Alcohol Ink Baubles

Transform beautiful alcohol ink backgrounds into holiday ornament cards.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Drop several droplets of alcohol inks randomly in the center of an impermeable craft mat. Colors used here – Pool, Denim, Stream.
   
   Add drops of rubbing alcohol (or blending solution) in amongst the alcohol ink droplets.
   

   

2. Step 2

   Swipe Yupo paper across the mat, picking up ink.
   
   Repeat several times to fill the panel and vary the pattern.
   

   

3. Step 3

   Drip rubbing alcohol onto the panel to dilute color and add interest to the pattern.

   

4. Step 4

   Drop extra alcohol ink onto the mat to swipe again, or onto the Yupo to add to the pattern.
   
   Set aside to dry.
   

   

5. Step 5

   Add rubbing alcohol to the ink remaining on the craft mat.
   
   Swipe a fresh piece of Yupo paper through the diluted ink for a paler patterned piece.
   
   Set the panel aside to dry.
   

   

6. Step 6

   Shake Snow Cap alcohol ink thoroughly then splatter it onto the first panel with an old paint brush.
   
   Let dry.
   

   

7. Step 7

   Shake silver alcohol ink thoroughly then splatter it onto the second panel with an old paint brush.
   
   Let dry.
   

   

8. Step 8

   Another method for applying alcohol ink to Yupo is to do so with a felt applicator.
   
   Apply a line of alcohol inks to a felt applicator (Stonewashed and Stream inks used here). Press the felt onto the Yupo paper repeatedly.
   

   

9. Step 9

   Continue to ‘stamp’ with the felt applicator all over the Yupo paper to intensify the pattern. Add extra drops of alcohol ink or rubbing alcohol to change the pattern.

   

10. Step 10

    Repeat step 9 with a different selection of colors and random placement of colors on the felt pad.
    
    Colors used here – Cloudy Blue, Stonewashed, and Shell Pink.
    

    

11. Step 11

    For a third method of creating an alcohol ink pattern on Yupo, apply lines of alcohol ink to Yupo paper. Colors used here – Stonewashed, Shell Pink, and Lemonade.

    

12. Step 12

    Drip or drizzle rubbing alcohol onto the alcohol ink to spread and dilute it. Tilt the paper to move the ink in the desired direction.

    

13. Step 13

    Continue to add alcohol inks and rubbing alcohol to the panel to create patterns and blends. Use a cotton swab to create pathways for the alcohol inks to follow.

    

14. Step 14

    Define one edge with a cotton swab to create an area of ‘snow’ under a ‘northern lights sky’.

    

15. Step 15

    Let the panel dry thoroughly.

    

16. Step 16

    All panels, once dry, can be cut with circle dies or decorative ‘bauble’ dies.

    

17. Step 17

    Complete the project.

    

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Alcohol Ink Baubles. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.