Alcohol Ink Glass Gems Roundup

This week I've been working on updating links and cleaning up some old posts on the blog. Some of the most popular posts on the blog are about Alcohol Ink decorated Glass Gems (cabochons, flat marbles, glass floral stones, etc...). I have tried so many different strategies to make these colored glass decorations that I did my first "Recap" post some 7 years ago. So, as I was updating links, I realized I really needed to update my recap! (Click on the link in the descriptions above the photos to get to the original posts or check out all of the Glass Gem Projects.)

It all started with the first post where I stamped some alcohol ink on the back of some glass gems, and it turned out well enough that I made them into some necklaces.


Then I turned them into magnets:


Then I made necklaces again, because the first time was so much fun.


Then, in an attempt to make them more opaque, I glued aluminum foil circles on the back of the gems.


Then I tried spraying them with white spray paint to make the colors pop.


Then I tried aluminum foil tape (like the kind from the hardware store).


The foil tape worked so well, that I tried out circle stickers.


Then I revisited the basic process again to answer frequent questions and make a quick video.


Then I attempted to layer white alcohol ink over top of my stamping.


When I couldn't quite get the white alcohol ink to work, I attempted brushing on white glass (enamel) paint.


Then I decided to strip it back and attempt to use another technique to apply the ink (paint brushes and and canned air).


Trying out that new process worked so well that I tried flaming the ink on a set of gems.


Then, I figured we needed a break from always making these gems into necklaces, so I made some pins.


Then I thought I could make pumpkins and jack o'lanterns with some ink and glass (enamel) paint.


Then I tried the plastic wrap application (and some more foil tape).


Then I used my Silhouette to cut some snowflake decals.


Then I found some real cabochons and bezels on Amazon and tried those out.


And being determined to try to get the white alcohol ink to work, I attempted it again along with some metallic inks. It went slightly better the second time, but I've still got a ways to go with using white ink.


Phew! That's a lot of alcohol ink glass gems! What should I try next? Let me know if you have any ideas or questions in the comments.

While going through the posts to revisit, I realized that I made a not quite as comprehensive roundup post a year ago and had completely forgot about it. Clearly a sign that I've been blogging for a long time and made a lot of decorated gems. :) Happy Crafting! 

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