Decorating Ceramic Mugs
Handmade gifts are a fantastic way to make the holidays more personal and exciting for everyone on your list. They can be a fun way to involve your kids in holiday preparations, too, and to introduce them to the spirit of giving. This project – decorating ceramic mugs – is an easy and fun way to make a handmade gift your relatives will treasure for years to come.
Zoodle and I have done this before, although she doesn’t remember it She was probably about two years old, or maybe as much as three, and she colored on some big white platters with Sharpies. Our families were delighted with the gifts, but we ran into one problem: The decorations faded quickly, within a couple of years.
I did a little research and I found out that using regular Sharpies had been the problem. Oil-based Sharpies are meant for use on glass, ceramic, and other surfaces. Once set with a little time in the oven, the ink will last much longer. I still wouldn’t run it through the dishwasher, though!
For this project you’ll need:
Ceramic tableware (cups, mugs, plates, platters, whatever)
Oil-based Sharpies
An oven
A baking sheet
- Clear your workspace and draw your designs on your tableware of choice. Some people like song lyrics, others like abstract art. Do whatever feels good to you/your kids.
- Put your finished project on a baking sheet.
- Put the baking sheet, with your project(s) on it, into a cold
- Preheat the oven to 350*F. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
- Let your art cool in the oven. This keeps the art from shattering in the cold air of your kitchen!
- Wrap and give as gifts.
This project can be done with children who are old enough to refrain from flinging the ceramics and who won’t immediately put the Sharpies in their mouths. You know your child best. Zoodle was able to do this, with close supervision, at two. I know plenty of kids who would have trouble with both of those prerequisites at four. Be honest about your child’s abilities, and remember – this is about having fun with your kids, not putting more pressure on yourself in an already stressful time of year!
(please note: I’m not entirely sure how I managed to get the video into this post. If the video suddenly stops working, follow this link to our YouTube channel.)
