Expert: Leisha Hiester - 6/15/2008

Question
Hi

I am doing a Fathersday with the younger kids from our church.
I bought some inexpensive coffee mugs, that I want to decorate with # 1 DAD. What kind of paint do I use that not will come off .

Thanks


Answer
Mari,
First, I applaud you for working with the younger kids at church! God Bless you for that.

You didn't say whether the mugs are bisque or already glazed? If they're biqued already there are some great SAFE glazes out there for kids. You can find them at a local 'paint your own pottery' studio or ceramic supply. There are a few versions out there. The great thing about them is that they stay the color the kids see when fire, only get brighter. They also work like paint. They can be used like opaques for a solid look or like watercolors. They clean up easily & usually wash out of clothes too.
Duncan makes 'Concepts' brand, Mayco makes 'Stroke & Coat' brand. The mugs, of course, will have to be refired after the kids glaze them. Many 'paint your own' studios will fire at a discount for a church or charitable organization.

IF, you've purchased inexpensive white glazed mugs (meaning they're already shiny) and you don't want to re-fire (put them back in a kiln) you'll have to use a glass paint. Since many glass paints are toxic, your best bet with working with kids may be a marker. Check out this link      http://www.dickblick.com/zz029/48/
After the kids work their designs the mugs will need to be 'heat set' to 300. You can do this in an oven. Dickblick & other supplier sites are great resources for learning. They generally have great projects for kids too you can look up.

Hope this helps. Leisha