Sea glass is still so popular, and it’s a beautiful way to decorate your home in the summer.  Rather than buying new decorative accents, you can make your own using a few simple items plus recyclables.

Don’t worry if you don’t feel like you’re very artistic!  Stencils make it easy for all of us to create beautiful, professional looking home decor projects.  I used a clear glass bottle from my recycling bin plus a few DecoArt products to create this beautiful faux sea glass bottle.

Project Estimate:

• Bottle – on hand
• DecoArt Texture Glass – $5.50
• Stencil – on hand
• Glass Paint – on hand

Total:  $5.50 and up

Step one:  Tape the stencil to the cleaned bottle.  Spread the Texture Glass onto the stencil, then remove the stencil.  Let it dry.  The paste is easy to work with since it goes on white but dries clear, so you can see exactly where you’ve applied it before it dries.

Step two:  Use glass paint to cover the entire surface of the bottle.  I used a turquoise color, but you could use green for a different look.  There are lots of glass paint colors available, so even if you don’t like sea glass you could paint your bottle any color to match your decor.

I’ve decorated my home in turquoise and lime green, so I paired this sea glass blue bottle with this faux ceramic bottle that I also made from recyclables.  You can find that tutorial here.  I love that I can turn my trash into something beautiful and useful!  You could make several of these to use as pretty outdoor table decor, too.  I think they’d make fun patio centerpieces if you put a few flowers in them and use them as a vase.  Have fun crafting and creating.

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Dollar stores, thrift shops, and yard sales are great places to find lots of fun glassware for cheap.  But once you’ve collected it, what should you do with it?  One possible project is to create a unique, whimsical bird bath!

Project estimate:

• Assorted vases, saucers, and plates/platters, about $5 at thrift stores
• Bowl for base, $1 and up
• Flat glass marbles, $1 and up
• Silicone caulk, about $3 and up
• Paint (optional), on hand or $1 and up

Total:  about $10 and up

Make sure all glassware is clean and your work surface is level. Carefully stack your glassware to form your birdbath. I start with a heavy base, Dollar Tree always has a good plate and sometimes a large bowl that works great.

After you establish the shape of your birdbath, snap a picture or make a note of the order of the glassware. I strongly suggest you use clear silicone sealant to adhere your pieces together. It is weatherproof and if you need to, you can take them apart by using a flexible paring knife between the two pieces. Adhere only 2 to 3 pieces of glassware at a time, using a level to make sure that your birdbath will stand straight. Use the clear silicone sealant generously, you can always scrape up excess after it dries. Continue gluing your pieces on and checking them with the level until you reach the top.

You can decorate your birdbath using the clear flat marbles and the silicone sealant. It is completely waterproof and non-toxic so you can put it inside the bowl of your birdbath.

Optional: you can pour acrylic paint inside the vases to add some color. I would do this a day before I assembled my birdbath and make sure that it is completely dry.

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Project estimate:

 

 

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Project estimate

• Handled mason jar mugs, on hand or $1 and up
• Heart shaped window clings, $1
• Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge, $7 and up
• Glitter, on hand or $1 and up
• Paint brushes, on hand

Total: $8 and up!

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I love finding ways to make inexpensive dollar store glass look high end.  Not only is it fun to craft, but it makes it easier to decorate on a budget.  Here’s a pretty idea that will make great decor for fall and holiday parties.  Create faux cracked glass that shimmers and shines!

 

Total:  $1 and up

Step one: Spray paint the glass gold.

 

Step two:  Paint a thin application of Glossy Accents over the spray paint.  Let it dry.

 

Step three:  Paint a heavy coat of Rock Candy Crackle Paint over the dried surface.  Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint.  I used ultra fine Glamour Dust Glitter.

 

As the crackle paint dries, you will see the gold paint bubble and crack as it is pulled apart.  It takes a few hours to dry, and you will see more cracks develop as it dries.  The surface is not sharp, and you can handle it carefully.  The paint does not chip off when handled gently, but you could peel it off if you tried to, so handle it with care.

 

These votive candle holders would be great for lots of different events.  Display them with acorns that have been painted gold for pretty fall vignettes.  Attach a jewelry pin with some pretty ribbon and transform the piece in to sparkly Christmas decor.  You can even try different spray paint and glitter colors to create different effects.  Have fun crafting and creating!

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I was tickled to find these adorable ice cream dishes at Dollar Tree. The shape reminded me of these cute bowls I had seen on Etsy.  Since the seller no longer offers them, I had been looking for a way to make my own.  I think I succeeded!  Here’s how you can paint your own retro inspired ice cream bowl.

Project estimate:

• Ice cream dish, $1
• Chalky Finish Glass Paint in Everlasting, $1.77
• Craft paint, on hand
• Washi tape, on hand
• White gloss glass paint (optional),  $1.77

Total:  $2.77 and up

Step one:  Paint the outside of the dish with the Chalky Finish Paint.  I did three light applications (letting each application dry before starting the next one) to achieve an even finish.  Use a wide, soft bristled brush for best results.

Step two:  Use a pencil to lightly draw squiggly lines for the edge.

Step three:  Mix a small amount of colored paint with some of the white Chalky Finish paint to create the other colors.  If you prefer, you can also purchase Chalky Finish paint in other colors.  I was trying to stretch my one bottle as far as possible!

Step four:  Use washi tape to make sections on the dish, as pictured.  Paint, then repeat.  The paint dries very quickly, so after you’ve finished one color, you can tape again and repeat with the second color.

Optional:  I wanted the lip to look like whipped cream, so I used a glossy glass paint to fill in the edge.  You can omit this step if you want to leave it a flat white.

Allow the paint to dry for 4 days, then you bake it according to the instructions on the bottle.  To be on the safe side, I hand wash my glass painted items and don’t put them in the dish washer.  They are usually fine, but sometimes over time, the heat from the drying cycle causes some of the finish to come off.

This would be a really fun activity for an ice cream social or ice cream themed birthday party.  Since the glass paint dries quickly, guests can paint their bowls, mingle while they allow the paint to dry, then fill them with yummy ice cream!  Have fun painting and creating!

The post Tutorial: Paint a Retro-Inspired Ice Cream Bowl appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

My jewelry has a tendency to get a little out of control. Necklaces here, rings there, earrings earrings everywhere! I’m sure having a designated place to put all my baubles would keep them from looking like a cluttery mess. Have you ever noticed how simply putting the same pile of clutter on a tray makes you look instantly organized? This tray from Mod Podge Rocks is perfect for giving your stash a little bit of style! [how to decorate a clear glass jewelry tray]

Project estimate:

• Clear glass dish or tray, $1 and up
• Mod Podge Peel n Stick stencil, $4
• Mod Podge gloss, on hand
• Glitter, on hand or $1 and up
• Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, on hand or about $5
• Spouncer or sponge brush, on hand or $1 and up
• Masking tape, on hand
• Paintbrush, on hand

Total: $5 and up

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I love tall white candles. But sometimes they are so….plain. Luckily, it’s nothing a little masking tape and spray paint can’t fix! Sara from Pop Sugar dressed up these plain candles with different pattern to give them some real personality!  The variety of colors and patterns that you can put together with this idea give it nearly endless possibilities, making it easy to work them into any decor scheme.  [how to make metallic striped candle holders]

Project estimate:

• Plain white candles in glass, $1 and up
• Masking tape, on hand
• Spray paint, on hand or $3 and up

Total: $1 and up

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I love covered cake plates. Of course, everything you love is even better when it is in miniature! This darling cupcake cloche stand from Refresh Restyle is not only adorable but will save you big money over buying one of these in a store! It’s the perfect way to make dessert extra special. [how to make a gold glass cupcake cloche]

Project estimate:

• Glass candle plate, $1 and up
• Glass candle holder,  $1 and up
• Glass bowl shaped candle holder, $1 and up
• Spray paint, on hand or $3 and up
• E-6000 or glass glue, on hand
• Wood ball knob, $0.50 and up

Total: $3.50 and up

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Several months ago, I explained how to “crack” glass floral stones (tutorial here).  It’s an inexpensive, easy project that’s fun to do.  I like to use fine glitter to create a sparkly ombre effect on the glass.   Dollar Tree carries small multi packs of glitter that are already color coordinated, so it takes the guesswork out for you.  I turned my ombre cracked glass stones into magnets and pushpins.

Project estimate:

• Glass Floral Stones, $1
• Glitter, $1
• Magnets and/or Thumb tacks, on hand
• Double sided tape, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Dimensional Magic, on hand or $3

Total:  $2 and up

Step one:  Make the cracked glass stones, as explained in this tutorial.

Step two:  Cut a piece of double sided tape to fit the back of the stone.  Press it onto the stone.

Step three:  Pour the glitter onto the double sided tape.  I started with the lightest color and progressed to the darkest color, to create an ombre effect.

Step four:  Seal the glitter with the Dimensional Magic.

Step five:  Glue a thumb tack or magnet to the back of the stone.

Isn’t the effect pretty?  I think the pink/purple combo looks like a space galaxy.  The smaller stones that I used for the pushpins would make beautiful earrings, and the larger stones would make fun statement rings.  You could use different colors of glitter to match holidays or even school colors.  Have fun crafting and creating!

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