Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Create Your Own Talavera-Inspired Coasters

Today, make your own Talavera-inspired coasters! I love this project. It’s simple, inexpensive, and fun.

Yesterday you learned about how Talavera pottery is made. It would be tough to go through all those steps at home. Most of us don’t have kilns in our houses. Instead, pick up a couple of small tiles from your local hardware store and paint your designs with glass paint.

Supplies Needed:

Small Tile
Glass Paint
Paintbrush
Pencil
Rubbing Alcohol
Cotton Balls

Cover your work space with newspaper. Clean your tile with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. (This is something an adult should help you with.)

Decide what you want to paint on your tile. If you need some inspiration, check out this site. Draw your design lightly, in pencil.

Fill in your drawing with glass paint. I filled in all the blue parts, let them dry, then filled in all the red parts and let them dry. It took a little longer to paint in sections like that, but I didn’t end up with paint all over my hands.

If you want a quicker project, try using only one color. You can find Talavera pottery that is only blue and white. Maybe those pieces will inspire you.

Glass paint needs to dry for a long time. Read the instructions on your paint. Some paints give you the option of baking your artwork. In my experience, the paints that you can bake stay on better than the ones you have to let air dry.

When your tile is completely dry, use it as a coaster or have an adult frame it and hang it on the wall.

Coasters make nice gifts for parents and grandparents.

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