Start at the beginning with raw bisque that you glaze and fire, or recycle a ceramic mug, sake cup, and plate. Paint them and then use reclaimed sweaters and wool to create the coffee and cake. It's easy to create a delightful pincushion you can use for your own projects or give to one of your sew-special friends!

Finished sizes:  6" tall Mug
6" Plate
2 1/2" tall Cupcake

Skill: 2 Time: 3 Cost: 1-2

You will need:
Mug & Plate
•  Bisque*: 21788 Geometrix Mug Round-Handle, 21767 Provence Dessert Plate
•  Underglazes *:
            CN 342 Bright Pink
            CN 232 Bright Briarwood
•  Glazes*: French Dimensions FD 272 French Briarwood & FD 274 Light Pink
•  Recycled sweaters in brown & ivory
•  Needle
•  Embroidery floss: pink, brown
•  Optional: Purchased mug & dessert plate
•  Optional: Enamel paint in brown, bright pink

Cupcake
•  Bisque*: 24810 Cupcake Box
•  Underglazes*:
            CN 311 Light Ginger
            CN 341 Light Pink
            CN 343 Dark Pink
            CN 244 Really White
•  Recycled sweaters in light pink & ivory
•  Pink felt
•  Optional: Purchased ceramic cupcake box
•  Optional: Enamel paint tan, dark pink, light pink & dimensional white

For Both
•  Glaze*: Pure Brilliance Clear
•  Paintbrushes*: #1 Liner, #6 Round,#6 Fan Glaze
•  Two pkg. pink iron-on crystals*
•  Scrap of polyfill
•  Fabric glue*
Compass, crayon, foil, paper towels, permanent marker, scissors, self-adhesive shelf paper, sponge, straight pin, toothpicks

*The following products were used for this project: Aleene's Fabric Fusion • Duncan Oh Four Bisque, Concepts underglazes for Bisque & Majolica, French Dimension & Pure Brilliance glazes, & paintbrushes • Tulip 3D Fashion Paint & Glam-It-Up! Iron-on crystals.

Note: For product information, see end of article.

•  See photos for color and design placement.
•  Allow glazes, paints, and glues to dry after each application.
•  Option: Use purchased or recycled mug and plate and skip steps 1-4.
•  To find a Paint Your Own Pottery studio near you, visit duncanceramics.com/pyop.

Mug & Plate

STEP 1: Prepare bisque. Wipe ware with damp sponge to remove dust.

STEP 2: Apply underglaze. Squeeze a puddle of Bright Pink onto foil. Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three even, flowing coats to inside and outside of mug and center of plate. Squeeze a puddle of Bright Briarwood onto foil. Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three even, flowing coats of to base and handle of cup and back and rim of plate.

STEP 3: Stencil triangles. Use marker to draw 10 triangles onto shelf paper. Cut apart, leaving a 1" border around each. To create stencil, carefully cut out inside of each shape. Remove paper backing from one stencil at a time. Press stencils onto plate and cup. Run fingernail along edges of stencils to ensure a tight seal. Use No. 4 Round brush to apply three even coats of Bright Pink to plate and three even coats of Bright Briarwood to cup. Let dry after each coat. Use straight pin to carefully remove stencils.

STEP 3: Apply glaze. Shake bottles of French Dimensions glazes to mix thoroughly. Shake product to tip of bottle. For a smooth line, start flow on paper towel, using an even pressure on bottle. Outline triangles using Light Pink. Outline brown triangles using French Briarwood. Use pencil to lightly print word on one side of cup. Outline word, using French Briarwood. Note: Lead from pencil will burn off in kiln.

When dry, use Fan Glaze brush to apply two thin, even, flowing coats of Pure Brilliance to all surfaces.

STEP 4: Fire. Stilt separately and fire to cone 06. Skip to Step 6.

STEP 5: (Optional) Paint pieces. If using purchased mug and plate, use marker to draw triangles onto shiny side of shelf paper. Cut out. Peel paper backing from one portion of design at a time. Press into place in random pattern as shown in photo. Run fingernail around edges to ensure a tight seal.

Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three even coats of pink to inside and outside of mug and center of plate. Use straight pin to carefully remove stencils. Use No. 6 Round brush to apply three even, flowing coats of brown to base and handle of cup.

Use Fan Glaze brush to apply brown to back and rim of plate. Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three even coats of pink to center of plate. Use Liner brush to fill in brown triangles on cup and pink triangles on plate.

STEP 6: Make pincushion. Cut a 4" square from ivory sweater. Fold in half. Fold again diagonally to create a triangle shape. Pin to secure. Cut a 4" x 15" strip from brown sweater. Fold in half lengthwise. Apply a thin bead of fabric glue along inside cut edge. Press edges together. Place ivory triangle at one end of sweater strip, letting 1" show. Remove pin. Carefully roll brown strip around ivory triangle, keeping folded edge flat as it rolls. Test fit in mug. Keep rolling if needed. Trim ends as needed. Turn down cut edge so it won’t show above rim of mug. Glue edge in place with fabric glue. Secure with pin until dry. Remove pin.

STEP 7: Attach pincushion. Press roll inside cup, trimming unfolded end to fit just above lip of cup. Fill cup 2/3 full with polyfill. Squeeze a 1" wide line of fabric adhesive along inside edge of cup, just under rim. Press rolled sweater into cup.

STEP 8: Embellish. Squeeze a small puddle of fabric adhesive onto foil. Scoop up a small amount with a toothpick and dab on ivory “whipped cream” center where crystal is wanted. Press tip of crayon onto top of crystal and press into glue. Tip: Crayon will hold crystal just long enough to set into place. Repeat procedure to apply desired number of crystals. Dab equally spaced small dots of glue around base of cup. Press crystals into glue. Glue three crystals above the letter 'e' in Café.

Cupcake
STEP 1: Preparation. Wipe ware with damp sponge to remove dust.

STEP 2: Apply underglaze. Squeeze a puddle of Light Ginger onto foil. Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three even, flowing coats of Light Ginger to entire surface of cupcake base. Squeeze a puddle of Dark Pink onto foil. Use Liner brush Apply a wavy line around outer edge of cupcake near upper rim. Apply two more coats, allowing each to dry thoroughly.
Squeeze a small amount of Light Pink into lid. Roll glaze around to coat inside of lid, adding more if necessary. Pour excess onto foil.

Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three coats of Light Pink to remainder of lid. Use Liner brush to apply three coats of Dark Pink to larger round shapes on top of lid, and three coats of Really White to smaller shapes.

STEP 3: Apply glaze. Use Fan Glaze brush to apply two thin, even, flowing coats of Pure Brilliance to all surfaces.

STEP 4: Fire. Stilt separately and fire to cone 6. Skip to Step 6.

STEP 5: (Optional) Paint pieces. If using purchased box, Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three even, flowing coats of tan to entire surface of cupcake base. Squeeze a puddle of dark pink onto foil. Use Liner brush to apply a wavy line around outer edge of cupcake near upper rim. Apply two more coats, allowing each to dry thoroughly.
Squeeze a small amount of light pink into lid. Roll paint around to coat inside of lid, adding more if necessary. Pour excess onto foil.

Use Fan Glaze brush to apply three coats of light pink to remainder of lid. For “sprinkles,” use Liner brush to paint larger round shapes in dark pink and smaller shapes in white.

STEP 6: Make pincushion. Cut a 4" x 15" strip from each sweater. Fold each strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Apply a thin bead of fabric glue to inside of cut edge. Press edges together. Lay ivory strip onto pink strip. Roll strips together, turning ends under slightly so they won’t show. Roll slightly lower on each turn to create a cone shape. Press roll into cupcake base, testing for fit. Keep rolling if needed. Trim ends as needed. Push outside edge of roll 1/2" into base so lid will fit. Glue ends to secure.

Apply a line of fabric glue to inside of base, just under rim. Press roll into place.

STEP 7: Finish. Cut a 1/2" x 5" strip from felt. Roll strip to create a 1/2" round piece. Glue to top of cupcake.