More Tiles!

I did this with alcohol ink on reclaimed tiles over contact paper petals that were then removed.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I have plans to use a border of these around a mirror, with a little help from Dad....

My Favorite Tile To Date

Latest Tiles

Craft Fair Update

I made $23.50 for basically a day of crafting.  I had to throw together a bunch of gift bags in order to have something for my table.

Mr. Beard Oil, on the other hand, had his best fair day ever--18 bottles in less than 8 hours.  Not sure how he did that!

The alcohol inks are more fun than gift bags, and I think they will sell much better, if I can just find a sealant that I am happy with.

The testing continues….

Here I'm leaving wine glasses on the tiles all night.  The tray is so I can easily move them out of the way, and the paper towel is to see if there is any bleeding of the ink.

Here's me testing with hot tea.  I really hope I can find a good sealant!

Tile Testing

First test: ice cubes.  After they melt, I'm going to put a glass on the wet tiles and leave it on over night.

First Try

He is just good at everything!

Here is Belovedest's very first attempt at making an alcohol ink tile....

More Alcohol Ink Tiles

These are so good for me to make because there is so very little control over the process....  It just happens.

I'll be selling these at the St. John's Craft fair in November.

Tiles Update

I still need to get the felt feet on them.  I'm eager to get them to the shop owner who ordered them but I've been so sick.....

Tile Coasters

I have an order for 48 of these from a retailer!

I need to get to the EcoStore and buy more tile.....

Tie-Dye Tiles?

I’ve been playing some more with alcohol ink on reclaimed tiles.  Here are the same tiles as I add to them.

Mystery Stamper

I made it myself!  It has a handle on top and velcro on the bottom....

What could it be for?  Stay tuned...

Tile Testing Update

Editor's Note: These were tiles sealed with ModPodge which I no longer use for sealing.

The first tile test was with water.  I dipped the bottoms of glasses in water, set them on the tiles, and left them.  For a couple of days, actually, since I forgot them.

When I picked the glass off of the tile, I saw white blurs and my heart sank:

However, I left them alone and the blur went away as the tile dried.  I repeated the experiment and left the glass on for about five hours.  No blur.   I'm not sure what to do.  Can I sell them this way?  Even if someone leaves a glass on them for days, the blur isn't permanent.  But I am still reluctant to sell them because I feel like I have to include this long explanation with them in case this happens to any one.  

Or I could try to figure out another way to seal them.  

Any way, testing continues with ....

Test Two: Grape Juice

Before:

After one swipe with a towel, as good as new:

Next Up: Hot Tea!

Testing 1...2....3....

I've finally found time to start testing my tile coasters to see if the sealing procedure I came up with can withstand actual use.

First test: Water.

Tile Testing... in 7 Days

I'm experimenting with making some tile coasters, using reclaimed tiles from the EcoStore.  (The heart tile is a failed experiment.  That's why they call it research!)  The mosaic looks fun, but would look better on black.  The photo tile unfortunately has a problem right around her cute little smile, so that one is also labeled a learning experience.  I'm using this first batch to figure out what techniques will work.

I tried to seal one with polyurethene, and the alcohol ink promptly smeared.  So I added three layers of ModPodge before adding three layers of polyurethane. Then it didn't smear.  (I used leftover polyurethane from one of my dad's woodworking projects, the kind you apply with a brush.  I wanted something I could do indoors.)

Now I'm waiting 7 days before putting the tiles through a series of tests, including grape juice and boiling hot tea.  Once I know what works, I'll do a tutorial.

Stay tuned!