Back in November, I shared with you several examples of various experiments using metal leaf and alcohol inks. I put the metal leaf away, but have been drawn to play some more with the inks. In addition, I decided to try my hand at some stamping. I've never done scrapbooking, and have never really used stamps as a part of polymer - so this is new for me. All of these pieces started with a base of white clay on black that I cut and baked first, before doing anything else - which is also a departure from my norm....
This first photo is a set of shapes with just alcohol inks. I'm going to have to give them a gentle protective coat of some sort, probably matte, since that's the way they seem to "want" to be. I did not let the colors pool or sit against each other very much. Instead, I dropped just a bit of color and dabbed it up quickly with a tissue. I kept playing, adding and subtracting color, until I liked the result. Each piece has been given a textured, wrap-around back and edging. I don't know if I'll add anything else to these, or not. Right now, I'm enjoying looking at the colors.
Then I took some alcohol-colored backgrounds, and gave them a simple inked stamp. These have been sealed with a matte varnish to protect the alcohol background and stamped ink from smearing. I love the subtle feel these pieces have. I think that a couple of them look almost antique in some ways. You'll notice I moved into new color-ways, too. There is something very peaceful about working with the inks in this manner.
Lastly, I went "all out" - these pieces have an alcohol base, a layer of translucent cane slices, stamped images and a final coating of resin. They have a layered look with depth the other pieces do not have. Also, they are quite shiny. I suppose it's a matter of preference. I've enjoyed making them all!
Well, not really...but doesn't this look almost like a photo of a seashell on drifting sands? 
