How to Tie Dye Paper with Markers to Create a Unicorn Wand

My crafty friend, Marie taught me How to Tie Dye Paper with Markers several years ago, and there's been no turning back! Tombow Dual Brush Pens are water-based and so versatile. This is an inspirational technique that can be used to create a Magical Unicorn Wand. Be careful, though because the splash technique is extremely addictive!

Tie Dye Paper with Markers to Create a Magical Unicorn Wand

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Here's what you need to make a Magical Unicorn Wand with Tie Dye Paper:

Tombow Dual Brush Pens Galaxy Palette 10 Pack
Blending Palette and Mister from the Tombow Blending Kit
Tombow MONO Twin Permanent Marker
MONO Multi Liquid Glue from Tombow
Tombow Foam Tape Adhesive
Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper – I love the 4″ by 6″ size
Hug Snug Rayon Seam Binding Ribbon – White, 100 Yards
Wooden Dowel
Glitter – Purple
Plastic Zipper Sandwich Bags – three (3)
Scissors – I love my Fiskars!
Hole Punch
Paper Towels and/or Old Towel
Baby Wipes
Plain Piece of Printer Paper
MAGICAL UNICORN WAND PATTERN SHEET – download at the bottom of this post ⇓

Here's how to Create Tie Dye Paper:

STEP ONE

To begin this tutorial, How to Tie Dye Paper with Markers, gather all supplies. Layout some paper towels (or an old towel) to protect the work surface. Measure and cut rayon seam binding into three 72″ lengths. Scribble Dual Brush Pen color of choice from the Galaxy 10 Pack on the Blending Palette. Spray the seam binding ribbon and the ink lightly with the Tombow Mister. Turn a plastic zipper bag inside out to use as a ”glove” and smoosh the seam binding into the watered-down ink until all the color has been absorbed. Pick up seam binding, place on paper towels or old towel, and let dry (about 20 minutes). Use baby wipes to clean the Blending Palette in between colors. Repeat the above steps and create a second, and third color of ribbon. I like Dual Brush Pens 725 Rhodamine Red, 443 Turquoise, and 606 Violet.

STEP TWO

Scribble three to five colors of Dual Brush Pens from the Galaxy 10 Pack randomly on the Blending Palette, spray lightly with water using the Tombow Mister, then place glossy inkjet photo paper shiny side down in the watered-down ink. Press and shift the paper slightly with your fingers. Carefully lift photo paper up from the corner to reveal the MAGIC of this tie dye technique! The ink dries instantly on the glossy inkjet photo paper and creates a beautiful watercolor effect, just blot the residual water away with a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining pieces of photo paper. I love the 4″ by 6″ glossy inkjet photo paper because it fits perfectly on the Tombow Blending Palette. This tie dye technique works best with the brighter and darker colors of Dual Brush Pens. Mix and match colors to create your own personalized combination.

STEP THREE

Download and print the MAGICAL UNICORN PATTERN SHEET download from the bottom of this post ⇓ Cut out and trace the unicorn on the back of the splash technique photo paper, then flip the pattern over and trace a second unicorn using the fine tip of the MONO Twin Permanent Marker. Cut out neatly with scissors, cutting away the outline, so you have two clean final unicorn patterns. Tracing mirror images of the same pattern will allow the edges of the shape to match up.

AND, for an additional idea, here is a photo and patterns for a Tie Dye Butterfly Wand made the same way, but with the Dual Brush Pen Tropical 10 Pack!

STEP FOUR

Draw a closed eye with eyelashes on each Unicorn with the fine tip of the MONO Twin Permanent Marker. Place plain printer paper down on the work surface. Apply MONO Multi Liquid Glue to the Unicorn horn, sprinkle with purple glitter, then tap the excess off onto the plain paper, and repeat with the second horn. Fold the paper and funnel excess glitter back into its container. Set aside to dry (about 15 minutes).

STEP FIVE

Color the wooden dowel with the Dual Brush Pen color of choice from the Galaxy 10 Pack. I selected 725 Rhodamine Red for the dowel and 443 Turquoise for the ball on the end. When coloring non-traditional surfaces like the wooden dowel, use the side of the brush, so as to not fray the tip.

STEP SIX

Once glitter is dry, flip the first Unicorn over, and run a line of MONO Multi Liquid Glue down the center. Place the end of the dowel into the glue and set it aside to dry. Apply Foam Tape to the center and edges of the unicorn. Remove the liner paper and carefully attach the unicorns together, lining up the edges, and sandwiching the wooden dowel in the middle. Trim any excess photo paper with scissors. I colored the back of the unicorns with 443 Turquoise so the edges would disappear.

STEP SEVEN

To finish the tutorial How to Tie Dye Paper with Markers, punch eight to nine holes along the back of the Unicorn’s neck with a heart-shaped hole punch. Measure and cut each color of seam binding ribbon into three 24″ lengths. Fold each length of seam binding ribbon in half, thread each loop through each hole, then feed the ends through the loop, and gently tighten to secure. This creates the unicorn’s mane. I love the light and dark areas that happen on the ribbon as it dries. The rayon seam binding is the perfect way to customize ribbon for every project!