Soaking violet in alcohol

So, you're curious about making your own vibrant purple ink, huh? I know I was! After seeing some amazing results online, I decided to dive into the world of DIY ink, and my latest obsession has been the 'Alcohol Soak' method using violets. It's surprisingly simple and yields a stunning, rich purple that's perfect for everything from journaling to adding a unique touch to my graffiti art. My journey started with a simple question: how do I get that intense purple color without chemicals? That's when I discovered the power of an alcohol soak. For my first try, I gathered a handful of fresh wild violets from my garden (make sure they're not sprayed with pesticides!). You can also use other purple-pigmented plants like red cabbage or mulberries, but violets give such a delicate, beautiful hue. Here’s my personal step-by-step for a successful Alcohol Soak: Gather Your Violets: Fresh is best! Gently rinse them to remove any dirt or bugs. Prepare the Jar: Find a clean, airtight glass jar. I like using a small mason jar. Layer Them In: Loosely pack the violets into the jar. Don't press them down too much; you want the alcohol to circulate. Add the Alcohol: This is crucial. I usually use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, around 70% concentration, as it's readily available and effective. High-proof grain alcohol (like Everclear) also works wonderfully for a more potent extract, but ensure good ventilation. Pour enough alcohol to completely cover the violets, leaving a little headspace. The Soaking Begins: Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool, dark place. I usually give it at least 24-48 hours, but for a deeper color, I’ve let it soak for up to a week, shaking the jar gently once or twice a day. You'll start to see the alcohol slowly turn a beautiful purple as it extracts the pigments. This is the magic of the 'Alcohol Soak' in action! Strain It Out: Once you're happy with the color intensity, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another clean jar. Gently press the violets to extract every last drop of that gorgeous purple. Optional Concentration: If your ink isn’t as vibrant as you’d like, you can let it sit uncovered in a well-ventilated area for a day or two to allow some of the alcohol to evaporate, concentrating the pigment. Just be careful not to let it dry out completely! Now you have your very own purple alcohol ink! I’ve experimented with mine in a few ways. For graffiti tags, I usually use it as is, or mix in a tiny bit of gum arabic if I want it to be more permanent and less prone to fading. It also makes for stunning washes in watercolor art or even as a natural dye for small fabric samples. The possibilities are endless when you create your own art supplies. A word of caution: always work in a well-ventilated area when using alcohol, and keep it away from open flames. This ink is for artistic use, not consumption! I’ve found that the simple act of creating my own ink adds another layer of personal expression to my art. Plus, the satisfaction of seeing that rich purple emerge from a simple alcohol soak is truly rewarding. Give it a try, and let me know how your DIY purple ink turns out!