Ink recipe for Lotions and Potions activity with school children.
Pound up 10 oak galls to powder (they pound apart easier than they grind)
I steel wool pad (if using Brillo or the like washout the soapy stuff first) soaked for I hour in four tablespoonsful of vinegar.
Remove the steel wool and pour the liquid over the oak gallpoowder.
Add I tablespoonful of soot
Adults add 4 tablespoonsful of red wine...or...kids add the same of Ribena
If using red wine you need to add half a teaspoonful of gum arabic to thicken the ink, the Ribena seems to do fine on its own.
Put the whole lot into a screw top jar and (for kids!) put the sealed jar into a zip bag and shake vigorously. Repeat half a dozen times a day for at least two days, two weeks is better. Carefully strain through kitchen towels and put into small jars. This is a good, fast ink. Be careful it *will* stain clothes, hands, tables, etc., but it does make a very good ink.
Cheers,
Toddy