Who needs ho-hum, see-through glassware? Using acrylic paint and some crafty mojo—plus sourced glass containers from your local Salvation Army thrift store—you can create beautiful reusable packaging or maybe even one-of-a-kind art!

Supplies Needed: Thrifted glass containers, acrylic paint, paint brushes and/or sponges, Mod Podge, stencils or painter’s tape to create design, pencils

Step 1 Gather your materials. Containers can be any shape or size. I would recommend your containers have an easy surface to work with—etched designs or too many curves may be challenging.

Step 2 Clean your containers. Using a mixture of white acrylic paint and a small amount of Mod Podge, prime the surface of the containers. Add 1-2 coats of white paint, allowing it to dry between coats.

Step 3 Sketch your design using stencils or painter’s tape. I used some old stencils for my painted bottles.

Step 4 Depending on your design and colour choice, you can either paint your base colour first or after you’ve added the design. And if you make a mistake, you can always start over.

Step 5 Once your design is complete and the paint is dry, seal the deal by adding 1-2 coats of Mod Podge. I like using glossy, not matte, Mod Podge for the finish.

Now that your DIY is done, you can use it for display or give it to family and friends. The possibilities are endless!

Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.