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Alcohol Ink Ornaments That Look Like Colorful Blown Glass

by 23 Comments

Learn how to make these beautiful alcohol ink ornaments that resemble blown glass but are so easy and cost very little to make.

Alcohol ink ornaments - green, blue and gold

More Alcohol Ink Projects: 
Alcohol Ink Jewelry Dishes, Alcohol Ink Trivets, Alcohol Ink Tins

I just couldn’t resist playing with alcohol inks to make a few ornaments this season. 

If you haven’t tried them yet you are in for a treat. Though they are messy the results are always so pretty and it is so effortless to make something beautiful.

I first started working with alcohol inks last year when I made pretty flower jewelry dishes with the inks. That got me hooked. I went on to make some pretty trivets with my girlfriends and then decorated slider tins to house solid perfume earlier this season. 

So while I was unpacking my Christmas decorations I noticed a dozen clear Christmas bulbs that were not being used for anything and thought, what a perfect use for alcohol inks.

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Alcohol ink ornament supplies

DIY Alcohol Ink Ornaments

Supplies

Clear plastic ornaments

Alcohol Inks

Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 91%

Canned Air (optional)

Caution: This project is messy. Make sure that you cover your work table and the floor. Also, consider wearing gloves and old clothes. The rubbing alcohol does a good job of fixing mistakes and cleaning your skin as well as creating interesting patterns with the alcohol inks. However, it may permanently stain certain fabrics too.

Red and yellow alcohol ink ornament

At first, I used the inks on the inside of the balls. Just pour a little bit of the ink inside and swirl it around. Add other colors and see how the mix with each other.

Interior alcohol ink ornaments

They turned out great, especially those with the gold ink because it’s a little opaque and seemed to stay in place better. However, as you can see the ink tended to gather at the bottom after a while leaving open spots. 

Purple and gold ornament

I still think this is beautiful and I liked the fact that the ink was on the inside so you don’t have to worry about the mess as much, and you don’t have to seal it. 

Try using some metallics with the colors if you choose this route.

Alcohol ink ornament using canned air

I also tried using canned air after each drop of color. This worked really well to dry and spread the color without pooling at the bottom.

Red and gold alcohol ink ornament.

Here’s another one with red and gold inks on the inside using just the pour and turn method.

Messy green ornament

This one ended up with a drip on the inside that I did not like. 

I used a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol to remove it.

Since I still wasn’t pleased with this one, I tried using the alcohol inks on the outside to see how they looked.

Alcohol ink ornament on outside

I knew this would be much messier so I made a little stand with foam and a wooden skewer to place the ball on. (Make sure you cover the table under the foam too. Let the ink drip down around the ball. They dried quickly on the outside and stayed in place.)

Green, blue and gold outside ornament on tree

Sealing Alcohol Ink Ornaments

The clear bulbs with ink on the inside do not need to be sealed. For those with the ink on the outside, I would recommend waiting a full 24 hours. Then carefully spray this ornament with a clear acrylic coating.

Use the same foam stand and make sure that you don’t spray too close or you might mess up your beautiful ornament. Wait another hour and add a second coat.

Alcohol ink ornaments on table

Options for Alcohol Ink Ornaments

  • Use them on white ornaments
  • Coat the inside of the clear plastic with white paint
  • Canned air or a straw can create special effects and promote drying
  • Use a felt pad to stamp on a design
  • Cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol help to remove ink and add texture
  • Use a paintbrush for extra control

This is a great craft to make with friends and small groups. You can share the inks and buy some ornaments in bulk. Play some festive music and enjoy an evening or afternoon creating with this easy and beautiful medium.

Alcohol ink ornaments collage

 

 

 

 

 

About Patti Estep

Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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Comments

  1. Meegan says

    December 18, 2018 at 10:34 am

    Absolutely stunning, Patti. I love your color combinations. The tutorial is so thorough and intentional.
    Thank you so much for sharing.
    Merry Christmas.

    Reply

    • Patti Estep says

      December 17, 2018 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks, Janet. I can’t wait to see what you create. I think I may have a Girl’s Night Out Party and have everyone make some these. I don’t need to be tempted by cookie. 🙂

      Reply

  6. Barbara says

    December 17, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Oooh, Patti! I LOVE these ornaments!!! Pinned several to different boards and also pinned your ebook for you to my Tomes {Books} to Read board. <3

    Happy crafting and Happy Christmastime,
    Hugs and blessings,
    Barb 🙂

    Reply

  8. Christine says

    December 14, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Oh my goodness, Patti! LOVE LOVE LOVE these ornaments! Years ago a co-worker gifted me every year with beautiful blown glass ornaments for Christmas! I have five of them and they are some of the most cherished decorations I have! I had never heard of alcohol ink until I saw your post on Instagram! I’m not sure I’ll have time to make up any this year, but I’m definitely pinning so I can next year! Thank you so much for a wonderful tutorial and for teaching me something new as always!

    Reply

  9. lynn says

    December 12, 2018 at 9:06 am

    OK Patti…I am making a trip to Pgh just to craft with you. I absolutely love these ornaments!!! Especially the one with the gold! Oh, so many plans for next year already.

    Have a great day my friend.

    Hugs, Lynn

    Reply

  10. Claudia says

    December 12, 2018 at 8:24 am

    Hi Patti, I did your last alcohol ink project on white tiles and some white small dishes I bought from Target. These dishes make great ring and jewelry organizers. All turned out well. I think these glass ornaments would look so vivid hanging from ribbons in a window. Happy Holidays!

    Reply

    • Patti Estep says

      December 12, 2018 at 8:29 am

      Claudia, I’m so glad to hear someone else loves the alcohol ink projects as much as I do. And I love your window idea! I use to hang a set of purchased ornaments with ribbons from the cafe rod above my sink in the kitchen. I might have to go out and get some more clear ornaments now. Thanks for the great idea.

      Reply

  12. Carole West says

    December 12, 2018 at 7:45 am

    I still haven’t tried using this ink but it’s time because this project is just awesome. I’m in the middle of reorganizing my workshop space and once I get that done think I’m going to get a few colors and play around with them.

    These ornaments are cool and have a neat vintage vibe – love this!

    Reply

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