Gamsol users...
 

I just got my colored pencils and gamsol, used them tonight and LOVE them. I bought a 2 ounce bottle of gamsol. The question i have is do you dip it right out of the bottle? pour it into something else? do they sell special containers....I am so afraid of spilling it all over my desk just bumping it but taking the lid on and off is becoming a pain (literally) as well. So all of you out there who have perfected the process...share your methods..

Thanks
LK:D

Inky Antics sells Gamsol in a sponge-top 2 oz. container, so you just have to touch the blending stump to the top. Maybe you could find an empty container with a dauber top. I'd be afraid of spilling it, too. Don't know if it's flamable or not, but I imagine it is. You can buy a bigger container of odorless mineral spirits at most fine art supply stores (Dick Blick is one) for refills. Here is the link to Inky Antics: Inky Antics Rubber Stamps

I used to just pour mine a bit at a time into a baby food jar, about 1/4" deep. The depth is right for dipping your stump in right down to the bottom, and if it spills it's not so much to clean up!

I dip the stump directly in and then close the lid right then.

I saved a clean dosage cup from some cold meds. I pour that in there and put the big bottle away.

I use that Inky Antics sponge top dispenser. No mess.

That's what I used before turning to copics. Gamsol is flammable -and not so good for you. That finally bothered me enough that I decided to go with copics. The safety / carcinogenic factor bothered me. But I'm cautious.

I don't think the vapours off the alcohol inks would be much better for you either, but I do love the look that copic markers give the coloured images.

For my oms, I found a really small jar (like an old lip balm jar but a little bit bigger) and cut down a makeup sponge to fit inside. Then I poured enough oms to saturate the sponge and a little bit more. I keep this in a little container with my blending stumps and files. When the sponge starts to get dry, I put a little more oms in the container.

I have seen Gina K's demo for using Gamsol at a convention & she used a glass pump bottle . She sells them on her website. She explains how it works in this video.

These are similar to the pump dispensers that manicurists use to dispense nail polish remover which are available at beauty supply stores & aren't quite as expensive.

I have one of the dauber top bottles from Inky Antics. It was an expensive way to buy Gamsol but now I have a dispenser bottle to fill from the can.

I have heard of cleaning out a bingo marker from the dollar store to use for Gamsol.

Thanks everyone for your great ideas! After reading the last one I got up early this morning and went to Sally's Beauty Supply and pick up one like they use for nail polish for around 12.50. Now I need to get more gamsol (because I originally only purchased 2 ounces.

You guys are GREAT! Inspiration around every corner..

Lori

This is how I use it as well. The jar I use is an old glass spice jar and I added double sponges in the bottom. It's important to place the lid back on while you are using otherwise it evaporates quite a bit and thus gets even more expensive. I am currently using gamsol but have bought oms for when I run out (50% off coupon at Michaels). Am hoping it works as well

Gamsol is just another brand of oms, so, not to worry, the Michaels stuff will work exactly the same.

Thanks! Glad to hear it because I bought a lot (even with 50% off!)

I used felt pieces - just held them over the top of the bottle of OMS and tipped it to dampen the felt, then put them in a small plastic dish and pressed the stump to the felt. I switched to goo gone in a spray bottle but still use it the same way. The felt makes it much neater... and I would think you would probably use less.

You guys are so creative!! I currently just dip in the bottle since I'm too cheap to buy the container from Gina K. I have a Sally's right up the road but the sponge in a jar is even better.

Thanks for the ideas. I don't use them often, but when I do, something easier to use would be nice.

How do you use the Gamsol? I've heard of it but never seen it being used.
TIA
Sue

Its used with pencil crayons to blend or fill in the area your colouring. Here's a link to a bunch of videos that show you how to do it. :)
gamsol magic - Google Search

Thanks for your help!

I've never heard of Gamsol, but I just checked the Gamblin colors website. So let me get this straight... You're using rubber stamps and colored pencils, but you want to use a VOC laden product designed for oil painters, which may be just barely in compliance with EPA regulations?
Yikes!
Have you people ever heard of permanent stamping inks or watercolor pencils?

Does anyone know if gamsol will break down digi stamps that are printed with an ink jet printer and/or a laserjet printer?

I am hooked on this technique, and now I'm getting into the digi stamps, too. Many thanks. --patty

digi and gamsol
 

I haven't had a problem with the digi ink and gamsol...I use a HP printer and Wasasu (sp?) index paper. Hope this helps.

LK

You can use images printed on either type of printer.

Thank you both! --p

I use a little plastic container that has a screw on top with an extended "nose." I bought it empty but it looks like containers somewhat like glitter glue may come in. You squeeze and the liquid comes out. I just take my stump and stick it into the point of the bottle and squeeze and a little amount comes on the stump. Perfect! And I don't have to breathe the stuff and none evaporates either!

I use an empty natural tears bottle. I turn the bottle upside down and bring the tip of the bottle to the stump. You must label the bottle and keep it away from your eye drops. I have not had any problems with spills.

i bought a small jar of baby food (was only like 40 cents so not too rough on the wallet) and then at michaels in the painting section i got a package of these round yellow sponges and one of those sponges fit perfectly in the bottom of the jar leaving about a half inch or so of room above it then i poured my gamsol in. not enough to cover the sponges though i use my stumpes and push into the sponge to make the gamsol come up.it has worked great for me and as far as it being harmful- i have never noticed any type of smell or anything coming from my gamsol and its never made me feel weird or anything i just open up the window thats next to my desk when im using it :)

I went to a beauty supply store and bought what the girls in nail shops use for polish remover. Gina K uses it in her videos but I found it's less expensive at a beauty supply store. It works very well. You just press down on the cover and it brings a little puddle of gamsol on top of it, dip your stump into it and you're good to go.