ETCETERAS: Homemade Glass Paint

You can buy glass paint at craft stores that is permanent – you can air cure it which takes 2-3 weeks or bake it to cure it. Once cured, glass paint is permanent and often times even dishwasher safe.

For my project, I made my own “glass paint” that isn’t permanent. But since I like to change things up so often, the temporary paint works fine for me. To make your own glass paint, you’ll need Gloss Mod Podge and craft paint. I wanted a translucent pearlized finish, so the craft paint I used was Martha Stewart Pearl finish in Purple Martin.

Mix the Gloss Mod Podge and the craft paint in a container. My best guess for my ratio was about a 1/4 cup of Mod Podge and 2 teaspoons of paint.

With a very soft paint brush, paint your glass evenly in one direction. I started vertically with my paint strokes. Try to apply the paint evenly and don’t go over any brush strokes. Let your glass dry for 30 minutes. Apply a second coat in the opposite direction. Use a very light touch with your paint brush. Because the Mod Podge is water soluble, you can simply wash off the paint if you make a mistake or want to start over. I started over twice before I got the brush strokes fairly even.

Once the second coat is dry, you can embellish your jars. I covered the tops of the jars with gold floral wire to give them a little pizzazz and hide the jar tops.

Some delicate Baby’s Breath and Eucalyptus are just enough to add a fresh feel to the vases and since the paint is on the outside of the jars, you can put water in them for your flowers. Once you’re tired of the color, soak the jars in warm soapy water and the paint will peel right off. For now I’m going to enjoy the inspiration of Radiant Orchid.