Have to Get Creative with your Creations

When I opened my shop in Artegon(Art Mall in Orlando) in 2014 I was faced with a lot of looky lous . People would come into the shop , unprepared to buy. Artegon is a new concept on an art mall. SO in this realization that the people coming into the mall were more like retail shoppers, I had to get inventive. Creative with my creations! So my first addition was Mugs! I took typography in college and loved it! Lettering has always been a love of mine. So I took a skill I knew I had in the lettering and started googling. I came across mugs being made with quotes on them. I instantly was drawn to that concept. So I chose a few themes and went for it.

For those curious of the way to create these mugs to make them washable here is what you will need.

Mug from Old time pottery or a place like that ( no need to buy an expensive mug)
Sharpie Oil Based Markers (not the regular sharpie!)
A Quote or image :) (pinterest is good for this if you don’t have your own)
An oven set at 350 degrees
So once you pick your quote or artwork ( which both sold for me) You use the Sharpie oil markers to put the image on. I encourage all to clean the mug with rubbing alcohol. Once you do that you can go to Dafonts.com this is a endless source of fonts that can get the creative juices flowing and inspire. Remember the people who post on dafont are artist and buying their font helps them! We must all support what we love! Ok back to it. Make sure when you prime the Sharpie oil pen Make sure the tip is wet to the point it creates a solid stream. If you write a letter and it has breaks in it within the ink it will bake wierd. Once you get the quote or artwork on the mug let it dry a bit. Heat your oven to 350. Once it is preheated place your mug on a cookie sheet and place it in the oven. Bake for 40 minutes. Ok here is the key instruction. LEAVE IT IN THE OVEN TILL THE OVEN COOLS COMPLETELY. Usually this means through the night. This sets the oil ink. I have washed mine in the dishwasher with this method. I have had clients that the ink comes off…when i did not leave the mug in the oven as the oven cooled. I also recommend clients to handwashing with a soft rag.

What else can you do with this concept. Well I decided to start looking at ceramics. Animals ceramics and jewelry boxes. Take a look at these! So how can you get creative with your creations? Even if it is on the canvas. That little mistake you hate may end up being the thing that pushes you into something you never knew could be loved! So don’t stop what you are doing…Don’t give up because you don’t see it happening. Keep pushing yourself! This is the key! If you are an artist and have any questions do not hesitate to ask! Enjoy your labor day weekend! And share you creations! http://www.facebook.com/micheledobbscreations