Geometric Tea Bag holders

How to Make

1. If your tape isn’t thin enough for the pattern then cut it in half lengthways with scissors so you have thinner strips. To mark out your geometric pattern, cut the tape into pieces and use to cover the areas that you want to remain white. Press the tape firmly to the surface of the tea bag holder to avoid the paint bleeding underneath.
2. Using the porcelain paints and a narrow paint brush, colour in the parts of the porcelain which aren’t covered by tape. Try using a variety of colour combinations on different designs.
3. Allow the first coat of paint to dry completely before you apply the second coat for a solid coverage. Leave the paint to dry completely for at least an hour before you attempt to remove the tape.
4. Using a sharp knife and working from the centre of the tea bag holder outwards, cut firmly and carefully along the edge of the tape ensuring that the paint which has overlapped onto the tape comes away from the design in a clean line. This will ensure that the paint, which has been applied to the edges of the tape, won’t pull away the painted pattern as you remove the tape from the surface. Do this slowly and take care on points and corners to get a neat sharp finish. Once the tape is released from the paint use the tip of the knife to lift the tape and gently peel away to reveal the white parts of the pattern. If any paint has bled under the tape then scrape it away with your fingernail or a cocktail stick.
5. These are now ready to be baked in an oven according to the paint manufacturer’s instructions, which are detailed on the paint pot labels.

Top Tip

Any rough edges can be rubbed away with your finger, trimmed with the knife or neatened up with a little extra paint.