Tuesday, April 15, 2014

"M" is for Monogram


Happy "M" day everyone! We're officially 1/2 way through the A to Z Challenge! Amazing! I am still loving finding new bloggers and amazing things. This has been a wonderful experience. (I am thankful that this only comes once a year though, because I'm going to need the time to come up with 26 new projects for next year.)

Today "M" is for Monogram. I made a pile of monogrammed plates a while back using a technique shared in multiple pins on Pinterest. I'd love to give credit, but I don't know who the original creator was. So...I'll just share that I originally found the idea via Buzzfeed and their link to Sharpie Mugs by A Beautiful Mess.



Now...before we get started...I will tell you that this is not a fail-safe project. It's a touchy one. The first caveat here is that any project finished with this method should probably only be hand washed. Surviving the dishwasher is a hit-and-miss endeavor.

I purchased a set of plain white dishes. Some pinners have suggested cheap plates from the thrift store. I found mine on sale as a set over at Bed, Bath and Beyond.


Wash and dry each plate. Though I didn't do it for this particular project, I learned later that the writing does hold up better if you also scrub the surface with rubbing alcohol prior to writing on it. This will help to either etch or remove the coating on the plates so that the marker can be better integrated into the ceramic. I don't really know the exact science of it, but that's what I've read. I'm not a plate designer or manufacturer so this is what I'm going with. Let's just say that I've tried the alcohol method and it does seem to make a difference in durability. Good enough? Okay, good.


I used my Pazzle to create a stencil for the words I wanted. You can totally do this freehand, but I hate my handwriting and I wanted a pretty font.


I did not use a Sharpie here. I have used it on other similar projects not pictured in this post, but it doesn't seem to hold up as well. Instead, I used a Martha Stewart Glass Paint marker. (FYI...Sharpie does make a line of paint markers that are oil based and probably work just as well.) The paint markers seem to meld with the surface of the plates better. It's all about durability here.


I did a bunch of different designs. Some using words, some using names. I did a whole set for Erin's family that has their last name in the center and a separate plate for each family member with their first name around the edge of the plate. (Those aren't pictured in this post since I don't really want to have the whole family's names floating around out here, but I liked them.)


Follow the directions on the markers you're using. For mine, I had to let the paint set overnight before baking. Then I popped them in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Finished plates can be hand washed after 72 hours. Though you probably would have a few survive pretty well if you used the alcohol method followed by the paint pen rather than plain Sharpie method, I don't think I'd test my luck. Stick with hand washing any of these items if you want them to last.

Thanks to all of you stopping by from A-to-Z Challenge! I love new readers. Make sure to leave me a comment below (including your blog address) so that I can return the favor by visiting you. 

13 comments:

  1. That seems like a really neat idea. I may try that with plates/dishes that end up at potlucks, etc. That would be a sure way to get your dish back. :-)

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    1. Great idea! You never know what can happen to dishes at those get togethers.

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  2. This is cool. I had no idea you could do something like that to a finished plate.
    Marlene at On Writing and Riding

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  3. You are one talented lady, I loved the kitchen yesterday and these plates are a delightful idea. I just retired all my craft things, actually I gave them away to a couple of lovely young ladies and they had to take two car loads of things away. I am focussing my craft skills on writing now so no more glue, glitter and paint. That being said I do love seeing what other people are making.

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    1. Thanks for visiting! I don't think I could give up my craft supplies. I'm too much of a hoarder in that department.

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  4. I been enjoying doing the A to Z challenge. It does take up time anyhow the best thing is visiting all new bloggers out there.
    When I was doing ceramic full bore. I did quite a few monogram plates for anniversaries.

    Stop in from A to Z challenge.

    Coffee is on

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    1. I'm loving the A to Z. I keep finding blogs that I otherwise wouldn't have stumbled upon. It's been great.

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  5. Love this idea, and it's simple enough that I may actually be able to do it, lol. This would be a great Mother's Day gift for the grandmas, going to book mark this for future reference :)

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    1. One of the sets I did was for my grandparents. It's tough to find good presents for older family members.

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  6. Decorating your own plates is a lot of fun. Its like the ones you can do at a paint it yourself pottery place but much cheaper.

    Sean at His and Her Hobbies

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  7. Wow, those plates look incredible, Elle! I tried to do a plate last year with the poem 'The Raven' all across it, but I forgot to put it in the over after I drew on it and ...yeah... the dishwasher ate up all my words :(

    But this post has definitely re-inspired me to try again, this time following your instructions for maximum effectiveness, haha :) Great post!

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    1. Ugh. That had to be insanely frustrating. I made some polka dotted ones this last year, tested them in the sink, and managed to take off 1/2 of what I'd put on. Wrong type of markers used. I was not a happy camper.

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