Inside: how to use Glycerine in crafts - 10 ways to ue Glycerine in crafts that will surprise you!
I thought I knew a lot about crafting but as it turns out I didn't know something really big and useful! What I didn't know is that I could use Glycerin in crafts! I only recently discovered, while working on a mixed media project that Glycerin is a very useful tool in the craft room. In fact there are at least 10 things to do with Glycerin in the craft room!.
WHAT IS GLYCERINE
Vegetable glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a clear liquid typically made from soybean, coconut or palm oils. It is odorless and has a mild, sweet taste with a syrup-like consistency. Vegetable glycerin is particularly popular in the cosmetic industry but has several other uses as well. It may also provide health benefits, ranging from skin health to better hydration and a strengthened gut.
CAN I MAKE GLYCERINE?
Although the purpose here is to show you how to use store bought Glycerine in crafts and in your craft room you can make your own Glycerine. Check out how to make it yourself.
WHERE TO BUY GLYCERINE FOR CRAFTS
You can but Glycerine in any pharmacy or craft store. Here are some options:
HOW TO USE GLYCERINE IN THE CRAFT ROOM
The good thing about Glycerin is that it's almost like a water soluble oil, which is of course impossible but it is. It will not stain your paper or damage your paints and it's thicker than water so you can use it for so many things.
Put some of the Glycerin in a medicine dropper or a spritzer so it'll be easier to use and the main Glycerine bottle will not be contaminated.
Get your printable Glycerin recipes to make your craft lie so much easier! Learn all about the magical uses Glycerin has in your craft room and how you can make it work for you!
REVIVE INK PADS
Add a little Glycerin directly on dye based ink pads like Distress Ink or spritz the surface of the pad with the spritzer and it'll bring it back to life. Before spraying just make sure to shake the spritzer well so the water and Glycerine will mix.
CREATE PIGMENT INK
- Mix gouche, which is an opaque water color with the color you want.
- Add a few drops of glycerin and a splash of rubbing alcohol and spread on your ink pad.
You can use water instead of the alcohol. But if the water has bacteria in it, it might result in a moldy ink pad so alcohol is better.
IMPROVE ACRYLIC PAINTS
You can get more out of your acrylic paints:
- Add a few drops of Glycerin to your rinse water when you use acrylic paints so it'll take longer for them to dry.
- Drop a little Glycerine to the paints and it'll be easier to mix them and spread them.
REFILL WATER MARKER
Mix Glycerin with a little water and dip the dry marker in it over night. The marker will absorb this liquid and be moist and ready to go again.
TRANSFER INK
Add a teaspoon of glycerin to a 4oz spray bottle of water and you have dye based ink refresher, shake before using.
GEL PLATE
Make your own gel plate in any size or shape you want. I personally haven't done it but I found a great tutorial you can follow to make a DIY gel plate from the Glycerine in the craft room.
REVIVE WATERCOLORS
Add a few drops of glycerine to dried up watercolor paint and it will bring them back to life. This is good for the lower grade watercolors especially because the high grade colors already have glycerin in them.
SNOW GLOBES
Make a DIY snow globe as a decoration for Christmas, a homemade gift or a cool toy for the kids.
What you need to make it:
- Glass jar - any jar will do - you can use an olive jar, baby food or any glass jar you have at home.
- Plastic or ceramic figurines - metal ones will probably rust.
- Oil-based enamel paint - if you want to paint the jar lid
- Sandpaper
- Epoxy
- Distilled water
- Glitter
- Glycerine
Here's how to make it:
- If you want to paint the jar lid start with that.
- Sand the inside of the lid until the surface is rough. Attach the figurines to the inside of the lid with clear-drying epoxy, and let the epoxy dry.
- Fill the jar with distilled water almost to the top. Then add a pinch of glitter and a few drops of Glycerine. That will prevent the glitter from falling too quickly. Don't add too much, or the glitter will stick to the bottom of the jar.
- Screw on the lid tightly, being careful not to dislodge the figurine. Turn the jar over and back again and let it snow.
CLEAN STAMPS WITH GLYCERINE IN THE CRAFT ROOM
Mix Glycerin, water and soap to wash your stamps and remove old dried ink from them. If you have dried rubber stamps leave them to stand with Glycerin for a few hours and it will fix the stamp.
MAKE FAUX LEATHER
Spray paper with a mix of water and Glycerin, wrinkle and straighten back. The Glycerin will break the paper's fibers and give it a leather look. Here's how I did it https://einatkessler.com/faux-leather-tp-steampunk-mini-albu/
EVEN MORE USES FOR GLYCERINE IN THE CRAFT ROOM
- Home-made soap: buy glycerin opaque chunks at your local craft store, melt, add color, and scent and pour into molds. It's just that easy!
- Re-ink embossing pads: add a little glycerine to a clear embossing ink pad spread around all parts of the pad with a plastic cards and it'll bring it back to life.
- Revive embossing pens - take out the tip of the pen drop a few drops of Glycerine inside the pen. Return the tip back on, close the cap and stor the pen flat.
I HAVE WRITTEN SOME CRAFT ROOM GLYCERINE RECIPES FOR YOU, CLINK THE LINK BELOW TO GET THEM!
Sharing is Caring! - PIN IT!
Have fun creating!
41 comments on “10 SURPRISING WAYS TO USE GLYCERINE IN THE CRAFT ROOM”
Hi, I read your website with great interest. If glycerin is not available, would baby oil work?
I don’t know, I haven’t tried it. Please try and let us know
ThankYou for your website info on glycerine…. 😊
can I use glycerin in a plastic tree ornament I am making with live holly and boxwood if so how much
glycerin to water
Use it for what?
Can I substitute vegetable shortening for glycerin in embossing ink
I don’t think so, but you can try and let us know
I work with hard shelled gourds as art. I plan to try using glycerin to revitalize the dried surface, as well as make my own inks using glycerin, alcohal and watercolor.
Good ideas! Let us know the results!
Hello! So glad I found your page…I’m trying to make Agua Fresca keychains and not sure how much glycerin and water for the mini tiny cups?? Can someone help me please!
It’s hard to know without the exact measurements. Just add a few drops and see if it works, if not add more until you’re happy with the result.
can glycerin be used with oil paints?
I haven’t tried – try and let us know!
With acrylic paint, why do you add the glycerin to the rinse water and not the paint itself?
You could do that as long as you also add water and not just Glycerine
I wish this came in print form. This is great…
It does… click on the link
What link?
What are you asking?
Right-click on the mouse and select Print
I made a snow globe with water, glitter and glycerin last christmas and today my daughter gave it back to me because the liquid turned almost black. You can’t see anything in it at all. What would cause this? PLEASE HELP! SHE LOVED THE SNOW GLOBE.
It is probably because of paint coming off the glitter. Unfortunately the only way to fix it is to make a new one.
It probably happened because off paint coming off the glitter. Unfortunately the only way to fix it is to make a new one
i am interested in the glycerin recipe info. thank you so much
You need to click on the link in the post, leave your name and email address and it will automatically be sent to your inbox
I’m a basketweaver. Would glycerin be useful? I’m thinking: could it revitalize older reed that’s starting to feather?
I don’t know, but it’s worth a try!
I would like to know how to preserve leaves from plants.
The easiest way is to dry the leaves and then use brush to cover them with a little glycerin on both sides.
You need to soak the fresh leaves in glycerin and perhaps water. This will preserve them, if that is what you want. Perhaps check google for recipe. I did it many years ago, so no longer sure of exact portions.
Our church is about to have Vacation Bible School. The theme is about the Egyptians using the Israelites as slaves. We are to have the children “make bricks” like the Israelites had to. The recipe in the book for “Mud Bricks” calls for 1/4 cup of glycerin. Where can I buy glycerin and what does it do for the brick recipe? Thanks for your help. Can I make glycerin from home since we only need 1/4 cup? How would I do that?
Thanks for your help
Hi Lyn
I’m not familiar with the recipe so I don’t know what the glycerin will do for the bricks. You can’t make glycerin at home because you need materials that are not available in regular stores.
Thanks Einat
I am making a sand globe/snow globe due to season. When I mix the water and glitter and add a 1/2 tsp of glycerin the glitter sticks together and sometime the water turns cloudy. I follow the directions. My glycerin was purchased at Hobby Lobby in the craft section as well as the empty snow globes. Please help me.
Hi Mindy
Try to use a different kind of glitter, very fine and put less of it.
try using mica powder instead of glitter
I am so happy to learn more about glycerin please let me know if there other ideas thank you Marion I make cards not very good. But I’m trying sometimes they come out great but lately I’ve been having bad results.!!! Thank you for your time.Marion
Thanks Marion!
I am always interested in new uses for supplies. Love the tips. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks Samisu!
Thank you. I had no idea!
Yes…no you know 🙂