Gold Polka Dot DIY Vase

There are a few household items that I find myself using all the time in a million different projects. In fact, sometimes I think I end out using sticky tack, baby wipes, and Q-tips in projects more than I end out using scissors and paint. I even keep a cute little bowl of Q-tips right next to my work space. So when Q-tips asked me to partner with them to bring you a couple fun crafts like this gold polka dot DIY vase, I was thrilled. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Lines Across.

I just love the way that a little bit of gold can turn something ordinary into something amazing. I knew I wanted to transform some plain glass vases with some gold polka dots, but I was originally thinking of making random dots that got denser near the bottom of the vase. However, after testing out a few ideas on some mason jars (P.S. my paint jars are now a little sparklier), I decided that I absolutely loved the look of evenly spaced dots.

These vases really are so easy to make… especially with the three craft hacks I’m going to show you. The hardest parts are creating dots that are close to the same size, spacing them evenly across the round vase, and keeping your vase steady while you work.

Supplies:

1. Round glass vase
2. Liquid Gold paint
3. Q-tips cotton swabs
4. Graph Paper
5. Washi Tape
6. Scissors
7. A Marker
8. Sticky Tack

How to create your guide:

1. The first thing you want to do, is to create a guide that will help you place your polka dots in the right place. They don’t have to be absolutely perfect. I love a little bit of variation in a project that gives it that beautiful hand crafted look. However, if the rows of dots are crooked, it will really show. Basically, you can just tape graph paper to the inside of your vase and use those lines to place the dots in the right spots.
2. I first marked where the graph paper lined up, then I took it out and drew lines across every fourth row and column. The polka dots will go at the intersections of these lines.
3. Next, I cut lines about once every inch and a half at the bottom of the paper. This is because the inside of the vase I was using was slightly tapered, and this is the best way to keep the graph paper straight.
4. Now tape your paper together into a cylinder. Then tape this into the inside of your vase.

How to add the polka dots:

1. Now you need to find a way to steady your vase as you work. I used two little balls of sticky tack to hold the vase to my desk. It works so well, and always comes off easily. Because of the way that liquid leaf gold paint works, you really need a flat surface or the paint will drip and run.
2. Use Q-tips cotton swabs to start adding polka dots to your vase. You may want to test them out a few times first. If you use too much paint, it may drip, but you want to use enough to create a little texture. The Q-tips are absolutely perfect for creating nice round circles that are all very close to the same size. Again, a little variation is pretty.
3. After you add a couple of lines of dots, you’ll need to let them dry for about five minutes before turning the vase. If you turn the vase too soon, the heavy gold paint will drip. This is a great project to work on while watching TV!
4. Keep adding lines of dots and giving them a little bit of time to dry. When you’ve covered your whole vase in dots, leave it flat for at least 10 minutes to dry, then take out the graph paper and enjoy your DIY vase.

This DIY vase was a lot of fun to make. There was definitely something addicting about dipping the Q-tips cotton swabs in that thick Liquid Leaf gold paint. I just may have to add some gold polka dots to other things.

I love how subtle and beautiful the little gold dots are. You could also add a little gold stripe at the top or the bottom of your vase. I was originally planning on doing this, but loved the simple polka dot look. This DIY vase would also make a wonderful Mother’s day gift.