I have a mug. YAY!

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I was snowed in last night, so why not get crafty?

A girl I work with just found out she has mono.
Everyone at work has their own coffee cup, but lazy people are always using other people's mugs so they don't have to wash them. She was laughing about the nasty surprise the next person who uses her mug is going to get.... and i thought of a magical present for her.

I do a lot of painting on glass. I made some money this summer by painting custom wine glass sets, which people commission me to do as wedding gifts. The glass paint can also be used on porcelain and stonewear.

So I made this very special coffee mug:


(I'm sorry some of these photos are fuzzy)

Here's the materials-
paper towels, can o' water, tiny paintbrush, Q-Tips, alcohol swabs, toothpicks, blank coffee mug from the dollar store, and glass/porcelain paint.
I use the Pebeo line of paints, they really are great.
glass- http://www.pebeo.com/asp/prod/fiche.asp?lang=us&id=17
ceramics- http://www.pebeo.com/asp/prod/fiche.asp?lang=us&id=42

Also pictured is my reference sheet for the text.


Before you paint, gotta make sure the surface is as clean as you can get it.
First, wash the thing, then go over it with an alcohol swab. You need the really strong alcohol swabs.
Don't use Windex! It leaves film!


Onto painting!


Before using the brush, I layout the text lightly on the mug using a toothpick dipped in paint. Then i go over it with the brush. The toothpick gives straighter lines, like a sketch.
I got through the first line pretty well. Second line, not so well!

But that's okay! Just rub out the mistakes with a moist Q-Tip, then go over it with another one of those trusty alcohol swabs. Anything you do can be washed off with water, until you bake it. You can even leave things for weeks.


Almost done!!!!


And here's the magical mug.
I can't believe it looks this good. Painting on a curved surface is hard.
It took an hour and a half.


And there's even a surprise on the bottom...


YAY!
But I'm so sad I have to give it away :(

Now I must let the paint set for 24 hours, then bake in a 300 degree oven for 35 minutes. After that the design will be permanent and dishwasher safe.


I think everyone I know will be getting hilarious mugs eventually.