Mixed-Media Glass Art Vases
Embellishments For Fun Floral Arrangements For Mother's Day
Apr 17, 2008
With Mother's Day right around the corner, this is a great project to use as a gift. Parents can also work on this with children!
Creating mixed media art pieces to give as gifts is a wonderful idea for children and adults alike. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, giving flowers seems to be a very popular gift choice. So, why not create a piece of art to present these flowers in?
For this mixed media art project, you will need the following materials:
- Glass vase (choose a size that will fit the bouquet intended for the gift)
- Glass paint or acrylic paint, assorted colors
- Beads (various sizes and colors)
- Decoupage medium
- Sponge brush
- Paintbrushes, fine tips
- Small containers of water
- Scissors or craft knife
- Magazine cutouts of flower heads (alternative idea: pressed flowers)
- Ribbon, complimentary color to the bouquet
Follow these simple instructions to complete this mixed media craft project:
- Wash and dry the glass vase thoroughly, and then set it on a protected work surface along with the rest of your supplies.
- Cut flower heads from magazines or brochures complimenting the bouquet you have chosen. They do not have to be the same flower; so do not worry about that. Complimenting colors will look great.
- Affix the flower heads randomly all over the glass vase using decoupage medium and a sponge brush. (Tip: use tweezers to place the flower heads, and brush them into place with the decoupage medium.)
- While the decoupage medium is still wet, add the beads to various parts of the flower head using matching or complimentary colors. This can be full coverage, to accent areas, to only the center of the flower, or only to the edge of the flower pedals. These choices are yours based on how you want the finished piece to look. (Tip: for full coverage, spoon the beads over the flower and allow the loose ones to fall into a paper plate. For accenting, using tweezers will help with easier placement)
- Using the glass or acrylic paint, create swirling stems, vines, and leaves in a random pattern all over the vase. Be as creative with the swirls as your imagination lets you. Experiment with several shades of green, and then add white highlights. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- After the paint has dried, come back in with some decoupage medium and beads to add extra sparkle, dimension, and interest to the swirling designs you have created. The decoupage will dry clear; so do not worry about using a lot to keep the beads in place.
- Add the ribbon around the neck of the vase. Because this is an optional piece, do not glue it in place. This will give the gift recipient the option of changing the color or pattern if desired.
That is all there is to creating this mixed media art project! The recipient of this gift, your mother, or whoever else will love this one of a kind creation! You may like it so much that you’ll want to create some to keep for yourself. Encourage friends, family members, and children to create these vases with you.
The copyright of the article Mixed-Media Glass Art Vases in Altered Objects is owned by Jenn Greenleaf. Permission to republish Mixed-Media Glass Art Vases in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
