Floral Painted Vases Inspired by Vera

I've always been a huge fan of Vera Neumann, the legendary designer and artist (1907–1993).  Her philosophy was that fine art should be accessible to everyone.  I love her use of color and whimsey and how her art touched everyone from Marilyn Monroe to almost every household in the US.  Scarves, napkins, sheets, tablecloths and clothing were just a few of the things she mass manufactured.  She was everywhere!  I painted these vases in her style (which has always served as inspiration to me) with my stash of glass vases that keep piling up in my pantry.  I know you have a few, too.  Why not use them as a canvas?  Remember to paint everything and always Make Your Mark!

I may use these for my pens and pencils

 Love how they look together!

Vera and one of her thousands of scarf designs

Watch my video here!

 Love this book!

Very Vera!

Confetti Vases

 Recently I decided to clean out the little closet in my kitchen.......You might have a little closet like this?  It's where you shove everything unsightly right before company arrives and then you forget about it until one day, the door bursts open and you realize that's where everything you ever thought you lost has been.....If you lost it, that's where it was. Along with all of the crap in there, I found glass vases galore.  Small ones, big ones and ugly ones that come with flower deliveries. Well, this color freak decided to give them a makeover before I donated them to my local thrift store and this is what happened.  And yes, I used every color in the box.  Remember to go color crazy, use stuff in THAT closet and always Make Your Mark!

Watch the quick tutorial here!

STUFF I USED

Americana Gloss Enamels

Glass Vases

Rubbing Alcohol

Therm-o-web iCraft Deco Foil and Adhesive Pen

Gold Paint Pen

HERE'S HOW

1.  Clean your vase with rubbing alcohol

2. Base coat the vase with Gloss Enamels in white

3. 4. & 5.  One color at a time starting with the lightest colors first, paint

colors randomly around the vase

*Let the colors dry for a few minutes in between color changes

6.  Circle the rim with a metallic paint marker

7.  Draw a line around the vase about 1 1/4 inch from the bottom

8. Coat the base with the iCraft Deco Foil adhesive pen

9. Apply the gold Deco Foil to the adhesive after it has dried for a few minutes

Easy Holiday Decorating

I have tons of clear glass vases from who knows where!  They just seem to pile up year after year. This year, in my attempt to make everything merry and bright, I decided to break out the Krylon stained glass paint and some Allure and deck my halls!  Hey, if you want to skip the stained glass paint, that's fine.  I saw beautiful red glass vases a few days later, for next to nothing.

Happy decorating!  xoxo, Mark

I've officially decked my halls!

This would make a wonderful gift for a friend!

See how easy it is here!

Stuff You'll Need

Krylon Stained Glass

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Gold Leaf

Flat back gems

Glass vases

E-6000 glue

Paint your glass vases with the stained glass

*Or skip this step and buy a colorful vase

Start decorating with Allure

*Careful not to smudge as you circle the vase

Glue on gems with E-6000 and let dry

Add more Allure until you're satisfied with your design

Try this on all different shaped vases

Merry Christmas!