Unicorn craft time! This DIY unicorn mug is easy to make, dishwasher safe, and a perfect personalized gift for your unicorn-loving loved ones. This rainbow craft idea is for kids or adults.
unicorn craft: how to make a DIY unicorn mug
Even though my daughter is unicorn and rainbow obsessed, this unicorn mug is mine, all mine. OK, that’s not at all true. She’s already taken it as her own, sigh.
Maybe she’ll let me use it from time to time.
Or I’ll just make more, because DIY painted mugs are really quite easy to make. Here, I use oil-based Sharpie paint markers, and they worked really well.
Bonus: You can use the same markers for rock painting.
I show you how to draw a unicorn design on the mug in the video for this post, but you can of course draw anything you like. I’m just partial to the unicorn given all the unicorn food I make here. (And all the unicorn food from around the web.)
how to make a DIY unicorn mug
you will need:
- rubbing alcohol
- oil-based Sharpie paint markers (I used this fine-line set and this medium-line set)
what to do:
Before you start your unicorn craft, clean with rubbing alcohol first.
After drawing your design, let the mug dry overnight.
To make the mug dishwasher safe, place it in a cold oven and turn the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook for 30 minutes, turn off the oven and open the door to let it cool.
additional tips:
Give the black outline (if you’re using one) about ten minutes or so to dry before using another color to fill in, so the new color doesn’t bleed.
If you make a mistake, use a Q-tip to wipe it off immediately. (Nail polish remover may help.)
The markers are oil-based and can stain clothes, so use caution and limit the project to older kids.
The baking is optional, and time will help cure the design, however in that case, I would recommend hand-washing.
Julie says
Did you find that the color changed when the mug was baked? I’ve tried three times and each time the color turn an ugly brownish shade.
meaghanmountford says
Hi Julie, I didn’t notice any color change at all! Hmm, wonder if your oven is running hot. Or if you got a bad batch of markers. These are the oil-based markers?
Karima says
what type of mug do you use? Does it matter if it is ceramic or porcelain?
meaghanmountford says
Hi Karima, The markers should work on either! This is a super cheap mug from Ikea.
Yolanda says
Hi Meaghan, my oven has a fan and I tend to use it with the fan for cooking. Would it work better with fan or without fan for this project?
meaghanmountford says
Great question! I don’t have a fan in my oven, so I’m not sure. I think the benefit of the fan is that the heat would be distributed evenly. I don’t see why you’d have to turn off the fan. If you let the mug dry completely before baking, the fan shouldn’t move the paint.