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How to Turn Your Glass Bottles into Modern Bud Vases

kayte terry, contributor

8 users recommend

Adding some simple etching will turn these jars into a beautiful grouping of vases.

Kayte Terry

Choose different sizes and shapes for your vases.

Kayte Terry

Using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab or eye make-up brush, clean off any fingerprints on the glass.

Kayte Terry

Adding some simple etching will turn these jars into a beautiful grouping of vases.

Photo: Kayte Terry

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I am a bit of a vase junkie. I often work as a photo stylist, and lots of vases in great colors and shapes are a must-have in a stylist's arsenal of stuff. I love to make little groupings of vases in different sizes and shapes, and I am never above reusing an old jar or bottle in my photos. Add some simple etching, and you have a beautiful new group of vases that cost pennies to make.

These would make particularly lovely (and cheap!) centerpieces at an informal summer wedding or a big outdoor dinner party.

What you'll need:

• Assorted jars and bottles
• Masking tape
• Rubbing alcohol and cotton swab
• Etching cream
• Latex gloves
• Sponge brush

Choose different sizes and shapes for your vases.

1. Soak the bottles and jars to get rid of the labels and any liquid that's left behind. Scrub any extra glue off with a sponge.

2. Allow the jars and bottles to dry completely.

Make sure your masking tape is adhered evenly and without puckers.

3. Use the masking tape to make designs on the bottles and jars. You can put the tape on in horizontal or vertical stripes or in off-kilter designs or even cut the tape to make other shapes. Get creative and remember that the uncovered area will be the area that is etched.

If you don't have a cotton swab, you can use a clean eye make-up brush like I did!

4. With a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol, clean any fingerprints or dirt off the glass.

Brush on a thick coat of the etching cream.

5. Before you use the etching cream, make sure you put on gloves and protect your clothing and work surface. Also open a window. Following the manufacturer's instructions, brush on the etching cream on the untaped area of the glass.

6. Wait for the specified amount of time, then rinse the glass under water and peel off the tape. When the glass is dry, the etching will be visible.

Note: Unfortunately, the end result was almost impossible for me to photograph clearly but take my word for it: they look great!

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Comments (3)

Unique2wh0 writes: I think I could do this :)
Thanks for the idea.

De'Anna
Posted: 11:12 am on June 18th

kimcarney writes: Great idea!
Posted: 2:21 pm on April 18th

LindaPermann writes: I bet these would look pretty with colored water (to show off the etching)-- simple and cute idea, Kayte!
Posted: 12:27 pm on April 16th

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