DIY Projects Using Alcohol Inks
Updated on December 19, 2019
Anyone who keeps track of the trends in the crafting world the same way as we do will already know about the colourful glory of alcohol inks. They’re something that takes a little bit of getting used to, and we fully acknowledge that we’re still learning, but they’re possibly our favourite new supply and technique now that we’re getting the hang of it. That’s part of the reason we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled for awesome alcohol ink projects that we’ve never tried before but that might help us create beautiful things while we get some practice in!
Are you feeling just as intrigued as we were, if not more, by the idea of taking a hands-on approach to learning how to use alcohol inks? Check out these 15 fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance.
1. Basic alcohol ink techniques for beginners
Are you a complete beginner, meaning that you’ve never actually used alcohol inks before even though you’re feeling very keen indeed on learning? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll find this tips and tricks resource from The Graphics Fairy just as helpful and useful as we did a few months ago when we were very first getting started! It really gave us a solid point to springboard from.
2. Simple water inspired alcohol ink art
If you ask us, the very best way to get started with alcohol inks is just to dive right in and start practicing with the different shapes, visual textures, colour blends, and effects that you can make. We’d suggest picking up some decent quality absorbent art paper and getting down to business just playing with the inks and learning how they move and behave, using something like this starter’s guide from Dans Le Lakehouse for help.
3. Easy fired alcohol ink art
Yes, you read that right. One of the best looking and most impressive things you can do when it comes to alcohol inks is use fire! We’re serious; firing the inks with a real flame while they’re still wet gives them a stunningly blended quality that’s even simpler to do than it looks but basically takes our breath away. Learn more about how it’s done on It’s Always Autumn.
4. Alcohol ink bookmarks
Have you actually had a little bit of time to try your hand at alcohol inks a couple times now and you’re feeling a little more confident? Well, maybe it’s time to start creating little, easy gifts that will help you share your newfound skill with family and friends! These simple but beautiful alcohol ink bookmarks outlined step by step on Sarah Jane’s Craft Blog are the perfect example of what we mean.
5. Alcohol ink glass votives
One of our favourite parts of alcohol inks is the fact that they adhere well to all kinds of different surfaces, including some that a lot if types of paint won’t stick to at all. Glass is a great example! We’re in love with the way this tutorial from Bitz & Giggles outlines the simple steps for making alcohol ink glass votives that are awash with colour and look stunning when the flame is lit and glows through them from behind.
6. Resin and alcohol ink pendant necklace
If you’re going to apply your alcohol ink skills to anything, would you rather it be something that you literally crafted from scratch yourself? Perhaps you’re just looking for a pretty way to be able to wear your ink work out in the world to show it off. Either way, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Resin Crafts made these stunning necklace pendants using resin, alcohol inks, and a mould!
7. Alcohol ink note cards
Have you actually been feeling very confident indeed lately in the way your alcohol inks look on paper and now you’re keeping your eyes peeled for cute ways that you can share that with the world? Then perhaps these DIY alcohol ink note cards would be right up your alley! Dans le Lakehouse shows you how to make them happen and we think they’d making stunning invites or thank you notes!
8. Alcohol ink mugs
Glass isn’t the only unconventional surface that alcohol inks will adhere to better than paint. Now, we’ve tried similar marbling techniques on porcelain mugs with nail polish before and been very happy with it, but the shape of the resulting pattern was quite different. This tutorial from Babble teaches you how to do a version of the same marbled mug idea with alcohol inks, only this way you’ll get a patter that’s a little more watercolour inspired than marbled!
9. DIY alcohol ink light switch cover plates
Have you actually been so impressed with how well your alcohol inks have done on unconventional surfaces that you’ve started looking around your bedroom now and wondering what else you might cover for a little bit of stunning detail? Well, we recently actually did makeover our light switch and electrical socket plates using our inks and we’ve never been so happy with a subtle decor detail! Get the full info for trying it out yourself thanks to Fiber Arsy & Craftsy.
10. DIY alcohol ink jewelry dishes
Did we almost catch your attention when we started talking about the idea of using your inks on porcelain but you don’t actually find yourself using mugs very often so you’ve been hoping to come across some kind of alternative? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Hearth & Vine made these lovely little alcohol ink jewelry dishes my dropping ink in the middle and tilting the bowl to let it spread.
11. Alcohol ink bottle lights
Are you actually still thinking about how much you loved the idea of making an alcohol ink project that involves using the inks on glass because you loved the finished but you haven’t actually seen the project that’s made you feel quite decided yet? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at the way The Navage Patch created these colour splattered decorative glass bottle lights that have a beautifully ethereal glow!
12. DIY beautiful alcohol ink ornaments
Because of the time of year it is right now, are you finding that you can’t help the desire to put a holiday or Christmas time spin on just about any kind of project or tool you come across, alcohol inks included? Then we think you’re going to get a big kick out of the way The Crafty Curmudgeon used simple, plain glass Christmas baubles and alcohol inks to create these stunningly colourful ornaments that almost resemble marble countertops, but in brighter shades.
13. Alcohol ink and resin keychains
Did we almost have you convinced when we started talking about the idea of making a project with resin and alcohol inks but you’re just not sure that you’ll wear the necklace pendant we showed you earlier, since you’re not in the habit of putting on jewelry most days? Then here’s a different but equally beautiful resin and ink craft for your consideration! Check out how Resin Crafts made these stunning keychains by allowing the ink to move however it pleased through the ink until it all dried, with the colour suspended almost like it’s still in motion.
14. Alcohol ink tile coasters
Has your favourite idea on our list so far actually been that of using your alcohol inks to make a gift that you can share with others, but your friends aren’t necessarily big readers and you’re looking for something else with a practical element? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at the way How Was Your Dayn made these lovely hand sketched tile coasters washed in alcohol ink colour!
15. Alcohol ink washer necklace
Have we actually still got you thinking a lot about the idea of making an alcohol ink necklace but you’re still just not so sure that the resin pendant we showed you earlier is quite your style? Well, here’s another design for your consideration! We love the way Sarah Jane’s Craft Blog used their inks to add a lovely colour wash to two layered washers and turned them into necklace pendants for a little bit of industrial chic.
Have you made other kinds of awesome DIY alcohol ink projects before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!