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Working With Walnut Ink
Ramie Ahlstrom - Scrapping Design Team LeaderWalnut ink, a derivative of the walnut shell, is perfect for aging your projects. Made from boiling walnut shells for long periods of time, walnut ink has been used as an ink, stain and dye since the Middle Ages. Walnut ink crystals are widely available, and when mixed with warm water, are easily turned back into the liquid made by boiling the walnut shells.
Before we get too far into the fun stuff, here are some precautions that I highly recommend when working with Walnut Ink:
Wear gloves! (This is a must to keep your hands clean!) Protect your work surface well.
And be VERY careful with the crystals and solution if you or any of your family members are allergic to walnuts. Even one loose crystal touched by the wrong hands could cause an allergic reaction!
After purchasing Walnut Ink Crystals from my favorite supplier, I mixed one part walnut ink crystals to four parts warm water (per the instructions included with my crystals). I mixed these in a large two-gallon zippered plastic baggie, because that size holds a 12”x12” piece of paper perfectly, and its easy to clean up (seal the bag and toss in the trash!). You can also mix the crystals with water in a bowl or shallow pan, depending on how big the item you plan to dye is.
To create a full page sheet of walnut ink treated paper, I inserted the paper into the baggie with the walnut ink, sealed it up, and shook the baggie. I made sure the ink spread everywhere evenly, then removed the paper from the bag. What started as plain white cardstock came out a muted tan color.
I have long enjoyed the crumpled, wrinkled leather-look that I’ve seen on so many layouts, but had never tried it myself until working with walnut ink. I figured that while the paper was soaking up the ink, it would be the perfect time to crumple it. The crumpled dyed cardstock on this layout was originally a light cream color. The walnut ink and crumpling gave it a distressed and worn brown color.
A few of things that can be dyed with walnut ink include:
Cardstock, Watercolor Paper, Glossy Paper, Mulberry Paper, Patterned Paper, Altered Book Pages, Tags, Die Cuts, Twine, Fibers (be sure to get dyeable ones, some are pretreated and can’t be re-dyed), Wood Shapes, and Fabric. You can try it on just about anything porous. Each surface you apply it to will accept it differently, so be sure to experiment with several for maximum fun!
Here are before and after pictures of patterned paper that I sponged walnut ink onto, as well as a layout using the aged paper.
Walnut Ink can be applied different ways, each resulting in its own beautiful design. Dipping your material (paper, fabric, fibers, etc) into the walnut ink will give it an overall coating. White paper can easily be aged, as can light colored patterned papers. Painting it on with a paint brush gives things a painted look, perfect for aging those bright patterned papers that you just had to buy, but have never used! Splattering the ink on with a toothbrush, by running your fingers over the bristles, will leave a speckled pattern, similar to that on a robin’s egg (although not blue….unless you use blue paper, of course!).
Spritzing the ink onto your paper with a spray bottle, will give you an airbrushed type pattern. The ink can be dropped on after the first coat dries, to give the pattern even more detail. The ink can be sponged on, for a softer look. Walnut ink can also be used as ink, with a fountain type pen. Just dip the tip in, write like you would with fountain ink, and instantly have vintage handwriting!
Be sure to check out Cindy Roland’s article in Cindy's Day Room on the Stamping Deck for more information about Walnut Ink, and beautiful ways to use it in your stamping projects!
If you don’t already own it, walnut ink crystals are available through stamp and scrapbook suppliers around the globe. You can also purchase pre-mixed walnut ink from some places. Be sure to check your favorite supplier to get yours today!
Happy Scrappin’,
Ramie Ahlstrom
ramieahlstrom@ssreflections.com
Scrapping Design Team Leader
S.S. Reflections, Inc.
