Exploring, Discovering, Creating - Alcohol Inks On Copper

.My favorite way to learn is by exploring and discovering. That’s the approach I take with making jewelry. That’s why it’s fun. One day  I started experimenting with alcohol inks on metal. When I got to the copper, I knew I had hit gold!

​I love color and I wanted to add it to one of my stamped pieces - a copper, dog tag from Beaducation. This posed a problem because enamel and paint would cover the word "Joy" that I had stamped on the dog tag. Hmmmm…. I wondered how alcohol ink might work?

​I use Adirondack Alcohol Inks put out by Ranger. I applied some red pepper ink and then some sunset orange to the copper. Alcohol ink is free flowing on metal and I loved the way the two colors moved around. The word, “Joy” was still visible and I darkened it a little with a fine point magic marker. It took two minutes to dry and then I sprayed it with a varnish so that the ink wouldn’t run once the resin was poured. I used Winsor & Newton all purpose varnish which gives a matt finish. I don’t use gloss because the resin adds gloss.

After waiting an hour for the varnish to dry, I placed a tiny, sterling silver heart under the word. Then, I mixed the resin and poured, making sure it flowed to all the edges.  I covered it and left it alone overnight.

You know the saying - Joy comes in the morning? That’s what I found. I love my little dog tag! I hung it on a sterling silver chain and it is ready to wear!

​Here are some other pieces that I created with alcohol inks. All my blanks come from Beaducation. I’m satisfied with their quality and service.