PWG Writers Archive

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

How to Make Beautiful Coffee Cup Art!

Great Gifts come in varieties!

This 'How-To' will go over just what you need to make a great personalized coffee cup for someone!

There are multiple methods, but I have found the two specific methods that I think work best.

You can use either Porcelain or Ceramic cups.
Recycled cups work the best.
Each type of cup works best with specific markers.

What you will need

You will need:

Ceramic or Porcelain Cup
Sharpie Markers and/or Sharpie Paint Pens (for Ceramic cup)
Porcelain Pens (for Porcelain cup)
Desired Design
Tracing paper (optional)
Graphite Paper (optional)
Any type of tape (optional)
Scissors (optional)
Oven

****The optional supplies are for people who would prefer to trace their design onto the cup instead of drawing it free hand. I often trace the design myself.****

Black Sharpie with White Sharpie Paint Pen from Michael's Arts and Crafts

Why use a Ceramic Cup?

Why are there different options you might ask? Why does it matter what kind of cup to use?

Well, simply put they react differently with different markers. Ceramic cups are more porous than Porcelain. Also, ceramic cups might be easier to find already in your house or at a good will for cheap.

Sharpie markers work best with ceramic and likely you already have these in your home somewhere. That is why this is such a cool gift idea or fun craft! You can actually do this with any dish (plate, bowl, etc.) as long as it is ceramic and you use sharpie markers.

I also suggest using recycled cups, because they will have less of a finish on them, thus making it easier for the markers to seal. Also, it's good for the environment!

I think it is best to use a white cup so you can draw with multiple colors, but if you can only find colored ones that will work with black and white markers just fine. You can see in the picture that I chose a mustard colored cup here. I thought the design would go really well with a cup that color.

What is the difference with Porcelain?

Well, Sharpie pens just don't show up as well with Porcelain cups. They typically have a better finish on it that is more difficult to seal to.

If you must use Porcelain you will need to get Porcelain Markers to go with it. They are more expensive and you can't always find them at Michael's Arts and Crafts. It would be easier to buy them from places like Amazon or eBay.

If you do use sharpie markers they won't be as brilliant once you have sealed them. As you see on the Pikachu themed cup. I used sharpie marker with a Porcelain cup and it looked amazing before I heat sealed it. Sadly the colors faded. This was my first attempt though and it did still sell on Etsy recently!

The How-To Part!

Okay now that you have all of your supplies and have made a decision on what type of materials you want here is the actual How-To part!

Gather your materials.
Wash and dry your cup (better mark you with my dear cup)
If you can free hand, go ahead and free hand your design with your chosen pens.
Not good at freehanding? me either.

Go ahead and trace the design you want on tracing paper.
Take the Graphite paper and tape it together onto the cup with the traced design. The order is Graphite paper, tracing paper.
Take a pencil and trace around the design firmly.
Remove the papers carefully.
Now you can draw over the line with your markers!

5. Are you all done drawing? Now comes the hard part. You have to wait for an entire 24 hours to make sure the ink sets. Ugh, I know, I hate waiting too.

6. Take your cup and put it into the oven. Pre-Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Some people suggest 350 degrees, but I have found that 400 seals better and it lasts longer. Once the oven has pre-heated, set the timer for 30 minutes.

PROTIP: Make sure to let your cup warm up in the oven as it Pre-heats and let it stay in the oven to cool down to avoid it cracking!

Extra Advice

The sharpie paint markers are amazing to work with. They cover over lines better and don't erase as much as it writes over itself. The Sharpie markers work fine, but sometimes they erase themselves much like dry erase markers.
These are supposed to be dishwasher and Microwave safe. However, I suggest only washing them by hand and NEVER scrub at the design.
If you get a design randomly from the internet, remember that the design might belong to someone else and you cannot sell the item. If you want to avoid that problem, I suggest using images for inspiration to create your own unique design. The general rule among artists is at least 30% different from the original to count as your own.
DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!

Converting Analog Television to Digital TV Still Not Working For Millions of Americans

I'm one of the millions of Americans who are without television as the converter boxes don't work on my old TV set. I havewasted hours and days of my life since February2009 trying to make the digital converter box work and nothing works. You can read the full article at "Converting Analog Televisions to Digital TV Not as Easy as Promised"

After going through the same frustrations, many Americans have been forced to buy new digital TVs. I bought mine at Walmart for $168. A friend did the same and she had to return her TV, because even with the new TV, she still can't pull in a regular, reliable signal -- $200 wasted on a new TV that won't pull in a digital signal. I still have my digital television, but it doesn't work 50% of the time, and when it does work, I get one channel. I used to get FOUR channels on my old TV before the government stepped in.

Magnavox DTV Digital to Analog Converter Box # TB1110MW9 and Other Converter Boxes Do Not Work on My Television

I don't watch a lot of television, but I do depend on my TV during tornadoes or other crisis, so I have tried and tried to make this work. If I hold the converter box just right, occasionally I can pull in a pixilated black and white picture with no sound but a hiss. The picture lasts a few seconds before it disintegrates and then it is gone. Usually I cannot pull it in again for several hours or several days. The FCC and their partners in crime -- Congress -- have really shafted those of us in the lower income brackets and put us in harm's way because we can't get the weather maps or other alerts provided by local television stations.

The early commercials on both TV and web promised an easy conversion using the box, so we all just let this happen. After all, if the government tells us it's going to be easy, well, enough said, right??? Many of you won't care, because you have satellite or cable or budgets that will allow you to purchase new TVs and outdoor antennas -- luxuries the unemployed cannot afford. But this should served as a wakeup call as to how the U.S. government can make a decision, promise citizens it will be easy, and then leave a great deal of its people in much worse state than they were before.

Five years later and I still can't watch TV. I could BUY an expensive roof antenna and hope it pulls in a better signal, or BUY a cable or satellite provider, but I didn't have to do this before. Thanks, US Government and FCC for driving the monthly costs up for millions of Americans...again...

More on this topic at:

Thank you for reading and sharing the link to this article. This article is NOT available for copying to websites, blogs, discussion boards, Facebook, or anywhere else.

Previously published on Bukisa on Julne 20, 2009

KD214

Life changing options to prevent childhood obesity.

Contrary to popular believe childhood obesity is not attributed or caused by genetics, childhood obesity is a lifestyle disease, which means that in order to prevent or eliminate childhood obesity parents must make a life changing decision in order to benefit the health of their children. Here is what to consider:

1. Take control of your grocery shopping.
2. Buy healthier food and snacks for the consumption of your family
3. Limit the number of times your family, mainly your children snack between meals. Studies suggest that just one snack between meals is more than enough.
4. Be a role model for the children and have the entire family do the same. In other words, everyone should eat healthy foods.
5. Decrease the number of hours per day your child spends in front of a TV, computer, or video game screen.
6. Increase physical activity and play time outside.
7. Ensure the children have a good night sleep.
8. Make sure to explain to the children why they need to take on a healthier life style and why it will be good for them. Explain to them as well the many risks of obesity and how it can affect not just their childhood, but their entire life.
By taking in to consideration this simple life changing actions parents can prevent their children from becoming obese children and suffering from childhood obesity, which is turning to be an epidemic.

Highgate Cemetery in London UK

The Highgate Cemetery in London is supposed to be one of the most eeriest places to walk around. There is an eerie story about this cemetery that I want to share with you all.

Read more about this at the following link which is now online at the new Preferred Writers Website:

The Highgate Cemetery in London UK

Photo credit: Denise Larkin

Photo credit: Denise Larkin - Victoria in London

Cabin Fever or Solitary Confinement?

I am likening this winter to a stretch in solitary confinement. I think the entire state is ready to move.

We've begun to talk to the snowflakes - oh no you don't, blow on outta here.
We've begun to talk to the snowplows - please, please don't plow in my driveway.
We've begun to talk to the big weather guru in the sky - cut us some slack here.
We are no longer talking to The Weather Channel, because naming winter snowstorms is just silly.
We are no longer making a run to the store before the storm because who can keep up?
And we've stopped talking to the family, because well, love ya but time for a little separation.

Fall, I hardly knew ya.

Winter, I know you too well.

Spring... I'm waiting in anticipation.

image credit: pixabay.com

Analog to Digital Television Conversion Problems Continue; Fcc Passes The Buck

Image from National Archives and Records Administration.

As reported in Converting Analog Television to Digital TV Not Working for Millions of Americans, we let Congress and the FCC take away our free TV. What else will we let the government take away?

I have been without television since June 12, 2009, when I lost my analog signal. I have tried everything from purchasing two converter boxes, to a new antenna, to an adapter, to finally breaking down and buying a new digital television, and nothing works. Almost 5 years later, I am still without reception in the hills outside of town where I live. I receive at best a broken, pixilated signal.

As a matter of fact, MILLIONS of low income, unemployed, retired, or other Americans on fixed incomes don't have TV now. Even more are making the hard decision to put television service above home repairs and medical expenses, because we count on our televisions for weather alerts. Here in Tennessee those weather maps are vital during our lengthy spring and fall tornado seasons, as well as for other weather alerts and crisis information.

I have made four requests via the FCC phone hotline for complaint forms they tell me they send out. After four requests since May, this week I received a glossy, full-color brochure from the FCC telling me all the advantages of going digital - still no complaint forms. I have also requested a supervisor call me back on three occasion since June 12, and no one has return my calls. The FCC specialist I spoke with today offered no explanation, but she told me that Congress mandated the change; the FCC is just the department chosen to implement Congress' wishes. So the buck doesn't stop at the FCC office.

The FCC specialist also said the FCC couldn't address the issue of just one person. I had already told her that several people in my area are having problems, and that I was getting comments on some of my articles and blogs indicating others across the country were experiencing the same difficulties. She replied that may be so, but it was just me on the phone. I asked, "So, I am the ONLY phone call you have taken recently on this issue?" to which she replied that no, they got plenty of calls at which point she stopped trying to make this MY issue.

The FCC is sending no complaint forms and offering no helpful feedback as to what they intend to do to fix this problem. Instead, they are now trying to hide behind Congress and imply it is an individual's problem, not theirs.

For more on this issue read:

Thank you for reading and sharing the link to this article. This article is NOT available for copying to websites, blogs, discussion boards, Facebook, or anywhere else.

Previously published on Bukisa on Jul 22nd, 2009

KD214

An introduction to my LIFE

Hello

My name, found on the book of 2nd Samuel. Nathan, yes the great prophet Nathan. I'm 19, born in General Santos City, and raised in Cagayan de Oro. Currently studying at Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

God - Christianity

I've doubted him, I've questioned him, and I've rejected him. But despite that he showed me that His promise of "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" was very Relevant.

As I continued to seek him through logical, and inspirational evidence of His reality in my life. But as miracles after miracles continue to unfold through my prayers, I begin to realized that he is truly there, and that he is a God of relationships, he is the God of abraham, and he is the God of love. From then on I continue to live my life as proof of His existence.

His Existence In Me

This area of my life is the most difficult thing to show, and express. Have you heard of the disability Called The fear of not being accepted? It's the worst disability that any man can have, it's even more painful than having no limbs.

The word hypocrite has always been there on my mind, and it is a really difficult thing to deal with. Having that on my mind every time I step into a campus was a nightmare of mind blowing words saying: hypocrite! Hypocrite! But God continued to show how he loves me through the words If God is for me, who can be against me? Boy that gave me hope, and it inspired me to continue moving forward despite the challenges.

If God is for me, who can be against me? Think of that for a moment, and let God do the talking in your life. Be the spectator of His greatness, and offer yourself as an instrument of His mercy.

I am ...

A sinner, a thief, and a blasphemer. An adulterer, and a murderer. I although I sin, I am cleansed by the grace, and the love of God.

People, When asked the question "Are you a good person" Often will answer, with no doubt YES! Do not get me wrong, I've also said YES, and this form of questioning changed how I thought of myself. The questioning is found here on www.needGod.com

180 "The movie"

Spring is just around the corner

A few more days and mother nature brings spring into life.Weather is warming and flocks of birds are now seen.People are now wearing light clothes and chit chats about spring is heard everywhere.

I just cant wait to see flowers blooming all around.Butterflies with different species flopping their wings from flower to flower.Bees buzzing around the plants.Trees becoming green again giving the mountains life.

The laughter of children as they go outside and play enjoying the warmth of spring gives life to the backyard which is once a lonely place just covered with snow.

Soon spring rain comes.The rain our farmers are waiting for.Busy green fields over the horizon.What a lovely world we have.

Women's Fashionable Online Shopping Websites - Everything for a Fiver

Have you heard of women's fashion shopping websites where everything can be bought for £5 each? I have.

Photo credit: by Denise Larkin (Convent Garden in London)

This article has been moved to the new Preferred Writers Website.

View the article here: Women's Fashionable Websites - Everything for Just Five Pounds Each

Denise Larkin is a writer who lives near London in the UK. She writes about television shows, movies, travel reviews, restaurant reviews, sometimes product reviews and anything else that inspires her. She has been writing for about 15 years. She is, also, the Author of a fiction romance novel titled The Island of Love available in print and on kindle at Amazon, a travel book titled Cyprus Travels, along with 3 genre short fiction story books all available on kindle at Amazon.

Oh boy, I'm exhausted!

Well, that's it. I know how to get onto the front page, and after a day of doing a lot of liking and commenting and clicking and cleaning out my profile comments, I made it there.

That's Bubblews, of course. I'm always on the front page here with every new post.

I'm starting a series there about getting free or cheap tickets on airlines, coupled with how to achieve elite flyer status.

You know Ryan Bingham in Up in the Air? Well, that's kind of like my life. I do a lot of flying.

Anyway. I just thought I'd share the news, because obviously I can't write an exubilant post at Bubblews.

I'll just bask in the glory there for a bit before I write the next in the series.

--Peter

Image: My own work
Copyright © 2014 Skyring and may not be used without permission. Article and photo may be shared, if properly credited and linked back to this source.