Melissa asked: "Do we need certain CS? I have some glossy CS and regular CS, but is there anything else---cereal boxes/chip board or kraft paper etc.?"
Jan:Thanks for you comment and question...Alcohol ink's are created for use on nonporous surfaces. So you can add AI to such things as glossy cardstock, plastic, glass, metal, acetate....etc. All the later can be recycled items.
Basic supplies needed to color with alcohol inks- protection for your work surface, a minimum of 2-3 alcohol inks; mixatives optional; blending tool with Velcro-can use wood block such as a block with stamp removed, felt for on blending tool-can buy a sheet (not recommended by Leigh Ann see Reply #8) or yard to cut your own; blending fluid- some say they are okay with rubbing alcohol instead but I suggest buying one bottle of Ranger's and do your own comparison. One of the best feature of Ranger's is the plastic tip for release a small amount at a time...so you could possibly refill the bottle. A bottle usually lasts me a couple years. And of course stamps and inks.
Hello Heidi, I see you responded before I posted the above.--I think you got the basics fine...just remember that while you are creating with AI to cover your work surface cause sometimes things happen like dropping an Ai blending tool or something beyond the craft sheet. While the blending solution is a great cleaner you don't want to use a whole bottle for cleaning a mess..and the blending solution could remove the varnish/finish on your surface. I just use a large trash bag and recycle for trash when I am done.
And just watch your trash for a couple small things that could be repurposed into something colorful and useful. We won't do this until week 3 or 4. For example: Keep your eyes open for that 1 cute spice jar that could become a cute mini vase.
Thanks too for mentioning the resist technique since time got away from me and I didn't see your original post.
...Jan