DIY Mexican Folk Art Bowls with Permanent Markers

I love celebrating my beautiful country as we approach Cinco de Mayo!  One of the things I enjoy about traveling to other countries is their going to the market and enjoying their “artesanías”, their folk art.

Mexico’s artesanía tradition is a blend of indigenous and European techniques and designs. Some are trained artist others have been past down the skill from one generation to the next.  I love the decorative details and blend of bright colors that are used.  I have wanted some cute Mexican folk art bowls but I am nowhere near a place to purchase some authentic ones.  So I made my own!

Here’s a brief history of the design via Wikipedia:

“The bold use of colors in crafts and other constructions extends back into pre-Hispanic times. Pyramids, temples, murals, textiles and religious objects were painted or colored ochre red, bright green, burnt orange, various yellows and turquoise. These would be joined by other colors introduced by European and Asian contact, but always in bold tones. Even the production of colors ties into the history of craft making. Red pigment since pre-Hispanic times has made from the cochineal bug, which is crushed, dried and ground to a powder to mix into a liquid base.^“

This is really easy to make. All you need are two items that you probably have around your house, bowl and permanent markers.  Now you’re set to start making your own Mexican folk art. If you need some inspiration google Mexican folk art dishes to get a visual of what you want to draw for yourself.

• Clean and dry your bowl.
• What I like to do is use a dry erase marker to practice my design and then I wash it and dry it again.
• Once you have an idea of what you’re going to draw grab your permanent markers and enjoy.
• Note once the ink is on your bowl you can’t “erase” it.
• Place it in the oven on a cookie sheet when the oven is still cool.
• Then turn it on at 350 and let it bake for 30 minutes.
• Let it cool in the oven. Don’t take it out or touch it otherwise it will smear your work.

Tips- I’ve baked lots of mugs, plates and bowls in my oven and I have never had one break but it’s possible. This is only for hand washing.

Update 7/2015–So I’m sorry to report but the artwork made on my bowls with the Sharpies did NOT stick. It lasted a long time with only being hand washed but it slowly started to fade with each wash after a about 5 months.