A Peacock Vase with Castle-Worn Charm
Have you ever looked at a plain glass vase and imagined it as a forgotten treasure from an ancient castle?
This dramatic mixed media project transforms a simple vase into something that looks aged, textured, and full of mystery. With molded clay embellishments, layered crackle finishes, dimensional texture, and shimmering silver highlights, the final piece feels more like ancient pottery or carved stone than ordinary glass.
Donna from Mason Creations etc. shares step-by-step techniques for creating rich texture, dramatic shadows, and realistic antiquing effects that bring this peacock vase completely to life.
Be sure to watch the full video tutorial below before getting started.
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Materials You Can Shop Here
You can shop the featured finishes and supplies below, then use the tutorial steps to bring the project together.
- Polyvine Multi Surface Lacquer
- Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish
- Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint
- Air Dry Clay
- Silicone Molds
- Pentart Acrylic Paint
- Pentart 3D Balls
- Pentart 3D Powder
- Adhesives
- Crackle Texture Paste
- Antiquing & Glazing Medium
- Brushes & Tools
Also Needed
Glass vase.
Step 1: Preparing the Glass Vase
The vase is first wiped down with rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints, oils, and residue.
To prepare the slick glass surface for paint and embellishments, Polyvine Multi Surface Lacquer (Dead Flat) is brushed onto the entire vase. This product creates a gripping layer that allows paint, texture products, and clay embellishments to adhere properly to glass.
The vase is left overnight to dry completely.
Step 2: Making the Peacock Embellishment
The dramatic peacock embellishment is created using Das air-dry clay and a silicone mold.
After pressing the clay into the mold, excess clay is removed with a palette knife and the surface is smoothed with water. The mold is then placed into the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Freezing makes the clay rigid so the delicate details release cleanly without breaking.
Once removed from the mold, the clay edges are gently cleaned up while still partially frozen.
Step 3: Attaching the Clay to the Vase
The molded clay embellishment is attached while still damp using Aleene’s Tacky Glue.
Because the clay is still soft, it naturally conforms to the curved surface of the vase as it dries. Any glue seepage is immediately cleaned with a damp brush, and the edges are gently pressed down to ensure strong adhesion.
Donna uses silicone makeup brushes to apply glue to the backs of the embellishments without damaging regular paint brushes.
The vase is then left overnight to dry fully.
Step 4: Painting the Background
The vase background is painted using Pentart paint in Off White, a cool pale gray-toned white.
Donna notes during the tutorial that painting the vase a darker color underneath first would prevent the crackle technique from showing through the clear glass later—an excellent tip for anyone recreating the project.
The paint is allowed to dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Adding Texture with 3D Balls
To begin building texture, Pentart 3D Balls are mixed with:
- Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Cotton
- A spritz of water
- Aleene’s Tacky Glue
The mixture is stirred together and applied with a palette knife around the peacock and along the bottom of the vase.
The tiny dimensional beads immediately create an aged concrete-like texture.
Step 6: Applying Crackle Paste
Additional texture is added using crackle paste applied randomly with a palette knife.
Some areas are thick while others are thin, helping the surface feel naturally worn and weathered rather than uniform.
As the crackle paste dries, it begins forming realistic cracked textures across the vase.
Step 7: Building Even More Texture
For even heavier texture, Donna mixes white chalk paint with Pentart 3D Powder.
This thick mixture is dabbed heavily around the crackle paste and 3D balls using a brush. The chunky application creates rough raised areas that resemble ancient pottery, stone, or weathered plaster.
The vase is then left overnight to dry completely.
Step 8: Painting the Vase Gray
Once all texture products are fully dry, the entire vase is painted using Pentart paint in Gray.
Because the surface has so much texture, Donna carefully checks the vase from multiple angles to ensure every crevice receives coverage.
Step 9: Creating Shadows and Dimension
This step brings the vase dramatically to life.
Donna layers additional colors including:
- Castle (gray beige)
- Dark gray
- Black
The paints are thinned slightly with water and dabbed randomly across the textured surface.
Black paint is concentrated near the peacock and between the 3D balls to create deep shadows and dramatic contrast.
The peacock itself is painted in the lighter gray beige color so it stands out while still remaining cohesive with the background palette.
Step 10: Sealing Before Antiquing
Before antiquing, the vase receives a coat of Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish (Satin).
Donna explains that antiquing works best over a shiny surface because the glaze wipes away from the raised areas while staying inside cracks and crevices.
This varnish also adds moisture resistance, heat resistance, and long-lasting durability.
Step 11: Antiquing the Vase
A custom black antiquing glaze is created using:
- Glazing medium
- Black paint
- A spritz of water
The glaze is brushed over the vase in sections and immediately wiped back with a soft cloth.
The antiquing settles beautifully into all the cracks, crevices, and textured areas, instantly adding depth and dimension to the peacock and surrounding embellishments.
Around the 3D balls, Donna dabs rather than wipes to preserve the dark shadows between the tiny raised textures.
Step 12: Creating a Matte Stone Finish
To avoid a shiny modern appearance, the vase is sealed with Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish (Dead Flat).
This removes the gloss and gives the project a soft matte finish that resembles aged stone or ancient pottery.
Step 13: Highlighting with Silver Dry Brushing
The final detail is dry brushing with Pentart Silver paint.
Using an almost dry brush, the silver paint is lightly skimmed across the raised textures and embellishments. The metallic highlights catch only the highest points, emphasizing every crack, bead, and sculpted detail.
Additional silver edging is applied around the top rim of the vase using a flat sponge dauber for crisp clean lines.
The result is bold, dramatic, and incredibly dimensional.
The finished vase looks ancient, mysterious, and richly textured—proof that a simple glass vase can become a true mixed media statement piece.
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