Asian Domino Art Choker - Sharpie Polished Stone Effect

I'm honored to be a guest designer for Scrolls Work Rubber Stamps during the month of June and today, using their stamps I'm going to show one of my all time favorite craft projects... Domino Art!

For those who are not yet aware - Scrolls Works is having an amazing close out sale and their remaining inventory is 50% off the original price.  Many images have sold out; however there are still some great stamps available for purchase - so don't miss out and grab them while you can.

I was searching through my collection of Scrolls Work stamps to see which images were still available for sale and decided to continue with my Asian theme for this "Domino Art" project.

Asian Domino Art Choker using Scrolls Work  rubber stamp and Sharpie pens

 One of my favorite stamping projects is Domino Art.

I find it very relaxing to make these miniature works of stamp art and by creating a 

polished stone background with Sharpie markers it is also a quick and easy process.

I designed the whimsical Asian Domino Art Choker with a large domino for the center bead 

and then strung some fancy crystal and glass beads along with some 

silver dragonflies and bell shapes on a bit of memory wire.  

This fun piece of wearable stamp art was quick and easy; 

it took me less than 2 hours from start to finish. 

 

supplies for creating the polished stone background

For this project I drilled my domino with a rotary tool to create the center bead in the necklace; 

however I've also glued on bails or beads to my dominos in the past to create pendants.

So, don't let that stop you from giving it a try.

The Polished Stone background on my domino was created using

Sharpie pens, 91% rubbing alcohol I put in a small spray bottle and some felt pads on a 

dauber tool (mine is by Tim Holtz) and I cut the felt pads from felt sheets I buy at the craft store.

I quickly clean my domino with alcohol to prime the surface; 

then I scribble with the Sharpie pens so I have good color coverage across the top.   

 Next I lightly spritz a clean felt pad with alcohol and then 

daub and twist the pad over the top of the domino.

I do this till I get a background I like.  

If I accidentally remove too much color I add more Sharpie pen and repeat the process.  

If I don't like the background I can quickly clean it all away with alcohol and start fresh.

Once I have a background I like I stamp my image with Black StazOn ink.

The image I used for this project is a great Asian word stamp "Kanji - Imagine"

from Scrolls Work Stamps and is still available, whole supplies last.

I find the Polished Stone effect on dominos makes a great background

for all kinds of word stamps.

 Most of the time I edge my domino art with a black chisel tip Sharpie pen.

Then I seal the top and sides with matte Mod Podge to give the domino 

a bit of wearable durability.

I wear a lot of my Domino art pieces on a simple cord but occasionally 

I add a bunch of beads to make a statement piece like this one.

Here are two more examples of Scrolls Work stamps in my Domino Art.
These I've edged with a gold leafing pen, just for a change of pace from my usual black border.

It's fun to play with various Sharpie color combinations and stamp images.

These two dominos have not been drilled so I will later glue a bail on them 

and use them as pendants on a black cord.

The left domino has a fun Asian script and Ginkgo leaves.

(both of these stamps are currently available at Scrolls Works in the Asian Antics section)

The Asian Script "Letters of Artist" is in the of Words and Text

The Ginkgo Leaf is in the Plants section under Asian Antics.

The right domino has an Asian poem and the word Wish.

(both of these stamps are also currently available ate Scrolls Works stamps while supplies last)

The Asian Poem is under Words and Text in the Asian Antics section

The word "Wish" is from "The Word Is" - Collage Words section.

It is from the Mini Collage Words Set and these tiny words are super for domino art.

(don't miss getting these if you do domino art other mini art projects)

I have no idea what the Asian words of the poem say but with a word like 

Wish or Love or Hope from the mini collage word set;

I can make it represent whatever I want it to be.

This is my Scrolls Work stamp spin on "Domino Art" and now

I have 3 great Asian art pieces to were this summer.

I hope you give it a try too.

Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique - an alternate to the Polished Stone Technique

Faskolor Paints are used by hobbyists to airbrush on model cars but I enjoy using these paints on my creative projects.  I have also used other brands such as Createx; just check the airbrush section of you hobby or craft store and you should find a comparable type of model car paint. 

Regardless of the brand; I always use the pearlized colors, since I like the shimmer those give my projects.
 

The key to the look I get is to use the pearlized model car paint on black glossy cardstock.  You need the glossy black to get the bright pop of color in the finished projects you will see here.

An example of a Faskolor Background using the Kiss Technique.

Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique

 Supplies:

• One sheet of Black Glossy Cardstock cut in half.
• Faskolor Paint in several colors (or other car model airbrush paint)
• Lots of scrap paper and tissues to protect your work surface and wipe your hands.

Drop lots of dots of paint all over one piece of the glossy cardstock.

Too much paint and you won't get good swirling, Too little paint and the 

the glossy cardstock faces will try and stick to each other and the surface 

will tear apart when you do the Kiss technique.

Lay the second piece of black glossy cardstock face down on top of the

paint topped piece so the two KISS.

Lightly press down with your fingertips and spread the paint around between

the two sheets. This part gets a bit messy since excess paint will squeeze out the 

edges. You can wipe off the excess with tissue or you can scrape off the paint 

and place it to the side to decorate another piece of paper.

Gently lift from the corner and peal the top away from the bottom.

Pull up slowly to get small veining - Pull up faster to get larger swirls.

The finished product will be two pieces that are mirror images of each other.

The bottom portion was pulled slowly and the top portion was pulled up faster

giving the two different swirling effects.
 

Using the mirror halves gives a great optical background.

Examples using Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique:

Buildings were stamped on transparency film and the transparency was 

attached over the Faskolor background using spray adhesive.

Rubber stamp image by Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

Animal print was printed onto transparency film; which was attached

to the Faskolor background using spray adhesive.  

A vintage image was attached on top to create a fun and simple ATC (Artist Trading Card).
 

Domino Art using the Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique.

The domino was painted black and the same technique as above was 

used but domino to domino instead of glossy cardstock.

(Inkadinkado Image was rubber stamped once the paint was dry.)

 

Grins and Giggles,

 Evelyn (EKDuncan)

Examples using the Sharpie Polished Stone Technique

Game Tile Art

Stamps by Third Coast Rubber Stamps

The great thing about using Sharpie Polished Stone technique is that it can be done on most non-porous and some semi-porous surfaces. Depending on the material you can either apply the Sharpie pen ink directly to the surface and then apply the alcohol or you can first scribble the Sharpie ink onto an old CD no longer in uses then spray the CD or  felt pad with alcohol, swirl it in the Sharpie ink you scribbled down and transfer the color to your work surface.  For game tiles I apply the ink straight to the tile but for items like clayboard or glossy cardstock I transfer the color using the CD method.

Here are some of the items I've had fun creating 
using the  Sharpie Polished Stone Technique:

Game Tile Art ATC Lady

Both the ATC and Rummikub Game Tile have the polished stone background, created with sharpie pens. Rubber stamp is by Cat's Life Press Rubber Stamps. This stamp is intended to be used on the back of an ATC (Artist Trading Card) but I thought it was lovely enough to be the main attraction.

Rainbow Kitty Domino Pendant

Rubber Stamp Image is by PSX

Only half of the stamp image was used on the domino

Bewitching Beauties

3 ATC's with Domino Art

The Polished Stone backgound was done on each domino the ATC backgrounds were created using Versamark ink and Perfect Pearls mica powders. Rubber Stamp images are by:

ATC 1 - Fairy (Ducks in a Row)  Map Background (Hero Arts)

ATC 2 - Mystic (Third Coast Rubber)  Arch Background (Inkadinkado)

ATC 3 - Beauty (Stamp Oasis)  Collage Background (Inkadinkado)

Architectural Choker

Rubber Stamp image by 100 Proof Press

Contest Winner

Visions

9 Panel ATC Collage

All Stamps are by 100 Proof Press

Contest Winner

Background was done on glossy cardstock. Sharpie Pen Polished Stone Technique was used via the CD ink transfer method.  Where you scribble your Sharpie colors onto an old unused CD then use alcohol and felt dauber tool to transfer the ink onto the glossy cardstock that has also been spritzed with 91% rubbing alcohol.  Then I used a combination of Sharpie pens and regular markers to highlight some of the stamped images.

Changeable Corset Keychain Art

Rubber Stamp Images are by Lost Coast Designs

Sharpie Polished Stone Background was done on Laminate tile samples 

from the home improvement store.

Luggage Tag Art

All Stamps are by Blockheads Rubber Stamps

Sharpie Pen Polished Stone Technique was used via the CD ink transfer method.  Where you scribble your Sharpie colors onto an old unused CD then use alcohol and felt dauber tool to transfer the ink onto the glossy cardstock that has also been spritzed with 91% rubbing alcohol.

Grins and Giggles

Evelyn (EKDuncan)

Sharpie Pen Polished Stone Technique - Tutorial

One of my favorite background techniques for domino art is the polished stone effect and for me the easiest way to do this is with Sharpie pens.  Sharpie Pens are alcohol based inks in a pen form.  They are readily available at most office supply stores and mega marts, come in a great range of colors and are fun to work with.

The above stamp image is by Stamp Francisco Rubber Stamps, 

Eau de Toilette 106-1084 from their Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers Line

Supply List for this Project
Domino (or other plastic game tile of choice)
Sharpie Pens (In colors that will blend well together)
91% rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle (91% works the best for this process)
White Felt pads
Dauber tool or wood block with Velcro on it
Black Staz-On Ink
Rubber Stamp
Black Chisel tip Sharpie Pen
Domino shaped template
Sealer of your choice

Heat Gun (optional)

 

Step 1 – Select the image you want to stamp on your domino or game tile. I do this by creating a template on paper and cutting out the right sized opening.  I use the template to help me find what part of a rubber stamp image I want to use for my project. 

For this project I selected a portion of a perfume label. (The stamp image is by Stamp Francisco Rubber Stamps, Eau de Toilette 106-1084 from their Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers Line)

Step 2 - Start with a solid game tile or domino that has been wiped with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad.  (This gives you a residue free surface to begin your artwork)

Step 3 - Scribble with two or three colorful Sharpie pens on the blank side of the tile ( I find it best to use colors that will blend together well to keep from getting a muddy or brownish finished color when you’re done)

This is one of my favorite color combinations to use.

Step 4 - Spritz some 91% rubbing alcohol onto the tile and lightly daub or swirl the colors with the aid of a white felt pad.  I like to use this wooden tool by Tim Holtz but you can make your own with a wood block and by attaching the stiff side of Velcro to it so the felt has something to stick to.

Remember - The more you daub or mix the less definition there will be between colors.

Play around with coloring options by trying the following till you get a background you like:
•    Continue to spritz the tile with alcohol and daub with the felt pad
•    Instead of spritzing the domino, lightly spritz the felt pad and tap it on the inked tile
•    Apply more sharpie color to the tile and use the alcohol and felt pad to work it in
•    Use the shiny side of an old unusable CD as a palette and scribble sharpie color on it, then spritz your felt pad with alcohol, swirl the pad in the color on the palette and daub it on your game tile
•    Mix and match any of the above procedures
•    If you don’t like your background – spray it with alcohol, wipe it clean and start again.

Step 5 - Let your background dry, it takes about a minute to air dry or you can heat set it with a heat gun. 

Step 6 – Stamp your image using Staz-On ink or another suitable ink for this type of project.  I prefer to leave my rubber stamp face-up on the work surface, ink the stamp and then press my game tile into the stamp. This gives me more control in stamping the correct portion of the image where I want it and it helps me to get a cleaner final image.

Just remember not to wiggle the game tile and to press straight down, 

apply pressure and lift the tile straight back up when you are done.

 

Step 7 - Let the ink dry which will take several minutes by air or you can speed it up with a heat tool

Step  8 - Edge the sides of the game piece with leafing pen or sharpie pen if you want a black or colored edge.  I like the look of black edging and find that a sharpie pen with the chisel tip works great for this.

Step 9 – Seal your work.  My pick is to daub on two light coats of Mod Podge Matte with a cosmetics sponge.  There are all kinds of sealers on the market and it is up to you to use what you like best. Some other options are spray sealers, and liquid lacquers and brush on finishes. 

IMPORTANT – Alcohol ink has to be sealed when you are finished to set it.  For Jewelry - if you do not seal it and any alcohol product come in contact with it the ink will run and your piece and clothing may be damaged!  Even once sealed I suggest you keep alcohol away from your pieces to be on the safe side.  Example: Spray your perfume on you before you put your game tile pendant on for the day.

Step 10 - Attach a bead, tubular finding or glue on bail with E-6000 of industrial jewelry glue to the top of your tile if you want to create a pendant.

The finished pendant using stamp image by Stamp Francisco Rubber Stamps, 

Eau de Toilette 106-1084 from their Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers Line

Grins and Giggles,

 Evelyn (EKDuncan)

Game Piece Tutorial - Coloring images on plastic with Pigment Markers

One of my favorite art projects is to rubber stamp on dominos and other game tiles.

Domino Art includes most game piece tiles that can be decorated or altered in some way or another. I usually rubber stamp my tiles and I use a variety of game pieces such as dominos, triominos, chekit and vintage rummikub tiles to create my Wearable Domino Art projects.

This is a collection of Dominos I stamped and colored using
Third Coast Rubber Stamps and Permanent markers.


Dominos are a great way to get started since they are readily available and don't have to cost a lot to purchase. They come in a variety of sizes and are great for turning into wearable art.

Game Piece Tutorial - Coloring images on plastic with Pigment Markers

Pigment ink marker are perfect for coloring on game tiles, since they give you a little play room before they dry and are not as likely to remove your stamping lines if you accidentally get to close to them when you color the image. Other non- pigment markers can be used if you are careful and seal your finished project properly but I find the pigment markers to be the best for this project.

Several companies make a pigment marker you just want look for the word Pigment on the pen or choose Adirondack pens by Ranger (they do not list the word pigment but Adirondack pens are a pigment ink and my choice for muted antique looking colors).

If you can’t get Adirondack Pigment Pens, other Pigment ink marker choices currently available are: LePlume Pigmented by Marvy – Zig Pigment Ink – Pigment Pro by American Crafts.

Note #1 - It is possible to color in images using a sharpie pen; however you need to stay clear of the stamped lines or the alcohol in the Sharpie ink will cause the stamped lines to disappear. If you spray the inked image with your sealer before coloring with a sharpie pen it will give you a little bit of added protection from erasing your stamped lines.

Note #2 –Non-pigment markers like Le Plume II or other rubber stamping markers that are dye ink based do not dry on non-porous or plastic surfaces so they are not a good choice for this project.


Supplies:

• Dominos or other plastic game tile - Rummikub (rectangle), Triomino (triangle) or Chekit (hexagon)
• Staz-On Black Ink
• Third Coast Rubber Stamp Images (as listed below)
• A variety of Adirondack or Pigment Markers
• Krylon Workable Fixatif spray sealer
• Krylon UV Resistant Clear spray
• Black Sharpie Magnum Pen for edging the dominos (Optional for the sides)
• Black Sharpie Super Twin Tip with Chisel edge (Optional for the top edging on the domino)
• Rubbing alcohol & cotton pad – to clean game piece before you stamp it
• Cotton swab dampened with water – to clean up any ink smudges before they dry
• Baby wipes or damp paper towel to clean your fingers
• Heat Gun (Please see Safety Note below)
  

* SAFETY NOTE - Follow the manufacturers instructions for your particular model of heat gun - Always place your game tile in or on a heat safe surface before using the heat tool and remember to let it cool before touching it. The plastic will get super hot!!!

Step 1 - Start by wiping each game tile or domino with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad (This gives you a clean starting surface on which to stamp and color).

Step 2 - Stamp your image onto the game pieces using Staz-On ink or another solvent based ink that will dry on plastic.

Tip for stamping – I find I get a sharper image and better placement if I first ink the stamp: then press the game piece into the inked stamp. Get a good grip on the game tile and lift the game piece straight off the stamp.

All Stamp Images are by Third Coast Rubber Stamps
FT-206-K Sarosh Observes FA-232-C Pepin the Piper
FA-226-I Owls on Fence FT-374-I Relaxing Beauty

The game tiles: (regulation sized Domino,Vintage Rummikub tile, Triomino, Checkit domino tile)

Step 3 - Heat set the ink with a heat tool to make it more durable for the coloring process. If you do not have a heat tool you can use a hairdryer on the hottest setting for this. * See Safety Note above.

Step 4 - Color small areas at a time with the pigment markers trying not to go over the inked lines too often. (Constantly coloring over the lines may lighten or totally erase them from you piece).

FT-206-K Sarosh Observes was colored with the following Adirondack Colors:
Skin (Latte) - Hair/Beard (Ginger) - Sword Hilt (Butterscotch)
Turban (Currant) - Robe (Pesto)

The lighter shades are by daubing the color and the darker shades
are by going back in with the same color at full strength.

Step 5 - You can soften the color and avoid pen line marks by lightly tapping or daubing over the still wet ink with your finger tips. This will lighten and lift some of the ink off but you can keep adding color and tapping in layers till you get the depth of color you want. Use the baby wipe or damp paper towel to keep your fingers clean as you work at daubing the colors on the image. If you smudge some color where you don’t want it, quickly clean it up with a slightly damp cotton swab.

The background can be left natural or you can choose to color it as well.
Tip - I find it works better to do the background color first
if you want a background color.

Step 6 - Heat set with heat gun to bake in the color. Once the piece has cooled, edge the sides with a black sharpie marker, leafing pen or pigment marker color of your choice.

Black Edging Tip - If you want the black edging the quick simple I have found it to use a big Sharpie Magnum Pen on the flat side edges and the Sharpie Super Twin Tip chisel end to do the top edging.

Step 7 - Lightly spray a coat of Krylon Workable Fixatif spray sealer over the piece and let dry. (I like to do this to put a protective barrier between my inks and my clear coat sealer; since most spray sealers have alcohol in them which could cause the colors in the image run together).

Step 8 - After the Fixatif is dry I give the game piece 2 light coats of Krylon UV Resistant Clear spray, remembering to let each coat dry before applying the next coat. (It is best to spray several light coats instead of one heavy coat to protect your artwork properly).

A few alternative sealing methods:

- Use a liquid glaze like Liquid Lacquer or Diamond Glaze which will form a tough shiny shell over your work.

- Sponge or brush a coat of water-based sealer like Mod Podge Matte or Gloss depending on the finish style you like. Sometimes this type of product dries a bit tacky to the touch but a light coat of spray acrylic sealer will resolve that if it is a problem for you.

- I’ve even know some people to use Future Floor Sealer or polyurethane on there pieces, so you might want to test out what you have around in your craft supplies or around the house to find what works best for you.

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A few ideas on what you can do with your game piece art:

• Wearable Art - Create jewelry pieces such as pendants and pins. Glue a bead or pin back to the piece with E6000 or Super Glue for an easy method. If you are really industrious you can drill holes in the game pieces so you can turn them into beaded bracelets or necklaces.

• ATC’s – mini sized dominos and the Rummikub game tiles are perfect for accenting your ATC (Artist Trading Cards) since they are just under ¼ inch thick, half the thickness of a regular domino.
  

• Mirror Toppers – You can line up a series of art dominos along the top for a framed mirror or picture as a whimsical accent. The top edge of the frame makes a great ledge to sit the dominos on and they can be removed or changed out will not fuss or messy clean up since they are just sitting there.

• Framed Artwork – You can add your game piece art to your shadowbox projects or frame it. Shadow box frames can be purchased at your local craft store or you can use a regular frame where the glass has been removed. Insert black mat board in place of a picture and then glue your game piece art to the mat board. Frame individual items or a whole group.

I hope this inspires you to pull out your ink, stamps and old game tiles to create your own domino art.

Grins and Giggles,
Evelyn (EKDuncan)