks! If you have landed here then you are probably as intrigued as I am by the vibrant, intense and saturated  colours of alcohol ink. I only discovered this medium recently and I’m a bit obsessed with it and DYING to try it out. So I have been scouring the galaxy… okay maybe just the internet and Pinterest to find inspiration for my upcoming projects.

Options

Before jumping in, I wanted to get a bit of an overview of what types of projects I should try.  There are a lot of things you can do with alcohol ink, and I will do my best to round them up for you here.  I will  link to some of my own projects, at a later date, so that you can see how it goes. And very possibly how NOT to do it 🙂 Well, let’s hope not! Here are some of the amazing things that I have discovered you can use alcohol ink for, hopefully you are as inspired as I am.  Let’s jump right in!

Keep reading to see something new and similar that I have discovered that I think you will like

Painting

This is the most obvious way to utilize this product and this is ultimately what I hope to be able to achieve with alcohol ink. I have aspirations of big beautiful, vivacious pops of colour through out my home. Although I suspect that there will be a learning curve until I reach the level of excellence of these artists! Check out some of my favourites:

Kristy Swanson

I first encountered Kristy’s beautiful art work on Instagram. She works out of Seattle and has been working with Alcohol Inks since 2016. In Kristy’s non-art life she works as a therapist. Check out this excellent interview with her, where she gives some insight into her artwork and tips on her process. This is what I eventually hope to accomplish! Although It may take me a while to get there 🙂 I’m particulary in love with her “Hustle and Flow” series, as pictured here.

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Hustle and Flow

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

State of Mind

via Kristy Swanson

Instagram

Astuary Art

The artist behind this site is Marissa Recker of Madison WI. Marissa is a mom and a wife and dog mom 🙂 Marissa also offers ecourses on her site, which you can access here. This is a great place to start if you have never picked up alcohol inks before, like yours truly. Thanks Marissa for sharing your knowledge as well as your art. I’m sure I will watch these a couple of times before I jump in.  PS-  When last  I  checked  that  beautiful  circular  piece  below  was not yet sold – it could be yours! 🙂

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Detail from Slate

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Winter Woods

via Astuary Art

Instagram

Manifest Jess

Jess Kirkman is creative mind and talent behind Manifest Jess. She is an award winning commercial designer and  marketing director with a BFA from Syracuse. I really love her fluid style, and I ‘m particularly smitten with this watery blue piece below. You can check out Jess’s work on her website or Instagram account.

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Detail Nothing to Fear

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Cell Series

via Jess Kirkman

Instagram

If you are a bit intimidated by the gorgeous artwork above, no worries. You don’t have to start there, save something for your aspirations. There are an unlimited number of ways that you can use alcohol ink. This next one is not a big stretch to go from painting to cards. Especially since a lot of the starter packs of yupo paper come in smaller card sized pieces.

Just recently I discovered a method of painting with acrylic paints that will give you a very similar result to alcohol inks. Click her to see what I mean

Greeting Cards

These beautiful cards were done by Niki Coursey of The Hedgehog Hollow.  Best  logo  ever  Niki!22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

via The Hedgehog Hollow.

Michelle Lupton is a master of the inked greeting card, and this is only one of her many examples. Check out her website for more inspiration.22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

via: Handmade by Michelle

Kelly of You and your big dreams, did this card below. I love how she used her off-cuts to get a different look. Kelly also does Youtube videos, which you can access on her site.
22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkvia: You and Your Big Dreams

Crafts

Alcohol Inks work particularly well with non-porous materials, so there are a lot of different ways to use them on substrates such as:

  • ceramic

  • glass

  • tile

  • metal

  • plastic

and I’m sure there are more I haven’t found yet (but I’m still looking)

Coasters

alcohol ink tile coasters. How to make coasters using alcohol ink. DIY tile coasters.

via: Design by D9

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkvia How was your Day?

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

via: inky obsessions

Ceramics

Check out the fabulous pattern that you can make on glass or ceramics using cellophane. It reminds me a bit of a Hawaiian pattern. I think this is so beautiful. And don’t tell anyone, but it’s crazy easy, seriously.

via: Design by D9

And since we are already taking about ceramic surfaces, that is a perfect segue into ceramic mugs like this one below

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

via Babble.com

And these adorable little plates from Dans Le Lake House22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkvia: Dans le Lake House

You can also use clear glass. And because Christmas ornaments lend themselves well to this application Here are a couple of examples of inked ornaments for your tree!

Christmas Ornaments

I would love to have my whole Christmas Tree decked out in these gorgeous ornaments. But first I should probably just try one to start with, don’t you think?22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkviaFibreArtsy22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkvia Crafty Curmudgeon

Jewelry

How could you not use these amazing colours on something to bejewel yourself with? Like maybe a necklace:
22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkvia: Rena Klingenberg

These splattered gems by Sarah Janes craft blog can be made into pendants or fridge magnets.

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

via: Sarah Jane’s Craft Blog

Dominos

I know what you are thinking, Dominos??? I said the same thing. Modern dominos are made to approximate the look and feel of ivory, which is why they are such a nice finish to work with.  They make some pretty beautiful pieces that you can use as magnets, jewelry or any other use you can find for these little trinkets. If you think of any, go ahead and let me know in the comments below! I think this is one that I am definitely trying out!

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkvia ArtsyVaVa

And if you thought Dominos were off the wall. How about something that is actually off the wall. Like a  switch  plate  cover

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

via Fibreartsy

In keeping with the home decor theme, Kristi from Addicted 2 decorating used her skills to do an entire tile back splash with Ink. Impressive! I love the colour combination here. I was in a round of the One Room Challenge with Kristi and I remember being really intrigued by these tiles.

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkSource: Addicted 2 Decorating

And just because nothing is ever complete until you’ve set fire to it!!!!

Yep, there is also fired alcohol ink. Well, it makes sense doesn’t it? After all it is flammable, so of course somebody was bound to set it on fire at some point… humans… 🙂

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkSource: It’s always Autumn22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkSource: Sharon and Alex

Okay, I am completely inspired and now I am purchasing some supplies to start working. Here is what I am going to start out with:

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you. Click here for my full disclosure.

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Ranger Inks Mariner-Indigo/Mermaid/Teakwood22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Ranger Adirondack Brights

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkRanger Gold and Silver22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholinkYupo Paper

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink

Dominoes

And if you still need a bit more inspiration, here are some resources for you read, or just put on your coffee table:

22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. #alcoholink22 AMAZING alcohol ink projects you should try! Art work, Painting, ceramics, jewelry, ornaments and so many more. You won't beleive what some people do with alcohol ink!. #alcoholinkI’m so glad that you stopped by and I hope you check out all of the talented artists and bloggers who are featured here. And now that you are totally ramped up and full of creative energy. Go forth and CREATE! And please share your results! I promise to do the same! I’m off to experiment!

As promised, here are my first few attempts at painting with alcohol inks. I don’t think they are too bad, and I’m kinda hooked. I’m going to keep plugging away and see where it goes. It’s a nice medium to work in. I’m going to try it on some other surfaces soon. If you want to see how I do with my experiments –  follow me on Instagram! I will be posting my trials over there.

My very first ever attempt at painting with alcohol inks

And this one is my second.

 

 

 

 

Note:  This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You NEVER pay more. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of my links. Click here for my full disclosure. Thanks for helping pay the blog bills. 🙂

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Comments

  1. Diane Livingston says

    July 21, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    How was the writing on the one with gold done?

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      September 4, 2019 at 7:26 pm

      Was it stamped on?

      Reply
    • D9 says

      September 5, 2019 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Diane,

      If you click on the link below the photo, it will take you directly to the original post, and will give you all of the details.

      Reply
  2. Debbie Aston says

    August 27, 2019 at 7:31 am

    Why have you left out Josie Lewis. She is also a pioneer in alcohol ink art and “petri dish” bursts of color. She is also an awesome teacher, unafraid of failure. Please include her the next time around.

    Reply
  3. Jodi Weslow says

    September 30, 2019 at 7:24 am

    Hello – such great projects! I noticed you mentioned that alcohol inks can be used on plastic – do you think they would work on melamine plates?

    Thanks!
    Jodi

    Reply
    • D9 says

      October 7, 2019 at 9:19 pm

      Hi Jodi,

      You certainly can use melamine. Alcohol inks can be used on pretty much anything that is non-porous. Go and start experimenting 🙂

      Reply
  4. Stacie says

    October 1, 2019 at 11:24 am

    What did you paint on for your two projects at the bottom of the page?

    Reply
    • Rachael says

      April 11, 2022 at 7:07 am

      It’s called “Yupo Paper” – it’s essentially a type of ‘plastic’ – its waterproof & tear proof. Tim Holtz has his own brand alongside his infamous alcohol inks that are synonymous with Joann’s Stores worldwide. But Bristol also makes “Yupo” or what is also known as “Vellum” Paper as well. Which is what she utilized for her first two trials in the photographs above!!

      Reply
  5. Julie says

    July 1, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    You left out the book on alcohol inks by Ashley Mahlberg, aka @inkreel on Instagram. It’s a beinner’s guide to alcohol inks, and this OG ink artist learned a few things! Great beginner’s book, and she’s a great artist.

    Reply
  6. Ambika says

    February 22, 2021 at 12:40 am

    Beautiful work…how do you seal the art?

    Reply
  7. Jana Thomas says

    March 17, 2021 at 9:22 am

    Those are all fine and dandy 22 pictures but none of them have instructions .
    For instance…..what did you seal them with? Kamar? If so then didn’t Kamar dull the finish?

    Reply
    • D9 says

      April 2, 2021 at 10:55 pm

      Hi Jana,

      the links to the tutorials are underneath the photos. Where it says via … Click there to go to the original post.

      Reply
  8. Laurie Trumpet says

    May 13, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    Wonderful article! You’ve identified some great projects!

    Reply
    • D9 says

      May 16, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      Thanks Laurie. So many cool things you can do, I’m working on a few new projects that will be up on my YouTube channel soon!

      Reply
  9. Teri Smith says

    September 4, 2021 at 10:46 am

    Just found your blog by way of Pinterest. Yay! I have some alcohol inks, but have yet to use them. Feel somewhat intimidated? Perhaps. Actually, for sure. I like you first attempt, but I really like the second one the best. May I ask what you used to move the ink around, by way of a straw, hand pump blower, etc? I’m going to go visit the other blogs you were kind enough to include as well. I will be back to check out more of your blog posts though. Thanks for the information you’ve shared..

    Reply
    • D9 says

      September 10, 2021 at 10:24 pm

      Hi Teri, I use a straw to move my inks around. If you are starting out, just buy yourself some yupo paper and start with that. Also, 97% isopropyl alcohol. more alcohol and less ink to start. Have fun!!!

      Reply

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