Combining the new Distress Oxide Inks and tag art is an easy way to get creative. I was initially on the fence about investing in a new ink line. Are they really new and different? Are they easy to work with? Are they open to new techniques? A trio of yes's as you'll see from the video below.
To dip your toes in the water, my advice is to get just the primary triad of Oxides: Faded Jeans, Worn Lipstick and Fossilized Amber. I added Cracked Pistachio because it's clear and bright and Iced Spruce because I prefer grays to browns and we'll make brown without buying it.
I used the Wrinkle Free technique on these tags. I also tried 110# cardstock (OK), Bristol (no) and, best of all watercolor paper. The Ranger brand works fine and so does Strathmore and Canson.
For the wrinkle free technique, squish 1-3 colors (have your journal handy for the excess) on your craft mat or other slick surface. Spray the ink patches down until you see them bead up. Watch for the oxidation! It's very cool when it turns silvery white.
Swipe your tag (or card base) through the puddle, or simply press the paper right into the puddle and wiggle it around. I like the wiggle move. It results in less mixing and less brown. Have your heat gun ready and dry the cards before dipping again. I like to dip 2-3 x's for a varied surface.
You can give the inks a squirt or mist of water to activate the oxidation process for an even more varied surface. Let the water sit for a few seconds then press a clean rag into the inked surface and lift the water bead for an even more dramatic look. You can see the results (the white spots) on the right hand side tag below, at the top third of the tag.
I finished the tags with an embossed feather using a Carabelle Stamp, a phrase and a bit of collage. The black Archival ink faded a bit as it dried. I don't mind that but will try other inks to test them out. I'm in love with the velvety chalky finish of these inks. They dry completely and there is no chalky residue. And you will get browns if the ink is diluted with water. The inks straight on are opaque and that's very cool.
The mottled surface is easy to get. I preferred spraying the ink and letting it sit on the surface, rather than blotting it up. The effect was more subtle for a background in this case but you can see above where the water was blotted out. You'll see more in the video.
I found the best prices on the Oxides at Joggles (15% off everyday). A friend mentioned an better price at Scrapbook Warehouse but this week they are at $8/ink. (Affiliate links are below the video, I get a percentage of sale with no cost to you. Thanks for using my links.)
I'll have another video up on Friday as well as a Design Team post on Joggles. And now for your viewing pleasure ...
Hi, Diana: I wanted to resist buying these but purchased them at the Show in April! They are fun! Your crowned bird card background is DistressOxide. I got the same colors you did-haha! Great minds, right? ;) Thanks for sharing the video! Enjoy!
Posted by: Betsy | 06/06/2017 at 02:22 PM
Diana - the site is scrapbooking-warehouse.com where the Distres Oxides are $3.99. I just checked on it. Perhaps I should have kept that information to myself until I buy the six Distress Oxide ink pads that I don't have😄
Posted by: Barbara M | 06/06/2017 at 02:37 PM
That’s so funny, Betsy! They are the best colors, right ;) I’m happy to have them but want Mustard Seed.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 06/08/2017 at 08:08 AM