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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
July 16, 2014
Q: Mary wants to know: "I am converting my wood mounted stamps to clear mount. What do you do when the backing is black, rather than a lighter color, so the design will show?"
A: I don't index my stamps on the foam, but I know there is a thinner cling foam (1/16") that you could layer over the black... another option might be to purchase some white cling vinyl for the indexing. You can stamp on it with StazOn ink, and it will also cling to your block. Good luck!
July 9, 2014
Q: Diane asks: "I have a LOT of microbeads. Got any ideas for using them in projects?"
A: These tiny, holeless beads are great for adding texture to one area of a stamped image or scrapbook page. You can mix them with gel medium or modeling paste to add texture, or adhere them with glue using last week's Glittered Stenciling technique. You can also create the look of stained glass by covering a colored image with double-sided tape, and then pressing the beads into the adhesive.
July 2, 2014
Q: Shari asks: "Do all the Memento inks work like the Tuxedo Black when using alcohol markers? I would love to try different colors but I don't want to invest in them if they would only bleed."
A: All the Memento inks are formulated to work with alcohol inks. I like using the lighter colors for a softer outline, or even No Line Coloring. My favorite lighter colors are Desert Sand, Pear Tart, and Angel Pink.
June 25, 2014
Q: Sherrie wants to know: "How do you get the look on a card of random dots of embossing powder? I have used embossing powder with stamps and inking along an edge with a Versamark pad, but I am wanting a random, more sparse look."
A: You can sprinkle embossing powder directly onto your card panel without using an embossing ink or stamped image. Sprinkle a lot or a little, then heat from the underside of the card so you don't blow the powder away before it melts. Once it's melted, it will adhere to your card. Experiment with the amount of powder you sprinkle on. Also be careful not to scorch the panel with your heat tool - it's a little different holding the tool underneath the panel.
June 18, 2014
Q: Maryellen wants to know: "If you are layering watercolor pencils over alcohol marker, what kind of paper do you use?"
A: That is a fun combination! If I'm going to be using a wet medium, I'd use either matboard, watercolor paper, mixed media paper, or very heavy cardstock (110# or more). Watercolor paper does soak up more alcohol ink than cardstock would, but it will take the water more readily, without warping. If you're stamping you'll need to use an archival or hybrid ink that won't react with water or the solvent-based markers, but the combination of strong color base and water effects can be really stunning.
