Tutorial – Chalkboard Party Cups

We have a fun tutorial for you today!  Remember the cute party cups from our Ice Cream Social?  They are simple and inexpensive to make yourself!  The chalkboard paint is the priciest item on the material list and you can use it WAY past these cups (I have had one quart for over a year, and I have barely put a dent in it).

This is a great project to work on in front of the TV while you watch a movie (or the Olympics next week!).  Here are the directions…

Materials:

• Chalkboard Paint (I used Valspar, and it’s one of my favorite tools on my crafting table)
• Jars (I used 8 oz. Quilted Crystal Ball Jars that I picked up from my local grocery store)
• Sticker Template in your choice of shape
• Paint Brush
• Fine Sandpaper

Directions:

1. Gather your materials.  The jars I used came with stick-on labels the exact size and shape of the smooth spot on the jars, so I used them.  But really you could use any template you want.  Use contact paper or sticker paper to make your own shape.  Pull out the reverse of the label and carefully apply it to the jar where you want the writable surface.
2. Very lightly sand the surface of the jar inside the template.  You don’t need much, just rough it up a little so the paint has something to stick to.  Avoid sanding the template.
3. Apply one coat of paint to the inside of the template.  This layer can be pretty light and will be pretty transparent.
4. If your template held up (contact paper would probably hold up a lot better than the labels I used), feel free to leave it on to paint the rest of the coats.  If not, you can peel it off and use the first layer as a guide.  I have a pretty steady hand, so it was easier to just peel it off and fill in the oval.
5. It will take probably 5 or so layers to build up a solid surface.  Do your whole set at once so you can work on the next cup while the others are drying.  I was fine with a brushy looking finish on my glasses, but if you really want a smooth surface you can lightly sand through between the last few coats.

It’s pretty simple and there is a lot of room to make them your own.  I really love the idea of using a heart shape for a wedding shower or valentines day.

Keep in mind these cups are not meant to last forever and probably won’t do well in the dishwasher.  After we were finished with them I hand washed them very carefully, avoiding the chalkboard surface.  They came out good as new.  I’ve even used them as simple vases.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I’m happy to clarify in any way I can.

Feel free to take and share this tutorial!  All we ask is that you use only the first image of the finished glass and link back to us for the rest.  All images property and courtesy of Cotton & Brass.  Link with love!