Walnut ink is a warm brown colour, inexpensive and really pleasant to use. It is supplied in a little sachet containing 1 tsp of cystals so that you can mix it immediately and the child can start trying their hand at Uncials as soon as they get the book ABC Uncials with its kit, using the balsa pen which is also in the kit. You sprinkle the sachet onto 4 Tbs of warm water – this is just enough for a tiny jam jar of water – and leave it for a couple of hours to dissolve.
When diluted. it is lovely for backgrounds or can be used to ‘age’ paper for school projects or maps. For maps, screw ordinary computer paper up into a ball (lightly), crush it a bit to make creases, then re-open and paint it with the walnut ink using a wide brush then leave it to dry on a flat surface. You don’t need to stretch it as it is being wetted all over at once, so it will expand and later contract evenly as it dries. When it is dry you can put it through the printer or write on it.
Walnut ink crystals are made from the husks of walnuts and are a dye, traditionally used to stain wood. It is water soluble and can be mixed to a pale colour like tea to a very dark pure chocolate colour. We also offer it in a larger quantity which you can purchase at Slice of Lime, Limetrees online shop, so if you think you’ll be doing lots and lots of lettering you can get an extra sachet at the same time as you purchase your book ABC Uncials.
Perfect timing – or as they say serendipitous. I discovered some crystals whilst tidying out my drawers. My library group can start using them next week with our home made pens.