Antique Looks With Walnut Ink

If you are making a Shabby, Antique, or Grungy scrapbook, you may want to try using Walnut Ink to age your paper. Walnut Ink was originally made with crushed walnut shells, but now, thanks to modern science, is available in many colors. You can find jars of different colors and brand names at your local craft store.
Walnut Ink is powdered, and you must add water. Use just a tiny bit of ink at first, then add a little at a time until you get the color you want.
You can buy boxes of tags at an office supply store for just a few dollars, or you can make your own tags with a stencil and cardstock.
Here are some tips and different techniques to antique those tags:

1. Fill a small spray bottle with Walnut ink and 'mist' your tag. You will get different splotches in different color intensities.
2. Draw on a white tag with a white crayon. Wherever you have drawn, the ink will not stick to the crayon.
3. Fill a small pan or Styrofoam tray with Walnut Ink, dip your tag in and swirl it around a little.
4. For a different look, sprinkle a bit of dry ink on a tag, then mist with a spray of water.
5. After covering your tag with ink, sprinkle on a bit of regular table salt while the ink is still wet.

Remember to let your tags dry flat, on paper towels. And always use an archival spray if you are unsure whether your materials are acid-free and lingen-free.

Happy Scrappin'!