Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 66)

In a recent poll, 86 per cent of our readers told us they would find it beneficial to know about new products as they come to the market. Tried & Tested puts the latest products through their paces so if you have something you’d like us to feature, get in contact with Andrea Ashfield at editor@craftfocus.com. Edding edding.com THE PRODUCT Ideal for decorating everything from ornaments to eggcups, Edding’s new range of brush pens can be used on porcelain, glazed ceramic and heat-resistant glass. Each flexible nib can be used to paint large areas or create fine details without dripping or spreading. The water-based pigment is quick drying, with an even distribution that makes it easy to create your own design. Once you’ve finished, simply heat in the oven and your handiwork will become dishwasher-safe. There are 15 vibrant shades to choose from. HOW TO USE IT While I’m not the craftiest person, I did enjoy putting pen to ceramic. I had a selection of pens in various colours, and a plain white travel mug on which to apply my vision. I was a bit daunted, but once I’d made the first stroke I could see how easy it is to do. The range of shades allowed me to transformmy plain white cup into something personal and bright. My text-based creation was a tribute to the year 1981, and a large part of my design was created using pen in the traditional way, and by holding the flexible nib at a sharp angle, it’s possible to add tiny dots and very fine lines. I found this a little tricky on the curved side of the mug, but it would be much easier on a flat surface such as a plate. With practice, I felt I could become more confident at creating some intricate extra detail. Mistakes are easily corrected, which is ideal for a rookie like me. I watched a tutorial on Edding’s website and saw that a cotton bud, slightly dampened, would remove any mistakes. I would recommend drying the surface before restarting, though, as the ink won’t apply correctly. I finished by baking the Our Marketing Manager, Michael Richards, puts Edding’s new range of porcelain brush pens to the test cup in the oven for 25 minutes. There was no mess using this product and decorating a cup or plate would be a great project for a younger crafter. My travel mug will now accompany me to work each morning and I can’t wait to start drinking from it. tried & tested craft focus 55