Who doesn’t have a stash of Sharpies lying around? You know the ones—they’re either in a junk drawer, scattered at the bottom of your purse, or being used by your kid to “decorate” the coffee table. But these little ink machines are good for so much more than just labeling storage bins or doodling on a notebook when you’re bored on a conference call.
I’ve been on a huge Sharpie kick lately. I’m talking tie-dye effects on mugs, marbled mugs, and even some stuff with rubbing alcohol that felt like a science experiment gone right. I’ve messed up plenty of projects (RIP to that one mug), so I’m here to save you the headache and show you the good stuff.
FYI, these aren’t your grade-school arts and crafts. We’re making actual, gift-worthy, “Wow, you’re so crafty!” kind of projects. Grab a Sharpie (or twelve) and let’s get started.
1. Custom Marbled Mugs (The Alcohol Trick)
Ever wonder why those marbled mugs on Etsy cost forty bucks? Yeah, me too. The secret is that they are stupidly easy to make.
This is my absolute favorite project because it looks insanely complicated, but it’s actually just Sharpie and rubbing alcohol doing a funky little dance.
What You’ll Need:
- A plain ceramic mug (light colors work best)
- Sharpies—multiple colors
- Rubbing alcohol (at least 91% works magic)
- A paintbrush or an eyedropper
- A candle or a lighter (optional, for fixing mistakes)
First, scribble some dots or stripes onto the ceramic. Don’t overthink this—just blob the colors on. Once you’ve got your design, drip the rubbing alcohol onto the ink. Watch closely. The alcohol pushes the ink around, creating this awesome, watercolor-like bleed.
Pro-tip from someone who learned the hard way: If you hate it, just wipe it off with a wet wipe before you bake it. Once it’s baked, it’s there forever. After you’re happy, pop it in a cool oven, set it to 350°F, and bake for 30 minutes. Let it cool in the oven. IMO, this makes for a killer handmade gift.
2. DIY Geometric Plant Pots
Plants are great. Boring terra-cotta pots are not. Let’s fix that.
Grab a terra-cotta pot from the hardware store (the cheap, ugly orange ones). Clean them first—they’re usually dusty. Now, instead of trying to paint perfect lines like a robot, use painter’s tape.
The Process:
- Tape off sections of the pot in geometric shapes. Triangles are easy. Go crazy.
- Color in the exposed areas with Sharpies. You can do solid colors or patterns.
- Carefully peel off the tape before the ink dries completely.
- Seal it with a clear spray sealer so it doesn’t wash off when you water your succulent.
I tried this last spring and now my windowsill looks like a modern art exhibit. Way cheaper than buying those designer pots.
3. Faux Stained Glass Windows
Got a window that faces a boring brick wall? Or maybe just a sad, empty picture frame? Turn it into faux stained glass.
The Technique:
- Draw thick black outlines directly onto the glass (or a clear plastic sheet from the craft store) to mimic lead came.
- Fill in the sections with different colors.
- Use a toothpick to pop any air bubbles.
It gives off major cathedral vibes without the whole religious guilt thing. When the sun hits it, your room turns into a disco of color. I did this on a small pane and hung it in front of a mirror, and honestly, I feel fancy just walking past it.
4. Sharpie-Dyed Bookmarks
Fabric dyeing with Sharpies is a thing, and it’s ridiculously fun. You don’t even need fancy fabric. A piece of white cotton muslin or an old t-shirt (you know, the one you swear you’ll wear again) works perfectly.
Here’s the trick:
- Draw stripes or dots of color onto the fabric.
- Take an eyedropper or a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and soak it.
- Watch the colors run and blend like a watercolor painting.
Let it dry, iron it to set the color, and then cut it into a bookmark shape. Laminate it or glue it to cardstock so it lasts. It’s a great way to use up those dying Sharpies that are almost out of ink.
5. Rock Painting for the Soul
Painting rocks is weirdly therapeutic. You sit there, you color, you don’t think about your email. But paint on rocks chips easily. Sharpies? Not so much.
Find some smooth, flat rocks. Wash and dry them. Then, just start doodling. Mandalas, little houses, positive affirmations (“caffeinated,” “survived Monday”), or even just color blocks.
I keep a few on my desk as paperweights. Plus, if you’re feeling mischievous, you can hide them around your neighborhood for strangers to find. It’s like a tiny, inky treasure hunt.
6. Upcycled Sharpie Earrings
Okay, this one requires a bit of courage, but hear me out. You can buy blank wood or plastic earring shapes on Amazon for pennies. They’re usually plain white or wood-toned.
The DIY:
- Doodle on them. Stripes, polka dots, little stars.
- If you mess up, wipe it off with nail polish remaper (test on a corner first).
- Seal with a clear gloss or matte sealer.
I made a pair of neon triangle earrings last week and got stopped at the grocery store by a stranger asking where I bought them. I felt like a rockstar. “Oh these? Just something I whipped up.” 😎
7. Customized Canvas Sneakers
Converse or Keds look amazing with custom Sharpie art. The key here is patience and a light hand.
What to do:
- Remove the laces.
- Use a pencil to lightly sketch your design (if you’re fancy).
- Carefully color it in.
- Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat-set the ink so it bonds with the fabric.
- Spray them with a fabric protector. Do not skip this step unless you want your art to wash away in the first puddle you step in.
I did a pair with black vines and little rainbow flowers. They’re my go-to conversation starters at parties.
8. Metallic Sharpie Champagne Flutes
Metallic Sharpies are the superheroes of the craft world. They show up on everything.
Grab a set of cheap glass flutes from the dollar store. Clean them with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any grease. Then, go to town.
Ideas:
- Write names on them for a wedding or party.
- Draw little stars and dots for New Year’s Eve.
- Put funny sayings on the bottom (“Emergency Juice”).
Bake them at 300°F for 20 minutes to make them dishwasher safe (top rack, obviously). This is my go-to housewarming gift.
9. The Scribble-Cup Coaster
Have you ever just taken a Sharpie and colored a solid square on a piece of plastic? No? Just me? Well, it makes a surprisingly cool coaster.
Take a plain white ceramic tile from the hardware store (they’re like 20 cents). Color the entire top surface with a dark blue or black Sharpie. While it’s wet, take a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and draw designs into the ink. It removes the ink, revealing the white tile underneath.
It’s like reverse drawing. Stick some felt pads on the bottom so you don’t scratch your table, and boom—instant modern art.
10. DIY Photo Frames
Plain wood frames are boring. But Sharpies? Sharpies make everything better.
Options:
- Tribal Patterns: Draw zigzags and dots.
- Ombre: Use three shades of one color and stripe them horizontally, then blend with alcohol.
- Scribble Art: Just go nuts with different colors. Sometimes the chaotic look is the best look.
I have a frame in my living room that just says “DOG” in big block letters with a doodle of my mutt next to it. It cost me nothing to make and makes me laugh every day.
11. Sharpie Monogrammed Cutting Boards
This is a Pinterest classic for a reason. Get a small wooden cutting board. Print out your monogram in a fancy font. Use the graphite transfer method (shading the back of the paper with pencil and tracing) to get the outline on the wood.
Then, trace it with a black Sharpie. Fill it in if you’re brave. Seal it with a food-safe mineral oil or board sealer.
Warning: Do not actually cut on this board. It’s for cheese and bread only. If you chop an onion on it, you’ll be eating green Sharpie with your spaghetti. Not recommended.
12. DIY Temporary Tattoos
Yes, you read that right. You can make temporary tattoos with Sharpies that last about as long as the store-bought ones.
How:
- Draw your design on a piece of tracing paper or baking paper.
- Press it firmly onto clean, dry skin.
- Wet the back of the paper with a sponge until the paper slides off.
- Seal with a spritz of hairspray.
I did this at a BBQ last summer and drew little mustaches on all my friends. They lasted through swimming and everything. It’s way cheaper than a tattoo parlor, and way less regrettable in the morning. :/
So, there you have it. Twelve ways to turn that cup of pens into actual art. The best part about Sharpies is that they’re low-commitment. If you mess up, just start over. There’s no fancy equipment, no expensive paints, just you, a pen, and whatever surface you can find.
Now go raid your office supplies and make something awesome. And if you make one of these, especially the mugs, tag me—I want to see your masterpiece!
