Here's a tried and true recipe for avocado ink

240ml water
2 large avocado stones or skin from 2 avocados (save them after you've eaten avocado, clean and keep in the freezer)
1 tsp sodium carbonate (look for soda crystals at the supermarket)
1/2 tsp gum arabic powder (cheaper to buy from somewhere that sells cooking supplies rather than art supplies)
5 drops clove oil

- bring the avocado, water, and sodium carbonate to a boil, then lower to a simmer for 20 to 40 mins
- remove from heat and leave overnight
- fine strain and then pass through a coffee filter
- heat up and whisk in gum arabic
- add essential oil
- leave to cool
- bottle it!
- your ink is ready to use.

notes

// thyme oil, eucalyptus oil, or a whole clove can replace the clove oil
// your avocado pits or skins can be used again, either let them dehydrate or freeze them again after use
// I find that skins give a darker color (see bottom photo) whereas stones give a shade closer to blush pink (see top photo) which is why I like to make inks from them separately
// I usually wait until I've got a few avo skins/stones in the freezer and then double everything to make a larger batch
// avocado-based ink can get an odd little bit of mold on the surface. clove oil is used as a natural preservative but with time and multiple uses contamination can occur. this does not affect the quality of the ink in any way and you can remove the ink with a sanitized item - such as a metal teaspoon that has been boiled in water
// shake ink before use!

I'd love to see your results if you make any.
There'll be another post coming shortly with the best places to buy supplies online.

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creating ink, dye & paint from local botanicals

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