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Ceramic Tile Fire Art
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DIY Fire Art Tile Coasters

These fire art tile coasters are SO PRETTY and they're super mesmerizing to make. Draw a design with permanent marker, add rubbing alcohol, and light on fire to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind coaster.
Active Time15 minutes
Drying Time1 day
Total Time1 day 15 minutes
Yield: 1 fire art tile coaster
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $2

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Fire Art Tile Supplies

Step 2: Draw on a tile

  • To make your fire art coasters start with a white ceramic tile. We used a hexagon tile that came in a small sheet at Home Depot.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Use different colours or shades of permanent markers to draw a design on your coaster.
    Don't worry about what it looks like -- the alcohol and fire will remove the pattern, anyway. You just want a combination of colours that will blend together nicely.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters

Step 3: Arrange a safe area

  • As a safety precaution you may want to fill a small baking dish with water.
    After experimenting with many different coasters we never found this necessary to use, but it's always best to act with caution.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Then set a cup or bowl upside-down in the water. It should sit well above the surface of the water.
    If you decide against the water, you'll still want to set a cup or bowl like this, so that the coaster is above your work surface.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Finally, set the coaster on top of the cup.
    This will stop the fire from spreading and prevent colour from bleeding onto your table or counter.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters

Step 4: Add alcohol and light

  • Use an eyedropper to drip rubbing alcohol across the coaster, covering the whole surface.
    You'll see that the marker colours will start to blend as the alcohol is added and spreads.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Now hold a BBQ lighter with your arm extended. You want to ensure that no clothing, hair, etc will be near the fire.
    Light the flame over the alcohol and be ready to pull back as soon as the flame catches.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • You'll see that the alcohol catches on fire quickly and produces a fairly large, but controlled, flame.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • As the alcohol is consumed by the fire and it evaporates the fire will get smaller and smaller. You'll see how the pattern on the coaster is created by the pattern of the shrinking flame.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Now allow the coaster to cool completely before handling.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters

Step 5: Add a sealer

  • Use a sponge brush to apply a thin coat of sealer. We're using polycrylic, but you can keep reading below for more options.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Allow the sealer to dry completely before handling. Cure according to package directions before using.
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Your fire art tile coaster is complete!
    Fire Art Tile Coasters
  • Have fun making a whole set in different colours!
    Fire Art Tile Coasters

Video

Notes

Looking for more crafts using markers? Here's a few of our favourites:
Shrinky Dink Keychain
Stained Glass Suncatcher Craft
Sharpie Tie Dye Easter Eggs