January is not my fav. It's cold and dark outside, and all I think about is staying indoors. BUT, looking on the brighter side...it can also be the perfect month to craft!
So naturally, expect lots of DIY and creative projects this month here on the blog. You're so welcome! 😁
I love browsing craft stores online, and I find so much inspiration looking at all those pretty supplies and imagining different projects to make with them.
And this week I was inspired by some porcelain and glass pens to create cute DIY gifts for Valentine's Day - Calligraphy Mugs, yo!
I love beautifully lettered anything, and learning calligraphy has been on my bucket list since forever.
And while I wait to actually learn the beautiful art of calligraphy, I cheat! 😋
Which brings me to these super adorable DIY calligraphy mugs using pens and bit of "outside the box" thinking to get you calligraphy on point, even if you have never done it before!
I basically printed some calligraphy texts and used a super easy technique to transfer it to the mugs. Then it's simply a matter of tracing over the top with the porcelain pens! Easy or what?!
You can also try to use oil-based Sharpie markers, but I preferred using pens designed for porcelain and glass work to be on the safe side.
And if you make mistakes, fear not! Our friend the 'rubbing alcohol' will help eliminate any smudges clean, even if the paint is dry overnight (tried and tested). So you can practice until you reach your desired level of perfection!
Though I think that any handmade gift should NEVER be 100% perfect, but that's just me... 😉
Anyways, this easy DIY is perfect for kids to make and gift to parents, teachers, grandparents...you only need adult supervision when it comes to baking the mugs to set the paint.
So let's get started!
DIY Valentine's Day Easy Calligraphy Mugs
Materials:
* fine tip (0.7 mm) porcelain pens in black, red, pink and gold (or whatever color you wish)
* white mugs
* rubbing alcohol + Q-tips to rub out mistakes
* printed text of choice
* HB pencil
* ballpoint pen
* scissors
Directions:
1) Type your chosen calligraphy text in a word processing software and print. Cut each text or design to size, leaving a little border all around where you can apply tape to. Shade the back of your design using a HB pencil. Be sure to really shade every part, otherwise the transfer won't work properly.
2) Tape your design or text to the mug.
3) Using your pen, write firmly over the design to transfer it to the mug.
4) Remove the paper from the mug to reveal your pencil transfer. Go over the design or text with your porcelain pens, being careful not to rub off any of the pencil lines with your hands!
CRAFTY TIP: Go over the text and designs while still wet to achieve a darker shade. If the design underneath is beginning to dry a little, then allow it to full set before going over with another coat of pen, otherwise the first layer might rub off with the pen tip and you'll have a mess on your hands (tried and tested haha).
5) Add cute dots in gold, pink, red lips or other freehand details and designs you fancy.
6) Repeat for other designs, texts and colors. Let the mugs dry for 24 hours, then bake according to instructions on your pen packaging. I baked mine for 30 minutes at 130 deg Celsius (266 F).
I love how easy these DIY calligraphy mugs are! They make the perfct gift for valentine's day, but you could also change the design for any occasion - birthdays, Mother's day, etc.
I love your idea...I used to teach ceramics and we made many mugs similar to this for Valentine's day...my calligraphy skills are a little stale, but this gives me new inspiration since I don't have a ceramic shop or kiln any more.
ReplyDeleteThese are so cool. You can make a whole "wardrobe" of themes!
ReplyDeleteThat is a GREAT idea and you make it look so easy! I'd love for you to share over at a new party called Let's Party https://themarkandjanshow.com/2018/02/07/lets-party-7/ ... we look forward to seeing you there!
ReplyDeleteLove these ideas, you are always so creative :) Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays, you will be one of my featured blogs later today as I am starting the hop early this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat is an HB pencil?
ReplyDelete