DIY Alcohol Ink Ornaments Tutorial

Hey, I’m back with another fun craft project using alcohol inks … DIY Alcohol Ink Christmas Ornaments!

I’m sort of obsessed with alcohol inks, truly. You can create such gorgeous, painterly effects with them. Almost like watercolor paints but better, brighter. And Christmas is right around the corner.

My kids and I used to decorate glass Christmas tree ornaments by pouring different color paints inside and letting them swirl and marble. Those are still some of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments.

This time, I decided to try painting the glass ornaments with Adirondack alcohol inks. The first one I did was pretty but the colors didn’t stand out on the clear glass.

After some pondering, I decided to try painting a white background first. But, instead of painting the outside of the globe, I poured the white paint inside the globe and now the alcohol colors pop!

Did you see my Alcohol Ink Switch Plate Covers?

DIY Alcohol Ink Ornaments

Supplies:

Prep the Glass Ornament

First, remove the hanger from a glass ornament and set aside. Now, open the bottle of white acrylic paint and squeeze a small amount into the globe.

Turn the globe to distribute the paint. Add more paint as needed. You want the entire inside of the ornament to be covered with white paint.

Once the inside of the ornament is covered in all white paint, you need to remove the excess. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to turn the globe upside down on an old container s.a. a tomato paste can or similar. The extra paint will drip out into the can.

Paint the Alcohol Ink Ornaments

First, cover your work surface. Then, pour some rubbing alcohol in the disposable cup. Since these inks dry quickly go ahead and open all alcohol ink bottles.

Dip a paint brush in the rubbing alcohol and wipe on part of the ornament. Now, pick up one of the bottles of alcohol ink and drip a small amount onto the rubbing alcohol.

Slowly turn your ornament and watch the ink flow. You can also blow on the ink to make it move. Give it a minute or two before adding more ink. These inks are hard to control but there’s really no wrong way here.

Repeat with a second color.

Add a third color of paint.

Continue adding color until you are happy with your ornament.

Finish the Alcohol Ink Ornament

Carefully re-insert the hanger. Thread a paint brush (or similar) through the hook and hang your ornament to dry.

Let the ornament dry overnight then add two coats of the acrylic spray sealer to protect the paint. All of these colors coordinate beautifully but I’ve found it’s best to use no more than 3 per piece. Otherwise, they tend to combine too much and become muddy.

The beauty of these inks is that you can start all over by wiping them off completely (before sealing) with a cloth and rubbing alcohol.

Enjoy! And if you try this project, please send me a photo of your creation.

Peace,
Annette

Did you see my DIY Alcohol Ink Switch Plate Covers?