tiny happy

making journal

Ceramic 1

Ceramic 2

Ceramic 3

Ceramic 4 

I've been wanting to try drawing on ceramics for a while now, and the other day when I was at Spotlight (huge, rather hideous craft store found in NZ and Australia) I discovered that they stocked the pebeo range of ceramic ink and paint. I bought a black fine-tipped pen to start off with, but will no doubt return for more colours- it was such fun. I used a piece of old crochet for inspiration, and just drew free-hand onto the cups and plate.

I found the plain white ceramic pieces at the local second-hand store. After baking the ink on (which is done in a home oven, for half an hour), I discovered that older ceramics stain somewhat (you can see some darker marks on the vintage plate I used, above) but newer pieces worked really well. After baking, the ceramics are food and dishwasher-safe. And now the children are in on it, too- they've decorated their own little plates. Will show those once they've been cooked.

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64 responses to “ceramics”

  1. Hadley Avatar

    I’ve some ceramic paint that’s been sitting around for ages not being used. Your plate and mugs are GORGEOUS!

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  2. Holly Avatar

    Melissa, Those are beautiful! Well done! You are so crafty!

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  3. bright and blithe Avatar

    I’ve been wondering how to go about doing this and haven’t found the time to explore it. So it’s really that do-able? That simple? If so, we’re getting a new set of bowls…soon.

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  4. Lisa Avatar

    Fabulous! Doing it freehand gives them a wonderful organic feel. Post more pics when you draw on more dishes! 🙂

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  5. kimberly Avatar

    That is sooo cool. I like that much better than the stores here in the states where you paint ceramic and they glaze it for you. I love the definite lines on the white. Thanks for sharing these pictures and I look forward to seeing more!

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  6. victoria Avatar

    So cool Melissa. You’re inspiring me. I need to do this!!

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  7. Amelia Avatar

    Wow, Melissa, these are great! Can’t wait to see more.

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  8. Kate Smith Avatar

    WHOA!! Okay, now its official, your my crafting goddess! lol! Will you sell these in your shop?? Oh! You should!

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  9. Sarah S Avatar
    Sarah S

    They all look really cool. I find that Spotlight is good if you know exactly what you need/are after – the range of things they carry is massive.

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  10. simple things Avatar

    thanks for sharing this! I generally try to avoid Spotlight, but have to agree that they do stock some great products.

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  11. Mary Avatar

    These are fantastic – the black and white is so cute for your flowers! (and I, um, second the notion of posting some in your shop…)

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  12. erin / atlantic treefox Avatar

    oh, i have been wanting to try this for a long time too! i have to get out & find a pen. beautiful plates! maybe you’ll make some for your shop? 😉

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  13. Eyecatchers Avatar

    What a cool idea – great for the kids to get involved too!!!! I should try some of my fine-line drawings on a plate and see how it goes 🙂

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  14. Cat Avatar

    These are so beautiful Melissa – you have such a beautiful style. I have been wanting to do this for a while, you have inspired me – I might just get a pen and get the kids onto it over the holidays too!

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  15. Marty Avatar

    That looks like so much fun! May have to give it a try.

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  16. Sally Avatar

    That is such a lovely idea.

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  17. Megan Avatar

    Thanks for the brilliant idea! I think that kiddy drawings would look so cute.

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  18. louana Avatar

    I love these! I didn’t know that there were such things as those pens, what a great idea. Can’t wait to see the kids art work.

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  19. fiona Avatar

    you are trove of fab ideas. the old plate and cups seem to have a new lease of life.

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  20. fleur Avatar

    again a great idea here!!! Thanks!!

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  21. Elizabeth Yule Avatar

    Wow, your plates and mugs look fantastic. What a great idea, wonder if they sell Pebeo in the UK?

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  22. Francesca Avatar

    So, so lovely, Melissa! I’m so glad you found a way to make art with your drawings!

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  23. bridget Avatar
    bridget

    freddie made a great plate for father christmas’ mince pies with the pens… and i must admit to always visiting spotlight when i am back in perth from the uk. i know it’s huge and hideous but also a regular treasure trove of crafty bits.

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  24. julie Avatar

    It looks so pretty! What a great idea! I knew about ceramic paint, but not about markers, much less messier.

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  25. Emma Avatar

    Oh these are indeed simple and very desirable. I was thinking of doing something similar on some plain or slightly slubbed calico to make some curtains. Now I need a fine-tipped fabric pen. My plan is dandelion seedheads. I havea seedhead obsession at the moment.

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  26. kirstencan Avatar

    these look amazing, melissa!

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  27. Katie Avatar

    I’ve seen kids use those before, but I’m loving the idea of just giving them a black pen and a white cup. Nothing like a little limiting to make kids’ artwork shine.

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  28. Kristen Avatar

    I have that marker too. So much fun. I have also tried the porcelain paint in the little jars. You can apply it with a brush or get a special fine tipped applicator bottle, but they are so much harder to work with. i think you markers are the way to go. You have mastered it already.

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  29. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Cool, those are really neat. You could design for a company. I really like the black on white.

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  30. Victoria Avatar

    wow! such a great idea. The first thing that came to my mind before I read the post was to ask where you had bought so original pieces, and then I found out that (of course!) they were made by you 🙂

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  31. Jen Avatar

    Gorgeous! What a great project and such great style.

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  32. Nancy Avatar

    beautiful. i’ve been wanting to try that myself.
    have a nice weekend

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  33. Liesl Avatar

    So clever. And lovely.
    I remember doing something similar in school as a kid. I always loved eating off the plate with my own drawing on it. 🙂

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  34. kaylovesvintage Avatar

    great idea
    enjoy your weekend

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  35. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi bright and blithe,
    yes it really is quite simple! good luck 🙂

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  36. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you kate! i’m no goddess though- ha!

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  37. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi sarah- i agree, it’s great for specific materials. i just feel sad because since they moved to our town, all the small art and craft shops have had to close. 😦

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  38. tinyhappy Avatar

    great idea, greta! your fine-line drawings would look great

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  39. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks elizabeth- yes, i found a uk site that sells them- http://www.paintboxcrafts.co.uk/

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  40. tinyhappy Avatar

    oh yes, the same idea but on curtains would be great!

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  41. molly Avatar

    i love these! makes me want to rush out to the thrift store for some plain white plates and cups. i actually bought some of these pens but haven’t used them yet. i bet my kids would love this project (and of course me too!).

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  42. Erin Avatar

    These are wonderful! You should design dinnerware for some trendy, expensive store. They really are fabulous!

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  43. Shin Ae Avatar

    How fun! Your pieces look great.

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  44. Clare Avatar
    Clare

    Hey Melissa, what a great idea, people are going to be getting these for pressies this year! It is sad that all our little craft and fabric shops have closed here…

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  45. linda Avatar

    hi, your drawings are lovely. please read up on the pen’s and paint a bit more in the USA the paints are not considered safe on surfaces that come into contact with food. so your cups are fine because the design is on the outside but the plate is not for eating. sorry!!! i just want you to be safe, especially with the kids. i’ve played with these paints and they to chip off and scratch with use. Generally anything that is applied onto a glazed surface will come off with wear, including ceramic decals. http://www.dickblick.com/products/pebeo-porcelaine-150/
    good luck!!!!

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  46. Christine Avatar

    Gorgeous! I want one of those pens now 🙂

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  47. Holly Avatar

    so, so lovely and such a brilliant way to make old white reclaimed dishes modern and original.

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  48. 5inabed Avatar

    Hi Melissa, just been catching up with your blog, beautiful stuff! The Ceramic drawing looks great! and loved the photos of Abel Tasman park etc. Enjoy rest of your holidays with Tom and kids! Dont you ;love having a teacher for a partner!?

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