Gifts are hard to find for EVERYONE on your list. Period. AND when you are a college student on a budget, that makes it even harder! Here's the solution: The Sharpie Mug.
This project has been trending all over the internet since it's debut on Pinterest a few years ago... Talk about super cute, classy and not to mention EASY. I finally tried it! I made these for our friends for Christmas this year, and I must say, I LOVE how they turned out.
1. Get a mug. (I prefer white mugs...)
Buy your mug(s) at the dollar store!!!! I'm not kidding about this one. You want the quality of glaze on the mug to be pretty poor so that when you bake your mug the glaze melts a little and bonds with your Sharpie artwork. (If you get a black mug, the Sharpie silver marker works well to decorate it.)
2. WASH your mug(s) in warm soapy water, rinse really well to make sure theres no soapy film left, and then Let them air dry COMPLETELY...Then DO NOT TOUCH your clean mug with your bare hands, the oil from your skin can make the Sharpie resist bonding with the glaze on the mug and make the Sharpie come off easier, and we don't want that! I used my rubbery dishwashing gloves to handle my mugs while I was drawing on them.
3. Get Creative!
Draw on your mug(s) with Sharpie permanent markers...
I only used a black Sharpie because I have heard that the colored Sharpies tend to fade and turn different colors after you bake them (red turns yellow, green turns blue)...If you are determined to use colored ink to decorate your mug(s), you can try BIC permanent markers, the tend to stay true to their color after baking, at least that's the rumor :) Once again, If you get a black mug, the silver Sharpie marker works well to decorate it. If you mess up (like I did many times!) just take a q-tip and a little tiny bit of rubbing alcohol or nail posh remover over the mistake, and it's like it never happened :)
4. Let it DRY.
After you have completed your work of art on your mug, let it dry for AT LEAST 24 hours. I let mine sit for a week just to be safe.
5. BAKE.
Bake your mugs in the oven (NOT a microwave oven or toaster oven haha). Place your mug in the oven. If you have more than one mug make sure they are evenly spaced on the rack. (The oven rack should be placed in the middle of the oven, not too high and not too low.) Turn the oven on to 425 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT and then set your timer for 30 minutes. You wan the mug(s) to preheat with the oven...When the timer goes off, turn the oven OFF, but leave the mugs in the oven until it cools down to room temperature. Your mug(s) will crack if they cool too quickly...
6. ENJOY your fabulous new personalized mug!
