DIY Project 1: Design Your Own Dishware
In a world full mass produced, cheap, white dishes why not take the chance on customizing your own unique dinnerware. Since my total immersion in to the Fika culture I have grown a little tired of all my old coffee mugs because I drink from them so many more times during the day. Although I love to keep and use old things, I also need change and newness in my life. In short, I want it all.
It's lucky that making your own signature dinnerware, as
many times as you want is not difficult or expensive. You can usually find these
Glass and Porcelain pens for about $3.00 at most good craft stores. The one pictured
here is from Panduro Hobby in Malmo, but when I did this project in the States
I used pens from a company called Pebeo . All you really need to get started in
a cheap piece of dinnerware of your choice (I got these mugs at the grocery
store for about 50 cents each), your paint pen and a plan for how you want your
dinnerware to look. I suggest looking for inspiration online or your favorite magazine and drawing with a regular pen on paper
first just to get your creative juices flowing. Make sure you have cleaned and
dried the dish you are drawing on beforehand. Also keep a cloth handy to wipe
away any mistakes made on your way to perfection.
After you are happy with your design follow the drying
directions on which ever Glass and Porcelain pen you have. Some say you have to
just let it stand and dry for 72 hours, while others require that you let it
sit to dry for a period of time and then cook it in the oven to seal. I have
used them all and I think the pens that require the baking make a better
quality product. Also, the pen companies all claim that items painted with
their products are dishwasher safe....it's just not true! Hand wash your item
and care for it like the piece of art it is.
