I have seen this pinned many many times on pinterest (including pinning it myself!). It sounds so easy and awesome. The only problem I’ve read over and over is that regular sharpies will come right off after you wash the mug/cup. All the sites recommend hand washing, but that would never happen around here- if we have to hand wash it, it doesn’t ever get used! (and I am sure I am not alone there!) I did read in a few comments that people have had much better luck with the oil based sharpie paint pens. I always have the kids make something for the grandparents for Christmas and I knew this would be perfect. So off to Joann’s I went (with a coupon, of course!) and I found the paint pens. It was around $25 for a set of 5 colors plus 2 additional colors to round out the rainbow. Since I wanted something the grandparents could actually use every day, I went with coffee mugs and tumbler cups so we could color the outside and not have to worry about the paint pens being food safe or not. If you choose a plate- I probably would advise not eating off of it and use it for decoration only 
. I found the mugs and tumbler cups at Ikea of all places- the mugs were $2.99 each and the tumblers were $1.99 each. Score! (You can also find cheap mugs, cups, plates, etc. at dollar stores and thrift stores!) I got the paint pens all shaken up and ready to go for the kids and let them use their imaginations to color all the cups. My oldest definitely had the most fun with it. I had to help the other two along and they lost interest quickly .
Once you’re finished with all your decorating, set them on a baking sheet and allow them to dry for at least 24 hours. Once 24 hours has passed place them in a cold oven (this is important! you want them to heat up with the oven). Turn the oven to 400 degrees and set a timer for 40 minutes. After the 40 minutes is up, turn the oven off and leave the cups to cool with the oven. Once they’re cool they’re ready to use! The colors didn’t stay as bright as I would have liked but they still turned out awesome, all the grandparents loved them. My mom even washed their coffee mugs in the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle (extra hot!!) and they came out just like they had gone in. I am going to check back in with her to see if they’ve been able to withstand over time but so far so good . Happy crafting!
What a fun craft idea! I think I’ll try it for scouts!!
Great kid project!!!I’ve been using the oil markers also. Didn’t know you still had to heat them though!Shared a facebook like for you:) Stop by and share a like back:)
http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/search/label/DIY%20Dollar%20Hats
I’ve been really wanting to do this with the kids. Stopping by from Pin Me
I just Pinned this! What a great gift idea for the grandparents!
I have seen this before too, but I hadn’t heard that they were handwash only or that the other markers work better. Thanks for the tip! I love the idea of making it a grandparent present. I love the idea of having my children make presents for others so it really comes from them.
oh I forgot to say I would love it if you would share this (and anything else that you have been working on) at my linky party! http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/2013/01/friday-fascinations-8-everything-linky.html
Thank you for these instructions! I’ve wanted to do something like this with my girlies, but whenever I’ve decorated mugs with Sharpies, the color comes right off when I wash them. So I will give these oil based markers a try AND will bake them as you suggested. I think this will be a cute idea for Valentine’s day…..maybe fill a painted mug with some homemade treats.
We did this at Christmas and found that the Sharpie wiped right off. It lasts slightly longer with baking but still once the oils from your fingers have time to soak into the ink it comes right off. We ended up redoing our mugs then sealing with a clear acrylic sealer spray.
Oh my goodness, you are so talented! You know what I also like? The fact that you come to Whimsy Wednesday each week. We LOVE your creations and inspirations!
Take care,
Kelly at Smart School House
http://www.facebook.com/SmartSchoolHouse
Found you on I Gotta Create link up
I have been wanting to try these for the longest time. I always see the mugs at the dollar store and I’m so tempted. Glad to hear the oil based sharpies were successful. Now the next time I’m at the dollar store I’ll grab some mugs and give it a go.
How do you know which sharpies are oil based?
Is it safe to use after the sealer? Awesome project.
They will say “oil based paint pen” on them and they are the kind you have to shake and press the tip down before the paint will come out. I didn’t use any sealer with my project and I’m not totally sure if they are safe to eat off of after baking so I recommend only using the paint pens on surfaces you won’t be directly eating off of, like the outside of the coffee cups. If you’re decorating a plate I’d play it safe and not eat off of it
. Thanks for stopping by!
Great idea – I will have to try this!