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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
September 27, 2023
Q: Marta writes: "I would like to use a stamp on a portion of a fabric wall hanging. What ink pad would I use so that the stamping would not wash off in a mild hand washing?"
A: I have used hybrid inks on fabric - they are waterproof and dry quickly (the ones I have are from Impression Obsession; many of the small company branded inks have the same formula). Versacraft ink by Tsukineko can also be heat set for permanence on fabric (it was originally called Fabrico ink). Stazon and archival inks should work too. You might also look into a product called Terial Magic Fabric Spray - it is sprayed onto fabric to stiffen it like paper, and it washes out after you've done your printing or stitching.
September 20, 2023
Q: Colley writes: "The videos I watch never show the sides, top or bottom of shaker cards where the foam tape attaches the card front to the base of a shaker shape. I see the foam tape. Is that normal on all shaker cards?"
A: It is a little hard to show that narrow edge clearly on a video, so maybe that's why...? but yes, the foam tape is visible from the sides. You can use an alcohol marker to color the side of the tape if you're using colors that contrast with the white foam on the edge. If I'm making a die cut shaker element, I'll use colored craft foam sheets to match my cardstock. I hope that helps!
September 13, 2023
Q: Shellie wants to know: "I embossed an image and then colored with Copics. The black bled onto my markers and bled into the paper. Do you know if there is a brand of embossing powder that is Copic safe?"
A: From what I have read, it is the pigment of colored embossing powders that may react with the alcohol, rather than the plastic. Next time you could try stamping with black pigment ink and then embossing with clear powder if you find the raised outline helps your coloring. Another great alternative is to stamp the image in dye ink using a stamp positioner. Leave the stamp in place, color the image, then return the panel to the stamp positioner and stamp and emboss after coloring.
September 6, 2023
Q: Pamela asks: "I was looking to get some black cardstock, any recommendations? I like it more on the thick side, not flimsy."
A: I am a big fan of the Fabriano Black Black paper pad, and it is the darkest black cardstock I have found. According to their site, "This paper is characterized by a very deep black colour due to the high quality and lightfast pigments used for its production." It comes in a range of sizes, and they offer weights from 300-680 gsm. I've purchased the 300 gsm weight in 8"x8" and 9"x12" pads of 20 sheets each. Other member favorites come from Gina K and Hero Arts.
August 30, 2023
Q: Jill writes: "I'm looking for tutorials that show watercoloring of stamped images using dye inks and watercolor markers."
A: We have quite a few! Here are some links for you:
Watercoloring with Dye Inks
Palette Blending
Distress Watercolor Dry Embossing
Misted Markers
Distress Marker Painting
Watercoloring with Markers
Watercoloring with Dye Inks
Palette Blending
Distress Watercolor Dry Embossing
Misted Markers
Distress Marker Painting
Watercoloring with Markers
