I just got done playing with the baked beads and coloring them with alcohol inks.

I started by using make-up sponges.  I put a few drops of the ink on the sponge and then dabbed it on the bead.  Then a light spray of rubbing alcohol and let that dry before adding more colors.  It worked okay.  I wear gloves while I work with the alcohol inks so that I don’t dye my hands as well!

I noticed that the gloves also left ink on the beads but with a textured looking pattern.  I did the next set of beads by just use the gloves to put the ink on.  I would put a drop of alcohol ink in the palm of my hand (while wearing the glove) and then added the bead and rolled.  It worked great and was a lot easier then the make-up sponges!

I am not sure that I will use this in the demo because of the mess.  I do like how the bead look and it is very easy to create different looks quickly, so I might.

Posted by Helen in Tips and Techniques on August 19th, 2007 |