How Do I Paint / Embellish Ceramics?

[KnitterMama]

I am planning to make my twin sis a set of teacup candles for our birthday. I found teacups which are the absolute perfect shape for this, but they're all the wrong color. I'd like to paint them to match sis' kitchen as well as decorate with a pear or a lemon or something. Anybody know what I can use to paint ceramics? I'd need to paint the entire outside of the cups and then I'm painting a small decoration over that after it dries.

I also picked-up a teapot for my house which I'm trying to rescue and decorate. It has a small chip in the lip of the spout, and I'd like to add some 3-d embellishments to the spout and the body of the pot itself. Funky funky. Is there some kind of clay I can use for this? I don't have a kiln.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Owen'nZoe]

I'm curious whether you tried painting either item yet? I keep checking back to see if someone has had tips for you, because I never would have thought to try painting old ceramics, but the idea now has me intrigued.

My gut feeling is that you would have to scar the surface of the glaze (maybe sand it?) to allow a paint to stick, but I can't think of a paint that would give you a nice, glossy finish like the original ceramic. I am not sure how you would attach embelishments after the initial firing process, except possibly by making the pieces from no-bake clay and glueing them on??

Whatever you end up doing, let me know how it turns out - I am curious!

[KnitterMama]

I did figure out what kind of paint to use - Procelaine 150. I'm not sure if it's meant for this exact purpose but there's a Martha Stewart tutorial where she uses it to paint over existing glaze. I haven't bought the paint yet but I'll definitely update when I do.

Still looking for ideas on how to do 3-d embellishments.

[tibdoml]

Yes, Procelaine 150 will work, but is expensive (About $40 for a set of 10 colors, about 1 oz. ea.). It comes in paints and markers. It's just a glass paint. You will need to bake it to cure it to the glaze. The cool thing is that they are washable until baked - so if you goof, it will wash right off.

A cheaper alternative would be to sand the surface with a fine sand paper, then paint with acrylic paint. Add your embellishment, let dry competely, then seal with a glaze sealer - craft stores have many kinds and finishes.

As for 3-d embellsihments, most rub-on's (found in scrapbook aisles) will stick to ceramic. Check the packaging. I would add a light sealer over them, too, if the pieces will be handled a lot.