Have you ever wished you could bottle up the ocean’s beauty—its shells, shimmer, and swaying sea life—and keep it on your shelf forever? Well now you can! Donna from Mason Creations etc. shows us exactly how to do it in her breathtaking reverse decoupage tutorial.
This project transforms a plain glass bottle into a dazzling underwater scene complete with fish, mermaids, seashells, and sparkle. Whether you're brand new to decoupage or an experienced crafter looking for your next showpiece, you'll love how doable this project is.
Watch the full video tutorial below, then follow along step-by-step to make your own Ocean Bottle.
Â
Step 1: Prep the Bottle for Decoupage
Start by cleaning the bottle thoroughly with an alcohol wipe. Then brush on a coat of Polyvine Multi Surface Lacquer in dead flat to remove any gloss. This creates a perfect grip for your rice paper and paint to stick. Avoid applying lacquer to any area you want to remain clear glass.
Step 2: Choose and Apply Your Rice Paper
Donna used a beautiful underwater-themed rice paper, selecting the portion she wanted to showcase. She tore the paper to fit, feathering the edges with a water brush to help it blend more naturally. The rice paper is applied to the back of the bottle using Polyvine Decorators Varnish as the adhesive, brushed over the top of the paper to press it into place.
Step 3: Build the Background with Paint
The decoupaged area is backed with Dixie Belle Cotton white paint to make the image pop. Donna then mixes a custom ocean blue shade using Pentart and Dixie Belle paints to fill in the rest of the background, blending from deeper blue tones at the top to light at the bottom.
Step 4: Create and Attach Sea Life Embellishments
Using Das Air Dry Clay, Donna molds mermaids, shells, seaweed, and more. After freezing them briefly for easy release from molds, she attaches the wet clay to the bottle using Aleene’s Tacky Glue, taping them in place where needed to prevent slipping.
For shallower molds, she uses Cream Paste, letting it dry overnight.
Step 5: Paint and Detail the Embellishments
Each molded piece is painted in sea-inspired colors using Pentart and Dixie Belle  paints. Donna uses dry brushing to add highlights and shading, bringing every fin and shell to life. A touch of Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish gives a satin finish that preps them for antiquing.
Step 6: Antique for Depth
A custom glaze made with glazing medium and Pentart earthy browns is brushed on and wiped off, settling into the grooves to enhance detail. This creates a rich, aged look on every molded piece.
Step 7: Add Sand That Won’t Flake
Donna mixes plain craft sand with Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish and spreads it over a base of Aleene’s glue. This combo locks it in tight so it won’t shed. Once dry, she blends nearby paint into the sandy areas to unify the look.
Step 8: Finish the Scene
Once everything is dry, she attaches her flexible seaweed with hot glue, adds shimmering glass bubbles, and wraps the bottle neck in twine for a coastal touch. She even adds a cork with a built-in USB light to illuminate the scene from within.
This ocean bottle captures whimsy, nostalgia, and imagination all in one gorgeous project. The video below shows every step visually, so be sure to watch and craft along.
Donna, thank you for another magical creation and for sharing your expertise with all of us. Your talent continues to inspire crafters everywhere.
Ready to start your own ocean bottle adventure?
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get 10% off your next order—plus first dibs on new products, tutorials, and special offers.