Simple Spring Decor: DIY Pastel Gold Splatted Bud Vases

Spring is in the air! To me, spring is always, first and foremost, about color. It’s also my favorite time of year to keep flowers in the house, but this can be a very expensive habit. Instead, I’ve committed to getting my flower fix by picking one or two flowers from my daily walks to display in small bud vases. To honor each bloom, I wanted to whip some special bud vases to give them just-the-right place to live.

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I found these pretty little glass jars at Michaels, and used standard acrylic paint to paint the insides of the vases and then splattered them with liquid gold leaf, which gives them a beautiful shimmer unlike plain gold paint. 

Materials:

• Small glass jars/vases
• Pastel acrylic craft paints
• Liquid gold leaf
• Paintbrush
• Spare newspapers/magazines
• Latex or plastic gloves

Step

First, cover your workspace with spare papers or even plastic to protect it from paint. Be cautious and use several layers of paper for maximum protection. 

Step

Add several drops of the desired paint colors to each small vase. Then add 1-2 drops of water and shake to combine. (This waters the paint down enough to move easily without changing its effect.) Carefully shake and move the paint around the inside of the vases until entirely covered. Then place top-down onto the paper for the excess paint to drain.

Step

Allow the paint to drain and dry for several hours or overnight. 

Step

Turn the vases right-side up several inches apart and replace the paint-covered paper with new layers. Put on gloves to protect your hands. Dip the paint brush in the liquid gold leaf (may need to shake vigorously before opening) and lightly tap the paint onto the vases to create a speckled or splattered appearance. Repeat until satisfied with the pattern and set aside to dry completely for several hours. 

*In my experience, liquid gold leaf will stain your hands and surfaces very easily so take extra precaution as it may not be washable.

Once the paint has all dried, insert flower buds or plain leaves to add color and life into your decor. With bud vases, there’s no need to buy a whole bouquet (unless you want to, of course)! Simply place bud vases around the house and add one stem to each to instantly update the space.