Color Your World With Glaze Inks
By Kira Enari
With the proliferation of small electronic devices, such as USB flash drives (also known as thumb-drives and memory sticks), it has become increasingly difficult to tell whose device belongs to whom. Rather than plug each drive in to check the contents, why not clearly mark your drive so that no confusion arises to begin with? Crafters always like to personalize their own space, putting new or traditional craft materials to new uses. Make your high-tech devices a testimonial of your creativity.
The glaze 3-D glossy ink pens available from Sakura of America are ideal for adding decorative touches to USB flash drives, cell phones, PDAs, even laptops. The ink dries quickly, leaving a raised embossed-like glossy surface. The colors are transparent but intensely brilliant. Sakura even produces stickers to accompany the pens, but it's easy enough to design without stickers.
Armed with only a few glaze 3-D ink pens, a mini stamp, craft ink (and cleaner), any electronic device can be personalized to be easily spotted in a crowded room.
Here is a quick and easy way to personalize your USB flash drive, cell phone, laptop-you name it!
Supplies needed:
- Mini Stamp
- Craft Ink
- Craft Ink Cleaner
- Glaze ink pens
Stamp on the drive. While allowing the craft ink to dry (do not heat set as this may damage the plastic case and circuitry), clean the stamp. Color in and around the stamped image with the glaze pens. When the glaze pen is first used, there is a small "cap" on the tip. Pull this cap off. To apply the ink, very gently touch the tip to the surface to be colored and move the pen in a tiny circular motion. This will thoroughly coat the surface without leaving streaks. When subsequently using the glaze pen, roll the pen tip at a 45-degree angle on some scratch paper or paper towel to remove any excess, gummy ink. This will help the ink flow for smooth application.
Try the same technique on your cell phone. Why spend the money on custom covers when you can have a truly personalized cell phone case?
When selecting glaze or gel pens for use on electronic cases, check the packaging to verify it is safe for use on plastic and metal. Do not heat set craft projects on electronics, wait for the ink to dry naturally. Heat setting can damage the plastic casing or the electronic circuitry of the device.
Kira Enari is a craft enthusiast living with one cat, four computers, a digital camera and too many USB devices.
To view a completed sample, click here.
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