Plain glass vases seem to accumulate at our house, probably because they are such a great deal at the Dollar Tree and thrift shops. They can be pretty on their own with gorgeous flowers, but there is a limit to how many I need around.
In the reader survey, many of you were looking for inexpensive home decor ideas, so I decided to round up a bunch of vases and give them stylish makeovers.
For the short Dollar Tree vase makeover, I wanted to try out etching cream. I’ve had some in the craft room for years, but hadn’t been brave enough to test it.
I cut a stencil on my Cricut, but you could use stickers or pre-made stencils for the same effect.
I globbed the etching cream onto the vase and 20 minutes later washed it off according to the package directions.
It worked even better than I had hoped. Now I have an awesome monogrammed vase for my desk that looks like it cost a lot more than $1.
Next up, I wanted to create something fun and geometric. I grabbed some washi tape and started masking off sections in triangles and quadrangles.
I also ran some tape around the inside lip so I wouldn’t accidentally paint the inside. For extra protection, I stuffed in some paper towels.
When I was done taping, I gave the vase a few light coats of gold spray paint.
After letting the paint dry for several minutes, I carefully pulled away all the tape and was left with a super chic modern vase!
It looks great with branches cut off our peach tree. But let me tell you, April is apparently when the bees fertilize the peach tree. They were EVERYWHERE. I kinda felt like I was risking my life for these branches. Once I got back inside unharmed, I decided the beautiful end result was worth the risk!
For my last glass vase makeover, I wanted to give one of the vases more of a pottery look.
This one ended up being my favorite and it was also the easiest! I started with a couple of light coats of spray paint on the top 2/3 of the vase. I used a side to side motion so the paint would end around the same spot all the way around. It doesn’t have to be perfect though.
While the blue was still wet, I added gold to the bottom. The best technique I found was to start spraying before the bottom of the vase, then sweep up, stopping once a little blue was covered. I repeated the bottom to top motion all the way around.
I wanted the intersection of colors to be very natural and uneven. The plan worked perfectly. I don’t think anyone would guess that this was a clear dollar store vase!
Bonus Tip: Rust-oleum now makes a mirror finish spray paint! You can see in on my nightstand below. Instead of using the large mirror vase for flowers, I use it to hide an ugly kleenex box!
If you want to try out any of these techniques later, you can pin the image below as a reminder.
Rebecca F. says
Some of the dishes I have that could use a good cleaning are my casserole dishes and some of my pans. I already use the basic Finish dishwasher detergent, but am excited to try this new product because we have really hard water and my dishes could always use some extra shine and protection. Thanks for the giveaway!
Melissa George says
We have the same problem with the hard water! I was actually a little nervous about doing a post in conjunction with Finish because of the hard water situation, but we normally use their other products with good luck. I was excited to try something new to see if it was even better(it was)! Good luck in the giveaway!
Jen @ Fresh crush says
Love that monogram vase! Looks a lot more rich than its $1 price tag! 🙂
Melissa George says
Thanks Jen! I really want to make more of them. Monogram vases for every room!
Courtney @ Crafts by Courtney says
All these vases turned out great!! I honesty don’t know which one is my favorite!
Lindsay Eidahl says
I have wanted to try etching cream and now I really want to try it! Another thing to add to the long list of things to try! I would use this on all my dishes.
Melissa George says
Yes – add it to the list ASAP. It’s so fun and easy!
Sharon Flasche says
Love the etched vase, looks very expensive, gotta try these, thank you!
Melissa George says
Thank you Sharon!
Rita McKenzie says
Wonderful ideas!! Very clever!!
KARENANN S. says
I have some very delicate, yet beautiful dishes I’d love to try Finish on. I think Finish would do a great job cleaning them yet gentle enough to keep their beautiful luster. I have seen Finish at the stores, and I’d love to give Finish a try on all my dishes as I love to cook and bake and really make some messy dishes! Thanks for this give-away opportunity!
Melissa George says
Thank you for entering the giveaway – good luck!
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
My glasses always could use a shiny clean!
Alina says
Most definitely the casserole dishes. It’s always quite difficult to get out everything from those. I’d love to see how this would work on them and on my fancy wine glasses.
Melissa George says
Ugh, casserole dishes are the worse! Good luck!
DLynn says
I love all of the ideas, but I want to try etching a monogram then if I am successful with that I will try the geometric triangles with gold paint. Love all of your ideas. Keep them coming
Melissa George says
I hope they both work great for you!
Sara Newell says
LOVE your creativity!!
Melissa George says
Thanks Sara, it’s amazing what you can come up with after a little testing!
Casey N. says
I loved the monogram stenciled vase. Beautiful!
Melissa George says
Thank you Casey!
Sean says
The vase looks amazing and super expensive! I have fine dishes that came from my great grandmother. I’d love to try the product on these to see how well it works.
Melissa George says
Thank you! How awesome to have dishes from your great grandmother!
Mary says
Those vases are AMAZING… and seem to be so easy to do! Thanks for the inspiration and the how to!!!!
Melissa George says
Thank you! All three of them were so fast and easy once I decide what to do with them!
Kimberly says
Our dishwasher does a horrible job on glasses. They always come out spotty or foggy. I don’t know if it is the dishwasher or the detergent, but I usually just wash them by hand.
Melissa George says
I have been there with our dishwasher too!
Michelle Paige says
I love all three, but my favorite is the pottery looking one! Brilliant!
Melissa George says
Thank you Michelle! That was my favorite too, until I kept refilling the monogram one with fresh flowers. I think I gave it an unfair advantage and it became my new favorite 🙂
Shanna says
All of my dishes
could use a good cleaning!! Need o try new detergent I believe lol. Thanks for the giveaway! !
Tania // Run to Radiance says
So cute!! I can’t even decide which is my favorite!
Haley R says
I have this short vase that could use a good cleaning. I’ve been putting it off for a while now, so thank you for the reminder that I need to do that. Now what box is it in… (just moved). 🙂
Brittany Vincent says
I LOVE the etched glass! I’ve always been a Cascade girl, but have been wondering about the Finish products. Glad to see a good review – I will have to try them out!