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A DIY idea shared by the @OurUpcycledLife channel shows how to give an old vase a frosted look with glue and Epsom salt. Hunker’s report describes optional glitter, color and lighting additions, while noting that battery-operated lights are preferable to real candles.
A DIY project featured by Hunker shows how the creator behind @OurUpcycledLife gives an old vase a frosted finish using glue and Epsom salt, offering a low-cost way to reuse an item for seasonal home decor. The technique coats the vase’s exterior with adhesive, then applies the salt while the glue is wet.
The project begins by washing the vase with warm water and mild dish soap to remove dust and grime, then letting it air-dry completely. Hunker’s instructions also suggest removing labels or price tags before decorating, and covering the work surface with newspaper to collect loose salt.
To create the finish, the crafter spreads a thin layer of PVA glue or Mod Podge over the outside of the vase and sprinkles Epsom salt over the wet adhesive. Working in small areas can help if the glue dries quickly. Another method is to spread the salt on a plate and gently press the glued vase into it. The piece is then left for several hours to cure.
Optional additions include white glitter for extra sparkle, colored glitter or a few drops of food coloring for a tinted effect, and a further coat of glue or a clear acrylic sealer spray. The report says the project can be adapted to vases of different shapes and sizes and uses supplies that many crafters may already have. It does not provide tested durability or product-specific performance results.
A Low-Cost Way to Reuse Vases
The project offers readers a way to refresh a vase they already own instead of buying a new seasonal decoration. Its materials are simple craft supplies, and the instructions allow for variations in color and texture. That makes the idea accessible for people who want a small decor change without committing to a larger purchase.
Reusing an unwanted household item may also keep it in use rather than sending it straight to the trash. That is a practical benefit of the project, though the supplied report does not quantify its environmental impact or compare it with other decorating methods. The finished vase can serve as a display piece, but the instructions do not establish how well the salt coating holds up to handling, moisture or long-term use.
The lighting advice also matters for safe styling. Hunker recommends LED tealights or battery-operated string lights and cautions against real candles, which may heat the coating or soot the glass. The vase is presented as a decorative object, not as a tested candleholder.
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How the Frosted Finish Is Made
The report frames the craft as a seasonal decor idea, particularly for a winter look. Rather than using specialty glass-frosting products, the method relies on ordinary Epsom salt and adhesive to create a textured, snow-like surface. Hunker says any type of Epsom salt can be used, but the source material does not compare salt varieties or adhesives.
After the coating cures, the vase can be displayed by itself or decorated with a ribbon, decorative twine, faux flowers, pine cones, holly or berries. For a more illuminated display, the report suggests placing battery-operated lights inside or arranging salt-dusted twigs with fairy lights. These are styling suggestions, not required steps in the basic process.
““Any type of Epsom salt you have on hand works.””
— Hunker’s report on the @OurUpcycledLife project
Durability and Safety Details
The supplied report does not state how long the coating lasts, whether it can be cleaned, or how it responds to humidity and repeated handling. It also does not identify a specific glue or sealer as tested, or provide measurements for the amount of salt needed. Results may vary with the vase surface, adhesive and application.
Although the article suggests the craft can involve children, it does not specify age guidance or supervision requirements. The finished piece should not be treated as suitable for real candles: the report advises against them, and it does not provide heat-resistance testing. No sales figures, wider trend data or new announcement are included in the source material.
Finishing and Displaying the Vase
After leaving the vase to cure for several hours, a crafter can decide whether to add another layer of glue and salt or apply a clear sealer, as described in Hunker’s instructions. The report does not specify a drying time for the optional sealer, so users would need to follow the product’s own directions.
For display, the article suggests adding battery-operated lighting or artificial seasonal decorations. The project’s next practical test is how the coating holds up in the intended setting; the supplied report offers no follow-up results. Readers considering the method should keep the finished piece away from real-candle heat and handle it with care, since durability is not established.
Key Questions
What materials are needed to frost an old vase?
The basic project uses a clean, dry vase, Epsom salt and PVA glue or Mod Podge. A foam or bristle brush can help apply the glue. Glitter, food coloring and a clear sealer are optional additions mentioned in Hunker’s instructions.
How is the salt attached to the vase?
Apply a thin layer of glue to the vase’s exterior, then sprinkle Epsom salt onto the wet surface. Alternatively, spread salt on a plate and lightly press the glued vase into it. Let the coating cure for several hours, according to the report.
Can the finished vase hold a real candle?
Hunker advises against real candles because heat may affect the salt coating and soot may blacken the glass. The report suggests using LED tealights or battery-operated string lights instead.
Does the source say how durable the coating is?
No. The report does not provide testing or a lifespan for the finish, nor does it explain how the coating responds to cleaning, moisture or repeated handling.
Source: hunker.com
