| Painted glassware and ceramics are unique | | | | mixture, and then seal with either a water-based |
| decorative accents that you can add to your | | | | varnish or spray lacquer. |
| kitchen, dining and living spaces. A wide selection | | | | This blue glass vase was painted using glass and |
| of glassware and ceramics are available for | | | | tile medium mixed with the paint. |
| purchase at many stores, including wine goblets, | | | | Technique 2 - Apple Barrel Gloss Indoor/Outdoor |
| vases, and plates. I will cover three different | | | | Paint |
| techniques to paint on glassware and ceramics. | | | | This method is easier than the first since it does |
| Each uses a different type of paint. These are | | | | not require you to paint a base coat or seal the |
| the techniques that have worked for me, and | | | | design. Following the directions on the bottle, paint |
| should help you be successful when painting your | | | | your design. Allow the paint to completely dry; I |
| glass and ceramic items. Any specific product | | | | usually wait about 24 hours. Finally, seal the design |
| recommendations that I make are only based on | | | | by baking according to the directions on the |
| my experience. I am not paid to endorse any | | | | bottle. |
| specific products. | | | | Technique 3 - Folk Art Enamels |
| For all of these techniques, you should follow the | | | | While I have used the previous two methods in |
| directions on the paint or glass and tile medium | | | | the past, I now use the Folk Art Enamels to paint |
| bottle. | | | | all my glassware and ceramics. I love using this |
| Surface Preparation - Glassware and Ceramic | | | | paint; it is very versatile and comes in a wide |
| Before you can begin painting you will need to | | | | range of colors. |
| clean the surface. For glassware and ceramic | | | | To begin, I only use the Folk Art Enamel brushes |
| items, I've found that rubbing alcohol works well. | | | | with this paint. The brushes have white bristles |
| It will remove any oils and/or dirt from your | | | | and a light, mint green handle. Make sure you |
| painting surface. | | | | follow the directions on the paint bottle. You do |
| This glass vase was painted using the Folk Art | | | | not want to use water with this paint since it will |
| Enamels paints. | | | | decrease the durability. Paint your design on the |
| Technique 1 - Folk Art Glass and Tile Medium | | | | prepared surface. You can use the Folk Art |
| There are two methods you can use with the | | | | Enamels Clear Medium to make the parts of the |
| Folk Art Glass and Tile Medium. You can use the | | | | design more transparent or for shadows and |
| medium as a base coat or mix it with your paint. | | | | shading. |
| Using the Glass and Tile Medium as a Base Coat | | | | When you are finished painting your design, you |
| Following the directions on the bottle, begin by | | | | can either wait 21 days for the design to |
| painting the glass and tile medium on the area you | | | | completely cure or you can bake the item in the |
| want to paint your design. Allow this base coat to | | | | oven by following the directions on the bottle. |
| dry. When dry, the glass and tile medium will give | | | | Important Considerations |
| the glass a frosted appearance. Paint your design | | | | You should not use any of these techniques on a |
| over the base coat. You can seal the design using | | | | surface that will come in direct contact with food. |
| the glass and tile medium (as directed on the | | | | For glass plates, you can use a reverse painting |
| bottle), a water-based varnish, or a spray lacquer. | | | | technique to paint on the bottom of the plate. For |
| The spray lacquer, when properly applied, should | | | | drinking glasses, goblets, and mugs, you should |
| make the frosted appearance disappear. It has | | | | avoid painting within about 1 inch of the top rim. |
| been my experience that using the glass and tile | | | | Cleaning Your Painted Glassware or Ceramic Item |
| medium as a sealer will sometimes cause the | | | | Once the design has completely dried or cured as |
| painted design to lift off of the glass. | | | | described above, you can gently hand wash it |
| Mix the Glass and Tile Medium with Your Paint | | | | when cleaning is required. |
| The other method when using the glass and tile | | | | Conclusion |
| medium is to mix it with your paint. You should | | | | My favorite technique is to use the Folk Art |
| add approximately 3 drops of glass and tile | | | | Enamels paints when working with glassware and |
| medium to a quarter sized (1 inch diameter) | | | | ceramics. If you haven't tried them, I urge you to |
| puddle of paint. If you use too much glass and tile | | | | do so. They are easy to work with and generate |
| medium, the paint will be too thin. Paint your | | | | beautiful results. Good Luck and keep painting! |
| design using the paint/glass and tile medium | | | | |