A couple of months ago, I was blog lamenting about trying to find a ceramic coffee travel mug that was microwave-safe AND cute AND fit under my coffee maker. Literally, hours have been spent searching for this mug.
In the mean time, I had been seeing “DIY Sharpie Crafts” all over Pinterest. Have you seen those? People have been buying cheap ceramic or porcelain dishes (mugs, plates, etc.) decorating them using Sharpie markers, baking them in the oven, and there ya go.
After this never ending search for a travel mug, I finally put two and two together…why didn’t I just buy a blank ceramic one and make it cute myself. So the search continued for a white travel mug. That took some time, but finally I found a white and a black “Not A Paper Cup” cup.
While researching this Sharpie phenom, I learned there were quite a few “Pinterest Fail” posts about decorating with a Sharpie. A lot of people lost their image after regular use. There were some hints – bake at higher temps, wipe the dish down with alcohol before decorating, use a porcelain paint pen, use a Sharpie Oil-Based paint pen instead of a regular pen.
I decided to go with the porcelain paint pens – black and white. I figured something made for decorating a glazed dish would be my best bet. I also did clean the mugs well with alcohol before starting. The porcelain pens were a fail for me though. Neither of them were opaque enough for my taste. Luckily, before the pen dried, it came right off with an alcohol wipe – which also helps for mistakes!
I went back to the research and decided to go with the Sharpie Oil-Based paint pens. I happened to have both colors in my art stash as they make great journaling pens. The cups were decorated without incident – it was hard writing on a rounded and very slick surface, but I made the designs simple.
After decorating, the mugs were put in the cold oven and the temperature was set for 425 degrees. Thankfully I realized there was a rubber “plug” at the bottom of each double-walled cup. So that was removed before baking. Once the temp reached 425, they baked for 30 minutes. I worried a bit because the kitchen started to smell odd after about 15 minutes. I watched everything carefully, but all seemed well. After the 30 minutes, I turned the heat off and kept the mugs in the oven until it was cold again.
Most of the steps I followed were based on “The Cozy Old Farmhouse” blog post.
I love the design on your mugs. I'm amazed at your talent/skill at sharpie. Plus I love the font style you use on your blog. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you. I have heard that comic sans is considered blasphemy in some circles, but some of the other font options are difficult to look at, in my opinion. :)
DeleteNow they look good, very very very very good indeed. I thought to tell you, you could sell them they are that good. But strongly suspect no matter what you did you'd get a 'true' price about $500.00 a cup once you factored in your time.
ReplyDeleteYou do know the Common name for the Dandelion is 'Piss-a-bed'. And it's one of the first plants on the medieval herbal. If you crush the root and boil it in water, strain, and drink the resulting tea you'll lose vast amounts of water. But the second bit it does is dilate the pipes allowing vast kidney stones to pass which gives it it's irresistible name for kids. And one that's always in the back of the mind while blowing a clock. Or with girls the initials of their latest crush, ergo the wish.
I did not know that was its nickname. That's not terribly whimsical or romantic at all!!!! :)
DeleteHa ha ha, the $500 a cup, right?!?! Someone asked me if I'd sell them, and I kind of thought the same thing. But hey, at that price I wouldn't have to sell too many. Most of my time was spent looking for the darn things (cute and then plain to make my own). In comparison the work was quick and far more enjoyable.
No, not much whimsy at all. And still, and still, while boys will tease girls unmercifully. Kissing their arm to ape kissing, if they were alone they would blow the parachutes themselves.
DeleteThose are adorable :) They almost make me wish I spent more time outside my apartment. hehe Also, I'm not sure how practical porcelain travel mugs would be for me. I have a feeling one of my kids would manage to break it in the shuffle to the car for an outing anyways.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the ceramic is a little dicey. There've been a few times, my arms full and walking to my classroom, that my heart stops for a minute when the cup ALMOST slides out of my hand. But the plastic and metal cups can't be nuked. I can't drink room temp coffee.
DeleteYou could sell them, and $500 would be a good price.....Lovely!
ReplyDeleteYou're so talented!! Your paint job is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWow! You've inspired me, and now I have to try this. My design may not be as pretty, though...
ReplyDeleteLOVE those! How stinking cute! Can't wait to try it myself. great designs!
ReplyDeleteI did these last week for the Stir! I ended up using porcelain Sharpies and they worked well...I did regular sharpies as a test and they totally washed off even after baking them. Your art work is SO good! You could sell those!
ReplyDeletethey both look super cute!
ReplyDeleteWhere's the other one gone ?. I really turned that one oven in my mind. :-)
ReplyDelete