Crafts Unleashed

Ranger inks are great for any non-porous surface

When I decided to make the “Tower of Hearts” our Craftista Jenny said “Why don’t you use Ranger alcohol inks to color the acrylic rhinestones?”.  “Alcohol inks?  What the heck are those?” (Okay, it was not said that nicely!)

Well, I know what they are now and I love them!  As I am not really a crafter,  many of these products are foreign to me, but this one has become a new best friend.  They are so easy to use and so versatile that you can just about color any non-porous surface with them.

Use these inks to tint rhinestones to match!

My first attempt was with large acrylic rhinestones I used to add some pizazz to the “Tower of Hearts”.  All I did was lay a few of the rhinestones out on a piece of heavy paper, open up the bottle and squeeze out.  The ink just poured over the surface, no painting, sponging, or dabbing.  No nothing!  They were dry w/in a few minutes and ready to hot glue to the surface.  I was thrilled.  I even did a few on the fly when setting up the tablescape.  Brillant!

Use a piece of felt or the Ranger Applicator to spread the ink

Next, I decided to “recolor” some old votives I had.  I had found these several years ago in a quaint shop  they were originally a deep crimson red.  I thought they were “cased glass” – the color is w/in the glass itself.  But I found out “not so” when I washed them.  It was simply a coating that came off when it hit water.  To color them,  I cleaned the surface off the votive holder with the blending solution, held it up by placing two fingers in the opening and squeezed some of the ink over the surface.  I used a sponge brush to smooth out drips and streaks and kept moving over the surface in the same manner.  I kept repeating until the deep crimson color I desired appeared.  Go quickly though, as the inks dry fast.
Held on my fingers for about a minute and it was done.  Viola, my favorite votive holders are back!  Any ink that got on my hand was wiped off w/a paper towel dabbed in the Alcohol Blending Solution.

Alcohol Blending Solution you say?  What is that?  Well, it is a cleaner, remover and blending solution all in one.  It can be used to completely remove or rework  the ink from a surface if wanted or it can be used to blend colors together to create new ones.  You can also use to lighten the color as well.  It can even be used to clean a surface.  How great!

We cut the monogram with the Cricut, using vinyl

Last but not least, I decided to color one of the 4″ beveled round mirrors I utilized for a wine glass coaster in the Valentine’s Day table scape.  I haven’t learned to work the Cricuit yet, so I asked our Craftista to come to the rescue.  Jenny cut out a “H” mask to fit over the surface of the mirror and away I went.  I thought a little personalization would add some zing to my table.  Again, I simply squeezed the ink over the surface, smoothed out any runs or splotches w/the sponge brush and waited for it to dry.  After drying I removed the mask and had a great personalized coaster.

Coaster with mask removed

I like deep jewel tones so I saturated the color on each surface. I used the “Tuscan Garden Kit” but there are seven other color kits available each w/three colors.  But remember, if you would like the color to be lighter use your Blending solution to do so.  On the back of the Alcohol Ink package there are directions to create a “Polished Stone Technique” that could be quite interesting.

So as you can read, I am a fan.  So simple, so easy and what an impact.  Have fun creating.

FTC Disclosure: this product was provided gratis by ConsumerCrafts.com for purposes for review. However, they can’t buy my truthful opinion. Just sayin’.