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Craft Tutorials | Adult Crafts | Crafts for Seniors | Ladybug Coffee Mug

Ladybug Coffee Mug

Author by Amanda Davis on April 29, 2012 Updated on December 6, 2020

4.75 from 4 votes
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yellow coffee mug with painted ladybugs on it
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Ladybug Coffee Mug

 

One of the things I love about spring and the coming of summer is that I have the excuse to make more ladybug crafts! They are so fun and colorful and easy to make, how could I not love creating with them? There’s something utterly cute and cheerful about a ladybug craft. Not sure if it’s the simple shapes or bright colors, but they always seem to invoke a smile. This would make a fun Mother’s Day craft too! If you need more decorated mug ideas, check here at DIY Candy, they’ve collected several!

Ladybug Coffee Mug

One day I checked the mailbox and there was a catalog from Colorful Images. I love to browse these little catalogs for inspiration, and on this particular day I found some.

Ladybug Coffee Mug

Inspired by Colorful Images – on my Pinterest Board

They had these cute personalized ladybug mugs, and at a reasonable price, but the crafter in me just couldn’t resist the inspirational feelings I was getting!

Ladybug Coffee Mug

I knew I had a thrift store mug sitting in my craft room, so I pulled it out along with a few Americana Gloss Enamels and created this fun mug to celebrate those cute little creatures.

It’s really quite simple to do. First make sure your mug is nice and clean and dry. Avoid touching the surface of the mug with your fingers if you can. I held mine by the handle and also placed my hand inside the mug when I needed to turn it upside down.

Ladybug Coffee Mug

Simply squeeze out some enamel paint onto a paper plate. Swirl a round pouncer into the paint to load it up.

Ladybug Coffee Mug

Apply paint to the mug with the pouncer, using a swirling motion. If it bubbles, gently brush across the bubbles with the edge of the pouncer. Repeat with all the colors.

Ladybug Coffee Mug

Next you’ll use the 3D Gloss Enamel in black. use it like a pen to draw on the heads, antennae, dots and the line down their backs. Carefully dot on “flight trails” using this same 3D Writer. Now put it somewhere safe to dry for 48 hours, then you can bake it according to the directions on the back of the paint bottle. Alternatively, you can let it air cure for 21 days if you want to skip the baking.

Ladybug Coffee Mug

yellow coffee mug with painted ladybugs on it
Print Project
4.75 from 4 votes

Ladybug Coffee Mug

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

  • Plain ceramic coffee mug white or a light color
  • Pouncer sponge
  • Paper plate
  • 3 D Gloss Enamel Writer - black

Americana Gloss Enamel Paints

  • Calypso Blue
  • Razzle Berry
  • Citron Green
  • Baby Pink

Instructions

  • Thoroughly wash and dry ceramic mug. Avoid touching the surface of the mug with your fingers. Hold it by the handle, or you can place your hand inside the mug when you needed to turn it upside down.
  • Squeeze out some enamel paint onto a paper plate. Swirl a round pouncer into the paint to load it up.
  • Apply paint to the mug with the pouncer, using a swirling motion. If it bubbles, gently brush across the bubbles with the edge of the pouncer. Repeat with all the colors.
  • Use the 3D Gloss Enamel Writer like a pen to draw on the heads, antennae, dots and the line down their backs. Carefully dot on "flight trails" using this same 3D Writer.
  • Place it somewhere safe to dry for 48 hours then bake it according to the directions on the back of the paint bottle. Alternatively, you can let it air cure for 21 days if you want to skip the baking.

 

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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: Crafts for Seniors, DIY Gift ideas, Kitchen Crafts, Mother's Day Crafts, Spring Crafts, Summer Crafts Tagged With: adult, adult craft ideas, adult crafts, adults, crafts for adults, cup, enamels, holidays, kid's crafts, kitchen, Ladybug Crafts, ladybugs, mugs, spring

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Comments

  1. Louise says

    June 6, 2023 at 10:03 am

    Bonjour Amanda. je regarde vos petits chefs – d’oeuvre depuis quelques temps et j’adore !
    Aujourd’hui coup de coeur pour les coccinelles sur la tasse en porcelaine !
    je désire savoir si, à la fin, je vernis la tasse comme pour les cailloux ?
    Je vous souhaite une bonne fin d’après-midi et à bientôt
    Louise

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      June 28, 2023 at 10:46 am

      The paints we use are specifically made for dishes. Place it somewhere safe to dry for 48 hours then bake it according to the directions on the back of the paint bottle. Alternatively, you can let it air cure for 21 days if you want to skip the baking.

      Reply
  2. Linda Rosser says

    July 13, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    Amanda..love these adorable lady bug cups..i’m new to your site and love everything you create. You are so talented.. i’ve always loved crafting but lost the desire when my mom passed. You have inspired me to start again. Thanks

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      July 16, 2020 at 6:38 am

      Thank you Linda! I hope you pick something to make and get joy from it! :)

      Reply
  3. DEBORAH GRACE says

    May 24, 2014 at 10:28 am

    very professional painting..I hope to make these soon..I have many women in our family..a great, inexpensive gift..can also use as a pen/pencil cup for a bright office accessory

    Reply
  4. peggy says

    May 9, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    I love this idea!
    So inspirational !
    My creative juices are flowing!
    Thinking to do this but with bees = have a friend’s bday coming up & think I’ll do a ‘queen bee’ mug complete with little crowns!

    Thanks so much for your sweet willingness to share all your creative ideas!

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      May 10, 2014 at 9:20 am

      that’s such a cute idea Peggy!

      Reply
  5. Nanao says

    May 2, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    I love you Amanda <3 <3 .. love you love you so much :-D B-)

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      May 3, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      Aww shucks! :) Thanks Nanao!

      Reply
  6. Judy (Bug) Jones says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    I also collect ladybugs and when my folks brought me home from the hospital, my Dad’s cousin said “Oh, she’s as cute as a bug.” It stuck & I’m 66. to this day I’m called Aunty Bug, Grandma Bug, or just Bug by Sis & Brother. I love it. They are such magical creatures. Love all your projects.

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      October 20, 2013 at 9:27 pm

      That’s such a fun and sweet story Judy!

      Reply
  7. Christina says

    August 29, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    These are so cute! I was so excited when I saw these the very next time I went to the craft store I bought everything I needed EXCEPT the 3D enamel gloss im so upset at myself.. Now I don’t know when I will get to go to a craft store again. I am just dying to try these.

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      August 30, 2013 at 7:35 am

      Aww! if you lived nearby I’d lend you a bottle!

      Reply
  8. Rachel says

    November 3, 2012 at 12:36 am

    Hi I just made this, still waiting the 48 hours so I can bake it. The cup I used is microwaveable-safe (and dishwasher safe). Will the paint hold up in the microwave and dishwasher?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      November 3, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      Yes, it should say on the bottle that they are dishwasher safe, top rack. If it doesn’t, I can definitely confirm that from speaking with the company. Microwave safe I’m not sure, but I think that it would be fine :)

      Reply
  9. Armine says

    August 26, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    Awesome post….will do it….does it wash well, by hand?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      August 26, 2012 at 10:22 pm

      Works great!

      Reply
  10. taradara says

    May 1, 2012 at 4:26 am

    I LOVE THIS! This would even make a great Teacher Appreciation gift!!!!
    xo

    Reply
  11. Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    haha I love these!!

    Reply
  12. gail says

    April 30, 2012 at 2:19 am

    Cute mugs Amanda! :) So pretty and colorful.

    gail

    Reply
  13. Linda Darden says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:17 am

    So cute! I have a friend who was spared in the recent Woodward, Oklahoma tornado earlier this month, but her brother’s house was destoyed. She loves everything about ladybugs, and I know this would brighten her spirits!

    Reply
  14. Diana says

    April 29, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    I am a ladybug fanatic, I’m surprised at how hard it is to find ladybug items, so your tutorials are greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  15. Brenda Cohea says

    April 29, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    I s this on a cup that has been glazed already…like you would just buy from …the store….? love it going to make some

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 29, 2012 at 7:55 pm

      Yes! I bought this cup at a thrift store :)

      Reply
  16. Cynthia Mckittrick says

    April 29, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    Such a bright idea. A must have! Thank you for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 29, 2012 at 7:56 pm

      Thanks Cynthia!

      Reply
  17. Cecilia says

    April 29, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Wow they are so sweet :)
    You are right, there’s something about ladybugs… they are to sweet not to smile!
    Cecilia

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 29, 2012 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you Cecilia :)

      Reply
4.75 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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