It was a very cold spring, our bulbs and fruit trees had been late blooming. Last year 2021, I made my first daffodil ink on April 21. This year it wasn’t till the first week of May before I made my only batch.
Daffodils represent the first of the years floral inks for me. The color yellow is cooler than a lot of other plants from later in the season like goldenrod or marigold. It’s almost green it’s so cool.
Below is my process:
Start with a packed mason jar of flowers. I take most of the green stem off.
Boil some spring water with a tablespoon of alum powder and pour over the flowers until covered. Put the lid on and let it sit in a warm place for a few days. I let mine sit for 4 days. I gently turned the jar upside a few times a day to let it get mixed.
After 4 days I strained and filtered the liquid into another mason jar.
Then I bottled it and added gum arabic and a clove.
Leah's Notes on Ink and Art 
you are so talented as well as your amazing chef ! I loved the roast duck ramen he Made for Thanksgiving- My mouth was watering😊 I could taste it and wanted it now- I am on a search to find it here in San Diego-! 😒 but perhaps I will take on the challenge – if he could share the spices he used to make the broth-that’s the key – and make myself- cheers and hugs to you both
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The inks and art you make are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your process. Do you always add alum right away? I’ve had some flowers steeping in the window for a couple days and may try adding it now…
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Hi Sarah, most of the time, I do add it right away. However, there are times I might not have it with me so I add it later on. I will always add it with the flowers in the solution. I feel it helps to get more color to release.
Thanks for your note.
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