This is a fun craft to do with a group of moms and their kids, one child per adult works
best. Each mom will need: ---One soft brush, any size but 1/2" works best ---One jar of "One-Stroke Ceramic underglaze", either Duncan E-Z Stroke or Gare One-Stroke. (Of course they can share these, but it's best if they have at least 3 colors to choose from. The best are a dark green, a dark blue or a dark brown. One jar of each color will do 50 hands altogether) ---One pint jar of "clear gloss glaze", which all can use. ---A sponge ---Paper towels and a washcloth ---One blank UNglazed ceramic tile, 4-1/4" (for kids 2 or 3 yrs. old or so) or 6" (for kids over 3) Unless you know someone who does hand-painted tile as a career, these would have to be ordered in cases of 100 or so. The best thing is to call hobby ceramic stores, where you will get underglaze and clear glaze, and ask if they have a "molded greenware or bisque tile they sell", and order quantity you need. Tell them you would like them "fired to bisque."
The most important thing is that childrens' hands are scrubbed with soap and water, then dried well. Salt, sugar or oils on hands will prevent glaze from bonding with tile. Make sure to wipe tile well with a clean sponge in plain water. Allow to dry a few minutes.
Tell kids that it is like hand-painting only without wiggling their fingers. Make it fun, some get scared. Hold their clean hand gently over a tile to make sure their hand will fit, fingers spread out a little. Pick right size tile and paint one wet coat of glaze across flat of their open palm, not too runny but not too dry, follwing instructions for mixing on bottle. Try to keep their fingers from touching, more still they keep their hand, better clarity. A good print will show fingerprints! But if it smears, it usually does, it's all for fun anyway. If it starts to become a battle with child, let him go, when he sees other kids having a good time he will offer his hand to be painted. (I say "he" because it is usually boys that wimp out, girls are more adventurous. lol)
