Thread: aging teacups?

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I found three different teacup and saucer settings today at the Salvation Army store. Two of the sets are porcelain china, and one is probably a thin white stoneware that says its microwave oven safe. Gromit05 wanted some for her gypsy fortune telling and seance room this year. The teacups are a nice mix of various patterns, but I'd really like to make them look more aged. One look I remember seeing before on really old teacups was a crackled effect, similar to a very fine crackle paint finish. I don't want to paint over these cups, but any ideas for how to make them look more aged?

Given how much tea itself stains the cups... perhaps you could make some VERY VERY strong black tea and leave it for a few days, throw the liquid down the sink and start again (for hygeine reasons of course)

DD, The Crackling effect you refer to is caused by the glaze that is put on to the china before it is fired. over time this can craze and give the finish you describe.
I really don't know how one would replicate this effect without using a crackle effect paint or varnish of some description.

Thanks Scry and Baron. Just mention tea, and the good people from the UK come forth!

I did a little searching for what not to do to china, which is, of course, exactly what I'm going to do to it. I've got one extra saucer and will give it a going over with steel wool and possible a few quick passes with a fine grit sand paper to scratch the glaze. Then I'll dip it in boiling water for a couple minutes, pull it out to let it cool, then repeat this a few times. I might also try it in the microwave oven or conventional oven a bit. Fortunately the cups and saucers were only half a US dollar each, so even if this destroys a setting, its easy to replace.

Regardless of how this turns out, I'll definitely try Scry's suggestion about staining the cups with tea or some dark liquid.

Originally Posted by Demon Dog

Thanks Scry and Baron. Just mention tea, and the good people from the UK come forth!

I did a little searching for what not to do to china, which is, of course, exactly what I'm going to do to it. I've got one extra saucer and will give it a going over with steel wool and possible a few quick passes with a fine grit sand paper to scratch the glaze. Then I'll dip it in boiling water for a couple minutes, pull it out to let it cool, then repeat this a few times. I might also try it in the microwave oven or conventional oven a bit. Fortunately the cups and saucers were only half a US dollar each, so even if this destroys a setting, its easy to replace.

Regardless of how this turns out, I'll definitely try Scry's suggestion about staining the cups with tea or some dark liquid.

haha, tis true. Mention tea and we brits shall appear!!!
You could use Brown Acrylic (craft paint) - as its water soluble, make it very very watery and it'll create a stain... you could peel parts of it away to make it look all flaky too....


best of luck!

You could also just use wood stain, it will be tacky for a couple days, but after it dries it'll have the look you want.

Good luck!
.

I need to do this as well so I'll be looking forward to seeing your results! Good luck!

Thanks for the ideas Scry and FYF. I'll probably try the acrylic as I have some of that on hand, plus it should dry quicker (and smell less).

Sure thing, Rikki. I'll take some before and after photos. At the very least, you can see what not to try, lol.

I think you're the person my wife bought her crystal box from that she's also going to use in her fortune telling room. That's a neat prop. I can't wait to see the kids faces when it answers their questions.

Great!
Yes, it was me. I hope it works out well for your party!