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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
January 10, 2024
Q: Donna asks: "I would like to begin selling used stamps. Is there a particular company or website you would recommend for me to purchase shipping boxes? I will be selling wooden sets and I want to ensure safe delivery."
A: I use either literature boxes or padded poly mailers for shipping stamps, depending on the quantity. I've gotten both on Amazon. You can get free priority flat rate boxes and mailers from the USPS too. I do not recommend padded mailers that are paper on the outside - the corners of wood-mounted stamps will tear through them. I've lost collectible vintage stamps along their journey to me, and that's so sad!
January 3, 2024
Q: Joyce writes: "There is mention of different sizes for the Star Fold Card. Could instructions be added for using 8 1/2" x 11" paper?"
A: Here are some easy dimensions so we can use 8 1/2" x 11" or even 8" x 8" paper! The paper is cut to 8" wide x 7" high. Mark the center point at 4" and cut the triangle. In step 4, score at 3 1/2" and 4 5/8" from each side. Other instructions are the same. Bonus: the card will fit in an A2 envelope!
December 20, 2023
Q: Louise asks: "I recently purchased the Distress Watercolor crayons. However, I have no clue how to sharpen them when it comes time. Can you help?"
A: I would avoid a traditional sharpener because everything you cut away from a watercolor crayon is usable product! I'd use a method that would preserve the product so I could use it in a palette. A craft knife could be used to shave the crayon to a point - save the shavings in a small container or paint palette and activate them with water to use like traditional watercolor paints. Another option is to scribble with the crayon at an angle, rotating it to wear it down into a point. You can use a wet brush to lift the pigment and paint as usual. (Have more ideas? You can share them HERE.)
December 13, 2023
Q: Barbara wants to know: "I'm trying to find a product that will cover metal. I'm trying to steampunk a metal snowman I have. I've used black gesso, but it chips off both the snowman and the gears."
A: The first coat on metal should be a metal primer, and then gesso can be used over that... gesso doesn't like to adhere to certain metals. Sanding the metal lightly can also help with adhesion if you don't want to buy another product - I would try that first. If it doesn't help, for a dimensional object like your snowman an aerosol primer would work best to get quick coverage in all the nooks and crannies. Rustoleum has a metal primer that can be used on clean (not rusty) metal.
December 6, 2023
Q: Karen asks: "The scoring tool that came with my scoring board often jumps out of the groove when I use it on heavy cardstock. Do you have a bone folder or tool that works better?"
A: I use a 3mm ball stylus with my scoring board. I bought a set of inexpensive ones on Amazon in different sizes - they're often marketed as dotting tools for painting or nail art.
