It’s a rainy morning here in San Antonio, so I was at the computer, clearing out some old duplicate video files when I discovered this clip from 2011. It’s me, talking about a new discovery – Walnut Ink! Y’all know that I live and breathe that stuff – just ask anybody who has taken a workshop on any subject at the Studio.
This little video was made waa-aay before I had the big Studio, back when I was making Kindle covers for my old Etsy shop in the little garage studio. Here, I’m using Walnut Ink on unglazed clay to make a Scent Shard. You may remember that I made a lot of these several years ago. The idea is to put drops of essential oils on an evocative earthenware face and let the scent and good vibes disperse over a period of time. Pretty cool, right?
Here’s the video clip, and for today’s Friday Freebie, the SHARDS subscriber whose name is drawn on Sunday night will get – what else?? – a bottle of Tsukineko Walnut Ink! (Incidentally, Wikipedia says the stuff was used to stain the hands of criminals back in old Rome because it wouldn’t wash off . . .)
I must get some walnut ink. I love brown ink. I wonder if you can make pecan ink, and if the would be similar to walnut. When pecans fall into my swimming pool they make a spot that eventually wears off.
Try it! I’ll bet you could crush pecan shells and infuse them in everclear!
Everclear? Is that something like Vodka?
Yep.
I found Pecan Ink at Noodler’s in Houston. Rather expensive, but it is for art, right? They are out of Walnut ink at Michaels. Where do you buy yours?
Good Morning, Creative Lady, Love the idea of your scent shard faces! Gives me a wonderful idea to combine it with my “prayer pockets”. The prayer pockets are small – no more than 6″ x 8″ – textile wall hangings with a pocket on the front to put a slip of paper or card with a prayer, a wish, or a blessing. Originally, I sewed some potpourri into the lining with the batting. Eventually the scent faded and I would have to unpick the closure and freshen the potpourri. Now, if a scent shard is used, I can just renew with some essential oil on the shard. You rock! Keep on sharing the muse.
Great idea! You can also cut a piece of watercolor paper that will fit inside the pocket and write the name and quality of the essential oil on it – drop some oil on the paper. It will diffuse like blotting paper, and there would still be room for wishes and prayers. Cool, Pat 🙂
Pretty cool, I have noticed a lot of artist love walnut ink, I have just never gotten any, seems when I do shop there is a thousand products I want, but I think it’s time I pick up some walnut ink, tx for sharing, aloha, angi in hana
Hi Lyn, lovely little video, thanks for sharing it. I love walnut ink and really liked the effect on the unglazed clay. Is this clay fired to bisque? I guess that as it absorbs the walnut ink and essential oils, it is. I used to make tiny little pots in which I infused essential oils, they were very popular. I was looking forward to seeing the finished shards at the end of the video, but it stopped short. Please don’t include me in the Friday Freebie as I already have lots of walnut ink. Have a beautiful day.
Lyn, could you please tell me what the Aromatherapy site is that you mentioned in the video. I did a search for the name I thought you said but couldn’t find anything.
Hi, Rob – it’s http://www.chemaroma.com – I haven’t updated it for a while but it has lots of good info.
Thank you, will go check it out.
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