Alcohol Ink Ghost Swirl Surprise Tumbler with Black Base and White Resin Drizzled on Top! Gorgeous!!

This is a twist on the idea of dropping a bunch of different alcohol ink colors onto a black-base tumbler then revealing them all with drops of white alcohol ink on top, resulting in gorgeous, colorful swirls. The twist is that instead of applying white alcohol ink drops onto the colors, you drizzle on thin (ish) lines of white resin -- a couple milliliters of resin with some Piñata Blanco white alcohol ink mixed in. Since you can't see the colors on the black base, the colorful lines and swirls you end up with are a gorgeous surprise! The color gods laughed and laughed (but were secretly pleased).
Check out some of the items I've made, listed in my Etsy store:
www.etsy.com/shop/LuxindaSwirl
Materials used in this video*:
KS Liquid Stone Resin: bit.ly/2N4JX3i (Coupon Code "LuxSwirl" for 5% discount)
20-oz tumbler: makerflocrafts.com/collection...
Woodes Goodies alcohol inks: www.woodesgoodies.com/collect...
Pinata Blanco Blanco alcohol ink: amzn.to/3kcPUKQ
Tumbler turner: amzn.to/2NvTRyf
Heat gun: amzn.to/3sffKkg
Medicine cups, 1-oz: amzn.to/3aJJ5gN
* As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
I love Swirls! Mostly swirls of color, but really any swirls at all - I think they add a beauty and grace to everything. So after I started making soap a few years ago, and needing some sort of biz name that didn't sound like everyone else's version of suds-r-us, I decided on Luxinda Swirl. Luxinda is a twist on my real name, and I quickly started putting swirls of color in all of my handmade soaps.
Now I'm branching out a bit, and I want to keep adding swirls to everything I do!

[@Luxinda]

If you enjoyed this video, here’s a playlist featuring different alcohol ink techniques for epoxy tumblers: kzbin.info/aero/PLAvcedoVBvdhKaMD36MyVCIq0iNllFydk

[@Kimberly-ul1ph]

Dang!!!!! Sooo Cool!! Also, thank you for not putting music I the video!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!!

[@lakeiagriffin2254]

Alcohol inks makes beautiful colors

[@Luxinda]

Yes, they really are lovely!

[@joycepugh5347]

I also love this- love the blues

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!😊

[@arachne1969]

Absolutely stunning! You are so creative. You chose my favorite colors and the results are perfect.

[@Luxinda]

Hi! Hey, I've been trying to answer your Aqua Cast question over on Ant's channel, but YT keeps kicking me off, lol! I just posted the US supplier link on my Community Page here on this channel, so hopefully you can find it and buy some to play with.

[@MileyonDisney]

Pretty! 6:54 - They told me you had a wiggly bottom. hehe

[@Luxinda]

🤣🤣

[@beverlypeterson291]

Awesome!!! The only word I thought of was “mood” for this beauty! Maybe in a glitter vinyl?!

[@Luxinda]

Oh, that would’ve been great!! Thanks very much!😊

[@deebaldwin2011]

Woodes Goodies is the best!

[@Luxinda]

Definitely!!

[@RaesTurquoiseTurtle]

You know inks on black are my faves! That's a galaxy all the way! Gorgeous!

[@Luxinda]

I absolutely love your rainbow on black ink swirl cups!!! They’re so gorgeous!! 🤩

[@almasangel1]

Stunning

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!😊

[@craftxngbyliz]

I love this cup!!!

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!

[@wendyfunderburk914]

Gorgeous

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!!😊

[@melb3513]

Beautiful smokey effect.

[@heathergraham4154]

I love using white with my colors even on a white base. It brings out the color even more

[@Luxinda]

Definitely!

[@AddictedNCali]

So shiny! 😍 try it with the fire colors. I’ve also seen this done in all blues and the outcome was stunning!

[@Luxinda]

I’ll bet - I love blues!!

[@karolosteen3313]

BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!!

[@CrystalWilliams-rt3zm]

This Turned Out Awesome red, green, yellow , turquoise

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! That sounds pretty!!

[@peggybowser2065]

It's beautiful. I love it.

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!!

[@denisekearney1540]

Beautiful!

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@ckeller219]

Love,love,love this cup. Thank you for sharing

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!!

[@sharonhunt3185]

I love love it!! Love the color combination!

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@sjean71]

Gorgeous!!!!

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!

[@rosemarywilliams5136]

Absolutely 💯 amazingly beautiful 😍

[@Luxinda]

Thank you very much!! 😊

[@MunecaLocs1]

I love this!!!

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!

[@ssue4q]

That is so very pretty love the colors

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!

[@mindygeist7157]

Super pretty! Thanks so much☕️🍩

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@vonellevanzant237]

It's so lovely! I may give this a try for a Father's Day gift.

[@Luxinda]

Go for it - these are lots of fun to make!

[@vonellevanzant237]

@@Luxinda it looked fun! It seemed to be surprise cup! No one knew what it would it end up looking like, but yours turned out beautiful.

[@Luxinda]

@@vonellevanzant237 , at that time, I hadn’t made a cup like this, so I really wasn’t sure what I’d get, and it definitely was a great surprise 😊 Since then, I’ve done that general style of cup in a number of videos, so I guess now it’s easier to act like I have a clue about the technique 🤔😁

[@vonellevanzant237]

@@Luxinda LOLOL. I understand!

[@joycepugh5347]

Looks great- I loved watching it come to live

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! Yes, it’s fun to see what happens 🤩

[@cristinajohnson1212]

That is my favorite from you so far. Gorgeous.

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!

[@AG-ww1dh]

This one cup made me subscribe to your channel...

[@Luxinda]

Thank you! 🥳

[@judith7]

I love love love it!!

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!

[@amystone4041]

Coolest thing ever!!! I did the reds, oranges and yellows like Alfreda suggested...LOVE IT!!!

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! Yes, the fire colors on this type of cup sound amazing. That's probably what I'll try next. I know The Purple Stitch does amazing Fire alcohol ink cups.

[@mariasalinas6532]

Beautiful i love it

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!

[@coolestnana515]

Beautiful

[@Luxinda]

Thanks very much!

[@tammyokeefe2102]

That's very pretty 😍

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!

[@arlenesutton8456]

Beautiful tumbler. Now that I watched you do this I'm going to have to try it too.

[@Luxinda]

Definitely!!

[@dallasboswell5402]

red orange yellow

[@rhondaziara3653]

Awesome!

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!

[@karendonoher-rager7635]

COOL!

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!

[@sanditubia5061]

Love how this turned out! I have an affinity to this method, but I'm inspired to try again, after seeing this. You are my spirit animal. Lol

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@alfredamiles5376]

I like it!!! What about red, orange and yellow like a flame theme.🤔

[@Luxinda]

Great idea!!

[@gazebo18]

My first thought, too. A fire cup!

[@cupsbyjulie]

Love it💖 think i'll have a go on the one metal tumbler I have👍

[@Luxinda]

Alcohol ink swirl tumblers are so amazing. Definitely give it a try! Thanks 😊

[@veronicasantiago944]

So beautiful, I will try this now 😁. Thank you for showing us awesome work.

[@Luxinda]

Thanks so much 😊

[@juanmiramontes4954]

Hi where can i get the tooling that you used

[@makingMyHouseaHome412]

This was cool

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@tamikka09]

Very nice

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@kirstygordon7201]

Love it!!! I also drop the white ink directly onto the cup but I am definitely going to try your way too. I use blue purple and pink. Also rainbow effect but not too much resin or it can slide too easy and become brown. Love your work.

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!

[@pearlsandy2817]

Orange, bright green, purple ...

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! Great suggestion 😊😊

[@andalynmills7195]

I made 2 of these and I love them

[@Luxinda]

Aren’t they fun? 😊

[@andalynmills7195]

They are so much fun to do this way! Thank you so much for showing me how! I love doing the alcohol pour as well!

[@naptimecreations]

Pretty

[@Luxinda]

Thanks!

[@naptimecreations]

@@Luxinda 💖🤗💖🤗💖

[@MapleNutDesigns]

Love it!!! Would love to see just black, grey and white to see if it looks like smoke

[@Luxinda]

Great idea - I’ll definitely give that a go in a future video! Thanks!!

[@tamiburling3530]

Beautiful cup! I'm just starting out and wondering what colors you would use on a dark blue cup? The cup was purchased this color. I've sanded it and ready to paint. make up

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! On dark blue? I would probably use lighter blues and purples, but if you want to try something else, go for it and have fun 😊

[@janisstasiak544]

Try it with beach colors! Coral, teal, sea blue!

[@Luxinda]

Oooooh! That sounds fantastic!

[@crystaldarlincr]

Hi, thank you for sharing. New to this and I can't wait to try this but judt a little curious to why you have a clear container over the cup?

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! I cover every resin project with something while it’s curing to keep out all dust, lint, etc, that could ruin the finish.

[@crystaldarlincr]

@@Luxinda that makes sense. Thank you for getting back to me.

[@aliciajames7389]

That’s gorgeous! So glad I stumbled on your video. I’m hoping to learn how to do the epoxy cups. I ha s only done one and it came out ok, but took almost 2 days of spinning to cure. Pretty sure I’m doing something wrong. Do you have a list of materials you use that you’re willing to share? Thanks!!

[@Luxinda]

I don't really have a basic video on how to epoxy a tumbler, but any of the videos I have on my channel will always have a list of materials used in the Description area -- it's under the Headline of the video, and sometimes you have to click "read more" to see everything. So if you see a video of a tumbler you like, you should be able to find all the materials for making it down in the Description area. Thank you!!!

[@sharonstoves3390]

Hi. Loving what you do. Im collecting everything getting ready to start. One question though. Can you use any spraypaint, or does it have to be a special paint. Was thinking just a cheap brand. Thank you.

[@Luxinda]

Thank you!!😊 You can use pretty much any spray paint you want. A lot of tumbler makers also use brush paints when spray paint isn’t an option or the weather’s bad. Have fun!!

[@sharonstoves3390]

Thank you. 😊

[@Trinity4676]

Stunning! Is there a specific reason you added the white alcohol ink to the epoxy with a pipette?

[@Luxinda]

Just because of the bigger sized bottle the alcohol ink is in. Trying to pour out of the bigger bottles often ends (for me) in a mess all over. If the white were in the smaller dropper bottles, I would have squeezed in a few drops directly. Basically, I’m just trying to keep from making a mess. Thanks!!

[@hislambcreations]

Wow!!! That is absolutely stunning!! I need to try this! (There’s so many I want to try). I also love your videos, straight to the point, fun, and very easy to learn. New subbie here. I’d like to see some uses of glow powder in epoxy/resin, and thermal powder in the epoxy/resin...something other than the “scary gory” type cups I’ve seen with the glow powder. Seems like that’s all I’ve seen.

[@Luxinda]

Excellent ideas - thank you! The only times I’ve used glow powder in resin so far were one tumbler, then I painted some into a mold before pouring resin, and I made a set of coasters that glowed from powder in the resin. I definitely want to try more things. And I certainly have quite a few glow powders accumulated! 🤣

[@hislambcreations]

@@Luxinda Awesome!! I look forward to seeing ANYTHING you come up with. I just bought a couple of those plastic color changing tumblers from Michael’s. I noticed they say “DIY”. I know you can customize with vinyl, I’m wondering if there’s anything else that would work?? And thanks so much for responding!! 😊

[@Luxinda]

@@hislambcreations Thanks! I just took a look at those online, because I hadn't heard of the DIY color changing cup at Michaels. Interesting! It looks like it's not a double-walled cup, just single-wall plastic, since you have to add ice to make it change color. So that means no resin. Some paints might work, vinyl would work, I suppose you could bling it with a row of rhinestones or something. The problem is making sure it's still hand washable and that no harmful products are used that might seep through (like resin or varnish) into a drink. But it's a very cool idea (pun intended ;) )

[@hislambcreations]

@@Luxinda Yes, I’ve seen many use vinyl on them, like their names, or a design (flower, butterfly, etc.) I think some are doing these plastic cups with glitter and mod podge. Like a thin layer of a shimmery ultra fine glitter, and I think there’s a mod podge that is dishwasher safe and puts a glossy coating? Not sure about the safety part.

[@Luxinda]

@@hislambcreations, of course, Mod Podge - makes perfect sense!! I keep forgetting there's the dishwasher safe version. That's a great idea!

[@matthewjones1056]

This was so nice. Did you put another coat of epoxy after your alcohol inks or is that it. Sorry I'm a newbie.

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! I didn't put any more resin over what you saw me put on it in the video. If someone were to buy this cup, even if they didn't want a decal, I would definitely give it one more coat of resin just to protect everything.

[@matthewjones1056]

@@Luxinda thanx I really appreciate the info, I'm a new subscriber to your channel. I also love your chocolate swirl very nice

[@ivonnerosales506]

Hi how about purple swirl

[@charlottejensen2864]

Gorgeous, Luxinda! Would this work for a coffee swirl? Also, I have the regular KS resin and the Stonecoat resin. Would these work as well? And, does the black spray have to be flat or would satin or gloss work? Sorry for all the questions, but I’m just starting out. Thanks for your help.

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! Yes, this technique definitely works for a coffee swirl. In fact, I did something like that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roGsnI1vgJ5pi5o The only reason for most tumbler folks using a flat spray paint for the base coat is that the flat surface seems to give the resin something to hold onto. There are some folks who have a lot of trouble with resin being repelled by a glossy surface and causing "fish eyes" or divots because it seems to slide off shiny paint. If the only colors you have come in a satin or gloss, go ahead and use that, then you can do a final spray over the color with a matte clear spray and achieve the same "flat" surface. No need to apologize, I'm happy to help if I can. Have fun with it!!!

[@charlottejensen2864]

@@Luxinda Thank you so much! That’s very helpful! I’ll keep watching you! Your work is beautiful!

[@michelledovey7109]

How do you get your edge smooth - at the top of the cup ? Mine always comes out uneven And if I put tape there then there is a harsh line. Would love to hear you talk about this. Thank you 💜

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! I don’t really do anything special with the top rim except make sure I get resin all the way up to the rim all the way around every time I put on a layer. Before the final resin layer, I will sand about 1/8” of everything off around the rim, down to the metal just so the final layer of resin bonds directly onto the metal rim and makes a good seal. I have not actually addressed this in a specific how- to video, so I’ll try to do that in a future one.

[@michelledovey7109]

@@Luxinda thank you so much for getting back to me. i have just sanded my first layer abs now will do a second layer to see if i can make it all look better. love your tutorials! thank you x

[@pivilla525]

Hi. I need that spin machine! Where I can buy?

[@Luxinda]

Here’s the one I’m using in this video: amzn.to/31bHqLf Thanks for watching!

[@maganboyd958]

How did u get your white resin so thin

[@Luxinda]

It’s a function of adding any alcohol or alcohol ink to resin - it thins the resin right out. And in this case, I was using just a few ml of resin and adding white alcohol ink into it, so the white resin was quite thin as a result.

[@keishaharvey96]

Can I ask what’s the deal with the container over the spinner? This came out absolutely beautiful by the way

[@Luxinda]

Thanks! I cover every resin project up as soon as I'm done with it, so no lint, dust, etc, can get onto it and ruin it during the 12 hours of curing time.

[@keishaharvey96]

@@Luxinda that is a very good idea. Thank You

[@aprildavis6657]

Hello! Sorry if I missed it, but I was wondering which type of ink you used for the first tumbler. I know this one is Dr. Ph Martin’s. I use that often, but I really like how bright the other tumbler turned out. Thank you!

[@Luxinda]

I’m a little confused. This video is just one tumbler and no Dr Ph Martin’s in this. This is all Woodies Goodies’ brand alcohol ink. I used colors: Mojito, pink lady, kinky, grasshopper, Prosecco, blue Hawaii, drunken elf, yabba dabba do, and zombie. And the white on top of all the colors was Piñata brand “blanco blanco”. Hope that answers your question 😊

[@aprildavis6657]

@@Luxinda oh! Oops! I left the video and then thought I found it again. Did you do a video with Dr. Ph Martin’s iridescent ink? Thank you for the info on this video! I’m new to resin and videos like yours help so much.

[@Luxinda]

@@aprildavis6657 yes, I did! And you’re right - other than the inks used, the technique is somewhat similar. Mica Swirl Technique with Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Colors in Resin on Tumbler kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKvdZaucn9V6ns0

[@aprildavis6657]

@@Luxinda thank you!

[@wendyoliver2438]

I tried this, but it didn’t work. I can only see the color swirls if I shine a bright light on it. It’s gorgeous when I shine the light on it. Maybe not enough white in the epoxy?

[@Luxinda]

That’s interesting! I can tell you that I’ve done a lot of these types of tumblers since I recorded this video, and I can never seem to get quite the same results - they all turn out a bit differently. So, yes, it could definitely be the white resin. I suppose it could also be the colored inks. Maybe even the resin, but that’s less likely. I would just suggest that you keep trying and tweak something each try to see what gives you the best look. There are different white additives - acrylic paint, matte white mica, Castin’ Craft or another brand of white pigment, and also different brands of white alcohol ink. And they all make the drizzle act differently. Good luck, and thank you for your comment!!

[@sharonstoves3390]

So I am new to this. Havent started yet. My question is, why white resin , rather than white ink. Does it make a difference. Thank you.

[@Luxinda]

Thanks for the question! In general, white resin behaves differently than white alcohol ink - mixing white alcohol ink into resin makes the drizzle denser and it moves differently on the tumbler. The best way to see what I mean is obviously to experiment with trying both and deciding which you like better. I actually use both methods depending on the type of swirls I’m going for: if I want more delicate swirls, I’ll drop on the white alcohol ink; if I want a bolder or more intense result, I mix the white into resin and drizzle that on. Hope this helps a little!

[@sharonstoves3390]

@@Luxinda thank you. Love what you do. I'm learning from your videos. Can't wait to try. 🥰

[@karibeetch1311]

I have a question for you. Do you use low odor resin? I ordered a kit from Amazon and the resin that came with it has no odor at all. Lots of people say their resin has a strong odor. I was wondering where I could find the resin that came with my kit?? I like that it has no odor. It seems to work well. I just getting into tumblers and plan to make them as gifts and such. Do you have any suggestions

[@Luxinda]

The resin I use most of the time (KS Resin) has a mild odor, definitely not a strong one. I don’t honestly think I’ve ever tested a completely odor-free resin before. If you can provide a link to the kit you bought on Amazon, I might be able to recognize the resin in it. I won’t know until I see which kit it is. 😊

[@karibeetch1311]

@@Luxinda do you have a website or someway for me to way for me to send it.

[@Luxinda]

@@karibeetch1311 can you email it to [e-mail]

[@renetastevenson8490]

I have put 4 layers of epoxy (20oz) over ink dropped layer and still have waves. Any suggestions?

[@Luxinda]

Hopefully the suggestion I pm’d you was helpful!

[@renetastevenson8490]

@@Luxinda I’ll know in the morning if it now smooth. Thank you for your suggestion

[@bobbienailsporter4256]

Try colors with glitter and some pics on it.

[@forevercreating]

I am new to even seeing this, and even in begging tutorials no one talks about the machine that turns the tumblers. I cannot find so far any information on getting one or what it is. Your help would be very helpful. Thank you.

[@Luxinda]

I’ll certainly try to help! I’m guessing most tumbler makers on social media are so used to having tumbler turners around that they (we) forget there was a time we didn’t know about them either 😁 There are lots of tumbler turners available and also tutorials on making them. But for starters, a nice simple one from Amazon is probably the best bet. Here’s a link to a basic turner that comes with pretty much everything needed to start: amzn.to/3JtsrQO

[@forevercreating]

@@Luxinda I really appreciate your reply . Thank you!

[@angelmom916]

I have been doing this for almost 2 years..I like to drop straight white alcohol ink on mine..You never know what you are going to see with these

[@Luxinda]

I agree - alcohol ink swirl cups are great! Always a surprise 🤩

[@090857sps]

I get waves on my cups...not coming out completely smooth.

[@Luxinda]

That is not at all uncommon! I didn’t get waves on this particular cup, but I almost always get waves on the Rainbow alcohol ink tumbler I make frequently. Don’t worry about it, you can still put a decal or name on it at that point (if you want) then another layer of resin. Or, if you’re not adding anything like a name to the cup, just go ahead and add another layer of resin. That will smooth out the surface. I think the waves come from all the alcohol ink that gets dropped on. I’m actually surprised I didn’t have waves with this cup.

[@ivonnerosales506]

Hello gainesville fl how about purple.

[@Luxinda]

Great idea!💜💜

[@ivonnerosales506]

Love your cups. I use your a lot of your techniques

[@joycepugh5347]

How bout some. Pastels colors

[@Luxinda]

Ooh! That’d be pretty!!

[@heatherclevenger9938]

I love this and swear I see a mouth with a tongue sticking out. Lol

[@Luxinda]

LOL! Thanks!!

[@swankyglitter7016]

Hi! I love your videos!!😊. I was wondering if you would like to try some swanky glitter!? Or be interested in doing a video with it if you like our glitter😊 You can DM me on Instagram @swankyglitter or on my Facebook page or group. I just LOVE you personality!